Sunderland GP Alliance named a Best Place to Work for third consecutive year
Sunderland GP Alliance (SGPA) is celebrating being recognised as one of the UK’s Best Places to Work for the third year running.
The not-for-profit organisation, which works at the heart of primary care across Sunderland, has once again been recognised in The Times Best Places to Work list, highlighting its commitment to creating a positive, inclusive and supportive workplace for its employees.
With its people central to the delivery of vital health services and support for GP practices and local communities, SGPA places a strong emphasis on employee wellbeing, development and flexible working.
Louise Roughley, HR Manager at Sunderland GP Alliance, said the organisation’s latest recognition reflected the culture it had built around its people.
“As a not-for-profit organisation working at the heart of primary care across Sunderland, our people are central to everything we do. From delivering vital health services to supporting GP practices and local communities, we recognise that a positive working environment directly impacts the quality of care we provide.
“Being recognised nationally once again is a testament to the culture we have built together, where staff feel valued, listened to and empowered.”
SGPA offers a range of flexible working options alongside generous paid leave, helping employees balance their careers with their personal lives and caring responsibilities.
The organisation also places a strong focus on the mental and physical wellbeing of its workforce. Having achieved Continuing Excellence accreditation for the Better Health at Work Award, SGPA is now progressing towards Maintaining Excellence this year.
Alongside wellbeing, learning and professional development are key priorities, with employees able to access apprenticeships, coaching, support with formal qualifications and study leave, as well as shadowing, secondments and sabbaticals.
Louise added: “We have embedded a learning culture and an ethos of continuous improvement that benefits the city-wide services we deliver, as well as providing opportunities for professional and personal growth to our team.
“Most importantly, SGPA is driven by values that genuinely translate into day-to-day behaviours: respect, compassion, trust and inclusivity. This creates a positive culture where people feel motivated to deliver their best work.”
The latest recognition comes as SGPA also celebrates a decade as a tenant at the North East BIC, where the organisation has grown from a small team into an established organisation supporting healthcare delivery across the city.
Jon Twelves, Chief Executive of Sunderland GP Alliance, said the BIC had played an important role in the organisation’s development over the past 10 years.
“We have been proud tenants since our establishment 10 years ago, growing from a small team into a thriving organisation supporting healthcare delivery across the city.
“The BIC has played an important role in that journey – providing not just flexible workspace, but a supportive business community that has helped us develop and expand our services over the past decade.”
SGPA will continue its relationship with the BIC as it looks to the future, with a focus on supporting its workforce, strengthening partnerships and improving health outcomes for people across Sunderland.
Jon added: “Being recognised as a Best Place to Work once again is something we are incredibly proud of – and we’re grateful to the BIC for being part of our story.”