By Martin Walker
An occupational health business is working with Newton Aycliffe-based Compound Photonics to help maintain a healthy workforce.
Teesside-based Liz Short and Jane Wright formed Business Health Partners two years ago, offering a wide range of health services to companies and their employees.
The pair have extensive experience working within the NHS, the police service, manufacturing, food and biotech industries as well as local government.
Now they’re working with a number of firms across the region including electronics firm Compound Photonics and multi-national surfacing solutions company Formica Group, which both have sites on Aycliffe Business Park.
Jane visits the Compound Photonics site regularly, responding to varying requirements for pre-employment screening, role and risk-based medicals and annual health surveillance.
Director and co-founder of Business Health Partners, Jane is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both nursing and midwifery practice.
She has worked in occupational health since 2002 and having gained a degree is now a specialist practitioner in occupational health nursing.
Jane has a wealth of experience in all aspects of occupational health practice including attendance management, health surveillance, pre-employment screening and display screen equipment assessments.
She has been involved in developing and delivering training on a wide range of health related topics particularly stress awareness and stress management.
“Even in this day and age, some businesses aren’t aware of the financial and reputational risks they could be facing,” says Jane.
“The Health and Safety Executive has the power to prosecute and the sanctions can be quite extensive.
“But it’s not just the money side of it, it’s the reputational risk as well. There are many reasons why businesses should do it. If a worker is injured through negligence, they may have a claim for compensation and everything that goes with it.
“You tend to find there’s a wide spectrum of approaches to occupational health by businesses. You get some that are very switched on, who don’t just want to do the bare minimum and tick a box, they want the best for their workforce, and part of that ethos is to look after their health and wellbeing.”
Business Health Partners also work with the likes of engineering and construction firm Cordell Group, Eaglescliffe-based manufacturing firm Nifco, Yarm-based packaging company RPS and Hartlepool biotech experts Hartbio.
Jane and Liz has developed high quality and high performing occupational health services for a number of organisations including the police and local government and the manufacturing and food industries.
Business Heath Partners can undertake all aspects of employment well-being ranging from lung function testing to meet statutory, regulatory obligations through to advising on employee absence, policy development, risk assessment and audit.
“Our services can be tailored to suit all needs and budgets ensuring that all companies are able to benefit from our services without having to pay huge annual fees,” added Liz.
“Our screening provides regular checks to monitor and safeguard employee well-being and welfare.
“Additionally, our pre-employment screening and lung function testing can highlight and clarify numerous issues with candidates who are offered a job with you.
“We like to work closely with our customers, to identify needs and priorities so that our services are tailored to fit and contribute towards your business goals.”
Business Health Partners’ expertise can help firms to reduce sickness absence, improve employee performance and reduce litigation and prosecution costs through legislative compliance.
• To discuss your occupational health requirements, you can call Jane on 07882 641528 or email [email protected] or Liz on 07720 956789 or email [email protected]. Alternatively, go to www.businesshealthpartners.co.uk