A GUISELEY based occupational physiotherapy specialist has been appointed by an NHS trust to help improve the health of its staff and reduce levels of absence.

Physio Med has been appointed to the role by Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, which employs more than 4,000 staff at Harrogate District Hospital and Ripon Community Hospital, as well as community and children’s services at several locations across North Yorkshire. It also provides a range of children’s services in Teesside, Durham and Tyne and Wear.

Michael Smith, Head of Employee Health and Wellbeing for the Harrogate and Airedale Occupational Health Clinical Alliance, said: “Safeguarding the health and wellbeing of all our employees is vitally important to both the Trust and the patients who rely on them everyday, so we’re delighted to provide them with access to a high-quality physiotherapy provision which is proven to deliver excellent results.”

Phil Clayton, Managing Director of Physio Med, said: “It’s great that the Trust is helping its employees recover from musculoskeletal injuries quicker and more safely and we’re thrilled to play a part in that. The work the Trust does is vital for the wider community so we’re more than happy to help its employees stay fit and help them do their jobs to the best of their abilities.”

The Guiseley company says many of the jobs within the Trust are physically demanding, resulting in some staff suffering musculoskeletal disorders. It says access to physiotherapy via GP referral currently stands at more than 14 weeks, and the Trust wanted to introduce fast-track access to treatment for its employees to allow them to continue to help patients.