Easington Primary Care Trust has become one of the first PCTs in the region to receive top NHS recognition for its efforts in encouraging staff to achieve a healthy work and life balance.

An independent NHS validation team has awarded the organisation the PCT Improving Working Lives Practice Plus (IWL) accreditation status.

The IWL is an NHS programme aimed at supporting staff and helping them to work safely and gain training to improve their personal performance.

The trust was awarded the first level accreditation for good practice in October 2003 and this time around, the validation team found that the trust had made great strides since its first award.

After its review of Easington PCT, the IWL validation team commented: "The morale of staff is generally high and they enjoy working for and are genuinely committed to the organisation, with many saying that Easington PCT is a good place to work.''

The team found many examples of flexible working within the PCT for staff needing to combine caring responsibilities with the demands of work.

The validation inspectors also recognised that there was a clear commitment from the PCT to providing as safe and as healthy workplace environment as possible.