Healthy Outcome

PeopleCare franchisees help keep staff and employers safe from occupational health issues

HEALTHY OUTCOME

PeopleCare has already proven the popularity of mobile occupational health testing clinics in Auckland and Wellington. Now Christchurch is next in line, with opportunities for franchisees all over the country.

PeopleCare takes occupational health testing and analysis to the workplace in such industries as mining, construction, road building, automotive repair, engineering, farming and forestry. Franchisees don’t need healthcare experience – just an empathy with people.

‘Health monitoring of various kinds is a statutory requirement these days, but a lot of businesses operate in areas where testing isn’t easily available, so their staff need time off to comply,’ says PeopleCare founder and CEO Ian Kebbell. ‘That creates a “productivity disincentive” for employers to support regular, ongoing checks by occupational health clinics.

‘Even in cities, visiting a clinic can take a few hours, while in provincial areas it can require a full day off work. That impacts on employers and, for anyone on a contract or self-employed, the loss of work hours can make a real financial dent, too. PeopleCare saves businesses time and money, and helps them take better care of their most important asset – their people.’

Profitable business model

A successful Wellington businessman and former Wellington Free Ambulance paramedic, Ian always planned to franchise PeopleCare. ‘The positive response, and the returns we’re making from our companyowned mobile clinics have shown just how great the demand is, and we believe appointing franchisees around the country will provide the best possible coverage.

‘We worked with award-winning Franchize Consultants to develop a business model that delivers real financial and personal rewards for franchisees and, as awareness grows, those benefits are only increasing.

‘This is a solid, repeat customer business helping employers meet a regulatory requirement. No-one goes to work to be harmed, so health monitoring is likely to become more strictly enforced.’

Quick and easy

Each PeopleCare mobile clinic has all the necessary technology for testing lung function, vision and the effects of vibrating tools on fingers, joints and arm muscles. It also features a sound-proof booth for testing hearing – a common source of problems.

Kit Quin of engineering, infrastructure and construction recruitment agency RobLawMax points out, ‘PeopleCare’s on-site booth for hearing screening is something other testers have not been able to facilitate in the past in the Wellington region.’ Whereas a visiting clinic has to set up, PeopleCare drive on to the site, put out a couple of safety cones, and are ready. It means each staff member usually only needs to be away from their job for 20 minutes.

As Ian points out, early detection and regular monitoring can generally nip a health problem in the bud, whether through treatment or the employer investing in more effective protection. ‘The earlier this is identified, the more cost-effective the solution. And later, if an employment issue raises a health claim, the employer can turn to the PeopleCare records to show they have a health monitoring programme in place.’

No shortage of customers

And the service is still growing. ‘As a result of customer feedback, we’ve added vision screening to our mobile clinics,’ says Ian. ‘This is particularly relevant for truck and forklift drivers, crane operators, and even electricians, where getting wiring colours wrong could be fatal. We’re also looking at adding other testing technology.

‘It all means that a PeopleCare franchisee will never be short of customers – and the requirement for annual testing makes this a repeat income business. One of our new clients, SW Scaffolding in Auckland, has already booked for next year, while another, Masterton engineering company D.A. McGovern, has gone from being uncertain to actively promoting the benefits to their staff.’

No experience needed

Ian says that the training and equipment provided to all new franchisees means that they don’t need healthcare experience. ‘Training by a third party will take a franchisee to the stage of being qualified to do the tests and provide an initial interpretation of the results. We also have a fullyqualified occupational health care practitioner to further review results and recommend a referral pathway. A franchisee just needs to be able to get on with people from all walks of life, and explain the benefits of the service to business owners and staff.

Opportunities nationwide

PeopleCare is planning to establish a network of mobile clinics nationwide, with the established Auckland and Wellington units available right now. ‘Each territory offers the potential for high income from a full-time operation, although a franchisee doesn’t have to work full-time to show a good profit,’ Ian says. ‘After the first year, employing staff is an option as repeat business grows.

‘The total investment is around $200,000 +gst, with the largest part of that being the fullyequipped clinic itself which can be financed as an asset. PeopleCare offers you a chance to build a profitable and successful business of your own in a fast-growing market. Talk to me to find out more.’

Advertiser Info

PeopleCare

P 0800 50 80 30 M 021 629 626

ian@peoplecare.co.nz

www.peoplecare.co.nz