The Mining Remediation Authority
Two employees diagnosed with cancer. One told a delay of just 6–12 months could have been fatal. Both now in remission. This is what preventative healthcare looks like in action.
With around 400 staff scattered across the UK, keeping every employee at the Mining Remediation Authority healthy and supported is no small task. Bluecrest health assessments are now a central part of how they do it.
The Mining Remediation Authority works to make a better future for people and the environment in mining areas. As a 24/7 emergency response organisation, they respond to public safety incidents caused by historical coal mining, operate over 80 mine water treatment schemes, and support government agencies to tackle water pollution from historical metal mines.
Kevin Halpin-Rose, People and Organisational Development Business Partner at the Mining Remediation Authority, explains the philosophy: "It's our job to fix things and make them better, and that has got to extend to our people, too. Clearly, keeping them fit and well is in our best interests as an organisation, but we actually genuinely care about our people, because they genuinely care about their work."
Keeping people fit and well
Health assessments have long been a feature of public sector working life.
As Kevin recalls: "Back in the day they used to be called medicals, and they've been a staple of the civil service for many years. Health assessments give people a picture of their health, and the opportunity to do something about it, and I would say they're invaluable."
For the Mining Remediation Authority, the case for Bluecrest was also a practical one. With a workforce spread across the country, they needed a provider with genuinely national reach. "There wouldn't be any point in a benefit our regional employees had to travel hundreds of miles for," says Kevin. "With Bluecrest there's a clinic within 20 minutes of everyone's work or home. That was perfect for us." The organisation also ensured employees could take time out of their working day to attend, using a dedicated wellbeing code on their timesheets.
There was also a broader responsibility to consider. "It's also important that we deliver value for the taxpayer, and we have to be able to demonstrate the value we're getting from any benefits we provide. We're definitely getting that from Bluecrest. Not only are we getting great data to help us plan our wellbeing interventions, but Bluecrest has actually saved lives. You really can't ask for more than that."
Saving lives with prevention
The results have been remarkable.
Two members of staff received a red flag on their prostate test, and both were diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer that would otherwise have gone undetected. One had already been back and forth to his GP without answers. His consultant later told him that a delay of just 6–12 months could have been fatal. Both are now in remission.
The impact doesn't stop there. As Kevin explains: "Another member of staff found out she'd been misdiagnosed for ten years and actually had a completely different condition. For others, it's been the kick start they needed to make changes. A health-fanatic colleague discovered through Bluecrest they were seriously dehydrated, they've fixed the issue and feel better than they have done in years. Meanwhile someone else wasn't happy with their BMI and MSK results, and decided to take part in our latest inter-team step challenge. They've tripled their daily steps and feel stronger, fitter and more alert."
"All of that means we're seeing the impact of Bluecrest health assessments in real time."
Spotting patterns with aggregated health data
Beyond individual outcomes, the aggregated health data has given the Mining Remediation Authority a clearer picture of workforce health as a whole.
Organisations with 60 or more staff taking a Bluecrest assessment receive a management information report with anonymised, aggregated results, helping them spot trends and target interventions effectively.
For the Mining Remediation Authority, one pattern stood out. "One of the things we discovered is that we've got a blood pressure problem," says Kevin. "We do have an older and ageing workforce, and we do have seriously committed people who will go above and beyond and put themselves under pressure. So we need to think about how to address that, how to help people know their numbers and look after their blood pressure, and look after their hearts more generally. It's going to be a key area for us over the coming months."
The report has also helped identify where engagement with the programme itself needs work. "It tells us which parts of the population we need to focus on, for instance older males for blood pressure. Meanwhile it's younger males who are most likely to avoid going for their health assessment, so that's another area for us to plough some resource behind."
Alongside Bluecrest, the Mining Remediation Authority offers enhanced sickness absence leave, a network of mental health first aiders, and an Employee Assistance Programme, complemented by regular awareness days and fitness challenges.
A universal benefit
Having signed a four-year contract with Bluecrest, the Mining Remediation Authority is looking forward to tracking progress over time. Kevin's verdict is clear: "I would highly recommend Bluecrest to any organisation. For us it ticks all the boxes. The price is right, the quality is right, the management information is just what we needed, and the health outcomes we've seen speak for themselves.
"If you want a universal benefit that really makes a difference and gives you great data to drive your wider health and wellbeing strategy, Bluecrest are a great place to start."
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