The course is open to staff at the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals

Julie Kelly and Pauline Cole, based at Churchill Hospital, were singled out for their Positive Back Care course.

Employees at Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals are offered advice on posture and managing pain as part of the scheme.

Back pain is the most common reason for people missing work, with sufferers taking an average of 13 days off a year.

'Greater insight'

Ms Kelly said: "We are delighted to receive this award on behalf of the trust.

"The hope is that we can foster an environment in which an active approach to looking after our backs becomes part of our natural way of working."

Kate Thorpe, a human resources manager at the John Radcliffe who went on the course, said: "I found attending the Positive Back Care course very helpful both as an employee and as an HR manager.

"It gave me greater insight into the issues about supporting staff with back problems in the workplace as well as the personal learning to help me look after my back."