Top performing employees

THE Health Station Private Clinic and the Life Practice both based in Hitchin are combining their respective skills to provide a new carefully structured, occupational health and employee assistance programme.

This combined programme will assist local employers and their staff in combating the debilitating effects of stress in the workplace created by the credit crunch as well as helping staff to positively meet the challenges of the recession.

The Health Station has an outstanding reputation in providing healthcare solutions to the local community whilst the Life Practice specialises in providing local companies and residents with a range of services from stress management programmes to occupational health schemes.

The schemes are aimed at helping employers and their staff to identify stress related issues which may be impacting on staff performance in the workplace and introducing behavioural change solutions to improve confidence, contentment, a sense of achievement and productivity in the workplace.

Stress in the workplace and at home, is a special problem at this present time due to a combination of mounting work pressures, the threat of redundancy, and general economic gloom.

Employers and staff are in need more than ever before of structured support programmes in place to assist them with their occupational health needs and demands.

The scheme offers tailor made programmes agreed in advance to suit each employer and employee's requirements. It is offered at a competitive fixed price at the outset with a capped number of sessions and a choice of different services such as a full medical assessment, analysis and diagnostics, counselling and human potential coaching.

"Our base aim is to maximise the performance of employees by offering them the correct guidance and support through whatever issues they may be facing in the current climate," said Mark Shields, a behavioural change consultant at The Life Practice.

"Many small, medium and large businesses currently do not have an occupational health scheme in place and this new service will be ideal for them. Several local employers have already signed up to the scheme and are reaping the benefits.

"While some stress is a normal part of life, excessive stress interferes with your productivity and reduces your physical and emotional health, so it's important to find ways to keep it under control. Fortunately, there is a lot that you can do to manage and reduce stress at work and that is where I can help motivate employees."

The Health Station Private Clinic and The Life Practice are located in Brand Street, Hitchin, and sessions are conducted in their comfortable consultation rooms. For more information contact Mark Shields of the Life Practice on 01462 451473. You can also visit www.lifepractice.co.uk and www.thehealthstation.co.uk