A healthy outlook for staff (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

A healthy outlook for staff

Ref. 30026-30BOSSES of smaller businesses can now keep both profits and staff healthy, thanks to a new pay-as-you-go style occupational health unit at a Swindon surgery.

GPs at Abbey Meads Medical Practice have launched the facility after recognising that many bosses are struggling to cope with rising levels of Government red tape.

Henry Crawford, manager of the Elstree Way practice, said many small-to-medium enterprises cannot keep up with the bigger fish when it comes to providing health care for employers.

"Large organisations can afford to have permanent occupational health and safety staff on site but smaller ones can't," he said.

"This is the only unit in Swindon that is aimed specifically at smaller business. Employers can simply 'buy-in' the expertise as they need it."

And Mr Crawford reckons he'll have them queuing at the door as the Government shifts attention away from the multinationals to SMEs.

He said: "The Health and Safety Executive realises it has done about as much as it can with the big firms now they are turning their attention to the smaller ones.

"The days where you go to your family doctor to sign your sick note are set to go. Increasingly, it will be the requirement of the employer."

And it's not just the company balance sheets that will look better, insists Mr Crawford. "At the moment there is a big emphasis on easing employees back into work, following an injury or sickness," he said.

"Our team of three specially-trained occupational health doctors will be able to sit down and work out a tailored return to work strategy and that will have great benefits for everyone.

"The workforce is the most important and expensive asset in any organisation. It is cheaper in the long run to retain your staff by providing a decent environment."