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Dr Dan Hegarty set up Express Medicals to serve the occupational health needs of the rail industry. He explains how the business has grown to serve the sector
“Railway medicine is in our company’s DNA” E
xpress Medicals is a leading national occupational health services provider, renowned for excellence and professionalism, offering quality services that are comprehensive and responsive to the needs of the rail industry. The idea for the business was born from a chance conversation between experienced doctor, Dan Hegarty, and a senior quantity surveyor who worked around the railway, while they were watching their sons play hockey. “We were discussing the changes around the privatisation of the railway sector and what that would mean for medical services,” said Dr Hegarty, who worked in London hospitals for eight years and general practice for three. “At the time, those working around the railway would need to complete a Personal Track Safety (PTS) course and following that, arrange for a medical with a GP and obtain a drug test. Obtaining both was often challenging and time-consuming. “Workers were having to take one and a half days off for the PTS. So, I thought, why not tag on the half day and in that time, undertake the medical and the drug test? That was the core of the simple idea that started the journey for Express Medicals in 1996, combining my love of medicine and an interest in both railways and business.” Dr Hegarty describes the early days as a classic tale of a hybrid entrepreneur driving anywhere in the country, undertaking medical exams and collecting samples – “equal parts challenging and exhilarating.” Some 27 years later, Express Medicals is best-in-class for occupational health and drug & alcohol services, that meet the rigorous standards of the railway industry. But that’s not all the business does. With 17 clinics nationwide and a 24/7 onsite service, its highly skilled teams of doctors, nurses and occupational health technicians are also finely tuned to the needs of other industries such as construction, utilities, and logistics, among others. “The journey is difficult to summarise; it has been quite amazing,” he said. “In the beginning, the idea was very simple and there was no huge masterplan. A lot of it has been about meeting the challenges the industry faces, reacting, adapting and spotting new opportunities. “But the most amazing thing has been all the people I’ve met, the staff, the clients, the suppliers. I am proud to lead a company which is respected and
It’s refreshing to see employers widening the support available to their valued employees trusted, with a team who are professional, reliable, knowledgeable, and always striving to deliver excellent service.” Express Medicals has supported the rail industry for 27 years and its team are experts in the stringent requirements of the sector, with all of its doctors registered as practitioners with the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) and experienced in railway medicine. Two of its most popular services remain the PTS medical (although this is now formally known as a Competence-Specific Medical) and drug & alcohol tests.
However, in recent years, Dr Hegarty has recognised an increasing demand within the railway sector for a range of wellbeing and mental health services. “It’s refreshing to see employers widening the support available to their valued employees. “Of course, our aim is to grow as a company. However, to me it’s just as important to retain a supportive workplace, where team members enjoy their work,” he said. “I think of Express Medicals as like a 5-star boutique hotel, very professional, great staff, but not a huge chain. We will give a good service which is professional and reliable. “The unique challenges of the railway industry have been baked into everything we do for the last 27 years. We’re used to short-notice bookings, on-site work, and finding creative solutions to problems; it’s what we’ve always done. Railway medicine is in our DNA.” Visit https://www.expressmedicals.co.uk/ for more details.
August 2023
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