WELLBEING


SHIFTING SLEEP PATTERNS


Lack of sleep affects many officers and in 2019, the first National Police Wellbeing survey identified that 45 per cent of police officers and 30 per cent of police staff reported sleeping less than six hours per night, very often or all the time, over the three months preceding the survey. Those working shifts indicated more frequently experiencing poor sleep quality with 27 per cent of police officers and 25 per cent of police staff reporting disturbed sleep. Subsequent national surveys in 2020 and 2021 continued to reveal high levels of fatigue. Oscar Kilo, the National


so webinars relevant to different people were launched with one for shift workers. Other webinars include winter fatigue, menopause, parents and kids. Dr Sophie and Oscar Kilo created the Better Sleep Tool Kit, comprising a four-week online, better sleep course, webinars, short videos and bite-sized advice to improve sleep and wellbeing. Dr Yvonne Taylor, sleep and fatigue


The National Police Wellbeing Services is working with experts to help police, especially those who work shifts, sleep better and improve their overall health


staff: “We’re taking an evidence-based approach to improving people’s sleep. Improving sleep helps improve health and wellbeing. This is not just an issue for the police, but police officers have a much more demanding role than the rest of the world. “There’s research internationally that shows that across approximately 13 countries on average, 51 per cent of the police family experienced sleep difficulties compared to around one in three in the general population. “Anything which is emotionally demanding, draining, with long working hours where you have different shift patterns will automatically put you at higher risk of a sleep disorder. If you then add on the global uncertainty created by the pandemic or the rising cost of living, these things amplify sleep difficulties for everyone. But if you’re already vulnerable, then you’re going to suffer disproportionately. Less than six hours of sleep might be enough to get by, but it is not enough to thrive.”


“We’re taking an evidence-based approach to improving people’s sleep. Improving sleep helps improve health and wellbeing.”


Police Wellbeing Service (NPWS) have been working with leading experts in the field and have a series of programmes and pilots to support officer and staff in this area. Upon being approached by two officers after a seminar, Dr Sophie Bostock agreed to help set up seminars to educate those who were having difficulties with sleep, and they created a pilot program. The pilot’s evaluations went to the National College of Policing who acknowledged that lack of sleep was an issue in the force. Standard sleep advice is not relevant to shift workers,


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projects lead for NPWS said: “The whole programme has come about because of the national surveys. The three surveys highlighted problems with sleep, insufficient sleep, poor sleep quality, problems with fatigue and post-traumatic stress. We have looked into conducting research with international experts to unpack the root causes and whether they are related to shift work in particular or wider policing.”


Dr Sophie said the online programme is structured around the most frequently asked questions from officers and


Dr Yvonne added: “The benefit of these trial is overall wellbeing. Sleep is as important as nutrition and exercise to keep us happy and balanced. There is a sound


academic base of the links between sleep and mental health. They go hand-in-hand.”


To sign up or get more information, visit their page on the Oscar Kilo website Better sleep toolkit | Oscar Kilo. The next webinar that will take place will be on Mental Health Day, 10 October around sleep and mental health, with more to come in November and March. Dates will be being publicised in due course. www.oscarkilo.org.uk/services/wellbeing- at-work/sleep-and-fatigue-interventions/ better-sleep-toolkit


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