Local business secures healthcare contract with Merseylink
A Halton business has been awarded the occupational healthcare contract with construction consortium Merseylink.
Merseylink’s Peter Conway with the UK Screening Solutions team: operational business manager Val Saxon, registered nurse Cathy McDowell and managing director Liam Magennis
UK Screening Solutions, based in Widnes, has secured a three-year contract to provide the occupational healthcare service during the construction phase of the Mersey Gateway Project.
Val Saxon, operational business manager for UK Screening Solutions, said the business is delighted with the opportunity, and had already begun to recruit new staff from the area.
“As a small local company this contract is helping us to grow and develop the services we provide to the construction industry, Network Rail and nuclear industry,” she said.
“It’s already allowed us to employ four additional members of staff locally and is enabling us to expand our business further by offering occupational health services to other companies across the UK.”
Local nurse Helen Grady was tempted out of retirement by UK Screening Solutions to help mobilise the service. Helen, from Widnes, retired from the NHS last year after 39 years service. She jumped at the chance to be involved in the project, saying:
“The challenge of doing something completely different motivated me to take the job. We’ve set up an excellent medical service for Merseylink that all project workers will be able to benefit from.”
Liam Magennis, managing director of UK Screening Solutions, said:
“Health and safety is an important issue on all construction sites and Merseylink is setting an exemplary example of providing the best care for workers. We are delighted to be involved in a project of this size, and to be working with a company that values the health and welfare of its workforce.”
Peter Conway, health and safety manager at Merseylink, said:
“We are extremely impressed with the quality of the occupational health service that UK Screening Solutions is providing.
“Whether people are working on site or in the office, everyone who works on the Mersey Gateway Project deserves the same high standard of care.”
Within a week of signing the contract, UK Screening Solutions had established the project’s medical centre at the Catalyst construction site.
Based within the Merseylink site welfare facility, the medical centre replicates a GP surgery with a reception area, fully equipped treatment room, WC, shower and a consulting area. An ambulance service is also provided via a dedicated 4×4 rapid response vehicle.
Staffed by registered nurses, the Merseylink occupational health service provides a free, confidential, drop-in service for employees with work-related or personal medical issues.
A range of new initiatives soon to be launched, include special monthly well-being clinics so that all workers have access to regular health checks.
