Health Promotion

The Smart Start Campaign is a pro-active approach to medical care that aims to improve the lifestyle of individuals through a tailored programme of health initiatives. Our aim is to improve the health and well being of our client's employees, which will directly result in improved output and a decrease in downtime due to employee illness.

The Smart Start Campaign is designed to address the following key Target Areas:

Healthy Eating

•	Aims to provide and promote healthier choices of food where appropriate.
•	Encourages the development and introduction to healthier eating.
•	Encourage promotion and availability of healthier food options at all meal times.
•	Promote and provide support for those who wish to alter their eating habits, including the provision of weight reduction advice to those who would like to lose weight.
•	Encourage involvement and suggestions from individuals and reward good ideas.

Smoking Cessation

•	Aims to support the introduction of a comprehensive smoking policy which makes the workplace smoke free except for limited provision of separate smoking rooms (if this is felt to be necessary).
•	Provide a smoke free atmosphere except in limited separate rooms and monitor the use of the same.
•	Ensure that individuals are aware of, comply with, and are kept updated on the smoking policy.
•	Promote and provide support to those who wish to stop smoking.
•	Promote the smoking cessation programme and consider taking part in the National No Smoking Day Campaign.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse

•	Aims to promote the message that alcohol and/or drug use at work are incompatible.
•	Encourage the development and implementation of a substance abuse and sensible drinking policy.
•	Provide support and information to individuals on substance abuse and sensible drinking.
•	Offer advice and information on counselling services for individuals requesting additional information.

Physical Activity

•	Aims to organise a physical activity programme to enable individuals to be more physically active during their deployment, and generally encourage a more active lifestyle.
•	Encourage individuals to partake in regular physical activity sessions and monitor their performance.
•	Raise the awareness of the benefits of regular exercise and motivate individuals to be more active.
•	Provide support and information to individuals on how to lead a more active lifestyle.

Sexual Health

•	Aims to ensure that all individuals know where to seek information, consultation, treatment, care and confidential advice on all aspects of sexual health.
•	Ensure that individuals have access to local and national information, resources and guidance.
•	Provide relevant information and training on communicable diseases, specifically HIV and Hepatitis B for everyone.
•	Encourage individuals to obtain Hepatitis B immunity particularly those involved in the first aid response team.

Stress Management

•	Aims to promote positive mental health through a raised awareness in stress management.
•	Provide training for individuals on stress recognition and stress management.
•	Provide stress relaxation programmes such as relaxation classes, aromatherapy, etc.
•	Provide a confidential support service to individuals and encourage access to confidential counselling services if required.

The main goal is to implement Health Promotion Programmes to incorporate the Target Areas and monitor effectiveness. Initial assessment includes: blood pressure and weight check, individual consultation to identify specific health related issues, set personal goals and monitor improvement. Resources such as height weight chart and BP/age ratio are used to gauge the progress of the Smart Start Campaign and where possible collect data on improved performance, such as weight loss.