WorkHealth Checks
Eastern Ranges GP Association (ERGPA) is proud to be an Endorsed Service Provider of the WorkHealth program. ERGPA is a leading not-for-profit organisation with a long standing history of providing quality primary health care services to the community. In addition to providing patient services and healthcare solutions, ERGPA provides preventative health checks for organisations based in the eastern and southern suburbs of Melbourne.
Why we need WorkHealth
WorkHealth aims to achieve greater focus on health within the workplace for the benifit of workers, employers and the wider community. The health of workers has a direct bearing on productivity, and injury rates. Each year, absenteeism due to illness and injury costs Victoria over $440 million. Research indicates that poor nutrition and physical inactiviety increase exposure to musculoskeletal disorders and can slow down recovery. Cardiovascular (heart) disease and diabetes are chronic diseases that cost the Victorian health system $600 million per year and it is estimated that over one million Victorian workers are at risk of developing chronic disease.
What does it involve
The WorkHealth Check comprises information and advice to inform individual workers about their risk of chronic diseases, in particular Type 2 Diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and the potential impact of the worker's lifestyle on their health.
The WorkHealth Check features a brief self-assessment questionnaire (WorkHealth Questionnaire), which is completed by the worker prior to the Worker Health Check and contains questions relating to lifestyle, personal medical history and family history of chronic disease;
- Physical and biomedical measures, including blood pressure, waist circumference, blood cholesterol and blood glucose;
- An assessment of the worker's risk, based on the measures and the questionnaire responses;
- Provision of appropriate advice to assist the worker in addressing any risks identified.
All WorkHealth checks are delivered by health practitioners who are accredited Endorsed Service Providers of the WorkHealth program.
Good news! All costs incurred for WorkHealth checks delivered by ERGPA are fully reimbursed by WorkSafe!
Organisations with an annual remuneration of less than $10m will be charged $40 (ex GST) per check and $20 per booked employee who does not show for their allocated time.
Organisations with an annual remuneration of over $10m will be charged $30 (ex GST) per check and $15 per booked employee who does not show for their allocated time
ERGPA has removed any co-payments for organisations with an annual remuneration over $10 million. As a result this group of employers will be fully reimbursed by WorkSafe.
For employers, the benefits of providing a WorkHealth check are likely to include:
- improved productivity
- improved staff morale
- reduced absenteeism
- reduced staff turnover
- reduced workplace injuries
- improved worker relations
- maintaining the skills and experience of ageing worker
For employers who have 50 or more employees who complete a WorkHealth check ERGPA can provide you with a Workplace Profile. This report provides a summary of your worker's results from the WorkHealth checks. All data collected is de-identified and aggregated to protect the privacy of all workers.
For workers, the personal benefits of participating in WorkHealth check are likely to include:
- improved health awareness and knowledge
- improved physical and mental health
- increased energy to do the things you want to do
- increased enjoyment of work
- improved concentration and productivity
Client Feedback
"Please pass on my thanks to the clinical staff who conducted the Work place checks. Our staff found them to be very professional, knowledfeable and friendly." Client in Wantirna South 19/4/2010
"Nearly every [employee] came to me the next day to personally thank me for organising the checks, so they were obviously impressed. So thanks guys we really appreciate the effort you put in to that." Client in Ringwood East 26/3/2010
How to apply
If you would like ERGPA to deliver free WorkHealth Checks in your workplace please insert ERGPAs endorsed service provider number 1012 in question 4 of your WorkHealth application (download below)
For further information please contact Sally Ingram, Work Health Project Officer at sally.ingram@ergpa.com.au or call 9871 1000
To register for WorkHealth online or download the WorkHealth application form below.
For further information about the WorkHealth program vist www.workhealth.vic.gov.au
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