Healthcare Matters Issue 823

CONTENTS 823

EDITOR’S NOTES

Name badges in healthcare are integral to providing person-centred care, enabling easy identification. On pages 14-15, we present an in-depth feature on Name Badges International (NBi), one of the seven highly successful divisions of J&A (International) Limited. This piece underscores the significance of name badges and explores the rationale behind the selected yellow colour, which enhances retinal distinction between text and background for improved readability.

On page 16, we provide an extensive review of Naidex 2024, the premier event for the disability community. The expo drew over 10,000 visitors and showcased a diverse and inclusive agenda across multiple stages. Additionally, we highlight our top exhibitors from the show, including Wuffable, BBL Batteries, and Thor Assistive Technology.

Gina Burton Editor

The UK is often underprepared for extreme weather, leading to disruptions and hazardous conditions in work environments. As winter approaches, it’s essential to start planning for the colder weather. On page 12, we feature EcoGrit as our Winter Maintenance Company of the Month. Their eco-friendly alternative to rock salt has been a game-changer for workplace safety, benefiting contractors, organisations, and private environments alike.

According to The Royal College of General Practitioners, in February 2024, each GP had an average of 2,298 patients, highlighting the crucial need for GP practices to have easy access to up-to-date digital patient information. Healthcare Monitors, our Health Monitor Company of the Month, has developed an innovative ‘self-health’ multi-function pod that measures weight, height, BMI, blood pressure, and pulse, aiming to reduce NHS costs and enhance life expectancy through preventative care and monitoring. Page 22.

Other topics covered: Ventilation, Thermography, Facilities Management, Social Care, Patient Hygiene, and more.

COVER STORY

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Can Thermography reduce Care Home Pressure Injuries to zero?

Pressure injuries (PIs) are a common cause of harm in hospitals and care homes and can have a significant and negative impact on the lives of those affected, their families, and their carer’s. Yet PIs remains a large and largely unmet challenge in Care Homes.

A meta-analysis of Care Home Pressure Injuries (CHPIs) in 20231, found the prevalence and incidence among older people living in nursing homes to be on average 11.6% across all PI stages, but was as high as 35.1% in some homes.

The study found that CHPI rates are comparable to hospital acquired pressure injury (HAPI) rates indicating the need for care homes to adopt targeted PI programmes.

A Danish study2 in care homes found that on average wound dressings are changed approximately three times a week, but almost one-quarter of wounds require daily dressing changes. PIs are therefore time consuming for care home staff and increase their workload.

So, can thermal imaging (or thermography) reduce HAPIs or CHPIs to zero?

Multiple studies3-5 have shown that medical thermography can objectively and accurately identify PIs in the form of thermal anomalies long before any visual symptoms. This allows for more effective monitoring and the ability to make better, faster, more informed treatment decisions in real time.

San Juan Medical Centre, in a 6-month trial with thermal imaging reduced HAPIs to zero6, while another hospital in Abilene Texas, achieved ZERO HAPI for over 10 continuous months7. Both have permanently integrated thermal imaging into daily care.

Another study8 goes as far to say that thermal

A 78-year-old bedridden resident. During a routine check-up, a thermal image was taken of the resident’s back, which clearly revealed a warmer area on the left side. There were no signs of pressure injury risk visible to the naked eye

imaging ‘should be an integral part of wound evaluations in the 21st century.’

This is NOT to say ALL PIs will be eliminated, but facilities that adopt thermal imaging should have significant reductions in PI prevalence and shorter days to healing.

A Thermidas thermal tablet makes daily screening for PIs a simple, efficient, and effective process. By providing quantitative data, thermography standardises skin assessment by removing subjectivity, reduces documentation errors, and streamlines electronic medical record workflows.

The learning curve for thermal imaging is short, and after initial support and training, a Thermidas Thermal Tablet will rapidly become a time-saving tool, transforming reactive care into a proactive, systematic approach to preventative care.

Care Homes can use thermal imaging records as evidence of exceptional care provision and leadership to improve Care Home ratings, and enhance their organisational reputation. This will positively affect resident satisfaction, referrals, and staff morale.

Thermography will also help care home operators meet The Enhanced Health in Care Homes Framework9, a key expectation

of which is to minimise unplanned hospital admissions by proactive, personalised care.

In addition to PIs, Thermidas thermal tablets can be used for the screening and management of multiple morbidities including diabetic foot disorders, pain, MSD, pre-clinical infections, PAD, Charcot Foot, Osteomyelitis, DVTs, and thermal comfort, making it an incredibly versatile and cost-effective tool.

Finally, it is well documented that early signs of pressure injuries or DFUs are less easily identified in residents with darkly pigmented skin, but it should be noted, that the clinical utility of thermography is entirely unaffected by skin colour10.

For more information and a free demo, please contact Stephen Taylor at: https://thermidas.fi

References

1) Sugathapala et al, 2023, Prevalence and incidence of pressure injuries among older people living in nursing homes_ A systematic review and meta-analysis

2) Jørgensen et al, 2013, Meeting the challenges of wound care in Danish home care

3) Koerner et al, 2019, Use of Thermal Imaging to Identify Deep-Tissue Pressure Injury on Admission Reduces Clinical and Financial Burdens of Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries

4) Cai et al 2021, Application of infrared thermography in the early warning of pressure injury_ A prospective observational study

5) Lin et al, 2021, Higher Periwound Temperature Associated with Wound Healing of Pressure Ulcers Detected by Infrared Thermography

6) McCall, 2022, ‘Beyond 4 Eyes in 4 Hours’ Implementing Long Wave Infrared Thermography

7) Holster, 2023, driving outcomes and improving documentation with LWIR in a LTA Care Hospital

8) Ramirez-GarciaLuna et al, 2022, Infrared Thermal Imaging: A New Paradigm for Wound Care

9) Enhanced Health in Care Homes: A guide for care homes (NHS, 2023)

10) Charlton et al, 2020, The effect of constitutive pigmentation on the measured emissivity of human skin

Thermidas tablet used in the preventative detection of a PI with no visible symptoms in a resident with significant cognitive impairment and communication difficulties

Biological Preparations introduces the industry’s FIRST Biotech Paper Sachet

Making it easier for more businesses to reduce their Scope 3 emissions; Biological Preparations launches Europe's First Paper Biotech Sachet Range through its UK-leading biotech cleaning brand, BioHygiene.

As businesses face rising pressure to minimise their environmental impact, Biological Preparations responds with their latest easy-to-use innovation. The Paper Biotech Sachet Range is a cost-effective, space-efficient, and eco-friendly alternative to RTUs, which means more businesses can achieve sustainable cleaning without compromising on performance.

BioHygiene’s water-soluble paper cleaning sachets combine Biotech and Ecotechnologies. They utilise sustainable, naturally-derived ingredients from the fermentation of plant based resources in combination with cleaning agents and eco-solvents produced from bio-renewable feedstocks. The sachets as supplied have lower hazard classifications compared with market alternatives and are non-hazardous in use, minimising user risk. Ingredients have been carefully selected to ensure minimal CO2e and aquatic

toxicity, whilst optimising safety and sustainability.

The trio of biotech products comprises of Complete Washroom Cleaner, Cleaner and Degreaser, and All Surfaces and Floor Cleaner. Using It’s carefully synergised formulations, users of these products will benefit from deep and residual cleaning, whilst removing odours. Plus with the small ready-to-use sachets, businesses will save on storage and no longer have to worry about incorrect dilutions, which inadvertently increase costs. Distinct from most market cleaning sachets, BioHygiene’s latest range banishes single-use workspace plastics whilst avoiding microplastic pollution.

Contact 029 2067 4094 info@biohygiene.co.uk https://biologicalpreparations.com

TECHNOLOGY & SOFTWARE Matters

Mainteno facilities maintenance and management software

Mainteno is an advanced awardwinning facilities maintenance and management software that streamlines every aspect of maintenance management processes.

“We provide online software and have provided online maintenance management software for the past eight years,” said Mainteno’s David Lattimer. “Our software is extremely diverse and adaptable for many industries and has been used to manage many different types of facilities by companies including The Dogs Trust, DPD, funeral homes, schools and care homes.”

How to create a dementia friendly washroom

Creating a dementia-friendly public washroom involves addressing the specific needs and challenges faced by individuals living with dementia. Tina Bowden, Sales Manager at Dudley Industries Ltd provides some guidance:

: Clear signage: Use clear and simple signage with large, easy-to-read fonts and images. Ensure that signage directs users to essential areas such as toilets, sinks and exits.

: Colour contrast: Use colour contrast to highlight key features, such as toilet seats, grab bars and dispensers. Ensure walls and floors have contrasting colours to help individuals with dementia distinguish between different surfaces.

: Good lighting: Ensure the washroom is well-lit to reduce shadows and improve visibility. Use natural light whenever possible to create a welcoming environment.

: Non-slip flooring: Install non-slip flooring to prevent accidents. Avoid highly reflective or glossy surfaces, as these can be confusing or disorienting.

: Simple dispensers: Choose simple and easy-to-use fixtures and dispensers, such as lever-style taps and

push-button soap dispensers. Minimise the use of complicated or unfamiliar technology to make the washroom more accessible.

: Staff training: Train staff members to be aware of the specific needs of individuals with dementia. Training guidance is available from the Alzheimer’s Society, helping staff provide better support for a more inclusive environment.

By implementing these strategies, you can make your washroom more dementia-friendly, ensuring a safer and more comfortable experience for all users.

https://www.dudleyindustries. com/washroom-accessories/ product-ranges/dementia-range

All accessed through one easy to use platform, Mainteno is a CMMS (Computerised Maintenance Management System) which provides a CAFM (Computer Aided Facilities Management) solution for organisations.

Mainteno Facilities Management Software from David Lattimer on Vimeo.

View a detailed explanatory video of Mainteno here: https://vimeo.com/425488696 or above or for any further information, please see the details below.

Please contact +44 (0)208 798 3713 sales@redro.co.uk www.mainteno.com

Mainteno is a complete, costeffective solution for task facilities management.

Whether it’s managing planned maintenance or dealing with fault repairs, Mainteno simplifies the day-to-day maintenance of almost any organisation.

Our award-winning software keeps everyone in the loop and archives all your communication and documentation in one place. For total control of your organisation’s assets, Mainteno also seamlessly incorporates asset management and tracking.

Mainteno streamlines every aspect of the maintenance management process, saving your organisation time and money.

Usability made affordable

Mainteno was designed with practicality in mind. The interface is so intuitive that basic operation can be learned in minutes, and you can be a power user in one afternoon. Elegant usability usually means a hefty price tag – so our customers are often surprised to learn just how affordable Mainteno is.

No set-up fees, no lengthy contracts. Mainteno adapts to any organisation’s maintenance needs.

Introducing the Empathy Suit Experience

In this issue of Healthcare Matters, we are pleased to feature Alive Activities as our Health, Wellbeing and Social Care Company of the Month

Alive’s latest initiative, The Empathy Suit Experience, offers participants the opportunity to understand life with dementia and agerelated physical impairments. The suit is made up of 13 components which work to inhibit mobility, motor skills, vision and hearing – giving the wearer a unique sense of how it may feel to be an older person living with dementia – literally ‘putting them in the shoes,’ of the people they support.

Alive has collaborated with care homes, charities, and various organisations and individuals to provide a firsthand understanding of the challenges faced by those living with dementia. Most recently, with the Alzheimer’s Society they recorded a video featuring three England male football players, which has been shared across their platforms, reaching hundreds of thousands of people.

Isobel Jones, Alive CEO remarked, “The dementia empathy suit truly helps people gain a genuine experience of dementia and understand how daily activities can be impacted. It was eye-opening to watch the England team members struggle with everyday tasks. They began to grasp the isolation and frustration that people living with dementia might feel, and they expressed a commitment to being more patient and understanding.”

As a registered charity, Alive Activities has embraced a vision and mission to improve the lives of older people. Tim Lloyd-Yeates embarked on a journey in 2009 when he founded Alive off the back of his own personal experience of visiting a relative in care. Tim unfortunately passed away in 2015, but his legacy lives on through Alive that still runs on the same passion, dedication, commitment and love that Tim once poured into the charity 14 years ago.

“Alive is a charity that strives to engage older people living in care, train carers, connect care homes to

their wider community, and work with older people still living at home to combat social isolation. Alive stand up for the rights of older people and try to give a voice to those who may otherwise not be heard. We are currently increasing our support in the community; we have Meeting Centres across Bristol and the wider area, designed for people living with dementia and their carers to come and take part in person-centred activity, obtain support and advice in day-to-day tasks, and give their carer the support network that they so often do not receive. We also run two allotments in Bristol, supporting people living with dementia and their carers with opportunities to benefit from regular horticultural therapy,” said Isobel.

Since the pandemic, Alive has expanded its reach, supporting more older people than ever before through their range of services. Its community support within the BNSSG area has grown, and they now run Meeting Centres, dementia-friendly allotments, hospital activity programs, and technology groups. With the increasing number of people living with dementia, it is crucial for Alive to continue providing support and amplifying the voices of those affected by this condition.

Patient Hygiene wipes offer an individualised approach to cleansing for those receiving care

Providing choices for care receivers in how they are cleansed supports independence and wellbeing. NICE advise adoption of an individualised approach to healthcare that is tailored to the patient’s needs and circumstances.1

The Conti® range have been developed with personalised care in mind, we believe that those receiving assistance in bathing should be able to participate in decision making around their personal hygiene, by being given a range of cleansing options to best suit their individual needs. Conti® offers a complete range of cleansing solutions for those receiving bedbound care.

Why are water free options so important for patients?

In recent years, research has indicated that water systems can act as a source of waterborn bacterial infections. Tap water meets stringent safety standards, but it is not sterile; as such bacteria and other microbes may be present when the water leaves the tap. For typical household uses these microbes rarely pose a serious health risk, however, in healthcare settings, patients might be more vulnerable to infection.

Conti® wet wipes provide a selection of rinse free products featuring washcloths and shampoo caps for bed bathing, hands and face cleansing wipes and plastic free wipes for post toileting. The use of these products replaces the need for soap and water practices by providing a pre-dosed cleansing solution which promotes good practice in personal

hygiene and infection prevention.

Offering choice

Whilst water free options are critical in certain environments, we believe in patient choice and dry wipes offer an alternative, more traditional solution as they can be used with the residents own soap and bathing products. We recommend using with a single-use wash bowl to minimise the risk of infection.

Conti® multipurpose dry wipes combine strength, softness, and absorbency to deliver best practice in hygiene through everyday personal care. The range has flushable and maceratable plastic free wipes, alongside other super soft, kind to skin alternatives used with water.

: Remove the risk of reusable: Disposable systems offer an alternative that overcome infection prevention and control limitations posed by reusable alternatives.3

Using the Conti® wet and dry wipes can provide the following benefits to care facilities:

: Eliminate cross-contamination: Products have been developed with single-use in mind. Intended to be used individually, with one single-use cloth per anatomical region.

: Save time and cost: Research suggests that a waterless bathing system provides a more efficient bathing process, delivering cost and time savings.2

Please contact +44 (0)1204 529494 hello@vernacare.com https://vernacare.com

1) NICE (2021)

2) Owen J (2015), Delivering time and cost savings through evaluation of bed bathing practices, IPS poster presentation

3) Hallam C et al (2020)

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

NURSING & CARE Matters

Oral healthcare now available to your care home

Lura 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.

In the world of care homes, choosing the right supplier for your essential needs can be a crucial decision. It is a decision that directly impacts the quality of care provided to residents and the efficiency of daily operations. Among the many options available, Gompels shines as a beacon of excellence. With a deep commitment to quality, a wide range of products, and a track record of reliability, Gompels has rightfully earned its place as the best choice for care homes.

Spend 20% less at Gompels

implemented eco-friendly practices and offer a selection of sustainable products, helping care homes reduce their environmental footprint.

Their 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.

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At Gompels, we are known for our competitive pricing and offering quality products at affordable rates without the fancy branding. This enables care homes to make the most of their budgets without compromising on the quality of care provided to residents. Our free online tools will drive efficiency across your business helping you make substantial cost and time savings.

Why not let us complete a price comparison against your supplier and we can demonstrate how much you could save. Email: keyaccounts@ gompels.co.uk to request your price comparison and we can have it back within 24 hours.

Greener at Gompels

In an era where sustainability and ethical business practices are becoming increasingly important, we stand out by prioritising these values. We have

Our carbon neutral head office in Melksham generates 10x the amount of electricity we need, making us a net contributor to the grid. We are ambitious and ready for change. Come and find out more in our sustainability section on the website: https://www.gompels.co.uk/eco

Better service as standard

Not only do we offer top-quality products but we also provide exceptional customer service. We have a dedicated team that is ready to assist care homes with their needs and queries. Whether it is product information, order tracking, or support with special requests, our customer service is there to help and ensure a smooth experience for care home professionals.

Let’s talk soon and discuss your requirements in more detail: 0345 450 2420 sam.paines@gompels.co.uk

Don’t

The UK is well-known to be under prepared when it comes to extreme weathers causing disruption and hazardous situations in working environments.

Rock salt has long been a common choice when it comes to clearing away ice and snow from outdoor surfaces, however, it can be extremely damaging for many reasons unknown to most. Most are happy to use rock salt as it works to -6C and is incredibly cheap and readily available, however what most fail to understand is that when water freezes into ice it expands in size, meaning that if the salty water makes its way into cracks and pores of walks and patios, the repeated freezing and thawing will cause lasting damage to the material, whether it is natural stone, pavers, or concrete.

With global warming causing us to seek better alternatives to help look after the planet and our environments, we look To EcoGrit, who since 2018 have been producing and supplying an eco-friendlier alternative to rock salt to contractors, organisations and private individuals.

“The company started in Truro, Cornwall but we have product sent from Suffolk and a few other locations across

England. We supply this unbelievable product for businesses for winter maintenance. EcoGrit has an abundance of benefits such as it works in much lower temperatures than rock salt, it is safe for plants and animals, and has no storage or handling risks,” stated Gareth Ellis, Owner.

EcoGrit is a biodegradable concentrate that essentially keeps businesses running even in extreme temperatures without causing damage to property or the environment. EcoGrit Concentrate is produced by mixing sodium chloride with evaporated coproducts from the sugar, starch, cereal carbohydrate processing and distillation industries. Its appearance marks a dark brown granule with a non-pungent smell, and can be used as an anti-icer, de-icer or anti-corrosion liquid.

eradicates the need for the product to be re-applied every day. Furthermore, EcoGrit Concentrate also protects all metals it comes in contact with rather than rusting them: even in temperatures of -20C!

EcoGrit works perfectly as a safe de-icer for concrete because it works great in really low temperatures, and ensures that the ground doesn’t refreeze. This process

EcoGrit has multiple uses and can be applied in many environments and for many purposes. Use it at home or in the workplace to prevent the chance of slipping and injuring yourself, in environments where there are elderly or vulnerable people, to protect flooring for pets and plants, or to just simply use it as a general de-icer for vehicles and roads.

EcoGrit is now available in a number of different sized containers to suit different environments and needs. As well as its own website, www.ecogrit.co.uk you will find the product on multiple online platforms. For larger-scale de-icing work, EcoGrit offers its rock-salt free ice melt granules at wholesale prices. Choose either one-tonne de-icer salt bags, bucket pallets or shaker pallets to keep your facilities ice-free this winter.

Get in touch below: 0800 193 6466 (9am-9pm/7days) sales@ecogrit.co.uk

Leading name badge manufacturer for healthcare sector

Name badges in healthcare are integral to person-centred care for patients, making it easy to identify staff members by name and position. Many NHS healthcare trusts, such as Herefordshire and Worcestershire have now introduced staff name badges in large, bold text against a yellow background. Research has found that this is preferrable for patients with cognitive and visual impairments when reading information. The retina can distinguish between the text and background more easily, making names more readable, in line with recommendations from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). This eyecatching scheme has helped build an inclusive culture of confidence and trust.

#hellomynameis

If you’ve visited a hospital or healthcare setting recently, you might have noticed some bright yellow badges worn by staff with ‘hello my name is’ wording. The #hellomynameis name badge campaign was pioneered by Dr

Kate Granger MBE, a registrar in elderly medicine, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer aged 29. She developed the concept after an experience as an inpatient with post-operative sepsis and was shocked at how many staff didn’t introduce themselves to her:

“It’s the first thing you are taught in medical school, that when you approach a patient you say your name, your role and what you are going to do.”

“This missing link made me feel like I did not really matter, that these people weren’t bothered who I was. I ended up at times feeling like I was just a diseased body in a hospital bed.”

During the final years of her illness, Kate dedicated herself to promoting the name badge campaign and raised £250,000 for the Yorkshire Cancer Charity. The campaign captured the imagination of the nation and rightly raised the profile of personcentred care firmly at the heart of healthcare.

The role of Name Badges International (NBi) NBi is the original official supplier of #hellomynameis and pledges a donation to the Leeds Hospitals Charity from every badge sold. The contribution so far stands at over £110,000 and the Lincolnshirebased company is proud to be supporting such a worthy cause.

“We understand the importance of therapeutic relationships in healthcare settings, especially when patients are at their most vulnerable. These name badges continue to pay homage to the wonderful work of Dr Kate Granger and help build rapports in difficult situations.”

“Over time the design has evolved from one simple format to a variety of designs including landscape templates, different coloured backgrounds, bilingual badges and a wide choice of paediatric themes such as dinosaurs, pandas and cats. Health Trusts and organisations can choose from magnets, pins and crocodile clip designs. We supply the yellow background, which has continued to prove popular. These badges have always been popular in hospital settings but we’ve recently had some enquiries from private care homes, wishing to branch into inclusive

Customers love our easyto-use online design interface and our stateof-the-art printing, cutting and packing technology

name badges,” explains Simon Holderness: UK Sales and Marketing Director.

History of Name Badges International (NBi)

Name Badges International (NBi) was established in 2009 and is one of seven highly successful divisions of J&A (International) Limited based in Spilsby, Lincolnshire. NBi has eased into the market as a web-based badge company supplying throughout the UK, Europe and the rest of the world. The key to the company’s success is the easy online design operations and the no set-up/artwork fee keeping costs down, alongside outstanding customer service and quality manufacturing on-site in the purpose-built clean room.

“Customers love our easy-to-use online design interface and our state-of-the-art printing, cutting and packing technology allows a quick 1-5 delivery day turnaround (even some same-day despatches). We regularly receive five-star glowing customer ratings on Trustpilot, with customers praising our excellent customer service, smooth & straightforward design and ordering process and speedy delivery.”

“We have a wide range of 17 name badges include: NHS name badges, prestige name badges, classic name badges, borderless name badges, circle name badges and three types of eco-badges: metal reusable, printed wooden and engraved wooden badges. The larger the bulk order, the lower the price and if customers ever need some support, we’re just a phone call away!” adds Simon.

Beyond the #hellomynameis charity badges, the two most popular name badges are the following:

: Prestige Name Badge: Classic plastic design at 74x30mm. These badges offer some ‘old school’ features for professional healthcare uniforms. Bespoke designs can feature logos, range of fonts and texts, variety of backgrounds and are available in pin, clip or magnet fastenings, with a robust polyurethane coating.

: Borderless Name Badge: Look smart with these borderless plastic designs: slightly smaller than Prestige at 74x25mm but look stunning as horizontally/vertically split designs. There is ample room for company name, logo, name and job title on striking company schemes, again with the polyurethane coating adding longevity.

“Healthcare workers are busy looking after the nation’s health, as the backbone of the NHS and other healthcare settings. Sterile uniforms are part

and parcel of ward rounds and care and often the name badge will get thrown in the washing machine, along with the uniform. The robust polyurethane coating can withstand the heat of the wash and not become damaged and likewise, a quick spray of disinfectant will keep badges compliant with healthcare hygiene regulations.” clarified Simon.

Moving forward: Name badges in the future NBi is at the forefront of sustainability with its eco name badge trio. The back of the metal reusable name badges is made from 100% recycled plastic and the printed and engraved wooden name badges come from responsibly sourced Oak trees.

“The future of printing inks is all about water-based sustainable inks, as part of the circular economy and we are already part of this conversation. We carry out meticulous research on the most sustainable options and strive to offer eco-friendly options to all our customers.”

“The healthcare sector is part of the fabric of UK society and we are proud to offer a wide range of premium name badges to all settings, from hospitals, care homes to outreach workers like social workers and occupational therapists. If you’re looking to order a batch of quality name badges today to enhance your person-centred care experience, take a look at our extensive range and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the friendly expert customer support team today.”

Please contact 01790 729855 (new customers) 01790 755855 (existing customers) info@namebadgesinternational.co.uk https://www.namebadgesinternational.co.uk

Review - Top Exhibitors

The Ultimate Event for the Disability Community

Naidex 2024, held at the NEC in Birmingham on March 20th-21st, was a landmark event for the independent living and healthcare sectors. As one of the largest and most established expos in its field, Naidex serves as a vital resource for individuals living with disabilities, their caregivers, and suppliers of related products and services.

This year’s event was the most expansive to date, offering a comprehensive look at every aspect of the disability journey. Naidex 2024 addressed family dynamics, education, employment opportunities, leisure, and lifestyle choices, ensuring a truly holistic experience. The event’s agenda, accredited for Continuing Professional Development (CPD), provided attendees with invaluable knowledge, resources, and inspiration. Whether you’re directly affected by a disability or involved in the support community, Naidex remains an essential gateway to support and innovation.

The expo attracted over 10,000 visitors that consisted of healthcare professionals, industry leaders, policymakers, and end-users. Over 200

suppliers showcased their latest innovations, services and products for mobility solutions, sports & lifestyle, accessibility, care, education, the workplace, and occupational therapy.

This year, the show offered a comprehensive program of seminars, workshops, and keynote speeches all delivered by experts in the field. These sessions provided valuable knowledge on the latest trends, research findings, and best practices in healthcare and rehabilitation. Some well-known speakers included Rozana Green, Bev Collins, Emma McCullagh, Robbie Crow, Amy Pohl, Chris bailey, Ed Thomas, and many more.

Naidex 2024 offered a diverse and inclusive agenda across various venues, including the Main Stage, Accessibility Hub, Business without Barriers Stage, Neuro Theatre, and Village Green. The event featured an outstanding lineup of speakers and activities designed to provide an enriching experience for all attendees. Highlights included a special opening speech by the Mayor of Birmingham, which added

to the vibrant atmosphere and facilitated connections within the disability community. With a focus on fostering engagement and learning, Naidex 2024 proved to be a pivotal event for everyone involved.

Naidex is known for helping to identify emerging trends and future directions in healthcare and independent living. Wuffable, one of our chosen Top Exhibitors from the show, was inundated with visitors at its stand all keen to learn more about its amazing educational services on how to train your assistance dog yourself, as well as its vast range of products for dogs with jobs.

One notable highlight of Naidex 2024 was a disability exercise class led by Able2B Cofounder Jon Thaxton, fellow Co-Founder Rachael Hutchinson, a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, along with additional support from the Able2B Team. Thaxton aimed to host the largest adapted live and online exercise class ever held in the UK. Together, they conducted a 15-minute live class involving conference attendees and online participants, encouraging as many people across the UK as possible to join.

Naidex 2025 will be taking place on the 19th-20th March 2025 at the NEC, Birmingham.

This is our pick of the best exhibitors from this year’s event, listed here in alphabetical order: BBL Batteries, Thor Assistive Technologies & Wuffable. Further details can be found on this page and the next three pages.

https://www.naidex.co.uk

All terrain wheelchairs making the outdoors accessible

Being able to get outside for fresh air and exercise is so good for your mental wellbeing, but this can sometimes be prohibitive if you need the use of a wheelchair. The Mountain Trike Company recognise this and manufacture all terrain wheelchairs designed to help wheelchair users tackle all sorts of terrain so access to the great outdoors is made easy.

confidence grows with each outing.

Did you know you can train your pet dog to be your assistance dog?

Wuffable are UK manufacturers of gear for assistance dogs. We work with leading charities, organisations and owner trained assistance dog teams at home and abroad.

These innovative wheelchairs can be ridden manually or electric power assist models are available so when the going gets tough or steep switching to the electric assist means you can travel further and faster.

Strong and robust yet lightweight and easy to fold make the Mountain Trike easy to transport. Components to those found on a mountain bike such as air suspension and hydraulic brakes provides the rider with a safe and comfortable ride.

The Mountain Trike can handle any terrain such as woodlands, mud, sand, snow, gravel, cobbles, grass –

The Lever range can be ridden independently and the Push range is controlled by the pusher and very popular with families.

All models are modular so the chair can grow with you or be adapted if your circumstances change.

Find your freedom and independence with Mountain Trike.

Please contact 01270 842616 info@mountaintrike.co.uk www.mountaintrike.com @mountaintrike

Contrary to popular belief, an owner trained assistance dog has the same rights as one trained by a charity or organisation. In saying this, it is a legal requirement for your dog to be microchipped, and it is vital you check that your pet insurance provides cover for assistance dogs and has public liability insurance for public access work. Our website blog has lots of information on this topic which can be found at: https://www.wuffable.com/ post/owner-trained-assistance-dogs

When your dog is able to perform basic tasks such as to stay by its handler, walk on a loose lead and not interact with members of the public without permission, a specialised trainer can help you take things to the next level. From face-to-face

sessions, zoom or a combination of both, a specialist can help you to teach your dog to press buttons, open doors, retrieve items, pick up dropped items, find exits, and much more.

Wuffable offer a comprehensive range of bespoke assistance dog products from customised vests and lead slips to bandanas, blankets, dog beds, and more. Our Professional looking assistance dog gear can help handlers to overcome any access barriers. Wuffable is proud to be part of a community that shares a passion for supporting disabled people and their loyal companions. For more information, please see our website at: www.wuffable.com or contact us at: info@wuffable.com.

BBL Batteries: Specialist distributors of all batteries Product Development Experts at Naidex

During the twoday event, the BBL Battery Experts promoted our extensive ranges of quality Batteries and Chargers for the Mobility sector. Additionally, we took this opportunity to highlight our range of AVON Lithium (LiFePO4) batteries which are renowned for their significant weight saving, exceptional safety and long cycle life.

or indeed any other Mobility application, BBL Batteries has the answer. Our ranges encompass deep cycle, maintenance-free VRLA (Valve Regulated Lead Acid) and Gel batteries, as well as lithium (LiFePO4) solutions that significantly reduce the ‘cost per cycle’ whilst promoting fast charging, and Blue Tooth technology so users can closely monitor their batteries in situ.

The team at Sphere Product Design has over 20 years of Design Process, Product Design, Development, Engineering and Manufacturing experience.

Outcomes

With over 50 years of experience in the Battery Industry, BBL Batteries has established itself as a trusted name.

Whether you require a battery for a Bath Hoist, an Electric Mobility Scooter, a Powered Wheelchair

If you are seeking a Lithium solution for your equipment or require a battery replacement for your machine, we encourage you to get in touch with David Hill at: dhill@bblbatteries. co.uk. He will be delighted to discuss your requirements and provide the assistance you need.

Please contact 0808 1680635 www.bblbatteries.co.uk

A recent project involved the redesign of a product that had been on the market for many years. Our partnership resulted in a new patent protected design, with greater configuration options and reduced manufacturing, storage, shipping and installation cost, and a new brand aesthetic. The result has been a jump in sales across multiple markets.

Risk

Risk management is key. Our flexible and collaborative approach facilitates close partnerships with our client teams and combined with our design

process experience, aims to minimise risk throughout the process.

Expertise

Our expertise ranges from defining requirements, project planning, stakeholder engagement & management, product concepts & models, product development, prototyping, testing, and transfer to production including specifications, verification and supply of certified production parts.

We work on Medical, Consumer and Industrial products, packaging and consumables.

We have expertise in low and high volume products. Injection moulding, 3D printing, composites, casting, sheet metal, vac forming, blow moulding, rotational moulding, electronics integration, simulation, etc.

Could we help you with your product development?

Call or email for a free consultation or just to learn more… 07913 620417

philw@sphereproductdesign.com www.sphereproductdesign.com

Robotic

Integrated Rehabilitation

Thor Assistive Technologies introduce the RehabHub product range, available for the UK & Eire. Our range of robotic and assistive devices offer solutions for Neurorehabilitation and Physiotherapy. UK based installation, training and ongoing support provided by our team.

Solutions include Patient data/progress capture, gamification to encourage and reward, adding repetition and exercise dose, proven to help with Neuroplasticity. EMG triggered robotics and FES, balance and gait training with analysis and reporting. Visit us next at Therapy Expo 2024 Stand TG40 or contact us for more information: 07469 254453 stephen@thorsafety.co.uk www.thortechnologies.co.uk

Lightweight Mobility & Seating

Sean decided to take the leap and start his own rehab business after talking to various therapists and Case managers who wanted a more personal one to one service for clients.

Lightweight Mobility & Seating is a Rehab and healthcare equipment provider aiming to be a one stop shop prides himself on helping client choose the right products.

“My focus is ensuring a client is matched to the right product and I have teamed up with the industry’s best suppliers to ensure I can offer clients choices in order to get the right fit.”

As is his background, Sean specialises in

Making events accessible to all

Access Partner to The Disability Expo 2023, Access My Events had an enjoyable first-time experience exhibiting at the show.

The Expo gave Access My Events a platform to raise awareness of the brand as well as network with other like-minded people and organisations. Founder Zubee commented, “As our logo tagline says, bringing businesses and disabled people together, this event did just that!”

Founded by Zubee in 2018, it is already an award-winning business having just won the Small Business Sunday (SBS): one of the largest business networks in the UK founded by Dragon’s Den – Theo Paphitis. Zubee has also been nominated as a finalist for the British Asian Women’s Awards 2024, in the Community Achievement of the Year category.

Having worked in the field of disability, equality and events for many years, Zubee found it difficult to find a job in the events industry so starting her own business was the ideal way to work in a sector she is passionate about.

Access My Events is a unique business model that strives to make events accessible for the disability

prescriptive products, working closely with core manufacturers regularly keeping updated with training on their products to ensure he can prescribe products confidently and enabling his customers. for customers and clinicians.

We provide a wide range of equipment including power chairs, manual/powered wheelchairs, Seating, power add-ons, Ergo Seating & desks. Also, trikes for children & adults as well as offering servicing and repairs.

As Lightweight Mobility’s director and main product specialist, Sean prides himself on helping clients choose the right products. “My focus is ensuring a client is matched to the

community. Zubee is well-connected to the disability community, living with cerebral palsy herself, she understands the challenges. Her passion to make events more inclusive whilst encouraging others to do so too is what drives the business forward.

If you’re looking to make your event more accessible for deaf and disabled people then Access My Events would love to work with you. Whether it’s a local event or something more large scale, Access My Events will work with you to make your event as inclusive as possible.

Contact 07305 244993

zubee@accessmyevents.co.uk https://accessmyevents.co.uk

right product and I have teamed up with the industry’s best suppliers to ensure I can offer clients choices in order to get the right fit.”

As is his background, Sean specialises in prescriptive products, working closely with core manufacturers regularly keeping updated with training on their products to ensure he can prescribe products confidently and enabling his customers.

Monitors streamlining UK patient health

In this issue of Healthcare Matters, we would like to welcome Healthcare Monitors as our Health Monitor Company of the Month

According to The Royal College of General Practitioners, in February 2024, there were on average 2,298 patients assigned to each GP, with the number steadily increasing since 2015. Therefore, it is essential that up-to-date and key digital patient information is easily accessible for busy GP practices up and down the country.

Healthcare Monitors supply health monitors to hospitals, GP surgeries and even more recently trials in public libraries, with a data capture integration system.

Healthcare Monitors supply health monitors to GP surgeries, hospitals and libraries as a complete system with the PatientPod integration software or data capture. Alternatively, the health monitors can be supplied as standalone systems.

The M9-PGT is a medically-approved, metrology tested standalone health monitor that 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.

One of the biggest challenges though is connecting with patients who frequent GP surgeries less often, whether due to general avoidance or procrastination.

Over the last year or so, Healthcare Monitors have been installing monitors with a data capture integration system in libraries. This captures the readings and answers to lifestyle questions from patients/users who wouldn’t necessarily

go into a doctor’s surgery.

In surgeries where the PatientPod is used, all the data and information from the lifestyle questions is automatically SNOMED coded and stored against a patient record in the GP clinical system (EMIS Web, TPP SystmOne & VISION). All results can be reviewed before and after they have been filed and in line with GCPR, all patient identifiable information is encoded and deleted once filed to the GP clinical system.

Healthcare Monitors focuses on increasing awareness of the health of the general population by providing ‘self-health’ multi-function pods that measure users weight, height, BMI, blood pressure and pulse. The monitors reduce costs to the NHS and helping to increase life expectancy every day, through preventative and monitoring readings. The monitors can save an estimated £9,500 per year when compared to the time and cost of an experienced Healthcare Assistants (HCA).

Established in 1998 by Andrew Apperly, the Kidderminster-based company is

“By capturing health data in real time, we can improve patient flow, free up important appointment time for other patients and help reduce pressure on receptions, all at a time when the NHS is under increasing pressure

“The monitors are great as a prevention and early intervention measure that allows for early identification of problems, such as heart attack or stroke by ‘opportunistic visits.’ The PatientPod system has an ‘alerts’ feature that can sound a warning on a GP reception computer in real time if a patient records a high or low BP, BMI or

Looking ahead to the future, the company is looking to install PatientPod integration software into the M9-PGT blood pressure monitor that has an integrated touch screen. This will take up less space and will be particularly suitable to customers that have

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

Please contact 01299 250321 info@healthcaremonitors.co.uk https://healthcaremonitors.co.uk

now run by his son and Operations

We are TurunUK, the longest established falls equipment supplier in the UK

TurunUK Ltd is the leading falls and wandering risk monitoring company in the UK. We also supply Stealth Sensor Pads for beds and chairs

We are an experienced healthcare leader of patient safety products and services, headquartered in London. Our mission is to improve affordable fall safety in healthcare by enhancing timely nurse awareness of patient risk.

Our products reduce injuries and provide time saving resources to carers to allow them more quality time with residents or patients. In today’s hospital and long-term care environments, requirements are more stringent, systems are more complex, and the challenges facing facilities are more real than ever. We partner with you, to help you meet these challenges. We have assembled an outstanding team, all experienced, qualified, disciplined, focused, and determined to help you achieve your goal.

You can depend on us for innovative and easy to use solutions, designed to improve quality, safety, productivity and

patient experience in your facility. We are confident we have the solution for you, from patient safety, asset management to staff protection and so much more.

We’re a leader in every one of these key safety applications, with a wealth of experience to our credit, and a proven line of brand names

you can trust. Turun’s Support and Maintenance programmes are available 24/7 every day of the year and are designed to help healthcare professionals focus on getting the best return on the investment and on patient experience.

Our support engineers will also focus on helping you maintain the equipment, keeping staff trained, and help enhance productivity.

We welcome the opportunity to tell you our story.

Please contact General Enquiries: 020 7731 0132

Sales: sales@turun.co.uk

Support: support@turun.co.uk www.turun.co.uk

Image courtesy of Adobe Stock

Compassion Fatigue: Recognise-Respond-Recover

The health & social care sector experienced great strain during the COVID-19 pandemic, with many working tirelessly, including in their free time volunteering at vaccination centres.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) found that many workers experienced increased workforce stress, anxiety, exhaustion and burnout, after working longer hours, witnessing illness and death on a new scale and feeling isolated from family and friends.

Though we are now living in a post-COVID world, many care workers are still recovering from the impact of the pandemic, whereas new staff might be struggling with adapting to the work demands of their new role.

“Many in the sector are familiar with words like stress, exhaustion or even burnout – but the phrase ‘burnout’ suggests that there’s no coming back. We want to start the conversation about recovery, and this means talking about compassion fatigue, and emotional energy instead,” insisted CEO and Founder of EF Training, Jayne Ellis.

EF Training is the only UK-based company providing accredited skills for care and bespoke evidence-based training courses, designed to address the impact of compassion fatigue. Established in 2010 by Jayne, a former nurse and previous compassion fatigue sufferer,

the aim was to design training courses to address the very nature of these entrenched, systemic concerns.

The training course is endorsed by The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and International Association of Trauma Professionals (IATP) and is facilitated by an expert team of trainers with backgrounds across palliative care, social care, child protection and many others.

“We’re based throughout the UK and offer training with health & social care training right across the UK and Ireland.”

“Compassion fatigue is the result of ‘vicarious trauma’ or secondary traumatic stress: a set of symptoms that mirror the symptoms the patients or residents that are being cared for. Our hard-working caring professionals work with dementia patients, end-of-life care, through to accident or stroke recovery and much more in-between. Though they have received professional training, they don’t have the same social status as nurses and might not always benefit from the same wellbeing staff protection. The symptoms of compassion fatigue can look like any of the following: anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, often leading to shut-down and detachment, impacting on workplace performance and home life.”

Compassion Fatigue can be viewed as the ‘dark side of caring’ and the cycle of repressing feelings

and just carrying on can have a profound impact on wellbeing, leading to high workplace absenteeism, other work-related illnesses and even suicidal feelings.

EF Training has designed a course to counter the emotional impact of workforce stress and trauma through three key areas:

: Recognise the emotional impact of caring, the risk factors signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue.

: Respond to these symptoms with sustainable self-care strategies.

: Recover and increase resilience using proactive measures to promote guilt free self-care & selfcompassion, leading to enhanced emotional energy.

Part 2 of the training has now been added: Reflecting and Responding to Compassion Fatigue, to enable care workers to reflect on the impact of compassion/ emotional fatigue in their personal and professional lives and explore further strategies and tools to strengthen and maintain emotional well-being.

For more details on EF Training, please see the website below: https://www.eftraining.co.uk https://www.ukcareweek.com

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.

Furncare helps Woolton Acre open in style, on budget and on time

Daniel Blaney, MD of Woolton Acre Retirement Living, and his new team are set to open their care home in July. Extensive refurbishment of the first phase of the listed manor house is now complete despite the short timeframe available. In December 2023, Furncare tendered to furnish all 48 bedrooms and communal areas.

“Daniel set us a challenge which we were able to meet. The turnaround at Woolton Acre is most impressive, and Furncare are proud to have played a part in it.” Arnie Goodenough, Furncare Project Manager.

Furncares design looks bespoke, although all items were available from stock. The contract was signed in January 2024 and all 1,831 items ordered were delivered just days later.

Daniel Blaney confirmed Furncares delivery team, “Arrived promptly and took impeccable care with installation. Their attention to detail, genuine care, and understanding

of the unique layout of our building make Furncare Woolton Acre’s top choice for furniture purchases.”

Phil Gill, Woolton Acre Site Manager, added, “I’ve never received better service in my 30 years experience.”

Woolton Acre are now focussed on Phase 2 which includes a further 23 bedrooms. For more information about specialist stock and bespoke furniture, please visit: www.furncare.co.uk

Interior refurbishment project a big hit for Access 21

Just 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

Certified Translations

• Tenders and business documents

• Financial documents and bank statements

• Birth Certificates

• Marriage Certificates

• Medical Documents

• Legal Documents

• Diplomas and education certificates

• Documents for marriages outside UK

• Documents for registration of births and deaths outside UK

• Divorce certificates

• Proofreading

• Transcribing

Training and Qualifications

• Diversity NI provides OCN Level 4 Community Interpreting Technology

• We provide training and exam for Level 6 Diploma in Public Service Interpreting in the context of Law NI and Health (first level degree with BA Designation)

• We provide training and exam for Level 7

Telephone Interpreting now available!

Interpreting Services

• All our interpreters hold minimum of OCN Level 3 Community Interpreting

• All interpreters are fully vetted

• Diversity NI Ltd is the first language company in Northern Ireland to achieve ISO 9001:2008

• The first and only accredited centre for the Chartered Institute of Linguists

• The first and only accredited member for the Institute of Translators and Interpreters

Diploma in Translation (postgraduate level)

• Diversity NI works with the National Register for Public Service Interpreters in order to achieve higher standards for Public Service Interpreters in Northern Ireland

• We can train and provide your bilingual staff with a relevant qualification

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

W&P Compliance & Training Services

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 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.

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.

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

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

Providing light at times of emergency since 1968

W

hen you are considering your emergency lighting and back-up power requirements, you need to be sure you are in safe hands. The responsibility of operating a building or facility with public access can be wearing at times. You need the reassurance that in the event of an emergency the proactive steps you have taken to mitigate risk are backedup by equipment you can trust. As an established and dedicated supplier and manufacturer of emergency lighting and power systems, BLE can offer you over 55 years’ experience.

At BLE, we’re passionate about delivering high quality products and

services tailored to your needs.

Our team boasts extensive technical know-how and stays up-to-date on industry and legislative standards, ensuring we provide fully compliant solutions for projects of all sizes. Our new BLE Connect Fully Automated Emergency Lighting System will simplify the maintenance of your emergency lighting and assist in meeting legislative requirements with ease, all in real time.

Contact 01246 432325 sales@blelighting.co.uk www.blelighting.co.uk

SDS: A ‘one-stop’ door solution provider

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

leads the way with emergency lighting conversion service

Selecting appropriate emergency lighting luminaires for aesthetically sensitive interiors can be difficult. It may also not be possible to run additional wiring required by discrete emergency lighting luminaires.

Using existing mains lighting luminaires to also function as emergency lights is an ideal solution. Good to know then, that P4, the UK’s largest independent self-testing emergency lighting specialist offer an Emergency Lighting Conversion service.

The company has been reengineering mains luminaires to operate as both mains and emergency lighting function for over 30 years. This applies to most luminaire types from a wide range of manufacturers.

Operating strictly within the industry recognised best practices set out by the Industry Committee for Emergency Lighting (ICEL), P4 brings all the advantages of its FASTEL self-testing emergency lighting technologies into converted mains lighting luminaires.

The conversion process is third party accredited, with all converted luminaires UKCA/CE marked to evidence compliance. Original luminaire warranty is transferred to P4 with extended warranty on conversion equipment, including 6-year battery warranty.

Contact 01328 850555 sales@p4fastel.co.uk www.p4fastel.co.uk

industry, 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.”

Please contact 01420 543222 sales@specialistdoorsolutions.com https://specialistdoorsolutions.com

DRLC Ltd: Keeping your ventilation systems clean with new technology

When hospitals and clinic buildings are first constructed, ventilation ducts are installed in ceilings and walls, which then remain undisturbed during the lifetime of the building. The Health Technical Memorandum 03-01 (HTM03-01), SFG20 maintenance guide and the British Standard BSEN-15780 outline standards in relation to this.

DRLC supply engineering services to healthcare premises, including advice on clean air. Hence, we have invested in a robot – nicknamed ‘Dotty the Dust Inspector’ – which enables NHS Trusts to investigate these hidden systems and ascertain whether they require attention. Despite our light-hearted characterisation of Dotty, facilitating clean air a serious matter, especially in healthcare buildings. Air flowing through ducting to wards and other clinical areas usually slows down as it reaches its destination. When this happens, dust is deposited in the duct which can then build up significantly over time, partially blocking the duct.

Dotty offers numerous advantages, revolutionising the traditional methods of duct inspection. The benefits span from enhancing safety and precision to improving efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Whilst filming on her camera, Dotty will run up and down ducts to determine the condition of the duct. A traditional duct inspection would be carried out by shining a torch through an access hatch. This is only effective for as far as the beam of the torch or the first bend in the ductwork.

Dotty can travel for much longer distances and continues to move even if she is flipped over. She also inspects vertical ductwork by being lowered down the duct from an access hatch.

Duct systems often have complex, winding structures with narrow and hard-to-reach areas. Robotic cameras are designed to navigate these challenging environments with ease. Their small size, flexible design, and manoeuvrability enable them to access and inspect parts of the duct that would be impossible or extremely difficult

for humans to reach. Dotty ensures a more complete and thorough inspection.

Robotic cameras provide detailed documentation of the inspection process through their high-quality images and videos. This data can be stored, analysed, and compared over time to monitor the condition of ducts and plan maintenance activities. It allows for better decision-making and helps in maintaining a historical record of the duct system’s cleanliness and integrity.

Robotic inspections can also contribute to environmental sustainability. By ensuring ducts are clean and free from contaminants, ventilation systems operate more efficiently, reducing energy consumption. This leads to lower greenhouse gas emissions and a smaller environmental footprint.

For more information contact our Duct Survey Project Manager, Carolyne Chapman: carolyne@drlc.uk https://drlc.uk

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

Pret 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

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.”

“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.”

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.

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

+44 (0)1227 812938

support@whosoffice.com www.whosoffice.com

Its revolutionary design makes the eFOLDi Lite one of the

‘Happiness is our forte’ – Musical Moments’

Musical Moments sessions are fun, energetic, and fully accessible, involving lots of sensory props, movement, and singing – all, of course, to great music. Director Maggie says, “Music brings such joy and a sense of togetherness for people – something that we all really need.”

Every member of the Musical Moments team is passionate about the therapeutic benefits of music for groups and individuals with physical and mental disabilities, people with dementia and other conditions, as well as with care home residents. The sessions are carefully designed to be fully interactive and inclusive so as to stimulate and include everyone in the room, all while developing cognitive skills, gross and fine motor skills and increasing social interactions.

It’s not just participants who benefit from these activities – they’re also appreciated by carers, staff and family members. The pandemic has reignited public appreciation for those who’ve looked after vulnerable members of society, and

the Musical Moments team are passionate about providing some light relief for caring staff, families and friends. Family members can spend time with a relative in these sessions without the pressure of conversation – instead, they can simply enjoy the activities together.

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Musical Moments work with consultants including an adaptive movement specialist and a Music Therapist who endorse their sessions and ensure they provide the greatest physical and mental health benefits for their participants. All team members have full insurance, safeguarding training, and DBS checks.

Above all, the Musical Moments team cares about bringing joy to the lives of others through music – something that really strikes a chord in a post-pandemic world.

Currently operating in: North Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire, Shropshire, Essex, Leeds, Liverpool and Solent areas.

For more information, to book a session or even join the team, please see our website: www.musical-moments.co.uk or email: hello@musical-moments.co.uk.

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