NHS Plus Network Awarded First National Occupational Health Service Contract

NHS Plus Network Awarded First National Occupational Health Service Contract

LONDON, September 29/PRNewswire/ -- NHS Plus and NHS Direct today announced the NHS Plus network has won its
first national contract to provide occupational health services. Led by
Health at Work at Imperial College, in partnership with 31 NHS Plus network
members, the new national contract will deliver consistently high-quality
occupational health services to NHS Direct, the world's leading provider of
tele-healthcare information and advice.

Kit Harling, Director, NHS Plus said: "NHS Plus and its network is
setting a new standard for delivery of occupational health services across
the country and winning the NHS Direct contract is a major milestone in this
effort."

NHS Direct handles over 28.5 million contacts a year and employs 3,200
people operating from 37 sites in 9 English regions. Ensuring the health and
well-being of its staff is essential to its success and improving the patient
experience.

Andrew Kelly, National Head of HR Policy and ER for NHS Direct, said:
"Taking care of our people is mission critical - we simply can't provide the
highest level of patient care without them. Awarding the contract to NHS Plus
ensures they will receive the highest quality occupational health services
from a name we can trust."

The NHS Plus network, led by Health at Work at Imperial College, will
provide occupational health services for the NHS Direct workforce across
England. NHS Plus' new model will guarantee all NHS Direct staff are treated
to a national standard of service - consistently delivered across their 37
sites.

Sue Carty, General Manager, Health at Work at Imperial College, said:
"With our NHS Plus network partners, we've developed a national model to
deliver world class occupational health services that will meet the needs of
NHS Direct and their staff both now and in the future."

NHS Plus

As part of the Government's Health, Work and Wellbeing Strategy, NHS Plus
promotes the benefits of good health at work. Operating through a network of
over 100 NHS Occupational Health units across England, NHS Plus helps build
healthy and productive workforces. http://www.nhsplus.nhs.uk

NHS Direct

NHS Direct's aim is to provide people with expert health advice,
information and reassurance to care for themselves at home or access
appropriate healthcare, using world class telephone, website and digital TV
services.

Health at Work at Imperial College NHS Trust

As a member of the NHS Plus network, Health at Work at Imperial College
NHS Trust provides evidence based and business focused occupational
healthcare to meet the needs of today's businesses' and their workforces.

For further information contact:

Michelle Denton, NHS Plus,
+44(0)7834-315-328;

Ann Grain, NHS Direct,
+44(0)7876-596-932

Source: NHS Plus

For further information contact: Michelle Denton, NHS Plus, +44(0)7834-315-328; Ann Grain, NHS Direct, +44(0)7876-596-932

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