Healthcare Matters Issue 822

In 2023, Steeper invested in Arkad 3D printing technology, revolutionising our insole manufacturing process and reducing environmental waste by 60% Page XX

* 80% less corrosive than rock salt (fewer pothole)

* Environmentally friendly (all natural/contains no urea)

* Concentrated so less product needed

* Available in easy to carry buckets (5kg) with scoop or 1.2kg shakers

* Also available in covered tonne bags to store outside

* No handling or storage restrictions

CONTENTS 822

EDITOR’S NOTES

Each month, we aim to bring you the latest and most reliable information in healthcare, and we believe that our focus point piece on ProVen Biotics is a testament to that commitment. On page XII, we unveil the power of probiotics through an exclusive interview with Adrienne Benjamin, Registered Nutritionist at ProVen Biotics who explains the numerous ways probiotics can improve health, introducing us to some of the latest innovative products by ProVen.

Gina Burton Editor

As we explore the intersection of technology and healthcare, it becomes clear that companies such as Cognitec are driving significant advancements. As our featured Biometric Technology Company of the Month, on page V, we speak to Elke Oberg, Marketing Manager about Cognitec’s commitment to cutting-edge facial recognition solutions.

On page XXIII, we learn about the extensive range of meticulously crafted courses from Medline Consultancy’s Training Academy. These programs cover a wide spectrum of topics including clinical skills development, mental health courses, regulatory compliance, medications administration, leadership training, and first aid courses.

As the healthcare landscape evolves, so do the tools and technologies within it. Our featured article on Lightweight Mobility explores its mission that revolves around facilitating clients and clinicians in sourcing optimal products paired with tailored clinical solutions to meet diverse needs. Page XXIV.

On pages VI-VIII we feature a full review of The Dyslexia Show 2024 and a list of our Top Exhibitors. Other show reviews include: Best Practice London 2024 and Digital Health Rewired 2024.

COVER STORY

Evidence indicates Diabetic Insensate Patients can benefit from similar or reduced plantar pressure levels when using 3D-printed insoles compared to EVA insoles

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HEALTHCARE MATTERS

ECOGRIT HEALTH & SAFETY MATTERS

COGNITEC BIOMETRIC TECHNOLOGY COMPANY OF

THE READING DOCTORS DYSLEXIA SHOW 2024 REVIEW –

LEFT & WRITE DYSLEXIA SHOW 2024 REVIEW –TOP EXHIBITORS

PLUG-N-GO ELECTRIC VEHICLES MATTERS

PROVEN BIOTICS HEALTH & WELLBEING COMPANY OF

SIMPKINS EDWARDS BEST PRACTICE LONDON SHOW REVIEW –TOP EXHIBITORS

W&P TRAINING TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT MATTERS

&

SPONSORED BY

Face recognition software

known persons. The anonymous facial analysis computes data to analyse demographics and track people flow.

In this issue of Healthcare Matters, we are proud to feature Cognitec as our Biometric Technology Company of the Month.

Cognitec is the only company worldwide that has worked exclusively on face recognition technology since its inception in 2002. Headquartered in Dresden, Germany, the company also has sales and support staff in offices located in Rockland, MA and Sydney who serve clients in the Americas and the Asia-Pacific regions. In 2022, Cognitec was acquired by Salto and is now part of the SALTO WECOSYSTEM.

Founded by a team of experts who recognised the growing demand for biometric software and hardware solutions, Cognitec specialise in automated face recognition software and hardware solutions.

We spoke to Elke Oberg, Marketing Manager, who gave us further insight into Cognitec as a whole and its services.

“Our software and hardware solutions are used by governments and private enterprises worldwide to perform facial image database search, recorded video investigation, real-time video screening and people analytics, border control, and biometric photo capture.”

“Our products are really easy to use, flexible, extendable, and take into account current industry standards, allowing for easy customisation and integration; we also provide excellent technical support and training. We are a small company, so customers can still reach us on the phone and get instant emergency support, even on-site. Because of this, clients are able to develop and sustain personable relationships with our team.”

“For the healthcare industry, Cognitec has developed FaceVACS-VideoScan. This superior piece of technology is market-leading and essentially recognises people’s faces in live video streams and video footage, compares them to image databases, and instantly finds

“This is ideally used in any healthcare setting to identify visitors, patients, residents, banned persons and intruders in real time,” added Elke.

Cognitec’s technology stands out for its versatility, seamlessly adapting to a diverse array of industries, applications, and environments. Whether it’s enhancing security and surveillance measures, safeguarding data privacy, or optimising customer analytics, Cognitec’s facial recognition solutions have solidified their position as industry frontrunners. Trusted by hundreds of clients globally, it consistently delivers top-tier facial recognition solutions tailored to meet a spectrum of needs and challenges.

“We are present in many vertical markets including governments (border control, law enforcement, ID document agencies), casinos, clubs, banks, healthcare and aged care, critical infrastructure and smart cities, and airports.”

“We are continuously improving our algorithm performance and recognition methods, addressing user demands for face matching with very large image databases, low-quality images, very high throughput, and the highest possible matching accuracy. Alongside increasing biometric performance, we are also working on making our products

even more user-friendly and standardscompliant, whilst providing clients with excellent training to understand biometric concepts, privacy considerations, and technology limitations.”

Cognitec’s commitment to cutting-edge facial recognition solutions is unmistakably evident in its robustness, versatility, innovation, and precision. As the company forge ahead with investments in ongoing research, the future looks promising and full of continuous improvements and advancements, particularly in enhancing technology for the healthcare industry. We eagerly anticipate the next wave of innovation from Cognitec as it continues to redefine the landscape of facial recognition technology.

Review - Top Exhibitors

The UK’s leading exhibition dedicated to dyslexia and neurodiversity

The Dyslexia Show 2024 took place on the 15th–16th March this year at the NEC in Birmingham. With a primary aim to empower and provide understanding to those with Dyslexia, Dyscalculia and Neurodiversity, the show strives to foster a deeper insight into the various ways in which education, parents, the workplace, and individuals themselves can offer support and awareness.

The show included various sections that were specifically aimed towards education, parents, the workplace, and individuals.

For teachers, specialists, teaching assistants and other individuals in the working field, Dyslexia 2024 created a dynamic platform that offered an abundance of invaluable resources and support to professionals dedicated to the education and wellbeing of individuals with dyslexia and neurodiversity.

The professional development seminars included many knowledgeable speakers who shared best practices in the field of dyslexia and neurodiversity as well as a deeper understanding through featured workshops and talks.

The show did a remarkable job in celebrating and supporting parents and wider family members whilst raising awareness and understanding of dyslexia and neurodiversity. A wealth of professionals who specialise in dyslexia and neurodiverse fields were on hand to share best practices and guidance, equipping parents with invaluable knowledge to navigate the complexities of the education system and offer unwavering support to their young ones.

neurodivergent traits to gain a deeper understanding of their own needs. It opened their eyes to the support that’s around them and how to access it. Showcasing cutting edge technologies, products and services, the show also highlighted and served as a catalyst for change and the future of what’s to come.

Dyslexia 2024 offered a unique opportunity for high-powered organisations and senior leaders to come together and explore the impact that neurodiversity has in the workplace. It more than succeeded in raising awareness and unlocking the potential of individuals with dyslexia and other neurodivergent conditions.

The event for individuals took place on the 16th, and was an exclusive event designed to embrace neurodiversity whilst creating an inclusive society that celebrated the unique strengths and talents of every individual. The show provided an opportunity for individuals with dyslexia and

After such a successful event, we eagerly anticipate Dyslexia Show 2025 that will be taking place next year on the 15th-16th March 2025 at the NEC in Birmingham.

This is our pick of the best exhibitors from this year’s event, listed here in alphabetical order: Autopress Education, Left ‘n Write, The Dyslexia Shop, The Reading Doctor & VA Matchmaking. Further details can be found on the next two pages.

For more information, keep an eye on the latest announcements below: https://dyslexia.show

The Reading Doctor: Bespoke tuition and school intervention service

The Reading Doctor, a bespoke tuition and school intervention service, traces its origins to 2012 when it was founded by Deborah Salsbury, a qualified primary school teacher (pictured). Deborah’s journey began in Bromley, Greater London, where her career evolved into specialised group intervention teaching, focusing on providing equitable access to learning for all students.

Driven by her passion for ensuring reading success, Deborah pursued further training, becoming an Intervention Lead and undergoing training with The Institute of Education in London as a Reading Recovery Teacher. This additional expertise reinforced her belief in the pivotal role of reading in a child’s educational journey.

In 2012, Deborah took a bold step, fully committing herself to teaching reading and establishing The Reading Doctor. This marked the beginning of a transformative endeavour aimed at empowering students to unlock their full potential through literacy.

The Reading Doctor’s services extend beyond traditional classroom settings. Deborah’s dedication led her to reach out to schools with high numbers of disaffected learners, as well as assuming the role of lead reading teacher at a school for children with behavioural and learning difficulties. Through these initiatives, Deborah sought

to ensure that every child, regardless of their challenges, had access to quality education.

The Reading Doctor is now the intervention of choice for maverick school leaders and is established in over 50 schools across the UK. The Reading Doctor network extends to 34 branches. Every Reading Doctor is a qualified teacher with many having additional specialist expertise in the field of education.

Deborah’s personal experiences, including having a daughter with dyslexia, have strengthened her belief in the potential of every child to succeed with the right support and encouragement. Her approach goes beyond imparting reading skills, focusing on nurturing self-belief in her students and instilling a positive self-image as learners.

The Reading Doctor’s commitment to excellence and dedication to making a difference have garnered numerous industry awards, including Woman Franchisor of the Year, National Tutoring Awards, and recognition from Kent Women in Business. These accolades serve as a testament to Deborah’s enduring impact on the field of education and her unwavering commitment to empowering students through literacy.

In summary, The Reading Doctor is not just a tuition service – it’s a testament to the transformative power of education. Founded on the principles of compassion, dedication, and belief in the potential of every child, The Reading Doctor continues to be a beacon of hope, empowering students to overcome obstacles and embark on a journey of lifelong learning.

Deborah Salsbury, Founder/Director of The Reading Doctor Ltd, 07796 676998 www.thereadingdoctors.com

Review - Top Exhibitors

The term SEN covers a wide range of needs from visual impairment to multi-sensory impairment, language and communication, social difficulties and much more. The Dyslexia Shop stocks thousands of carefully selected products and teaching resources designed to help adults, children and infants with SEN and learning difficulties.

Established by the Page family, who themselves have a history of Dyslexia, Honor, Tim and Howard, all behold a true passion for providing high-quality products that really make a difference to not just learning, but to everyday life.

Its large portfolio consists of many products that come in a range of different formats to help those with Dyslexia. Items such as books to help with handwriting, numeracy and mathematics, Dekko comics, Dcode dyslexia

and structured learning are all available online. Other items such as stationery, visual stress products i.e. reading rulers, testing kits, coloured overlays, teaching aids, electronics, software, and learning at home products are also available too.

The Dyslexia Shop showcased some of its products and services at the Dyslexia Show 2024 earlier this year. Located at Stand: B304, the company inspired other like-minded individuals and professionals with their own experiences and products that have helped them to overcome some of the challenges that come with having Dyslexia whilst inspiring the next generation.

For more information, please see below: 01394 671818 hello@thedyslexiashop.co.uk https://www.thedyslexiashop.co.uk

Left-handed in a righthanded world?

How do you support left-handed children in learning to write? Are there specific tools or techniques you recommend for left-handed children when they’re learning to write?

These are both frequently asked questions by parents when they are trying to help their left-handed child to learn to write. Mark Stewart is the owner of ‘Left n Write’ in Worcester and for over 29 years, Mark and his wife Heather have been specialising in the advice and provision of everything left-handed, from handwriting to cooking!

Left ‘n Write is a small independent online store that stocks many left-handed items from stationery to scissors, kitchen equipment, gardening tools as well as handwriting learning kits.

Mark and Heather (an ex-teacher) are also advocates of equality in both education policies and resources. Having a left-handed son themselves inspired them to spearhead the campaign to have specific guidelines on helping lefthanded children included as part of initial teacher training and within current in-service training.

They are both well versed in the education sector, having co-written books together that include the ‘Left Hand Writing Skills’ set of three handwriting practice books, ‘So You Think They’re Left Handed?’ book as well as designed a ‘Writewell’ mat and other educational resources.

Mark runs in-person training for Early Years and schools, and has produced a new downloadable interactive training video for CPD.

If you’re interested in finding out more, please see below: 07747 605107 info@leftshoponline.co.uk www.leftshoponline.co.uk

Revolutionising Business Admin: How VA Matchmaking connects you with the perfect Virtual Assistant

Matching the right Virtual Assistant (VA) with the right business requires careful consideration of the business’s needs, the VA’s skills, and the compatibility between the two.

VA Matchmaking, founded by the visionary Lydia Robinson, is transforming the business landscape by intuitively connecting companies with the perfect Virtual Assistants. This innovative approach not only matches individuals based on their skills, personality, and expertise but also fosters long-term, positive relationships.

Lydia, along with her team of Virtual Assistants, bring a wealth of experience in marketing and

administration. Each team member has previously held roles as Executive Assistants, Personal Assistants, or in management positions, ensuring a diverse range of skills and backgrounds to choose from.

In 2023, VA Matchmaking launched a dedicated Hub to support neurodiverse business owners, addressing their unique administrative needs and enhancing their business operations. This initiative underscores the company’s commitment to inclusivity and tailored support, making it a revolutionary force in business administration.

At the recent Dyslexia Show 2024, VA Matchmaking highlighted its extensive range of services tailored for individuals in this sector. Whether you already have Access to Work funding or are seeking support through the program, VA Matchmaking offers a proven and comprehensive process to manage your online portal submissions for the Government’s Access to Work Scheme.

If you would like to discuss how Lydia can help you, please see below: 07578 415716

lydia@vamatchmaking.co.uk www.vamatchmaking.co.uk

Pret A Manger go live with Terryberry’s bespoke Employee Benefits Platform and Wellbeing Hub

P

ret A Manger have become the latest company to go live with Terryberry’s complete Employee Benefits Platform alongside a Wellbeing Hub, which is designed to support employees’ physical, mental and financial wellbeing.

As part of the launch, Pret A Manger will now have access to a new Offers and Discounts platform, designed to help support employees during the cost-of-living crisis. With the platform giving users potential savings of up to £3,000 per year. Alongside a recognition platform that will connect all 8,000 employees in the UK, and encourage a culture of recognition across all locations.

Emma Spencer, Senior Pay & Benefits Manager at Pret A Manger, said, “We are excited and delighted with our

new bespoke one-stop benefits and wellbeing platform. This now allows all our employees across the UK to access their Benefits and Wellbeing offerings in one easy to access platform and App.

“We were really impressed with the new features that Terryberry were bringing to their benefits and wellbeing platform. This played a big part in our decision to partner with Terryberry as we could see great potential and knew the impact this would have for our teams.”

If you are interested in an all-in-one Engagement, Reward, Recognition and Benefits platform for your business, you can get in touch at: www.terryberry.com/gb/contact-us

Contact: Ben Pritchard 0344 826 2008 bpritchard@terryberry.com www.terryberry.com/gb/360recognition-platform

HEALTHCARE ESTATES Matters

WhosOffice online success helps care sector with shift planning and staff leave management

Kent-based WhosOffice.com is helping the care sector manage staff shifts and leave planning. Currently used by many businesses to manage staff holidays and shift rotas online.

WhosOffice’s CEO, Reg Groombridge (pictured), has seen a noticeable shift in the way companies are managing essential HR tasks like co-ordinating staff time off and shift patterns.

“All companies, including large care homes, hospital pharmacies and the care sector generally are more sensitive than ever to key staff not being available at vital times during a shift. Management, including local managers, need to have a clear vision of whos on shift, day off, who’s on leave or even off sick and be able to plan tasks accordingly to the correct staff.”

Knowing who’s on shift or available to cover a shift is the key to success along with who’s qualified to cover certain essential roles and tasks.

J

ust wanted to share details of a lovely care home interior that Access 21 has recently designed and completed.

We provided building and decorating services, interior design ideas, furniture, upholstery fabrics, curtains/ blinds and artwork to refurbish all the communal areas of the home, creating very different areas with linking themes that are both practical yet beautifully stylish. Consultancy and works all followed in a logical sequence to maximize time planning and minimize disruption.

Excellent communication between the client and ourselves together with the wide range of services and choices that we were able to offer

contributed to the success of this fantastic project. We even visited with a furniture van and samples so that residents and staff could try out items for size and comfort before choosing a wide selection.

Getting in touch

What would you like to do to update your home? Even with a small budget, we can work with you to achieve the look you desire, and we have no minimum order requirements or long-contracts. We would be delighted to help!

Please contact Eda or Karen at: info@access21ltd.co.uk or visit our website for inspiration: www.access21interiors.co.uk

“As there continues to be pressure caused by the shortage of skilled and qualified personnel, you need online systems that your whole team can use to see accurate information, wherever they’re located – at head office, care home based, on-site or on the move.”

Ever-rising employee expectations have created a stronger business case for investing in HR technologies. When WhosOffice launched in 2015 it was one of the very first online staff shift and leave planners, and many businesses still used paper forms or spreadsheets to track time off. Now, companies of all sizes are modernising their operations to help them attract and retain the best people. Please contact

SDS is a leading UK designer and manufacturer of specialist doorsets for healthcare and clinical environments.

It said, “Our doorsets are designed for their application and environment, so whatever your requirement, we have the right doorset for you, including lead-lined variants. Our range of door systems has been created based on our experience in the

and is designed to offer a one-stop solution for compliant, highperformance doorsets comprising doors, frames, vision panels, and ironmongery solutions, all of which are fully backed up by the relevant test data and certification.”

Electric Vehicle Charging

Plug-N-Go provide turnkey funded solutions for businesses who are looking at installing or increasing EV charging points in car parks, on a risk and cost-free basis and takes care of the following:

: Site design and transition plans.

: Concession agreements.

: Infrastructure installation.

: Operation of charge points.

: Proactive maintenance plans.

: Revenue share schemes.

: Control & monitor charge point use.

: 24/7/365 dedicated EV call centre.

: Promotes charge point availability.

: Manages customer reports and site upgrades.

Plug-N-Go provide fully or part funded AC & DC charging solutions for public facing carparks ensuring that the site owner generates an income

from the charging points, whilst providing facilities for their working fleet, staff and the local community. We work with the client to navigate the appropriate grant funding schemes to ensure that available funding is secured and can provide ‘top up’ funding for any shortfalls to deliver the optimum solution.

“Our expertise is in the business and public sector, working with Local Authorities, hotels, commercial retail spaces, health care sectors and many more. We offer an A-Z solution from site survey, designing and installing, monitoring and proactive maintenance and what’s more, we futureproof all our sites, with many power supplies pre-wired below ground. Where possible, we tap into our expertise in renewable energy and power using solar or wind energy and with thousands of registered users now using the Plug-N-Go app – we are helping the country go electric. Our charging stations appear on Google Maps or advertised through partner networks such as Zapmap and Allstar,” explained Keith – CEO.

Plug-N-Go designs solutions to provide immediate and future planned needs, with a collaborative approach to ensure that reliability and control is at the heart of the final solution.

The design process incorporates the client energy strategy for the building and ensures that innovation and options are considered including energy conservation, Battery Energy Storage Systems and load management, where this is not possible,

we also manage the delivery of new DNO energy connections to facilitate the installation of the charging network.

Understanding the full consumer experience to EV charging is key to delivering a network that works for everyone, is reliable and supported. We do this by ensuring that the design is robust, the installation is comprehensive, and the operation of the network is proactively monitored, maintained, and supported 24/7/365 by our specialist EV team at the AA.

Our experience comes from working with Government departments, local authorities, Healthcare organisations and the asset management companies to ensure your asset works for you.

To find out more about bespoke solutions, across a wide range of charging equipment models, speeds and volumes, please see the website below: 0203 657 9672 info@plug-n-go.com https://plug-n-go.com

TECHNOLOGY & SOFTWARE Matters

Revitalise your gut: ProVen Biotics unveils the Power of Probiotics

In this issue of Healthcare Matters, we are pleased to feature Proven Biotics as our Health & Wellbeing Company of the Month

ProVen Biotics is a research-led brand, supported by more than 30 years of research and development relating to the gut microbiome and the use of probiotics to support its composition and function. Since its inception in 2012, ProVen Biotics has consistently provided product formulations that have undergone rigorous clinical research, demonstrating their efficacy in complementing antibiotic therapies and alleviating symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), to name two of the primary areas of research.

As the parent company to ProVen Biotics, Cultech Ltd stands as a renowned global brand, distinguished as a pivotal manufacturer of probiotics serving companies worldwide. With a comprehensive facility, the company ferments its own probiotic strains, oversees manufacturing and packaging of supplements, and orchestrates distribution and marketing across more than 20 countries worldwide.

The company’s aim has always been to produce efficacious products based upon comprehensive primary research and development. Cultech Ltd has been

instrumental in supporting ProVen Biotics with its expertise in developing cutting-edge probiotic formulations.

We spoke to Adrienne Benjamin, Registered Nutritionist at ProVen Biotics who explained some of the latest innovative products ProVen has introduced to the market.

“So far in 2024, we have already published two clinical trials and launched two new products, one of which is specifically related to our study on the use of probiotics alongside antibiotics in adults. Our new ATB Intensive product, contains our Lab4 probiotics blend along with a beneficial yeast called Saccharomyces boulardii and is designed to be taken alongside and following a course of antibiotics.”

“In the past couple of years, we have also invested heavily in our own fermentation facility and identified ways to improve our packaging to extend the shelf-life of our products. We are now also offering products with prebiotic and post-biotic ingredients and are in the process of re-branding our range to ProVen Biotics (from ProVen Probiotics) to reflect these changes.”

“We always have a continuous programme of new product development and technological improvement at ProVen, that is generally driven by our clinical research studies and understanding of emerging trends in the industry.”

ProVen’s commitment to quality control throughout the manufacturing process is exceptional. From the start, ProVen was

set up to take the best of everything the founders had learned in their previous careers in science and antibiotics and to show people that probiotics really do benefit family health. The two founders are Dr’s Nigel and Sue Plummer, both microbiologists, who established Cultech with a strong ethos of integrating probiotic research and developing innovative new products founded on robust clinical evidence. ProVen’s quality assurance and transparency with its customers is founded upon this evidence base, which supports the efficacy and effectiveness of all ProVen products.

As a clear leader within the probiotics industry, ProVen has shown its commitment to research and development both to support the efficacy of its own probiotic blends and to the development of the probiotics industry as a whole using its own collective understanding of the human microbiome.

“We invest heavily in all kinds of research and have a team of more than 20 research scientists committed to this goal, who work continuously on contributing to industry research (in vitro, in vivo and clinical) and to new product development.”

“We have been researching our Lab4 probiotics blend for more than 20 years and this is the bacteria consortium that we build our ProVen products around. Through our clinical research, we have shown real benefits across multiple conditions and needs using this specific blend – two strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis and Bifidobacterium bifidum.”

“Most of our products contain this live bacteria blend with other nutrients to support specific health needs, and in the past five years or so we have also studied other key bacteria strains to understand how these strains might further enhance our clinical results.”

“One key strain that we have used is Lactobacillus plantarum, which we combined with the Lab4 consortium in our ShapeLine product and, more recently, we have undertaken research combining Lab4 with a well-researched beneficial yeast, known as Saccharomyces boulardii,” stated Adrienne.

Furthermore, we are committed to developing products for specific life stages, including menopause, a natural part of aging, the symptoms and health risks associated with which can vary widely among women. In the past year, we have been working to identify ways it can add value to our products to support women going through this transition and have developed our Menopause Plans – Rebel and Rebel Up. By offering these free with bundles of some of their physical products, ProVen work to help educate customers on the importance of gut health in supporting general health – in this case, to support women with aging and hormonal health.

One recent satisfied customer was Jennifer Stoute, a two-time-Olympian and ex-TV Gladiator, who discovered ProVen products and approached the company wanting to work with them after she had been taking them for a year and found they had worked well for her. Jennifer is now part of the inspiration behind the ‘Menopause Rebel’ plans.

ProVen’s brand reputation, market success and considerable R&D investments have already demonstrated the growth and success of the company, but there is still so much more to come. Adrienne explained:

“We are constantly investing in research and new product development and, as a result, we have grown our brand into a significant force internationally. ProVen products are now available throughout the world, including the USA, China, Hong Kong, South Africa, Ireland, Spain, the Baltics, Scandinavia and the Netherlands, and we are moving into more new markets each year.”

“A key part of our brand culture is to continuously innovate from both a manufacturing process and a product development perspective. We now control the supply chain from bacterial strain fermentation to finished product production and we will continue to develop new product lines and innovative approaches to probiotic delivery to support health outcomes.” For

Best Practice London 2024: A resounding success at Olympia, London, UK!

Best Practice London 2024, hosted by CloserStill Media, concluded with resounding success, bringing together close to 2,000 healthcare professionals, industry experts, and community members for an enriching and insightful event.

The exhibition, held at Olympia on 28th29th February, showcased the latest advancements, best practices, and innovations in general practice, fostering collaboration and driving excellence in healthcare delivery.

Achieving 137% of our attendee target, and over 130 exhibitors, Best Practice London 2024 offered a dynamic platform for networking, knowledge-sharing, and

professional development. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with leading healthcare providers, discover cutting-edge technologies, and participate in interactive workshops and seminars designed to enhance clinical practice and patient care.

“It was great meeting with loads of new leads in a sector, we had previously underutilised,” remarked Lee Webb, Engagement Executive at Surgery Connect.

Looking ahead, Best Practice is excited to announce the next edition of Best Practice Birmingham, scheduled for 9th-10th October 2024 at NEC Birmingham. Building on the success of this year’s event, the next edition promises to be even bigger and better, with

over 180 exhibitors already confirmed and now only 10 stands remaining!

This is our pick of the best exhibitors from this year’s event, listed here in alphabetical order: Healthcare Monitors & Simpkins Edwards. Further details can be found on this page and the next.

For more information about the largest General Practice event in the country; Best Practice Birmingham this October, please visit: https://www.bestpracticeshow.co.uk/ become-exhibitor-sponsor or contact Ian Reynolds, Group Event Director. Direct Phone: 02476 719683, email: bp_team@closerstillmedia.com.

Simpkins Edwards: Industry-leading firm of Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers

Simpkins Edwards are an industry-leading firm of Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, delivering exceptional service and expertise, for over 50 years.

We work with healthcare professionals and business owners, providing detailed management accounts, KPI analysis & benchmarking, and tax planning & advice. Our commercial approach, including quarterly strategy meetings, allows business owners to ‘know their numbers’ and feel confident making decisions. Simpkins Edwards offer all the traditional accounting services too, giving you peace of mind to focus on your patients, your team and your business.

We pride ourselves on our ability to handle complexity whilst delivering the right solutions tailored to the specific needs of each client. Our team is driven by a shared commitment

to building a strong reputation, ensuring sustainability in all our practices, and achieving commercial success. Our clients operate across the UK, and are serviced from one of our 5 offices across the South West.

Reputation: Our reputation is built on integrity, collaboration and quality. Our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of commercial and operational excellence breeds the trust of our clients and the respect of our peers. In 2023, we were honoured to be recognised as a finalist in the Community Impact category at the Xero Awards and received the Highly Commended award for Employer of the Year at the Exeter College Apprentice and Employer Awards.

Sustainability: By actively fostering a culture of team wellbeing and continuous development, we recruit, develop and retain the best talent, ensuring our continued success as an independent firm. Beyond the office walls, we’re committed to supporting our local community with initiatives such as volunteering days and sponsorships of small businesses/teams. Amongst our clients, we advocate sustainable practices; from promoting responsible strategies to implementing eco-friendly business practice, we strive to create a sustainable future.

Commerciality: In today’s dynamic business environment, commercial expertise is what sets us apart. We understand the challenges and

opportunities facing businesses of all sizes, and we’re here to help you navigate them with confidence. Our business is always innovating, by bringing in additional subject area expertise, and integrating new technology, which allows us to guide our clients towards their business objectives and drive profitability.

At Simpkins Edwards, we’re not just focused on today’s numbers – we're committed to your longterm success.

Contact Seb Beard, Healthcare Partner, sbeard@simpkinsedwards.co.uk

Jenna Clark, Director of Healthcare Services, jclark@simpkinsedwards.co.uk

https://www.simpkinsedwards.co.uk/ sectors/healthcare

“Every surgery should have one” Dr Mike Dixon, LVE, OBE MA MB BS DRCOG

The Best Practice London Show 2024 held at Olympia London from the 28th29th February was one of the biggest yet, confirming its reputation as the largest gathering of general practice HCPs from across London and the South East region. NHS England featured on this year’s programme, with keynote speakers discussing major challenges and opportunities facing Primary and Secondary Care, Pharmacy First Initiatives and GP access.

Having access to digital patient information is a necessity for the smooth running of busy GP practices and, in this arena, Healthcare Monitors was one of our Top Exhibitors for innovative, next-level digitally-enhanced technology.

Healthcare Monitors’ M9-PGT is a medically-approved, metrology tested standalone health monitor that can be installed in GP surgeries and hospital settings. The M9-PGT allows patients to take their own blood pressure, height, weight and BMI without any supervision. Patients are guided through the process with audio and images and takes around 90 seconds.

With PatientPod software, patients can also be prompted to answer lifestyle questions such as smoking and alcohol status, physical activity, ethnicity and more. All results and answers are automatically SNOMED coded before filing individually, as a batch or deleted.

Warning messages can be displayed to the patient if their BP or BMI reading is over or above set thresholds and an optional alarm sounded in real time on a reception PC. SystmOne sites can also create a task automatically. All recent measurements are available to view for monitoring purposes with any high or low readings highlighted.

Healthcare Monitors have over 2,000 monitors in the field, along with the adaptable PatientPod integration, where patient measurements and responses to lifestyle questions can be stored against their record in EMIS, TPP SystmOne & Vision.

The monitors save time and money by increasing the efficiency of staff and replacing unnecessary appointments with automatic contactless monitoring. A study at a surgery in February 2024 based on 70 patients using the system per week estimated an annual saving of £9,525.13 when compared to the time and cost of an experienced HCA. When combined with QoF or QAIF points, this saving could be increased significantly.

Save time and increase your QoF points and sign up for a free, no obligation, one month trial today for your GP surgery or healthcare setting.

Speak to the expert staff at Healthcare Monitors today: 01299 250321 info@healthcaremonitors.co.uk https://healthcaremonitors.co.uk

Need 2 Succeed

Inspiring

animating communities

Delivering Nationally Accredited Training for Social Prescribers

Need 2 Succeed is an industry-leading accredited centre approved by four major UK Awarding Bodies: NCFE, SEG Awards and NOCN. With an expert team of specialist trainers, teachers, and assessors, providing vocational qualifications, adult learning programmes and short courses, the provider offers services in London, the Home Counties and across the UK.

Established 18 years ago in 2006 by founder Roberto Mobile, Need 2 Succeed provides a range of training solutions for those working in or planning to work in Health Care, Social Care, Education, Children & Young People and Wellbeing Sectors, as well as further commercial and accredited training. The provider is now based at the New Croydon Campus of London South Bank University.

To suit varying learning styles and to fit around existing work or family commitments, Need 2 Succeed provides work base professional qualifications and continued professional development (CPD) through a blended mixture of daytime, evening, and weekend online, class based

and 1:1 coaching and assessments. Through an emphasis on quality knowledge-based courses, the company has supported over 200 professionals achieve their qualifications and career development, with nationally accredited courses and over 100 CPD short courses to choose from, with many of these funded through government programmes.

The courses are all delivered by experts in their chosen fields, with many locations to choose from and a high 95% success rate across the board. The training provided by Need 2 Succeed is ideal for:

: Social Prescribing Link Workers, Health and Wellbeing Coaches and ICB’s/PCN’s across the country

: Those working in the non-profit, public and health sector

: Anyone seeking to develop knowledge and skills in working with children, young people, and local communities

: Business and management staff looking to increase professional development with more specialised skills and knowledge

The Level 3 Certificate in Social Prescribing has been recently added to the training portfolio, at a time when the NHS is recruiting for over 5,000 social prescribers by the end of 2024. Need 2 Succeed is one of only two training providers delivering this highly sought-after qualification, with the company offering exceptional quality, price and added value.

The SEG Awards Level 3 Certificate in Social Prescribing is a UK recognised qualification which enriches understanding of social prescribing and provides those already working in this role with enhanced knowledge and understanding. The NHS view social prescribing as a key driver of Universal Personalised Care. This interconnective approach allows people to tap into groups, activities, and local services to enhance health and wellbeing and is facilitated by social prescribing link workers, PCN’s and CCG/ICB’s.

The SEG Awards Level 3 Certificate in Social Prescribing cover modules such as: delivering community-based solutions, offering vulnerable adults’ holistic support, managing caseloads, and measuring outcomes to improve support mechanisms.

As part of its commitment to quality first training, Need 2 Succeed provides a thorough initial assessment of care for all learners to establish a need-led personalised training plan from the offset. Each learner is assigned an individual assessor/ tutor throughout the duration of the course.

For all queries and further course details, please see the website below: 020 7871 9941 info@need2succeed.co.uk www.need2succeed.co.uk

Established in 2001, we remain a family run business passionate about supporting Health and Social Care Providers & Local Authorities to improve and develop their services to the most vulnerable people in our society.

Our team have all worked in the industry. The directors have owned and managed their own residential and domiciliary care businesses and

W&P Compliance & Training Services

many of our advisors and associates are former, CQC inspectors, Health Professionals or Local Authority Commissioners so we have a wealth of experience and expertise available to our customers.

Our extensive range of products and services are up to date with the latest industry Standards and Regulations and are competitively priced.

We provide a straightforward, no nonsense approach to supporting our customers. These strong customer relationships mean our products and services evolve using real case studies, such as feedback from a CQC inspection or a new contractual requirement from a local authority. This intelligence is a key component in how we develop our products and services, which ensures they reflect what is going on at the front line as well as the strategic level.

Whether you are just starting your own care business, going after your first local authority contract, looking to purchase a new set of Health and Social Care Policies, or just need some support or training to move your business forward, W&P has all the skills and expertise you will ever need to help your business grow.

Please contact 01305 767104

https://www.wandptraining.co.uk

W&P supporting Health and Social Care providers across the UK

W&P has been supporting Health and Social Care providers with its business planning, compliance and training requirements since 2001, including:

● Policies and Procedures for Domiciliary, Residential, & Clinical Service providers in England, Scotland & Wales.

● Policies and procedures for Learning Disability Services in England.

● Policies and Procedures for nonregistered services in England

● Staff training packs – i.e. Management of Medicines.

● Accredited on-line distance learning training courses.

● Compliance Audits/Mock Inspections

● Tender writing and Bid support

● CQC Registration Support

● General Business Advice and Guidance

New for 2023!

● Updated CQC compliance webinar

● Values Led Recruitment and Retention Webinar

● Children’s Policies and Procedures

● New Online Policy Portal –Manage, read and share your policies at the touch of a button.

For this and much more, please go to our website at: www.wandptraining.co.uk or call us on 01305 767104, we are here to help.

Digital Health Rewired 2024

Digital Health Rewired is the sector’s most popular conference and networking event welcoming thousands of members from the diverse digital health community.

Digital Health Rewired 2024 took place on the 12th-13th March at the NEC in Birmingham. National leaders, NHS teams and industry experts came together to tackle the latest challenges of digital, data and innovation across nine dedicated stages of CPD-accredited educational content.

Nine brilliant female digital leaders, trailblazers and pioneers who are transforming health and care graced the stages at Rewired24. The stages were the Innovation Stage, Patient Engagement Stage, Digital Nursing and Midwifery Summit, Best Practice Showcase Stage, Integrated Care Stage, Digital Leadership and Teams Stage, Digital Transformation Stage, AI, Data and Analytics Stage, Smart Health Stage, Cyber Security Stage.

The 2024 programme showcased everything from the best examples in health service transformation

at scale in the NHS and internationally, to virtual wards, intelligent workflow systems, and keynote speeches on how we should be addressing the nation’s priorities and funding.

Some key themes from the 2024 show included transformation, leadership, integrated care, AI, digital nursing, cyber, smart health, and patient empowerment. Particularly in the healthcare industry, new technologies can hold enormous potential for groundbreaking medical breakthroughs. We are at an age now where there are so many new products and services becoming available to enhance productivity, create solutions and build further awareness. Attendees were able to use Horizon Scanning to identify these new products and emerging innovations at any given timepoint, creating engagement, talking points and links to suppliers.

Rewired Pitchfest is the place where digital health start-ups are invited to compete for the opportunity to showcase their idea or solution to a unique audience of NHS leaders and investors. This is always a highly anticipated part of the Digital Health Rewired Expo. Pre-revenue start-ups: very early-stage start-ups, which will likely have an MVP and Post-revenue start-ups: who have sufficiently progressed to having multiple paying clients, can both enter, and the winning start-up gets the chance at an NHS test bed site, courtesy of Pitchfest partner, CW+.

The 2024 Revenue Generating Category Winners were Goggleminds: a training and assessment platform to help healthcare professionals and students practice and learn lifesaving skills faster.

The 2024 Pre-Revenue Generating Category Winners were Upfront Diagnostics: first time winners who have created a blood test for large vessel occlusion stroke diagnosis called ‘LVOne,’ enabling a faster and more accurate stroke diagnosis that improves treatment and can help clinicians saving lives.

Digital Health Rewired 2025 will take place in Hall 8 at the NEC, Birmingham on the 18th-19th March 2025.

This is our pick of the best exhibitors from this year’s event, listed here in alphabetical order: Blum Health, DPM Digital Health & Novari Health. Further details can be found on the next one and a half pages.

Please contact https://digitalhealthrewired.com

The Challenge: Improving Trust & ICS

Referral

Pathways

Non-urgent referral pathways are becoming more complex as trusts merge, ICSs mature, and clinical networks deliver services across various settings and procedures (e.g., cardiology, endoscopy, mental health, orthopaedics). This complexity is heightened by multiple EPR systems and a reliance on email and paper. Each type of referral has different workflows, from intake to triage to routing, making efficient management difficult and necessitating extensive administrative support.

The Solution Trusts and ICSs can manage these complex pathways, demonstrate increased efficiency (in some cases by over 50%), productivity, workforce capacity and a financial return on investment by implementing Novari Health’s award-winning specialist referral management software.

Novari Health solutions are widely implemented in Canada and Australia, two publicly funded health services very similar to the NHS.

Our software receives referrals from multiple sources including eRS, and enables patient referrals to be assessed, triaged, and routed to the most appropriate care setting by the clinical and administrative users.

KPI’s, such as time from referral to treatment, can be tracked. Real-time dashboards provide administrative and clinical users referral worklists, waiting list management, and enable easy identification of patients nearing or having breached referral/treatment target dates.

Integration with other digital systems (e.g., EPR, etc.) ensures a feedback loop so referring practitioners are updated about their patients’ progress as they move through the system. Duplicate referrals can be identified and managed early in the process.

The technology includes patient engagement functionality and can send text messages and email to collect and share information before, during and after receiving care, reducing clinical and administrative time and cost.

Each deployment of our software is co-designed with our client’s specific pathway or patient flow requirements, irrespective of complexity, referral type, care, or service

model such as single point of access. Novari solutions can be deployed at individual trust level, clinical network, or a geographical area such as an ICS.

Artificial Intelligence

Data transparency in the hands of those co-ordinating and providing care combined with load balancing patients across all available providers results in more efficient and equitable use of NHS resources. AI process mining allows organisations to easily identify bottlenecks in referral pathway workflows and target resources where they are needed.

Novari is a Microsoft partner and has a proud history of integrating with Access Rio and other EPR’s, (e.g., Oracle Health, Epic, Meditech, GP systems, national eRS systems, etc.).

For more information, contact Angela Single, Director of UK Business Development, at: asingle@novarihealth.com or visit: www.novarihealth.com

Navigating DCB0160: Ensuring Clinical Safety Assurance within Digital Health Deployment

DCB0160 is a critical standard that all healthcare organisations in the UK must comply with when deploying Digital Health systems. DPM Digital Health Consultancy Ltd are at the forefront of regulatory compliance services. Within our multidisciplinary team, we have a collective experience of over 75 year’s digital health including nurses, pharmacists, GPs, AHPs and regulatory affairs consultants.

What is DCB0160?

4) Maintaining a Hazard Log to identify, analyse, evaluate and mitigate clinical risks

of Digital Health systems. Compliance with DCB0160 is not only a legal requirement, but also demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to clinical safety and responsible deployment of health technology. It helps build trust with clinicians, patients and regulators that the Digital Health system has been thoroughly evaluated for clinical risks.

Conclusion

DCB0160, official title of ‘Clinical Risk Management: it’s Application in the Deployment and Use of Health IT Systems,’ is a standard that provides a framework for healthcare organisations to ensure the Clinical Risk Management of Digital Health systems they implement. The key requirements of DCB0160 include:

1) Establishing a Clinical Risk Management process throughout the Digital Health project lifecycle

2) Appointing a qualified and competent Clinical Safety Officer to oversee clinical risk management

3) Implementing a Clinical Risk Management Plan to control and monitor clinical risks

5) Producing a Clinical Safety Case Report to summarise the clinical safety position of the deployed Digital Health system and the clinical risk management process and activities undertaken

6) Reporting and investigating any clinical safety incidents that occur at any stage of the Digital Health project lifecycle

Why is DCB0160 Important?

DCB0160 is a critical standard because it helps ensure that Digital Health systems deployed within the healthcare sector are clinically safe and do not pose unacceptable risks to patients. By mandating a robust clinical risk management process, the standard aims to prevent patient harm that could result from software failures, incorrect usage, or unintended consequences

DCB0160 is a critical standard that all healthcare organisations in the UK must adhere to when deploying digital health systems. By establishing a structured clinical risk management framework, the standard helps safeguard patient safety and promote the responsible use of Digital Health systems.

Understanding and implementing the requirements of DCB0160 is essential for any healthcare provider looking to leverage the benefits of health technology while prioritising clinical safety.

Dean Mawson, Clinical Director & Founder DPM Digital Health Consultancy Ltd, 07840 049772

dean.mawson@dpmdigitalhealth.co.uk

https://dpmdigitalhealth.co.uk

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanmawson-3804521a @DeanMawson

Award-winning Digital Health Consulting and product delivery

Blüm Health provides Managed Services and Product Delivery (bespoke development) to public and private sector organisations across the UK and internationally.

By building and connecting solutions for exceptional outcomes and redefined results, we support healthcare ecosystems to become more digitally mature. Founded by a team of clinicians and engineers, they specialise in bridging the gap between healthcare excellence and technological

NURSING & CARE Matters

innovation. They pride themselves on their extensive experience in ideating, building, and executing innovative projects, and they have

built a portfolio of full scale solutions for Hospitals, Universities, and industry partners both in the UK and internationally. They are passionate about regulatory compliance, scalability, and patientcentricity and this comes as standard across their products and services.

Having recently won the Medilink North of England NHS Partnerships award, Blüm have a strong track record of delivering digital transformation through consultancy

services or product delivery. This allows them to provide an end-to-end capability to increase organisational productivity, workforce capability, and patient outcomes. The team also supports Private sector organisations through bespoke development and regulatory compliance.

Blüm currently operates across the UK and US and are being supported by the Department for Business and Trade in delivering their value overseas, being featured on their ‘Go Global’ showcase. Blüm are on a number of frameworks which allows public sector organisations easier access to the suite of products and services on offer from Blüm.

3D-printed insole usage expands to diabetic insensate patients after successful pilot study

In early 2023, Steeper invested in Arkad 3D printing technology, revolutionising our insole manufacturing process and reducing environmental waste by 60%. This technology offered reduced waiting times for patients and fantastic clinical outcomes using conservative insole treatments. We have continued to develop the technology and improve our insole products, and we’re thrilled to announce the results from our latest academic study conducted in collaboration with the Biomedical Engineering Department at the University of Hull.

Led by Dr Harriet Talbott, Medical Engineering Programme Director at the University of Hull, the University conducted in-shoe pressure tests using TekScan technology and finite element analysis. After completing 120 tests with 5 participants, comparing plantar pressures of 3D-printed insoles to EVA insoles at base depths of 3mm and 6mm, we have concluded that 3D-printed insoles are a suitable treatment option for Diabetic Insensate Patients.

Evidence from the study indicates Diabetic Insensate Patients can benefit from similar or reduced plantar pressure levels when using 3D-printed insoles compared to EVA insoles. In addition, none of the plantar pressures recorded throughout the testing reached pressure values that would trigger an ulceration. And, with the advantage of significant reductions in CO2 levels, it makes choosing Steeper 3D-printed insoles an obvious choice for the benefit of patients, and the environment.

Steeper Group are grateful to Dr Harriet Talbott and her team at the University of Hull for conducting this study and providing these invaluable insights. We

look forward to offering our high-quality 3D-printed insoles to all of our patients throughout the UK, helping to create life’s turning points, together.

Pilot Study Results : 3mm 3D-printed plantar pressures across the tests demonstrated an average of 90.7 Kilopascals (kPa) of pressure. 3mm EVA in comparison demonstrated 94.7kPa average plantar pressures. Although 3D-printed demonstrated a slight reduction in pressure compared to EVA, there was no statistical difference between the two comparisons. : 6mm 3D-printed insoles demonstrated an average of

82.2kPa of plantar pressure, and EVA demonstrated 95.2kPa. Indicating a small statistical significance in favour of 3D-printed plantar pressure improvement.

: Both 3D-printed and EVA demonstrated a reduction of plantar pressures when compared to barefoot, with average barefoot plantar pressures for the test subjects of 182kPa.

: None of the plantar pressures recorded throughout the testing reached pressure values that would trigger an ulceration.

: Plugs across both 3D-printed and EVA offloaded equivalently.

Please contact +44 (0)113 270 4841 orthotics@steepergroup.com www.steepergroup.com

Oral healthcare now available to your care home

L

ura Care, a company specialising in dental care services for care homes and day centres, has opened its first operational centre in the United Kingdom in Hampton Hill, from where it will provide dental services in London, the South East and parts of the East of England.

to promote preventative health and healthy habits.

MoliCare® celebrates 40 years of incontinence protection, every day

MTheir objective is to break the mobility barrier to care for dependent people or people with mobility problems who due to their condition cannot access the oral health services they need. Its mobile services model enables the company to carry out treatments on-site to avoid transfers to clinics whenever possible.

Lura Care, who are registered with the Care Quality Commission, also carry out free, no-obligation initial assessments on-site to evaluate the oral health condition of residents and their dental care needs, as well as training activities in care homes

The company also offers flexible and interest-free financing options for treatments, and reinvests a portion of the revenue back into the centres through bonuses to help improve their services.

Also present in Spain and Italy, Lura Care has provided their services to more than 1,000 care homes and day centres, and has attended to more than 100,000 patients.

oliCare®, the global incontinence brand, is celebrating 40 years of supporting people, carers and healthcare professionals with solution-based pads, pants and skincare products. The product range has been designed to help the everyday needs of those living with incontinence and bladder weakness, with the care of the skin at the heart of the MoliCare® brand.

MoliCare® has developed a range of pads and pants, which feel like underwear. Over the last forty years, the brand has continued to focus on protection, security, and comfort as the core criteria for its product performance.

HARTMANN, the company behind MoliCare®, continues to invest in and develop in their products. This includes the introduction of new technology to the MoliCare® Premium Form range of large

shaped pads that now features a new absorbent core known as ADL (Acquisition Distribution Layer). The ADL layer contains super absorbent polymers treated with Citrate, which neutralise the urine, for better skin health. In addition, the ADL layer now features a new channel, set within the pad to help to distribute urine. Both innovations improve the feeling of dryness by over 70%, again demonstrating MoliCare®’s commitment to skin care.

Medical training designed to empower individuals in their respective fields

In this issue of Healthcare Matters, we are pleased to feature Medline Consultancy as our Medical Training Company of the Month.

Medline Consultancy is dedicated to delivering bespoke solutions that precisely meet the distinctive requirements of its clientele. Comprised of a team of dedicated professionals, the consultancy harnesses its extensive expertise to offer expert consultancy services spanning event medical cover, training, first aid, and medical supplies.

Medline’s new Training Academy launched only last year in 2023, and has since delivered over 150 courses through various channels including face-toface, blended and online learning.

We spoke to Phil Cracknell, Chief Executive Officer at Medline who explained the Training Academy in more detail.

“We offer an extensive range of courses from Annual Refreshers to First Aid, Food Safety, Health and Safety, and many others. We have formed our training academy faculty based on our trainer’s individual experience, knowledge and skills to deliver high quality education. They each bring in addition to their training and assessing qualifications a broad range of professional experience from across their respective sector. We are completely flexible to deliver courses at our own venues or at a venue that better suits the client.”

At the heart of the Training Academy’s offerings are meticulously crafted training programs that cater for professionals involved in a range of different

industries and sectors. From Health and Social Care to Education, Early Years, Construction, Food and Licensed venues and many more, these programs cover a wide spectrum of topics including clinical skills development, mental health courses, regulatory compliance, medications administration, leadership training, and first aid courses.

Another key focus area for Medline Consultancy is technology and innovation. From a single plaster to custom kits, Medline Consultancy believes that quality should not come at an expansive cost.

“We aim to offer a high-quality range of first aid and medical supplies which make us a reliable one-stopshop to fulfil all our client’s emergency needs. We can accommodate a wide range of requirements, ensuring that every customer receives a personalised and satisfactory experience. We stock products covering airway management, infection control, first aid boxes and consumables as well as infection control products. We are proud to stock a number of brands which are recognised within the sectors and used/trusted by professionals.

Medline Consultancy is run and owned by medical professionals, therefore the strategic advice and solutions to its clients truly set them apart, allowing them to keep ahead of the latest advancements and best practices across the healthcare sector.

Medline Consultancy has recently introduced another product to its First Aid and Medical Supplies portfolio. SmartSafe™ Patient Property Bags offer all round peace of mind and help to safe-guard a patient’s belongings. They’re clear, secure, durable and easy to use, and what’s more, each SmartSafe™ Property Bag comes with a unique bar code tracking system, ensuring your patients belongings are returned to them safely after treatment.

Two new Safeguard Medical products worth noting are the Tactical Mechanical Tourniquet (TMT™) which is a hemorrhage control device specifically designed for massive hemorrhage control of an extremity, and The Emergency Bandage® which is a multifunctional hemorrhage control solution with FDA approval as a non-pneumatic tourniquet.

Medline Consultancy stands as a beacon of excellence in healthcare education and professional development.

Embracing freedom: The evolution of Lightweight Mobility solutions

In this issue of Healthcare Matters, we are pleased to feature Lightweight Mobility as our Healthcare & Mobility Equipment Company of the Month.

Founded in 2022 by Sean Taylor, Lightweight Mobility swiftly emerged as a pivotal player in elevating the mobility and enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities. Its mission revolves around facilitating clients and clinicians in sourcing optimal products paired with tailored clinical solutions to meet diverse needs.

With over 35 years of collective experience in the healthcare mobility and rehabilitation sector, Sean and his team are dedicated to delivering unparalleled service and support to individuals of all ages across the UK. By partnering with renowned global manufacturers, the company endeavours to match clients with the perfect products that meet their unique requirements.

“We work with individuals, clinicians, purchasing groups, case managers, residential and nursing

homes. We are not a standard mobility company that sells standard products. We pride ourselves in helping

clients, clinicians and healthcare facilities in finding the right equipment that works for them and the care providers.”

“We provide assessments, sales and servicing of mobility and other equipment, we also help clinicians look for equipment and trials and help with the populating of reports. Our services then enable the clinicians to concentrate on the clinical application of these. We also have a rental service working on both a short or long-term basis for many products that enable case managers to justify the capital outlay for the client,” stated Sean.

Based in Rugby, Lightweight Mobility is ideally situated to meet the needs of clients located in both the North and South of the UK. “We provide nationwide coverage through strategic partnerships with leading experts across the UK, each boasting extensive

experience in the field. Our network allows us to seamlessly match the expertise and products to the specific needs of clients, ensuring tailored solutions delivered locally,” added Sean.

The company’s product range typically includes lightweight manual and powered wheelchairs, mobility scooters, sensory products, chair lifts, car hoists and other assistive devices designed to meet the diverse needs of users with varying levels of mobility impairment.

One product range worth noting is the ADELPHI care chair. Manufactured by Primacare, this British manufacturer is a specialist of seating solutions and an expert in assistive technology. Lightweight Mobility stock over 13 different models of the Primacare range from the ADELPHI TRIO to the AFFINITY. This range is truly flexible and very popular, offering chairs designed for home comfort and specialist healthcare settings.

For clients interested in portable carbon fibre lightweight powered mobility options, Lightweight Mobility stock the QUICKIE Q50 R Carbon. Known as the ideal option for consideration when choosing a folding powerchair, it weighs a mere 14.5kg (without batteries) and is foldable within seconds.

Navigating the plethora of mobility options can be daunting. Lightweight Mobility simplify the process by collaborating with independent therapists who conduct assessments and guide you in selecting the perfect equipment tailored to your needs, whether it's for your home, workplace, or travel. This personalised service, a rarity in the industry, enhances accessibility and ensures you find the ideal solution. Clients consistently praise this unique offering for its invaluable assistance in enhancing their mobility experience.

If you’re interested in finding out more, please see below: 07488 367164 lightweightmobility@gmail.com www.lightweightmobilityandseating.co.uk