What does a typical day at Bakkavor look like?
Every day starts with a handover from Bakkavor’s Occupational Heath (OH) team. We discuss the employees booked into the diary and what we aim to achieve for each during the day’s appointments and any urgent or specific issues are flagged. This handover ensures that we all have the same focus and are working towards the same goal and enables Bakkavor’s OH team to liaise with managers regarding treatment progress and productivity expectations, which allows additional support employees may need to be provided. Typically, I see 10 employees in the day and there can be a wide variety of Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions that keeps me on my toes. During the pandemic, we have also been delivering video consultations which help us see those patients who are isolating and working from home.
What would you say one of your biggest challenges has been to date?
In a role like this, you are not only faced with clinical challenges but employees who have problems carrying out their tasks or suffer chronic symptoms. Having worked in large cities previously, I was familiar with patients who suffer MSK issues related to their work, however, at Bakkavor I am able to really get down to the nitty-gritty of it. Being onsite allows collaborative working with the OH team and I can see for myself the exact tasks employees carry out, giving me a better understanding of their duties which allows me to provide a bespoke treatment plan for each individual.
Greatest achievement?
One of the reasons why I enjoy this job is that it gives me the opportunity to listen and learn about the challenges faced by employees at work. I can then find solutions that will benefit them in both the short and long term. The problem-solving element can be challenging, but I always feel like I am getting to the root of the issue, especially when seeing employees in their own working environment.
With just one assessment, most of my patients say they feel more confident moving and bending and knowing that I have reassured someone and reduced the risk of their pain becoming chronic always brings me joy.
What makes Sano’s Occupational Health service different?
At Sano, our team consists of more than Physiotherapists, we have experts who deliver regular clinical training and ergonomic assessments alongside a team who closely monitor the data we capture to ensure we are effective and proactive in our approach to employee wellbeing.
For employees, this means that they are getting the most effective evidence-based treatment available and a structured plan for recovery that encompasses a patient-centered approach and return to work goals.
For the employer, this means we can target any issues immediately and efficiently when supporting their staff at work. We use data we collate to identify risks in the workplace and target certain employee groups where MSD’s are prevalent. This allows us to develop bespoke solutions to get the most out of our time onsite and allows us to develop paper or digital education materials and ergonomic advice workshops.