Easystart Batteries is proud of its HAZE AGM EX range, which offers mobility scooter users up to 40% more power. Along with Gel technology, Haze offers longer lasting and durable battery
Look no further than page XIII
CONTENTS 826
EDITOR’S NOTES
On pages 4-5, we highlight Lightweight Mobility and Seating Limited as our Mobility & Seating Company of the Year. Offering personalised solutions for clients and clinicians to find mobility products tailored to diverse disabilities, Lightweight Mobility is known for its industry excellence, winning awards and recognition for its focus on innovation.
Gina Burton Editor
On page 7, we spotlight Global Water Solutions as our Water Solutions Company of the Month. As a leading provider of innovative water treatment products with a focus on healthcare applications, the company’s FlowThru™ expansion tanks and Quatreau SmartTap™ with UVCLED technology have been revolutionary for their role in delivering safe, clean water.
Another fantastic product for the healthcare industry comes from our Bed Bathing Innovation Company of the Month, Pobroll®. They have innovated a totally waterproof calming bedbathing wrap designed to improve the user and carer experience of the bed bath. See pages 8-9.
Professional photography for care homes is a valuable tool for capturing the essence of a facility, its residents, and the care provided. On page 14, we feature Nick Powell Photography who has worked for some of the largest UK care homes for over five years. Take a look at his services that include Bespoke 360° Virtual Walkthroughs, Still Photography, Drone Photography, Staff Headshots, and 4K Video.
On page 15, Meltones is our Water Treatment Company of the Month. We take a deep-dive into its main focus on clean water treatment in HVAC systems, that is crucial for ensuring efficient and reliable heating and cooling, especially in medical facilities.
Other topics covered: Nursing & Care & Disability & Mobility.
COVER STORY
See page XIII
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HEALTHCARE MATTERS
COMPANY
DISABILITY & MOBILITY MATTERS AATGB DISABILITY & MOBILITY MATTERS
MATTERS
&
Industry excellence in the healthcare and mobility sector
We featured Lightweight Mobility and Seating Mobility as our Healthcare & Mobility Equipment Company of the Month back in May and now we’ve delighted to showcase Lightweight Mobility and Seating Limited further as our Mobility & Seating Company of the Year.
Lightweight Mobility helps facilitate clients and clinicians to source optimal products paired with tailored clinical solutions to meet diverse needs across the disability spectrum.
The market-leading company was established in 2022 by founder Sean Taylor, who along with his team has a combined 35 years of healthcare mobility and rehabilitation sector experience.
Award-winning Sean is himself is no stranger to awards, having won ‘The Unsung Industry Hero Award’ at the Access & Mobility Professional Awards in 2018 and this latest award demonstrates industry excellence for his own newly formed company, “We are delighted to be selected to be M&S Company of the Year as this mean we are doing the right things for our customers and offering them the best product selection and support.”
“2024 has been a good year for growth and our new products from our suppliers like the Robooter Folding Powerchair have been well received. We’ve upgraded our website so it’s easier to navigate, with an online shop for spares and small aids and customers can keep updated with our news across our four social media platforms.”
“Looking to the future in the industry, we envisage more developments in special controls in powerchairs. With new players coming into the market driving product development, it’s an exciting sector to be in and we are looking to select products from our suppliers that are pushing the boundaries for innovation.”
“We’re looking forward to seeing many of our customers, old and new at the Kidz in the Middle/ South/North, Naidex, OT Show and Rehacare shows. Come and say hi to us!” says Sean.
Spotlight on Lightweight Mobility
The Rugby-based company provides assessments, sales and servicing of mobility and other equipment,
and helps clinicians look for equipment and trials and help with the populating of reports.
“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.”
“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,” outlines Sean.
With a central location, Lightweight Mobility is ideally placed to help support the needs of clients living in
both the North and South of the UK. Sean and his team have built-up strategic partnerships across a nationwide network which ensures bespoke local solutions, matching expertise and products to exact needs.
Product range: Industry excellence
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.
Lightweight Mobility stock over 13 different models of the Primacare range from the ADELPHI TRIO to the AFFINITY. This popular range is truly flexible, offering chairs designed for home comfort and specialist healthcare settings.
The ADELPHI Care Chair range is manufactured by British company: Primacare: a notable powerhouse specialist in seating solutions and assistive technology and is available as a Small Postural Support Chair, Postural Support Chair or Trio Care Chair Tilt. These products are not available online and require a detailed in-person assessment by the in-house Lightweight Mobility seating specialists.
“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.”
Spex Seating: Ergonomically designed
Spex seating has been pioneering modular seating system since 1990, with a passion for cuttingedge comfort wheelchair seating and positioning equipment for children and adults. These off-theshelf seating options are ‘products of choice’ for many UK expert orthopaedics and specialists. Lightweight Mobility can provide a full range of products from seat bases, backrests and support, Wonderseat bounce, Supershape back support and high contour cushions.
Daunted by choice of products? Personalised selection support
Navigating the wide choice of mobility options can be overwhelming and daunting. Lightweight Mobility helps simplify the process by partnering with independent therapists who conduct assessments and guide in selecting the perfect equipment tailored to your needs, whether it’s for 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.
Giving back to charities
Lightweight Mobility is passionate about supporting UK-based charities that do so much to support disability communities every day of the year and sponsors The Little People Conference, Headway and the Child Brain Injury Trust.
Little People UK was set up by a collective group including universally-loved actor Warwick Davis and his wife Samantha. The charity supports people with dwarfism and the LPUK conference is an important annual event for all members, including orthopaedic, ophthalmic, neurological and anaesthetic consultant surgeons, physiotherapists and educational practitioners, all of whom have a dedicated interest in helping people with dwarfism.
Headway is a well-known charity that supports individuals with brain injuries, their families and carers and campaigns actively to reduce the incidence of brain injuries, many of which can have devastating consequences.
The Child Brain Injury Trust works with children with acquired brain injury and Neurodisability through rehabilitation, education and community services.
“Sadly, every year over 40,000 children acquire a brain injury, which is one child in each classroom. The Child Brain Injury Trust helps children and their families with important rehabilitation, healthcare and access to play therapy, day trips and other meaningful activities. We are proud to be supporting this charity, alongside Headway and the LPUK.” concludes Sean.
Providing light at times of emergency since 1968
When 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
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 re-engineering 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.
Global Water Solutions revolutionary FlowThru™ expansion tanks and valve, along with its Quatreau Smart Tap with UVC-LED technology supplies the freshest water quality possible
In this issue of Healthcare Matters, we are pleased to feature Global Water Solutions as our Water Solutions Company of the Month.
Global Water Solutions (GWS) is the most comprehensive supplier of pressure tanks and water treatment products in the market. With a presence in over 100 countries, GWS is known for its innovative and comprehensive product range that focuses on delivering clean, portable water solutions worldwide.
The company emphasises environmental care and social responsibility in its operations, offering adaptable and affordable technologies for safe drinking water. All GWS products are made from high-quality materials, rigorously tested, and backed by extensive warranties, ensuring reliability and longterm benefits. GWS products are trusted by #1 pump manufacturers and wholesalers as well as Original Equipment Manufacturers globally.
On a mission to create and deliver innovative products and cutting-edge technologies for water movement and processing, GWS’s vision is to be a leader in providing solutions for universal access to clean, portable water. We spoke with Richard Beckett, Global OEM Relationship Director who explained why their FlowThru™ tanks are the optimal
choice for HVAC systems in hospitals, particularly for large expansion tanks of up to 1,000 litres that historically would have been installed in dead legs.
“The FlowThru™ system remains effective even at low flow rates, such as when a booster pump operates at around 20Hz on a VFD-controlled system. It keeps water temperatures low inside the expansion tank, preventing conditions that allow Legionella bacteria to thrive (between 20°C and 45°C). Additionally, constant water circulation eliminates the risk of stagnant water, further reducing the chance of bacterial growth.”
The anti-stagnation features of FlowThru™ tanks are essential for preventing the spread of waterborne diseases, associated with the expansion tank connected to the building water supply, particularly in sensitive environments like hospitals. Ensuring continuous water movement, temperature control, and biofilm prevention, these factors contribute significantly to protecting vulnerable patients and maintaining compliance with health and safety regulations.
“FlowThru™ tanks are quality tested at several stages on the production line to ensure the structural integrity of every tank. They represent ultimate value for the investment and are the best quality anti-stagnation tanks available today. Available in both composite and steel models, FlowThru™ will work with pumped supply or mains only water supply (without any pump),” added Richard.
The FlowThru™ system doesn’t treat Legionella directly; instead, it prevents legionella colonisation by continuously flushing fresh water into the expansion tank, keeping Colony-Forming Units (CFU) levels low. Moving forward, FlowThru™ will be crucial for sustainable healthcare. The challenge, however, is educating the Duty Holders of the Healthcare sectors and FM companies on its importance and benefits, but GWS is making significant strides to raise global awareness of this issue with its FlowThru™ solution.
Introducing SmartTap with UVC-LED Technology Innovation drives GWS with the new Quatreau SmartTap™ featuring UVC-LED technology for healthcare. This advanced tap removes pathogens from the water, ensuring safe, purified, boiling, and chilled drinking water. Manufactured in the UK, the SmartTap™ addresses Legionella and other bacteria by using UVC-LED to eliminate them at the point of dispense, complemented by Log 7 reduction and Ultrafiltration. Furthermore, its stainless-steel touch controls eliminate hidden bacteria, making it ideal for healthcare settings where high capacity, filtered water is essential. The fact that SmartTap™ is manufactured in Woking UK gives it a very strong Sustainability award for the UK Healthcare sector.
Bed bathing made easy
In this issue of Healthcare Matters, we are delighted to showcase Pobroll® as our Bed Bathing Innovation Company of the Month
Having a proper wash and feeling clean is a basic human right, but for many bed-bound individuals, the bed bath is often dreaded by carers and clients alike:
: Individuals feel cold and embarrassed – ending up in damp clothes due to a rush to get dressed again (to prevent further embarrassment)
: Anxiety can cause dementia sufferers to become quickly upset and agitated, which further impacts on carer stress and standards of hygiene are often compromised in the rush to re-dress them.
: The carer also has to change all the bed linen which invariably gets wet
Introducing the Pobroll®: A revolution in hygiene care
The Pobroll® is a totally waterproof calming bedbathing wrap designed to improve the user and carer experience of the bed bath, addressing all of the aforementioned issues.
The Pobroll® is made of two layers of high-quality soft terry-cotton with an impermeable material sandwiched between them to ensure total waterproofing. The smart-yet-simple design allows for person-centred care and is easy to use, effective, and highly adaptable.
With a focus on personal dignity, the Pobroll® keeps the individual warm and respectfully covered during personal washing on the bed, whilst also keeping the bed completely dry. This reduces embarrassment and allows for a calm and more agreeable bathing experience for all concerned.
Tackling the taboo of continence care and cocoon care: The importance of kindness
“The issue of continence care is not a topic many healthcare companies wish to embrace due to the acute sensitivity around the intimate nature of this task. However, Pobroll® is ‘grasping the nettle’ and seeking to provide carers with a practical and simple solution to this challenging issue they face every day.”
“Pobroll® is also prepared to have an open and transparent discussion about the role of restraint in these scenarios, and to demonstrate to carers that there is a kinder alternative to physical ‘safe holding’ techniques which involves gently swaddling and calming the person within the warm folds of the Pobroll®. This allows for indirect, rather than direct touching and is far less invasive or frightening than the hands-on techniques taught to care staff to manage these situations,” explains Pat O’Briencreator of the Pobroll® and Director of Pobworks Ltd.
The Pobroll® supports carers who are struggling to safely manage ‘behaviours which challenge.’ Where
a Liberty Protection Safeguard is in place, the Pobroll® allows a much kinder method of containing and calming patient agitation compared to the standard practices for physical restraint. The Pobroll® is a gentle and comforting option, which calms the distressed person and leads to a reduction in these behaviours, which, in turn, reduces the stress for all concerned and allows for carers to feel much more confident where these challenging behaviours are an issue.
Rather than learn complicated and often physically complex ‘safe holds’ the carers can relax and gently cocoon the person in the Pobroll® with a far less aggressive stance and with kindness. This is a much easier method of containing the person’s movements and is instinctively very quick to learn without the need for staff attendance at training courses or yearly updates.
The story behind Pobroll®: Spotting a gap in the market and promoting sustainability Pobroll®’s creator: Pat O'Brien spent many years working as a physiotherapist in residential and nursing homes and saw first-hand how the culture of continence care left individuals cold and waiting on wet towels before being rushed to get dressed. Pat initially searched for a solution on the market but to her surprise found there wasn’t any.
Like all great innovations, Pobroll® came about because one person wanted to make a difference. Though the care industry has normalised ‘wetwipe washing’ in the place of a thorough wash, Pat wanted to challenge this head-on through an innovative new design.
When the prototype was ready, it was trialled successfully in nursing/care homes and private residencies and received overwhelmingly positive feedback and resulted in a UK patent for large scale manufacturing.
“In 2020, the Pobroll® was nominated for the ‘Outstanding Care Awards for Devon and Cornwall’ – demonstrating its impact on the care industry and recognition by expert insiders. Furthermore, the product was selected for the coveted Society Accelerator Programme run by the Alzheimer’s Society and has since been given the ‘green light’ by the charity for supporting dementia sufferers and their carers.’”
“The Pobroll® is made of 100% terry cotton combined with a phthalate – free lamination and has a very small carbon footprint. The fabric is sourced in Italy, and the Pobroll® itself is manufactured locally in Cornwall by a small family business. It has been made to last, and so far, testing over a five-year period has demonstrated no reduction in efficacy. The use of the Pobroll® for bed bathing avoids the use of disposable wet-wipes by ensuring the bed stays dry despite a copious amount of water being used to ensure high standards of hygiene. It can be used generically across a spectrum of different clients and stands out as a more sustainable product compared to the current trend for products to be ‘single patient use’ which is not cost-effective or good for the environment,” adds Pat.
Looking ahead to the future
Pat’s vision for the Pobroll® is for it to become synonymous with clinical excellence and be accepted as a core part of clinical protocol across all care and nursing settings from long-term care settings, acute hospital settings, end of life services to supported living services and more.
“It is a game-changer for home care, allowing families to undertake intimate care tasks gently without upsetting or traumatising their loved ones, thereby reducing anxiety for all involved. The Pobroll® has enabled people to remain in their own homes for end-of-life care, where a care home admission had seemed inevitable.”
“I am in the process of developing a product to help assist patients with limited mobility to use a commode where they are unable to take steps away for the bed. I am also developing a product which assists people to put on TED stockings.”
For more information on how the Pobroll® can support loved ones and residents in a range of care settings, please see the website below: www.pobroll.co.uk
Loopwheels: Suspension wheelchair wheels, absorb shock and vibrations
Founded and established in the heart of Nottinghamshire, the story of Loopwheels is one of determination and passion, which is all to be expected when you set out to reinvent the wheel!
With our revolutionary in-wheel suspension, Loopwheels reduce vibration and shock for people who use wheelchairs. Our shock absorbing wheels provide a smoother and much more comfortable experience. They are proven to reduce the vibration that exacerbates long-term health risks including back pain and fatigue.
The Loopwheels passion for highquality manufacturing and design drove the development of the product, which is now an impactful solution to a very common issue for people who use an active manual wheelchair, especially those who add a power attachment or handbike to their wheelchair for greater mobility over longer distances.
Outside manufacturing excellence, we work hard to build relationships with customers and aim to provide the best solution for each individual case, here in the UK and through our international distributors.
We want as many people as possible to benefit from the improved mobility, reduced pain and longer-term benefits, which Loopwheels offer.
If you want to hear more of our customer success stories, please visit our website: https://loopwheels.com
Contact: info@loopwheels.com or telephone: 01623 860909.
AAT’s answer to helping address housing shortage
With the Government vowing to address the housing shortage, leading mobility innovator AAT is suggesting a way to help some of the 120,000 people with disabilities who need re-housing1, and make use of at least some of the 700,000 empty/redundant properties2 already in existence in the UK. Importantly, the solution can be expediated within days and costs only a few £000.
Stairs or our ability to use them is one of the biggest issues facing people with limiting conditions, whether a short or long-term problem, whether in a flat or house, and one of the main reasons disabled people need to move to accessible housing if their home is structurally unsuitable for an adaptation such as stairlift or through-floorlift.
Where appropriate, provision of a stairclimber could turn existing inaccessible homes into accessible homes.
The future of mobility: Introducing the GoGo Mg2 Scooter
M
obility is a crucial aspect of maintaining independence.
Enter the GOGO MG2 Scooter –This lightweight yet robust scooter is designed to make travel and daily activities more accessible and enjoyable.
Lightweight and portable
Unlike traditional scooters that can be cumbersome and heavy, weighing only 14.5kg the GoGo MG2 can be effortlessly lifted into and out of a car and its compact design ensures it fits snugly in the boot.
Effortless folding mechanism
The GOGO MG2 Scooter stands out with its user-friendly folding mechanism. It folds in just two easy steps, making it incredibly convenient for users and caregivers alike.
Enhanced independence and mobility
With a top speed of 4mph, it offers a balanced combination of speed and safety.
Customisable options for every need
The GOGO MG2 Scooter offers optional storage and battery configurations. Whether you need
extra storage space or require a longer battery life for extended journeys, the GOGO MG2 has got you covered.
Conclusion
The GOGO MG2 Scooter is more than just a mobility aid; it’s a gateway to greater independence, freedom, and quality of life. Its lightweight design, ease of use, and customisable options make it a standout choice for seniors, retired individuals, and caregivers.
To find your closest store, please contact: 01869 324600 sales@pride-mobility.co.uk https://pride-mobility.co.uk/ dealer-locator
AAT’s S-Max Sella –Britain’s top-selling stairclimbing wheelchair is a stand-alone, mobile, battery-operated Class 1 Medical Device certified mobility aid. It can be supplied with an integral seat or fixed to a wheelchair. The S-Max Sella has been designed and engineered with the capability to accommodate almost all staircase designs, even turns or narrow flights.
Full details of the stairclimber, including how it works video, please can be found at: https://www.aatgb.com/smax-sella
1) https://www.itv.com/news/202002-07/number-of-people-withdisabilities-and-medical-conditionson-housing-waiting-list-rises-byalmost-11-000-in-two-years
2) https://www.actiononemptyhomes. org/#:~:text=There%20are%20 nearly%20700%2C000%20 homes,every%2025%20homes%20 is%20empty.
* 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
Moving forwards from A-Z
The Falcon XL Rollator The 601 Ali Wheelchair
The Falcon XL rollator is one of the lightest on the UK market weighing only 5.9kg. The XL model is now a further 2 inches taller then its previous counterparts. It is all foldable and has a seat, backrest and removeable shopping bag. This now comes in 7 Colours: Carbon Finish, British Racing Green, Sun Burnt
Falcon XL leads in the field of rollators for it’s increased height limit and the ease of adjustment.
With the height adjustment push buttons, raising and lowering a rollator has never been easier.
With it’s folding backrest and removable footrest the wheelchair can be folded into a compact size, ideal for storage or for transporting in a car. The 601X comes with attendant operated handbrakes which provide additional control for the carer/attendant.
Wheelchair Features: Swing away removable footrests, Fold down backrest, Fixed Armrests, Attendant running handbrakes and lever operated parking brakes, Easy clean upholstery, 20cm solid, puncture proof front castors, 30cm solid, puncture proof rear wheels, Back pocket, Side skirts, Seat belt, Heel loops
Wayne Bennett, the new Managing Director of Z-Tec Mobility, talks about why the firm is looking forward to an innovative future…
Based in West Midlands, Z-Tec Mobility is a supplier of mobility and healthcare products serving mobility dealerships, pharmacies and other healthcare outlets throughout the UK and Ireland. Its products include a wide selection of wheelchairs, including transit and self-propelled models, heavy-duty wheelchairs, and a minimal selection of children’s wheelchairs.
Having successfully run Z-Tec for many years as the mobility distribution arm of Murrays Pharmacy, Ian Reekie became the company’s Managing Director in 2019 after purchasing it from the community pharmacy group. In March 2024, and after 16 years in the business, Ian Reekie stepped down as Managing Director of Z-Tec Mobility. His previous business partner at Z-Tec, Wayne Bennett, is now handling the day-to-day running of the business as its new Managing Director.
Wayne, how do you feel about taking over as Managing Director, and what are your hopes for the business?
“It’s exciting times whilst making time for these new and exciting products and still running my other businesses. I look forward to enhancing part of our existing range to keep up with both our trade and retail expectations. I will be looking at new products and suppliers to help achieve our growth plans in the coming years.”
What do you see as the bestsellers as Z-Tec Mobility?
“Our bestselling product is the Falcon rollator, which is one of the lightest rollators on the market at 5.5kg.”
Italian Riser Recliners
For all the Rise and Recliner Models are Italian designed and there is a easy to use transfer wheel system which allows the chair to be positioned wherever you may like and they all have Dual Motors and Bed mode, meaning that the chairs will go completely horizontal should anyone want to sleep in the chair. The Rome version has a waterfall backrest for added comfort and support. The Milan Version has removable arms allowing people to side enter meaning that a wheelchair can be parked next to the chair and the person can simply slide across into the recliner. The arm rests are on a quick realise system so the arms can be added or removed with ease.
Orange, Ice Blue, Fire Red, Champagne Gold and Arctic Silver.
New
The 601X is a Lightweight attendant wheelchair made from aluminium and is available in Ice Blue and Fire Red and only weighs 10.4kg
Falcon XL Lightweight Rollator in Burnt Orange
Z-Tec 601X Lightweight Transit Wheelchair with Handbrakes
Falcon XL Lightweight Rollator in Champagne
Transforming Spaces: The Impact of Nick Powell’s 360° & Still Photography on Care Homes Marketing
In this issue of Healthcare Matters, we are pleased to feature Nick Powell Photography as our Commercial Photography for Care Homes Company of the Month
Professional photography for care homes is a valuable tool for capturing the essence of a facility, its residents, and the care provided. It can also be a fantastic tool to be used for marketing, documentation, and creating a welcoming atmosphere.
Nick Powell Photography has been providing photography services for care homes for over five years, and has worked with some of the largest care homes in the UK. Specialising in Bespoke 360° Virtual Walkthroughs, Still Photography, Drone Photography, Staff Headshots, and 4K Video, Nick’s services will enhance your marketing and brand presence.
“Bespoke 360° virtual tours are a real sellingpoint and offer huge marketing benefits. My Still Photography services include capturing interiors and external images, and I have recently started offering video services as well, to create content for clients’ websites and social media.
Over the past seven years, I’ve specialised in care home photography, gaining deep insight into their operations. This expertise allows me to conduct shoots smoothly, minimising disruptions to residents and staff. Most of my work is with marketing teams, making my role essentially one of digital marketing content creation for care homes,” said Nick.
With nearly everyone starting their care home search online, high-quality professional photos and 360° virtual tours are crucial for making your care home stand out in a crowded market.
“360° photography is one of the most powerful marketing tools that care homes can use to increase bookings. Being able to virtually take a look around a home on their website or Google Business profile means that when they visit the home in person, they
are pretty much sold already. This saves time for care home staff, and the families themselves who may be travelling hours to view somewhere,” added Nick.
What’s more, Nick has now improved his services and has recently started offering video work for care homes, but on a more personal level. “These videos include interviews with the care home staff mixed with small cut away clips of the home, to give potential residents and their families a chance to meet the
staff and get an idea of how the care home works,” said Nick.
Choosing the right photographer can be difficult. Whether you’re looking for someone with passion, understanding, an eye for capturing images that sell, or for someone who you know you can collaborate with and trust, Nick Powell Photography ticks all these boxes.
In closing Nick added, “In the future, I plan to keep working with as many care groups as possible! I absolutely LOVE what I do as I can see first-hand the benefit of my work. Most care homes I work with see an increase in enquiries and positive feedback immediately, and that makes me feel great!”
For more information, please see below: 01903 905212 info@nickpowellphotography.com https://nickpowellphotography.com/care-
Chemical Free Water Treatment
Meltones Limited, founded in 1989 by Anthony and Carmelita Fernandez as Mach Engineering, started in the marine industry specialising in ship spares and ventilation systems. They expanded into energy-efficient lighting through Mach Electronics and later diversified into renewable energy and HVAC water treatment, partnering with the Great Little Water Company (GLWC) using non-toxic solutions. Their main focus on clean water treatment in HVAC systems is crucial for ensuring efficient and reliable heating and cooling, especially in medical facilities.
Tony added, “A non-toxic formula is used to address major issues such as scaling, fouling, corrosion, and biological growth (bacteria) within these systems. This preventive approach helps to maintain system efficiency and longevity. Additionally, we offer emergency cleaning services to clear and restore fouled heating and cooling coils. Along with these treatments, our specialised consultancy services are offered for HVAC water management, including critical analysis of steam boiler water reports and tailored recommendations to ensure optimal system performance.”
Tubes and tube plates in LTHW boilers can develop cracks over time because of overheating due to scale and sludge. Tony described a time when GLWC’s services were called upon for a significant project.
“We were contracted by a hospital in Berkshire to clean the heating system by removing scale and sludge, and after just one more overheating issue, the boilers began functioning well with no further breakdowns. Although the boilers were only five years old, further inspection revealed that improper modifications during a previous inspection created potential stress points, leading to failures. We recommended rounding the edges of the cut plates and re-welding to prevent future issues and premature failures however, due to repeated failures, the Trust decided to replace the boilers. Our recommendations helped them secure a settlement from the construction company for new boilers. We also suggested installing a water softener and conducted ongoing maintenance, which resulted in exceptionally clean boiler tubes after six years. This highlighted the effectiveness of our CT-01 treatment and our commitment to ensuring systems meet manufacturer specifications.”
CT-01 and CT-02 are non-toxic, food-grade solutions that don’t require COSHH training. It’s a green solution, that helps to maintain healthy water chemistry by breaking down scale and sludge
without environmental risks. Additionally, CT-01 improves thermal efficiency by removing hard scale, reducing energy use and CO2 emissions, and it can also soften water by removing calcium ions, preventing further scale buildup.
The NHS is one of GLWC’s main customers. GLWC is well versed in treating closed loops, and these present no real threats directly to patients unless leaks from the system reach patient areas, “We want NHS sites to accept us as the GLWC The HVAC Closed Loop Doctors. We have treated an existing CHW loop in Oxford NHS and an NHS site in Tooting, where we successfully cleaned the chilled water loops and presented this for successful commissioning and warranty of the equipment and system offered to the client,” said Tony.
Soon, GLWC will be introducing its Ultra Filtration Equipment that will be much more affordable in comparison to both softeners and expensive RO units.
“We have observed that recently installed Domestic Hot Water Plate Heat Exchangers (PHEs) are running with hard water, leading to hard scale build-up. This reduces heat transfer and outlet temperatures, which, in hospitals with long water runs, can create conditions favourable for legionella growth and also system breakdowns.”
Revolutionising your care home with Epic Care
The digitalisation of social care is no longer an option; it’s a necessity in today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. For care homes seeking to modernise their operations, moving away from paper-based systems and outdated IT infrastructure is critical. Epic Care, developed by Clanwilliam, offers a robust, scalable solution that has already transformed care facilities across the UK and Ireland.
Epic Care provides care homes with a vital upgrade: a cloud-based, modular system that streamlines everything from administrative tasks to patient care. With the ability to track daily operations from any internet-enabled device, it boosts efficiency while supporting better care outcomes. The system utilises touch-screen technology, making documentation easy for nurses and care assistants, allowing them to record and access patient data from anywhere in the facility.
Shane Williamson, business development manager for Epic Care, emphasises that adopting digital care records is key to improving the social care sector.
“The deployment of digital care records is at the centre of the government’s vision for social care; and we want to make sure that care homes see the benefit,” he explains. “Epic Care is a modern system designed to save administrators time, to make it easy for nurses and care assistants to follow and document best practice, and to improve communication across the system. Because it is cloud-based, we can wrap set-up, support, updates and upgrades into our pricing to reduce the total cost of ownership.”
Epic Care is built around an ‘admin and care’ module, providing the core capabilities needed to run a care home. The system records resident information, logs nursing care, supports risk management, and generates reports for regulatory compliance. Epic Care’s touchCare module allows care staff to record daily activities with the touch of a button, using devices that can be placed where they are needed – in residents’ rooms or at the bedside.
Additional modules include EpicQ, which holds policies and tracks staff compliance, an eLearning Hub filled with training videos, and a Medications module that simplifies the ordering, reporting, and reviewing of medication usage.
Christine Thompson, regional manager of Macklin Care Homes, which operates six homes across nine sites in Northern Ireland, has been supporting the development of
Epic Care for nearly two decades. She sees the system as a vital tool for improving governance. “Epic Care handles administration and documents care, but for me, it is all about governance,” Thompson says. “Every touch point of care is recorded, so I can go online and look at our dashboards to see what is happening.
“For example, each of our residents can have ten to twelve care plans, and regulators would often say they were not up to date. But now I can see on a dashboard which care plans need updating – and send a message to staff to get it done. At the same time, touchCare picks up every interaction with the care staff: food, drink, body care, toileting… So if I went to check how much fluid somebody has received, I can just look on the dashboard and it will tell me. I can see everything at the touch of a button.”
Cost has often been a barrier to the adoption of technology in the social care sector, with smaller care homes concerned about the expense of installing and maintaining IT systems. However, an effective system like Epic Care can eliminate many of the costs associated with paper forms, photocopying, and postage, while also streamlining time-consuming activities such as admitting new residents, managing medications, and providing evidence for regulators.
Introducing Task Manager: Revolutionising food safety and efficiency in Senior Living and Care Centres
NCCO International announces the launch of Task Manager, an innovative food safety task management and temperature monitoring solution designed for the senior living and residential care home sector. Task Manager addresses critical pain points in food safety, compliance, operational efficiency, and resident satisfaction.
“Task Manager is a game-changer for the senior living industry,” said Karl Rose, Managing Director of NCCO International, “Our system not only ensures compliance with food safety regulations but also enhances the quality of life for residents by guaranteeing safe and nutritious meals.”
Task Manager assists senior care facilities in adhering to local, state, and federal food safety regulations, aiming to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses among elderly residents. By providing detailed record-keeping and log management, Task Manager supports facilities in maintaining audit
readiness, facilitating health inspections and compliance checks.
Task Manager automates temperature monitoring for refrigerators, freezers, and food storage areas to help maintain safe limits without manual checks. The system organises food safety-related tasks, such as cleaning schedules, equipment maintenance, and staff training, to help ensure thoroughness.
With consistent monitoring, Task Manager helps maintain the nutritional value and quality of stored and prepared food. Real-time alerts for temperature deviations enable quick corrective actions, potentially preventing spoilage and ensuring residents receive high-quality meals.
For more information about Task Manager, please visit: www.ncco.eu or contact David Webster at: dwebster@ncco.com.
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.
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.
Contact 078 6799 5280 hello@luracare.co.uk www.luracare.co.uk
With over 30 years’ experience in researching and manufacturing probiotics, ProVen is a world leader in developing specific products for individual lifestages and needs, supported by research showing the widest range of clinically proven benefits in the world.
info@provenprobiotics.co provenprobiotics.co
LineIn aim to deliver improved patient services, that are high quality, reliable and time efficient, at an affordable price point for primary care providers.
We bridge the gap between patients and primary care providers, remedying poor patient access and overstretched teams by providing discrete and efficient remote call handling and triage services.
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.
Thermidas’ mission is to lower the cost of healthcare with infrared (IR) thermal imaging. Thermidas has two core focus areas; prevention of Pressure Injuries in hospitals and care homes and the prevention of diabetic foot ulcers.
The eFOLDi Lite is one of the world’s lightest, most compact folding scooters
Its revolutionary design makes the eFOLDi Lite one of the lightest, most compact folding travel-scooters available – weighing just 15kg. It folds and unfolds in just a few seconds and is easy to store and transport. No complex assembly is required – just unfold and go.
