STAFF at Bradford-based cash plan provider Sovereign Health Care have taken part in workplace health checks aimed at boosting awareness about their lifestyles.

Thirty employees took part in the 20-minute on-site assessments which were conducted by Leeds-based organisation Let’s Get Healthy. The sessions included a number of tests for blood pressure, hydration, body fat, cholesterol and glucose to give workers an insight into their health and wellbeing.

Following the assessment, each employee received a personalised report with a detailed explanation about the results and recommendations on how to make positive health changes.

Russ Piper, Sovereign Health Care chief executive, said: “As an organisation working in the healthcare sector it’s important for us to support the wellbeing of our employees as well as our customers. It can be easy to forget about our own everyday health and the simple changes that can make a big difference to long-term wellbeing and happiness, particularly in the workplace.

Operations manager Kenny Matheson underwent the tests and said: “I found the session incredibly easy, a lot of information was provided for a minimum amount of effort. I do like to keep an eye on my health so it was good to have things confirmed plus doing it at work was very convenient for me.”

Let’s Get Healthy was founded in 2007 to help organisations large and small launch and deliver successful health and wellbeing programmes. The service provides support to businesses to help them reduce absence and increase employee performance.

Maria Bourke, Let’s Get Healthy managing director, said: “It’s always a pleasure to support progressive companies who are focused on the service they offer their customers and the support they give to their employees. Helping employees take ownership of their own health is proven to increase their performance.”

Meanwhile, fifteen jobs are being created at a new fitness centre set to open in Bradford at the end of the year.

PureGym will open a new 16,900 sq ft site at the Enterprise 5 Retail Park in Idle.

The gym will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will feature 220 pieces of equipment, training zones and 40 free classes a week along with specialist classes such as Zumba.

Dean Palmer, general manager of the Bradford gym, said: “We offer not only exceptional value for money, but membership without a contract that ties you in for a long period of time”.