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Health Matters At Austal
Project Date: June 2006
At Austal ‘our people are our greatest asset’ and when it comes to the health and well-being of workers, this company value holds particularly true.
In a unique medical trial, Austal recently teamed with Prime Health Group to provide all Austal employees with the opportunity to participate in a free on-site skin check clinic. Free flu vaccinations were also offered as part of the programme.
Austal Engineering Senior Storeperson, Ian Ball, has worked at Austal for almost ten years. Ian, who has spent a lifetime in the sun, attended the clinic with a specific concern about a mole on his face that had recently changed size and color.
“I saw a notice-board flyer about the free skin checks and flu shots being held on-site and thought best to take advantage of the opportunity because it was free and convenient.”
“I was so glad I went to the clinic, the Doctor was thorough and subsequently referred me to a GP who then sent me directly to Royal Perth Hospital to have the mole on my face and one on my back removed. The whole process took three weeks in total. Had I not gone through Austal/ Prime Health I am told this process could have taken any where up to 12 months which could have meant the difference between a clean bill of health or something more sinister.”
Chief Operating Officer, Steve Murdoch, believes this innovative new health programme further demonstrates Austal’s dedication to its workers:
“It is pleasing to hear that people who wouldn’t normally have visited their GP or local clinic for a check-up have taken advantage of this opportunity.”
“The flu and skin check clinic is certainly a programme that I can see continuing at the shipyard on a more regular basis.”
Julie Carr, Chief Executive Officer, Prime Health Group, attributes the programme’s success to the high standard of medical care provided and the convenience of running the clinics onsite:
“Many employees find it difficult to take the time away from work to attend to their health needs and the support provided by Austal is fantastic.”
“We look forward to teaming with Austal for more innovative health programmes in the future.”
In total 362 workers received a free flu shot and 359 staff took part in the skin check clinic. A staggering 20 per cent of employees who attended the clinic had a family history of skin cancer, only 8.6 per cent of staff have regular skin checks, and 9 per cent who attended the clinic received GP, Dermatologist or Specialist referrals.
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