Chiropractic graduate from the University of South Wales, Louise Hampton is the owner of Attend2Health. She looked at many health care careers before deciding she wanted to be a chiropractor. She was intrigued with the outcomes of chiropractic care and, in certain cases, the quickness with which patients would begin to feel better.
Prior to relocating her practice to Buntingford she first started seeing patients in Birmingham and opening a chiropractic office there. She states, “Attend2Health is my second clinic, closer to home and with my husband Dominic.” She has been awarded a Fellowship of the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) for the work she has done on the BCA council and is a trustee of the Chiropractic Research Council.
Below are highlights of the interview conducted between World’s Leaders and Louise Hampton:
Describe who you are as a person, inside and outside of the workplace.
Louise Hampton is a chiropractor and owner of Attend2Health. I am celebrating our 15th anniversary this month, which I am incredibly proud of. In that time, the clinic has grown so much. 15 years ago, I started by renting a shop at the top of Buntingford High Street. It was October 2007, just before the 2008 recession. Times were hard, but the business got through it. My main goal has always been to do the best I can for my patients. Over the years, the clinic has grown and taken on more staff. We now have a practice manager and five receptionists, as well as all the practitioners. Louise is proud to be a fellow of the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) after sitting on the BCA council for a number of years.
Louise has also just become a trustee of the Chiropractic Research Council. As well as treating patients, Louise is keen to help the local community by sponsoring local sports teams such as the Buntingford Cricket Club and the Buntingford Bowls Club. She also likes to raise money for charity and this year she raised money for the Buntingford Food Bank.
Attend2health has also won a number of awards over the years, including WhatClinic Service Awards for the past 3 years. Best Business Woman in Health and Wellbeing in 2019 and Best Business Woman in Customer Service in 2020, to name a few.
Louise had her children in 2009 and 2011, so she has also had to balance a family as well as the business. Louise’s husband is a great support and has helped massively over the years with renovating our new premises and helping with all the computers and technology in the building.
Describe your background and what did you do before you started the company?
Louise graduated from the University of South Wales in 2004. Before starting Attend2Health, I set up a clinic in Birmingham with a colleague. I sold my share of the business in 2007 to relocate to Buntingford and start Attend2Health.
Tell us about the inception of the company. How did it all start?
When relocating to Buntingford, I found the shop for rent on the High Street. As there wasn’t another chiropractor in the town at that time, I thought it would be a good place for a clinic. As the clinic was starting up, I also worked at another clinic over 40 minutes ago to get some money as I realized it would take time for people to find out about the clinic.
What has made you successful? What do you value?
Making sure the patient is put first is the main thing to being successful. The patient needs to know you are doing all you can to help them and to give them a fantastic experience in premises that are friendly and caring. All the staff genuinely want to help.
What are the major services of the company and how does it get ahead in the competition? What value-added services does the company provide?
As we have so many different practitioners in one place, it is easy for patients to go between us all. We regularly do training together, which means we know the main areas we like to treat and so who the best person would be for that patient. A knee problem, for example, would be best treated by one of our physiotherapists, whereas low back pain would be best treated by a chiropractor or osteopath. It also comes down to patient preference. If, for example, a patient has had a great response in the past to acupuncture, they would probably be best seeing the acupuncturist again to begin with, but could easily switch to a chiropractor or physiotherapist if needed.
What are the most important aspects of a company’s culture? What principles do you believe in and how do you build this culture?
Having regular meetings and get-togethers really helps keep the team together. We are about to hold a staff BBQ for everyone to get together, and we always have a Christmas party as well. I have regular receptionist meetings as well as staff training for the practitioners.
What is the significance of innovative ideas in the company?
By having so many different practitioners, if they come across new technology, they let me know. For example, our private GP uses PRP and Therma Vein, which are both relatively new technologies to treat hair loss and blemishes on the face, for example.
Give us your opinion on; do organizations rely heavily on individual heroics or team processes?
I am proud of the team we have at Attend2Health. All working together, referring if needed, depending on what is best for the patient, we have a wonderful atmosphere at the clinic. Our practice manager also really helps to keep everyone updated and is so friendly with everyone that it makes it a great place to work.
What are your responsibilities as the Founder/CEO of the company? What is the happiest part of your daily routine?
I still treat a few half-days a week, but I also do all the advertising for the clinic and make sure all the practitioners are busy. My day can be so varied, from checking the receptionists are OK, to filming videos or paying staff, to organizing any maintenance on the building, such as the roof being repaired.
What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?
When it comes to leadership, I never ask anyone to do anything I wouldn’t be prepared to do myself. Listening is also very important. You need to make sure anything you are asking people to do is not too much and that they understand what to do. Lists are great so people can tick off jobs and keep on top of everything. It is really important to be understanding and to take the time to find out what is going on in people’s personal lives, as this can have a big impact on their work. I make sure I take time to thank all my staff and make sure they feel appreciated because they are all fantastic and deserve to be told that.
