FirstAssist takes the road to health

Employees at FirstAssist, the leading health and wellbeing partner, have embraced the voluntary roadtohealth* screening programme. Over 600 employees across six FirstAssist sites took part in the scheme that aims to help tackle obesity, heart disease and other lifestyle issues, by helping individuals make positive changes to improve their health.

Each employee attended a 20 minute health check with a roadtohealth consultant who carried out a range of tests based on gender, age and lifestyle habits. These included assessments of their blood pressure and their glucose and cholesterol levels.

The results were calculated and a ranking between 1 and 100 given to assess the risk of developing coronary heart disease. For those employees wanting to change their lifestyle and take greater responsibility for their health and wellbeing, advice was given in order to help them make the necessary changes. The roadtohealth assessors also provided personalised action plans, menu cards and home exercise plans.

Following their health check, employees could take advantage of a free eye test through Optical Express, a free weekend pass at LivingWell Health & Fitness Clubs, and personal health and lifestyle advice from the roadtohealth clinical support team for a fixed period of time.

Sue Lewis, FirstAssistís HR Manager said: ìOverall, we are very pleased with the results and delighted by the number of employees who chose to participate in this voluntary health check. As you would expect, we identified some areas for improvement and one of the things we have introduced as a result of participating in roadtohealth, is a staff discount for gym membership at a nationwide chain of health clubs. Not only has this encouraged staff to improve their personal level of fitness, it has also helped to boost morale. We will be providing health checks again next year so people can find out the progress they have made by following the advice they were given.î

As the costs of sickness absence rise, businesses must look at ways of successfully managing employee health and wellbeing. Providing regular health checks to employees is just one element of an effective healthcare strategy. Not only will this encourage employees to take an active role in improving their own health: a healthy workforce leads to an efficient and profitable business.

Roadtohealth is designed to form part of a proactive and preventative long-term health and wellbeing policy and is offered in partnership with FirstAssist.