Life Health Solutions has been awarded the Ford President's Health and Safety Award for the third year in a row. Founded in 2001, the President's Awards recognises those Ford Dealerships and their healthcare providers that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to workplace safety and employee wellbeing.
Every year, Ford invites dealerships worldwide to submit their nominations, and the winners are selected based on the criteria outlined. For the 2023 evaluation period, hundreds of submissions were received, and the Ford Struandale Engine Plant in Gqeberha (Eastern Cape) was selected. The Ford Struandale Plant is one of the on-site clinics managed by Life Health Solutions, the occupational health provider for the Ford Company. In recognition of their lifesaving interventions, their onsite medical team received an award for their outstanding response in an emergency.
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Here's the story of how their lifesaving intervention saved a life One evening in March 2023 at 19:50, a 45-year-old employee arrived at the Ford Struandale on-site clinic complaining of severe dizziness, body weakness, and headache. At the time of the clinic nurse's examination, the employee's blood pressure was 150 over 101, her pulse was irregular, and her saturation level was at 98%. During this consultation, the employee collapsed. Without delay, the nurse called the Occupational Medical Practitioner (OMP) who swiftly alerted the Emergency Medical Services. The call to emergency services was made at 20:15 and by the time the paramedics arrived at 20:40, the patient’s blood pressure spiked to 202 over 108. She also developed a rash, which was suspected to be an allergic reaction. The clinic staff made every effort to stabilise the patient, and by 21:27, she was swiftly transported to the nearest private hospital where she was placed on a ventilator for 72 hours before she was transferred from ICU to a general ward. As it would turn out, the patient suffered from medical obtundation, which is a state of reduced level of alertness or consciousness. After three days of hospitalisation, the employee recovered well and returned to work at full capacity. Thanks to the swift medical intervention by the Life Health Solutions medical team, they literally saved a life and returned home to her family. |
[from left] C de Vos, L Jaftha, I Appolis, B Qabaka, D Matshisi, Z Naude, G Khan
An award that shows consistency
“I am immensely proud that Life Health Solutions has won this award for a third consecutive time”, said Pennie Phillips, CEO of Life Health Solutions. “It’s an award that recognises and acknowledges how our employees consistently demonstrate care, compassion and dedication to the people they serve. My sincere gratitude goes out to the Ford Motor Company for recognising this team, and I congratulate the Ford Struandale clinic staff for making a meaningful difference”.
Ford Motor Company’s Senior Director for Global Safety, Wendy Burkett, presented the Ford Struandale team with a certificate of recognition, saying: “I want to thank you for everything you do daily to ensure a safe and healthy workplace. Our entire team is proud of your achievement and all you are doing for Ford each day.”
We congratulate the Life Health Solutions team at the Ford Struandale clinic for their well-deserved award and for making life better for our clients.