Over the last 12 months, more than 14,300 East Midlands businesses have benefited from a Business Link 'Health Check', which has helped them to limit the impact of the economic downturn.

The Business Link service in the East Midlands, which is funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda), has been undertaking around 260 health checks per week. This equates to 450 checks per 10,000 businesses - the highest rate of any region in England.

The Health Checks undertaken by Business Link are open to all businesses, regardless of size and sector. Following an initial review, qualified experts can help develop business plans, while Business Link also provides a follow-on and monitoring service to ensure the plan is working.

Jeff Moore, Chief Executive of emda, said: "In the East Midlands, we recognised the vital importance of health checks, particularly during this recession, which is why I would like to congratulate our Business Link service for achieving the highest rate of health checks in the country.

"The Business Link health checks are extremely valuable for businesses in the current economic climate. They enable business owners to identify issues affecting the performance of their organisations and to make the necessary changes to ensure that they are in the best possible shape not only to survive through this recession, but also to take advantage of opportunities when the upturn arrives."

Key findings included in the recently published Business Link Health Check Assessment report, show that Health Checks are improving the abilities of businesses to cope with the economic downturn and put in place strategies that will help them achieve growth as the economy recovers. Around two-thirds of businesses helped had a better understanding of areas for development and identified new ideas for improving their business. Customer satisfaction was high, at 79%, which increased to 93% for those companies that took up further assistance as a result of their Health Check.

Stephen Smith, Chief Executive of EMB Ltd, the organisation contracted to deliver the regional Business Link service added: "The Health Check demonstrates our commitment to helping businesses across the East Midlands to access the best in business support available. Accessing professional and impartial support and advice is particularly important in these challenging times and we now have even more advisers available to support and help local businesses to start grow and prosper."

The Health Check is just one of a number of services that Business Link provides. In the year 2008/09, Business Link in the East Midlands provided services to over 67,000 business people and a further 14,500 entrepreneurs who were thinking of starting a business.  It is estimated that the work undertaken by Business Link in the East Midlands helped to create almost 4,300 jobs last year and the service has achieved an independently verified customer satisfaction level of 90%.

Minister for Trade, Investment and Small Business, Lord Davies said: "Health Checks are an important way for smaller companies with fewer staff and limited resources to access financial support and expert advice to steer them through tough economic times and help inspire confidence.

"But as well as identifying potential challenges posed by the economic downturn, this service can help identify potential opportunities for businesses. I encourage more firms to get in touch with Business Link to see if they could benefit from advice on areas such as accessing new markets and preparing for growth."

The Health Check service is open to all businesses, regardless of size and sector. Following an initial review, qualified experts can help business owners draw-up action plans, while Business Link also provides a follow-on and monitoring service to ensure the plan is working.

David Parkin, Business Link National Network Director added: "The Business Link Health Check service has been very successful because it offers an impartial, objective assessment of business performance that identifies key strengths, prioritises areas for improvement and highlights opportunities. Businesses, regardless of size or sector, have found value in the Health Check as it enables them to pause and take stock of their current situation."

To find out about the support available through the Business Link service, please visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/eastmidlands, or telephone 0845 058 6644.