New Tool Could Abolish Stress In The Workplace

December 20, 2006

A new approach to stress at work has been developed by academics at

the University of Hertfordshire for Heales Medical Ltd.

PEST (Person and Environment Stress Tool), which has been developed

between the University and Heales Medical Ltd, one of the leading

providers of Occupational Health services, provides a tool to enable

Occupational Health practitioners to establish the most likely

causes of stress-related absence. It is expected to double the size

of Heales Medical Ltd's business over the next three years.

" Heales has greatly benefited from PEST which has provided a much

greater understanding of stress measurement, management and

treatment, " said Eamonn Swanton, Managing Director of Heales Medical

Ltd. " This is a very exciting development and has contributed to a

unique online structured programme which will helps subscribers to

reduce weight, stress and improve their overall life satisfaction. "

According to Professor Ben Fletcher, Head of the University's School

of Psychology, who led the two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership

(KTP) team which developed PEST for Heales Medical Ltd, this tool is

superior to others on the market as it takes domestic and personal

factors into account when assessing individuals suffering from

stress.

" PEST has the edge on other tools because it looks at many facets of

the problem and converges on the most likely causes, " said Professor

Fletcher.

Heales Medical Ltd is the only Occupational Health company to have

undertaken this type of project. The KTP programme has resulted in a

new joint venture being formed to develop health-related

products/programmes based upon personal change.

Mr Swanton said: " The fact that we have invested in this KTP and

produced such a robust tool which is delivered as part of our

Occupational Health service has definitely given the company a

competitive edge in the marketplace. Stress is a major cause of

concern for most employers and we are the only company in our sector

to have tackled it in this way. "

Heales Medical Ltd

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