Well Advised

Well.Me, the leading provider of corporate health metrics and tracking systems, has today announced the launch of a new set of physical and digital systems to support COVID-19 track and trace and vaccine rollout monitoring. The systems will allow for accurate symptom monitoring and localised “track and trace” operations within workplace environments, as well as providing a database of which employees have received a vaccine, which could enable a digital COVID “freedom pass” for staff.

Well.Me’s existing health monitoring Wellpoint systems are already deployed by major UK employers such as BMW, Siemens, RWE and Network Rail in their factories and offices where they provide vital health metrics including blood pressure and other Cardiovascular Risk data.  The Wellpoints are also extensively used by the Department of Health and the NHS where they provide both staff and patient health checking services.  These new COVID symptom tracking systems can be seamlessly integrated with existing Wellpoints to warn of a potentially COVID-19 infected employee.

Well.Me also provides a digital health tracking service for employees via an app and browser-based health dashboard. It is the first solution capable of offering workplaces the opportunity to implement a vaccine monitoring system, which could enable staff members at all levels of an organisation to be granted digital “freedom passes” which will mimic similar policies currently being considered by the UK Government, and will enable businesses to better manage risk and deliver greater safety within the workplace environment.

This app is also fully integrated with the Wellpoint systems, and can now be automatically integrated with on-site testing results to establish localised “track and trace” operations within workplaces to help employers take action against outbreaks.

“In getting Britain back to work it is vital that we give major employers, including our health service, the means to combat outbreaks of COVID-19 in the workplace,” explains Keith Lewis, CEO of Well.Me.  “We need symptom checking to provide early alerts and digital tracking of employee health to react fast to outbreaks.  Well.Me is adapting its existing health metrics systems and digital tracking service to help the UK’s employers.”

Dr Shepherd, a former GP and experienced C-Suite executive in the health technology industry, will be responsible for advising Well.Me on the physical health benefits of workplace health monitoring. Dr Shepherd will also be assisting Well.Me in the development of plans for how its Wellpoint technology can benefit wider public health objectives in the wake of COVID-19.

Dr Shepherd brings almost four decades of experience as a medical professional, having started his career in medicine as a Junior Doctor at Bristol Royal Infirmary. He then became a General Practitioner at an inner-city practice in Bristol, before becoming a Managing Director for a succession of successful healthcare software companies, as well as a General Practitioner at a multilingual, multi-ethnic inner-city practice in the East end of London. Alongside his work in the private sector, Dr Shepherd has recently served as a GP Inspector for the Care Quality Commission and as a member of the Royal Society of Medicine’s Digital Health Council.

This appointment comes as Well.Me is increasingly seen as a valuable tool in the recent public health drive to tackle obesity in the UK post-pandemic.

Dr Shepherd can be contacted via LinkedIn

Founded in 2002, Well.Me’s digital new look comes at a time when health and wellbeing has never been more important, as employees begin to slowly return to the office following the Coronavirus lockdown. The new website includes updates on some of Well.Me’s 150 customers, with new case studies and insights explaining how Wellpoint systems and the Well.Me digital platform are transforming workplaces and lives across Europe.

Well.Me’s new brand identity emphasises the importance of staying active at a time when tackling weight and other health issues are making headline news. With obesity seen as a major factor in the severity of COVID-19 symptoms,  Well.Me’s new brand identity reinforces its commitment to empowering workers to make healthier lifestyle decisions.

Dave, an electrical engineer at an electricity distribution company, designs and installs electricity substations to keep the grid running and the lights on for the people around Lincoln.  Dave is also a keen sportsman with a love of football and rock climbing who had just completed a 100-mile bike ride from Lincoln to Old Trafford, the home of his team Manchester United.  So a routine health check on the Wellpoint, which is installed twice a year at his local depot, was a major surprise when it showed a red warning signal for high blood pressure.  Initially doubtful of the reading given his age and fitness, Dave rechecked his score and on the advice of his partner Susan Dower, sought medical advice.

The GP he consulted immediately referred Dave to Accident and Emergency where an electrocardiogram detected damage to the left ventricle.  Through medication Dave has fully recovered, with his blood pressure now under control, and has taken up sports fully once more.

As Susan explained, the presence of the Wellpoint was critical: “The A&E doctor said that due to his age, high blood pressure normally goes unnoticed until it’s too late and a stroke or heart attack happens. I’m not sure that without the health Kiosk being brought to the depot what would have happened.”

Dave Chandler is now fully restored to health, with his blood pressure maintained at normal levels, and able to play football and carry on his passion for rock climbing.  Both Dave and Susan appreciate the Wellpoint for the vital purpose it has served, but also for the general role it plays in keeping the team at his company focused on fitness and wellbeing metrics.

As Susan concludes: “You can tell when the Wellpoint is in the depot as everyone is eating the salads.”

[Names have been changed in this case study to protect privacy]

Wellpoint Group is excited to announce its expansion into the BMW European market following a successful tender process against other global providers of health and wellbeing technology in the workplace. Wellpoints have been deployed across a range of BMW sites across Europe, including France, Spain and Italy. The 3-year contract for deployment ranges across the BMW brands, including Mini and Rolls-Royce.

The world-renowned car producer has over 130,000 employees globally, including over 8,000 across its UK sites. Its adoption of the Wellpoint system and Well.me digital platform across its European operations further signals its commitment to employee health and wellbeing across its sites.

Wellpoint systems are used at over 150 Network Rail sites, providing automated health checks across the UK and enabling staff to access advice and support to improve health and wellbeing through the integrated Well.me app.

Network Rail is the owner and infrastructure manager of most of the railway network in Great Britain. A public body reporting to the Department for Transport, it has over 40,000 employees working across the country.

During an initial 3- and 5-month deployment, over 16,500 tests were taken by Network Rail employees. 11,500 users also registered and gained access to the full range of benefits provided by the Well.me virtual platform. In addition to these tests, Wellpoint has also developed an MSK identification tool which has been operation across the Network Rail business since January 2020.

The Wellpoint systems, alongside the Well.me virtual platform, will support the company’s key workers in ensuring they maintain a good level of fitness and supporting, where possible, the health and safety regulations for statutory health surveillance in the industry.

The global marine logistics specialists began using Wellpoints in 2018 with a pilot programme at its Southampton offices. This successful pilot quickly expanded as the company introduced Wellpoints to its London Gateway port.

Based in Dubai, DP World specialises in cargo logistics, port terminal operations and maritime services. It employs an estimated 50,000 people around the world, with 500 employees in the UK.