CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH FOR WORKERS AT RYVITA FACTORY BUILD

Workers at the new Jordans Ryvita factory were given a clean bill of health following the visit of a health practitioner to the site in Bardney, Lincolnshire, organised by Midlands-based construction company G F Tomlinson.

The visit gave the site’s workforce the opportunity to have a short health and lifestyle conversation with the medical professional, allowing them to ask any wellbeing-related questions in confidence without having to book an appointment or visit their local surgery.

The consultations – which were open to the more than 100 people working on the construction and commissioning of the factory – also provided the chance for the workers to have their blood pressure and weight measured and assessed, as well as offering a test to look for symptoms of diabetes.

JP Allen, operations manager at G F Tomlinson, said: “We have always taken the health and wellbeing of our staff very seriously and we are proud to offer initiatives like this to our workers. Giving our colleagues on-site the opportunity to take a few minutes to get a once over from a healthcare professional – without having to go to see your GP – is hugely beneficial.”

Chris Barnes, health practitioner at Apollo Health Solutions said: “Sessions like this are important, not just for dealing with existing health issues, but also for identifying longer-term risks such as hypertension, undiagnosed diabetes and other metabolic disorders which affect the working population.

“It’s great that companies such as G F Tomlinson are taking this kind of proactive approach to looking after their workforce and ensuring that employee wellness is at the forefront of its thoughts.”

Due for completion in the spring, the factory – owned by Associated British Foods – will be used for the baking and distribution operation for its Ryvita brand. The new production lines will produce 750 million units a year, with the factory set to create up to 100 new jobs.