GB’s MyPulse Health Clinics Support Employee Health and Wellbeing

In September 2019, the Department of Police, Fire, and Emergency Management (DPFEM) in Tasmania extended their Health & Wellbeing Program by launching Gallagher Bassett (GB)’s MyPulse initiative.

MyPulse is a purpose-built program designed to eligible Ambulance Tasmania [AT], Fire, Police and SES personnel access information and services to help detect and respond early to health and wellbeing risks.

The Program consists of an online mental and physical wellbeing hub with access to training and education through face-to-face and e-learn delivery, plus the option for confidential mental health and physical screening tools for front-line staff to see how they’re tracking. If screening detects moderate or high-risk factors, confidential coaching support is available to maintain and improve their wellbeing. Feedback about the coaching from participants is extremely positive and appreciative of the personalised approach.

Health Care Clinics are a major component of the MyPulse program that have helped drive positive health outcomes through a multi-disciplinary approach of assessment, intervention, and education. In 2020 the MyPulse team partnered with the DPFEM to facilitate the equivalent of 16 Health Care Clinics across Tasmania and have plans for 16 more in 2021.

According to Philipa Burk, an Inspector in the Bridgewater Division, participating at a Health Care Clinic is easy to do.

“All you had to do was book in,” she said. “The checks were seamless, and the timetable ran to plan. A well-oiled machine!”

During this personal 20-minute consultation, a MyPulse Coach will guide employees through a comprehensive wellness check and measure various vital and non-vital signs, including blood glucose, blood cholesterol, blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), and other measures of physical health such as waist, height, and body mass index. In addition to the core evaluation, Fire Fighters also have access to the Cancer Risk Assessment tool and Lung Function Test.

Then, instead of simply reading numbers back to their patient, MyPulse Coaches will review the meaning of those values with the patient, explaining how exactly those numbers indicate health. After analysing patient data, the coaches will suggest various opportunities to make positive changes toward a healthier and more active lifestyle.

“They attended my workplace to conduct a complete physical wellbeing check, inclusive of heart rate, blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, height, weight, and BMI,” Burk said. “They were so professional, helpful, polite, and kind. They made you feel so at ease and comfortable. They were very supportive and gave great advice.”

AT and DPFEM are organisations that encourage employees to prioritise the care of others above all else. With the intense, sustained, and sometimes traumatising demands of these jobs, it’s imperative that emergency services professionals have access to a range of services, especially those that can assist in mental health management. MyPulse Coaches are well-equipped to handle health issues facing emergency services professionals, whether they are related to physical or mental health.

“I would encourage any workplace considering both the physical and mental wellbeing of their staff to engage Gallagher Bassett Services,” Burk says.

MyPulse offers a way to help employees succeed in their job without sacrificing their own health outcomes, whether mental or physical.

GB is the largest multi-disciplinary Third Party Claims Administrator in Australia. Find out more about our Health & Wellbeing services today!

 

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