After surviving a stroke at age 39, project director Jamie Summers founded Health15 alongside Stroke Aotearoa New Zealand to meet the health needs of construction workers. Jo lambert (right) was appointed as CEO of Stroke Aotearoa New Zealand in May 2021 Photo: Stroke Aotearoa New Zealand
Jamie Summers was just 39 in 2019 when he had a haemorrhagic stroke. A construction industry project manager by trade, after getting back on his feet, Jamie wanted to make a difference to his colleagues across the sector.
Launched as a trial in 2023, Health15 supports busy construction workers by providing free 15-minute on-site health checks.
The trial was set up as a partnership between Jamie's employer, The Building Intelligence Group, and Stroke Aotearoa New Zealand.
It’s so far reached 2,400-plus workers across 66 sites, involving 19 industry partners, including Naylor Love, Fletcher Living, and Christchurch Airport.
Now the trial is being expanded in collaboration with eight of Aotearoa’s leading health charities.
The checks are for conditions like diabetes, arthritis, cancer, epilepsy, and heart-related diseases. Jamie Summers and CEO of Stroke Aotearoa New Zealand Jo Lambert speak to Kathryn about the scheme.
Note: Jamie returns after this previous interview was originally broadcast November 28 2025 was cut short due to a fire alarm.
