Workers given health support after opening of £1.6m wellbeing centre in Bradford

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20/04/2010

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Workers given health support after opening of £1.6m wellbeing centre in Bradford

A PURPOSE-BUILT health centre has opened at a Bradford hospital as part of a government drive to improve the health of the country's workers.

The Workplace Health and Wellbeing Centre at Bradford Royal Infirmary’s Field House is one of 11 new innovation sites in England which will deliver improvements to NHS occupational health services.

“By offering one-stop shop support to smaller businesses and companies we can ensure that local industry delivers an occupational health service to their staff which is second to none”

Built at a cost of £1.6m, the Bradford facility will provide healthcare services such as hearing assessments and sickness absence referrals to more than 10,000 employees both in the NHS and across a wide range of west Yorkshire industries. In addition, a new mobile clinic, complete with hearing booth, will also provide services direct to workforces in the community.

David Richardson, chairman of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said the benefits of promoting good health at work and maintaining staff well-being are well recognised. He added: “We are absolutely delighted that Bradford was chosen to be one of just 11 Department of Health and NHS Plus-funded sites across the country which will deliver these important services to employers and employees.

“By offering one-stop shop support to smaller businesses and companies we can ensure that local industry delivers an occupational health service to their staff which is second to none.”

As well as the new facility at Bradford Royal Infirmary, the service also includes a mobile unit which will visit workplaces around west Yorkshire

The building was opened by Professor Dame Carol Black, the Government’s director for health and work and one of the country’s most-senior doctors. Facilities include a rehabilitation gym where staff and clients can be treated for musculoskeletal problems and access early interventions, a counselling suite, and an audio booth where specialists can carry out hearing tests. In addition, there are 10 refurbished consulting rooms where nurse advisors and physicians will carry out occupational health assessments. The centre also offers a wide range of health assessments from hand arm vibration to those for drivers, night staff and pregnant women, as well as lung function tests.

Salim Akhtar, business development manager at the centre, told BBH: “Our services are provided by a multidisciplinary team including occupational health physicians, specialist occupational health nurses, counsellors and physiotherapists and there are plans to expand the range of services offered.

“Staff can either come to the centre at the Bradford Royal Infirmary, to a satellite unit at St Luke’s Hospital, or our new mobile clinic can provide services direct to their workplace.”

Other services available include pre-employment screening, workplace vaccinations, DSE assessments, physiotherapy and health and safety training.

Other centres have already opened at University Hospital Aintree and York Hospital.

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