Compass Health began in 2007 as the brainchild of Tony Metcalf and business partner Christy Whitby who wanted to improve the level of medical care to mine sites in remote locations throughout Western Australia which previously had very little or no medical care. Compass Health specialises in the provision and management of paramedical, nursing, emergency response, injury management and occupational health personnel and is also a co-provider of on-site nationally accredited registered training courses. Three years on, its clients include many of Australia’s leading mining, oil & gas and engineering companies including Woodside, Rio Tinto, Fortescue Metals Group, SKM, and KBR and employs 55 full-time staff. The company was awarded its largest contract in 2009 at Woodside’s Pluto Gas project, as part of a joint tender arrangement with Gemini Medical Services. This allowed it to retain its existing staff during the Global Financial Crisis and add another 14 full-time employees. Not long after, it secured a significant contract with Rio Tinto which led to an ongoing agreement for 2010 and 2011 with the option of a third year. This meant the company could hire staff on a fixed term full-time contract. The company supports the Pilbara communities and regional hospitals through its services and provides employment opportunities for local and indigenous communities. With offices in Perth, the North West, and Queensland, Mr Metcalf said the company aims to become the leading national supplier of remote emergency services and paramedic provision between now and 2020.
