NHS Employers is encouraging healthcare professionals to take part in Dry January 2014.
Dry January encourages people to stay alcohol free for the entire month of January. Taking time away from drinking alcohol allows people to take stock of their relationship with alcohol during the rest of the year.
Staff from every part of the NHS are encouraged to take on the challenge in order to start building a healthier future.
Over 30 trusts from across England are taking part in Dry January, and each trust will be running a local campaign.
Free resources are available on the NHS Employers website.
Some of the benefits of giving up alcohol for a short period can include improved sleep, weight loss, improved skin and hair quality and saving money.
An NHS Employers statement said: “Lost productivity and absenteeism due to alcohol costs the economy 17 million working days and £7bn a year. It is estimated that around a quarter of people in the UK drink above the lower risk guidelines.
“This campaign presents an excellent opportunity to spread the key messages and facts about alcohol use to a diverse audience with a potential reach of 1.3 million NHS staff.
“Public Health England is supporting the campaign by funding evaluation and research to assess the effectiveness of the campaign in changing behaviour and reducing alcohol consumption by participants in the longer term.”
To sign up for the challenge visit the NHS Employers website.
