Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare proudly supplies over 3,500 products, including mobility aids, beds, wheelchairs, pressure care, daily living aids, bathroom safety, respiratory, paediatric rehab, and personal care products – all designed to improve quality of life and independence.
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Welcome to our March edition. Explore our hand-picked features on innovative companies across Disability & Mobility, Cleaning & Hygiene and many more sectors.
Highlighted on pages 10-11, Confident Competence has been named our Innovative Compliance Company of the Month. As a pioneering new organisation, it is revolutionising competency assessment across the health and social care sector. This feature explores the visionary leadership of CEO Paul Blane and the company’s ground-breaking solution app – the first of its kind in the industry.
Gina Burton Editor
Healthcare Estates 2024 took place at Manchester Central from October 8th-9th, bringing together the entire NHS Estates and Facilities Management sector. The event saw an impressive 6,590 attendees, including representatives from over 125 NHS Trusts and Health Boards. Professionals from across the industry – Managers, Engineers, Doctors, and more –came together to connect, collaborate, and innovate. See more on page 6.
Surecall Medical is proudly featured as our Medical Recruitment Company of the Month on page 19. With over two decades of expertise, the company has been a trusted provider of professional recruitment services across the healthcare, logistics, and warehousing industries. This in-depth article explores Surecall Medical’s tailored staffing solutions and its unrivalled track record in delivering fully compliant, high-quality workforce solutions.
Other show reviews included: The Occupational Therapy Show 2024.
Other topics covered: AI for Healthcare, Nursing & Care, Clinical Services, Medical Testing, Facilities Management, Product & Furniture Design.
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In this issue of Healthcare Matters, we are pleased to feature Addmaster as our Advanced Additive Technologies Company of the Month
In 2025, Addmaster celebrates its 25th anniversary – a milestone that highlights its dedication to innovation and industry leadership.
Since its founding in 2000 by Paul Morris MBE, Addmaster has evolved from a small start-up into a global leader in antimicrobial, anti-counterfeit, and fragrance additive technologies. Recognising an opportunity to help manufacturers enhance product hygiene and functionality, Morris set out to develop high-performance additive solutions that seamlessly integrate into various materials. His vision not only improved product quality but also helped businesses meet regulatory standards, shaping Addmaster into the industry leader it is today.
Today, the company provides solutions on a worldwide scale for many industries ranging from healthcare and food processing to packaging and consumer goods.
Back in 2021, Addmaster was acquired by Polygiene Group, a Swedish company specialising in antimicrobial and odour-control technologies.
General Manager Lesley Taylor (pictured) explained more:
“This acquisition strengthened our global presence and allowed us to further develop innovative solutions that enhanced hygiene and product performance. By joining forces with Polygiene, we were able to expand our capabilities, explore new markets, and bring even more value to our customers globally.”
“Today, we operate on a global scale supplying technologies to businesses across Europe, North America, and Asia. However, our headquarters remain in the UK in Stafford. To ensure seamless service and efficient supply chains, we work with a network of strategically located distributors worldwide. These partners help us maintain a strong local presence in key markets, providing specialist support, product availability, and industry expertise to our customers wherever they are based. This approach enables us to offer global coverage while maintaining the personalised service and technical expertise
that Addmaster is known for.”
“Our team provides extensive support, from regulatory guidance and marketing support to technical assistance, making sure that our solutions deliver longterm value to our customers. Even though we are a chemical innovation company, we are best known for our expertise in hygiene with our Biomaster product. Whether it’s inhibiting microbial growth in hospitals, improving the hygiene of high-touch surfaces, or providing anti-counterfeit protection for consumer products, our solutions help businesses create products that add value to their customers.”
As the company celebrates its 25th anniversary, it continues to see demand for Biomaster, its flagship antimicrobial technology. Offering effective antimicrobial product protection for the effective lifetime of the product, Biomaster helps to keep surfaces clean and hygienic, reducing opportunities for microbial growth.
Biomaster antimicrobial technology seamlessly integrates into a wide range
of materials, including polymers, plastics, textiles, paper, paints, and coatings. Utilising silver ion technology, it works through three distinct modes of action. When bacteria come into contact with a Biomaster-protected surface, the silver ions disrupt their ability to grow, generate energy, and reproduce – ultimately causing them to die. Unlike some antimicrobial agents, Biomaster is exceptionally durable, long-lasting, and highly effective. Once added, it disperses evenly throughout the entire material, becoming a permanent and integral part of the product.
“Biomaster has played a significant role in healthcare settings where hygiene is a top priority. It has been successfully incorporated into medical products, hospital equipment, and personal protective equipment. One of the key advantages of working with Addmaster is the scientific validation behind our technologies. Biomaster, our antimicrobial additive for example, has been independently
tested and proven effective against a wide range of microbes. Our solutions provide long-term product protection, remaining effective for the entire lifespan of the product, without any need for reapplication,” stated Lesley.
Another popular product from Addmaster is Verimaster – their anticounterfeit technology that provides a fail-safe solution for brand protection and product verification. Designed to be invisible to the naked eye and lasting the lifetime of your product, Verimaster can only be detected using Addmaster’s bespoke sensory or optical detectors. This innovative
detecting any unauthorised components to maintain product integrity. “This is particularly valuable in pharmaceuticals and medical packaging,” added Lesley.
Addmaster’s track record speaks for itself, being recognised with three prestigious Queen’s Awards for Innovation, International Trade, and Enterprise, all of which highlight not only the quality of its products but also the significant impact they have made across multiple industries.
“Another major benefit of our products is the ease of integration. We design our additives to fit seamlessly into existing manufacturing processes, allowing businesses to adopt them with minimal disruption and without the need for costly modifications.”
additive technology safeguards your brand by ensuring the authenticity of your products while instantly identifying counterfeits. It can also monitor the use of specified materials,
“Beyond the technology itself, we pride ourselves on our unrivalled customer support. Regulations surrounding antimicrobial and anti-counterfeit technologies can be complex, but we work closely with our customers to ensure they meet all necessary regulatory requirements. Unlike many competitors, we provide comprehensive regulatory, technical, and marketing support at no cost, helping our customers navigate compliance, optimise product performance, and effectively communicate the benefits of our solutions to their end users,” said Lesley.
The last 12 months have marked significant growth and change for the company, with some exciting developments in terms of team expansion in technical support and sales, as well as innovation and new product technologies.
In closing, we asked Lesley what should we expect from Addmaster in the future, and how does it feel celebrating 25 years of success.
“As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, our goal remains the same, to deliver high-performance additive solutions that help businesses create more effective products. Sustainability is also a major focus. We are working on ways to enhance the environmental impact of our products, ensuring they support long-term sustainability goals while maintaining the highest performance standards.”
“Additionally, we are expanding our partnerships and customer base globally, particularly in healthcare and pharmaceuticals, where we are seeing the demand for reliable antimicrobial solutions continue to grow.”
“From enhancing hygiene in healthcare to protecting consumers from counterfeit goods, our work has helped shape many products across multiple industries. As we celebrate our 25-year milestone, we remain committed to supporting businesses with cutting-edge solutions that meet their evolving needs, with a goal to continue delivering innovations that make a real difference.”
Healthcare Estates 2024 was held at Manchester Central from the 8th-9th October, uniting the entire NHS Estates and Facilities Manager sector together. Healthcare Matters was a proud media partner of HE2024 and together delivered a brilliant two-day event. As the UK’s largest exhibition and conference, the 2024 event featured leading exhibitors showcasing the latest ranges of innovations and solutions.
A statement from the organisers of the 2024:
“Following the change of British Government, Healthcare Estates was a valuable and timely meeting opportunity where everyone across the sector was able to address the latest issues and discuss them with key leaders of the profession – embracing the challenges and finding options to go forward.”
“The value of Healthcare Estates is evident in delivering updates, providing information,
exchanging ideas and addressing solutions. The outcome in terms of attendance was reflected in a further increase on the previous year with a new record attendance. Accordingly, delegate and exhibition visitor attendance increased by 28% and overall attendance (including exhibitors) went up by 15% on 2023.”
The list of 224 exhibitors was extensive and spanned across audio visual, building services consultancy, dental air, facilities management software, filtration, HVAC, infection control, landscape architecture, medical gases, signage and wayfinding, and much more. With 73% of surveyed exhibitors stating that Healthcare Estates 2024 performed well at connecting them with new potential clients, one comment stated:
“HCE 2024 exceeded our expectations and, although we have been sponsoring the event for years, I’m confident in saying it was the best show yet! The high attendance and positive feedback from everyone we met over the two days made it a memorable event.” Commercial Director of Healthcare, Wandsworth Group.
The total attendance of visitors was an astonishing 6,590. Over 125 NHS Trusts and Health Boards attended including all professions from Managers to Officers, Engineers, Doctors, Clinicians, Clinical Leads, Scientists, and many more. The workshops and panel discussions enabled professionals to dive into the deeper key topics of the industry,
ask challenging questions and experience diverse perspectives from other participants.
This industry-leading event allowed new start-ups and established companies to exhibit to prominent healthcare engineering specifiers and facilities decision-makers, network with frontline staff working in the built environment sector, generate sales leads and brand awareness to an engaged industry audience. With high-profile companies attending, exhibitors guaranteed quality footfall from the start to the end.
Healthcare Estates 2025 will take place on the 21st22nd October 2025 at Manchester Central.
This is our second pick of the best exhibitors from last year’s event, listed here in alphabetical order: Weatherite & Yewdale. Further details can be found on this page and the next.
To find out more, please see the website below: https://www.healthcare-estates.com
Weatherite Air Conditioning Ltd has established itself as one of the UK leaders in the design and manufacture of energy efficient, low carbon, high quality Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment for all sectors of industry.
Rather than supplying an ‘off-the-shelf’ product, which may or may not offer the right solution, we provide a bespoke service covering every aspect of the client’s requirements. This expertise, gained over
the past 50 years, means we can deliver highly advanced, innovative cooling and air movement solutions, meeting our customers’ exact requirements every time.
Energy efficiency and the reduction of carbon emissions are high on almost every UK Company’s agenda and we as a company continually look at ways of reducing energy usage whilst also looking at ways of helping reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions. We are also developing systems that use natural refrigerants, minimising the effects of ozone depletion and global warming potential.
For more information on Weatherite Air Conditioning Ltd’s range of offers call us today on: 0121 665 2266 or visit: https://www.weatheritegroup.com
Hospitals across the UK face the dual challenge of maintaining hygiene while managing operational costs and environmental sustainability. Many NHS trusts have traditionally relied on disposable curtains for inpatient beds, outpatient areas, and operating theatres. These were initially adopted to reduce infection rate and have since proven to be a costly and unsustainable choice, contributing to a linear economy model that generates significant waste. Recognising these concerns, a forwardthinking NHS trust sought an innovative alternative: Yewdale’s Stericurtain.
The challenge: Cost, waste, and practicality
This particular NHS trust was spending approximately £100,000 per year on disposable curtains, resulting in an annual waste output of 12,000kg, with disposal costs amounting to £4,000. The regular replacement and procurement of these curtains placed a continuous financial burden on the trust. Although reusable linen curtains were initially considered, they proved to be impractical due to their weight, handling challenges, and laundry constraints. Washing them in-house required a four-person team to load the machines, making the process inefficient. Furthermore, linen curtains suffered from storage issues and lost their shape after multiple washes.
The solution: Yewdale Stericurtain In response to these challenges, the trust trailed the Yewdale Stericurtain – a wipeable, reusable curtain with a 10-year guarantee. Unlike disposables, Stericurtain is easy to clean in situ, eliminating the need for frequent replacements and extensive laundry processes. The curtains also address logistical challenges by reducing storage requirements and minimising transportation costs.
Following a successful two-week trial, evaluations from both nursing and housekeeping staff highlighted Stericurtains advantages. The transition required some adjustment for staff, but the benefits were undeniable. The trust projected savings of £500,000 over a 10-year period, making it a smart financial investment. Waste reduction was also a key factor, as the adoption of Stericurtain eliminated the 12,000kg of annual landfill waste previously generated by disposable curtains. The new system allowed for faster bed space turnover, reducing the workload of housekeeping staff and enhancing operational efficiency. Sustainability was also at the heart of this change, aligning with the trust’s longterm environmental goals by eliminating
unnecessary waste and reducing transportation needs.
A sustainable future for healthcare facilities
The implementation of Yewdale Stericurtain has not only transformed this NHS trust’s approach to infection control but has also demonstrated the potential for hospitals to make significant financial and environmental gains. The trust’s experience serves as a case study for healthcare facilities nationwide, honing in that sustainable alternatives can drive both efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
With healthcare institutions increasingly prioritising environmental responsibility and cost savings, the Yewdale Stericurtain represents a forward-thinking solution that balances hygiene, practicality, and sustainability. As more hospitals recognise the advantages of reusable wipeable curtains, the future of hospital curtain management is set to become more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly.
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.
Queen’s University Belfast has awarded Graham a £39m construction contract to build two new state-ofthe-art buildings beside the Belfast City Hospital as part of the planned 8,500m2 iREACH Health facility.
IREACH Health, a new £64m integrated clinical research innovation centre led by Queen’s University Belfast, will be developed in partnership with Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and Health and Social Care Research and Development Division. The project is funded by the Northern Ireland Executive and UK Government through the Belfast Region City Deal, and part funded by Queen’s University Belfast.
Pictured L-R: Orla Carew, Queen’s BRCD Estates Programme Manager; Kevin McNaull, Director at Turner and Townsend; David Quinn, Executive Director of the Belfast Region City Deal at Queen’s; Cormac Maguire, iREACH Health Estates Manager; Gary Holmes, Regional Managing Director – Graham Building North; Professor Judy Bradley, Director of iREACH Health
The innovation centre will provide major health, social, and economic benefits for Northern Ireland, making clinical trials more effective, efficient, and interconnected whilst supporting the improved health of the population. Over the lifetime of the project, it’s estimated more than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs will be created alongside over £750m additional GDP for the region.
Tech specialist Advantex has successfully delivered a major IT infrastructure and security overhaul for PCCA, a global manufacturer and distributor of personalised medicines.
This comprehensive project not only enhanced Prudhoe-based PCCA UK’s cybersecurity capabilities but also provided the UK operations with strategic autonomy over their IT decisions, ensuring resilience and efficiency in an increasingly challenging digital landscape.
PCCA has been a valued client of Advantex for several years, benefiting from its expertise in managing IT infrastructure across all UK sites. As part of the decentralisation strategy from the US, PCCA turned to Gateshead-based Advantex to develop and implement a solution that would meet the specific needs of its UK operations.
Advantex responded by working closely with PCCA’s US-based global IT team to design a strategy that allowed the UK office to operate with greater independence. The project encompassed several critical elements, including the creation of a new Active Directory domain, a
Advantex’s Scott Duncan and Siobhan Toner of PCCA mark the delivering of a major IT infrastructure and security overhaul for PCCA
tenant-to-tenant migration for Office 365, and the implementation of advanced security measures such as Multi-Factor Authentication and Cisco Secure Email.
The project also involved upgrading all legacy hardware to HPe enterprise-class systems, replatforming server operating systems and line-of-business applications to the latest versions, and enhancing disaster recovery capabilities using Zerto with Azure.
Independent advisory Turley has recruited Nicola Riley as Senior Director in its Net Zero Infrastructure team.
Manchester-based Nicola joins from WSP where she was Head of Renewables. With over 23 years’ experience, Nicola specialises in growing and managing energy teams and delivering complex technical and commercial projects.
Nicola brings a wealth of experience in delivering multi-disciplinary energy projects across different sectors, covering multiple technologies including onshore and offshore wind, solar, tidal, battery storage, biomass, energy from waste, electric vehicles and biofuels.
The move sees Turley continue to grow its Net Zero Infrastructure offering across the UK and Ireland, with a commitment to delivering new and upgraded infrastructure effectively to help both the UK and Ireland meet the legal obligation to be net zero by 2050. Turley’s team engages with all consenting regimes including Development Consent Orders and Developments of National Significance, working
across renewable energy production, storage and distribution together with industrial decarbonisation.
Speaking about the appointment of Nicola Riley, Senior Director, Sustainability and ESG, Colin Morrison said, “Nicola’s appointment signals our commitment to the Net Zero Infrastructure sector. As a business with thriving people, places and planet at heart, we want to be at the forefront of helping the UK and Ireland meet their legal obligation to be net zero by 2050.”
In this issue of Healthcare Matters, we are excited to feature Confident Competence as our Innovative Compliance Company of the Month
Confident Competence is a brand new, cutting-edge organisation that is changing the way competency is assessed across the breadth of the health and social care sector. The trailblazer behind this revolution in care is Paul Blane, who has a long and distinguished history within the care industry. From starting his career as a carer to founding one of the country’s top leading care organisations, Paul is CEO and founder of Care Business Associate Training, Care Business Associate Coaching, SVL Care Homes and Love & Care Community Care as well as newcomer, Confident Competence.
Paul has monitored the changes and trends that have affected the industry of social care. His new company, Confident Competence, has been designed by – and for – health and social care professionals. Assisting him, Paul’s Director of Operations of Confident Competence, Sophie Ebeling, has put her years of experience as a nurse and educator to excellent use by helping Paul realise his vision.
Confident Competence gives professionals in the health and social care industry the ability to accurately and authentically measure and monitor their team’s ability to reach and exceed competence targets. With ever-heightening scrutiny of the health and social care industry, it has never been more of a challenge to ensure that dedicated and improving compliance competency is achieved. With Confident Competence, that challenge can now be met.
However, this challenge cannot be underrated. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is intensifying its
efforts to ensure what truly matters – safe, effective, and compassionate care for everyone. To achieve this ambitious goal by the end of 2025, the CQC is advising that gathering and acting on feedback has never been more critical. Real-time tools for collecting service user insights can help providers stay connected to needs while building trust through transparent communication.
The CQC is looking to use technology to improve better outcomes for service users. They advise that by investing in easy-to-use, integrated systems can reduce administrative burdens while improving oversight. Confident Competence does just this. It supplies a full competency library and assessment toolkit that, with a few taps, can reduce administrative issues and improve the consistency of care. Each assessment made is recorded on an online application that gives live data feedback and accurate reporting that shows the status of staff competency, knowledge, and confidence. This removes the need for paperwork, as implementation can take place with a tailored assessment framework with competency tracking across the organisation via a user-friendly interface.
The library that Confident Competence provides is essential for an organisation to remain compliant. It ensures that all current legislative, regulatory, and best practice standards are uploaded for easy access. Furthermore, custom competencies can be created, so any organisation can write a bespoke application or adapt one to suit individual needs. The library tracks all regulatory updates and
guidance changes, which are then automatically updated to the user to create real-time compliance.
Confident Competence has created an innovative and fresh application that allows service users to remain at the peak of the care industry. Through remote access, Confident Competence creates a dynamic and flexible team that is available to customers across the country. Confident Competence is a ground-breaking solution that is the first of its kind – it’s a complete library of competencies and assessment tools available in one handy app.
In health and social care, there is a lot of investment in time and resources for staff training and it is in this setting that the application is now essential. Once trained, the health and social care industry will then retrain the same staff in the same content about subject matters that the staff are dealing with daily. This has become part of the embedded history and culture of the care industry, and training records are at the heart of the metric that gives Confident Competence the essential compliance data it requires.
concept for health and social care, and the only way to get a real sense of what it can do and how it can transform quality assurance and compliance in an organisation is to see it in action.
Confident Competence focuses on the skills, knowledge, behaviours, and attitudes that demonstrate a person is competent to perform a task in authentic situations in the workplace.
Confident Competence provides the tools so that the member of staff can be assessed while they are doing their real work with real people. This application, using the competency library, assessment tools, and reporting capability, creates a real-time interface that can pinpoint the individual specific training needs.
The official launch date for Confident Competence will be at the UK Care Week at the NEC Birmingham from the 19th-20th March 2025. Confident Competence will be exhibiting with its sister company, Care Business Associate Training (CBAT). Whilst CBAT provides traditional health and social care training, Confident Competence will be presenting the newly launched application with the essential library and toolkit in a series of live demonstrations.
Confident Competence will work across all settings in health and social care: residential settings, care homes, domiciliary care services, services supporting children, and many more. Confident Competence is a totally new
In 2023, Paul wrote an article regarding the challenges faced by the care industry in the time of COVID-19. He quoted ‘Hold Fast, Stay True,’ which is the mantra of the Navy Seals and how this phrase impacted his life. When the US Navy was faced with some of the most severe storms in history, the command from the Captain was for everyone to ‘hold fast,’ in other words, anchor yourself to something stable. The Captain, however, could not do so, as he had to guide the ship through the storms to safety, hence ‘stay true.’ Paul has now created his own storm within the care industry, and it is up to the industry to adapt to his vision to ‘stay true.’ With Paul at the helm of Confident Competence, the care industry will be guided to safety and compliance.
In this issue of Healthcare Matters, we are pleased to feature Yeoman Shield as our Wall & Door Protection Company of the Month
Yeoman Shield, a division of Harrison Thompson & Co. Ltd was established in 1966 by Peter Brumwell. The family company based in Leeds manufactures its own branded products that cater to a diverse group of sectors from healthcare to education, leisure and retail.
“Our main role is to design, manufacture and supply quality wall and door protection systems. We specialise in healthcare solutions such as wall protection, door protection, handrails and bed heads that enhance hygiene, reduce maintenance costs and ensure longterm durability whilst reducing maintenance costs,” stated Phil Christopher, Sales and Marketing Director.
With a focus on durability and performance, Yeoman Shield is proud to be a British manufacturer and works closely with healthcare facilities, care
homes and public sector buildings to provide robust protection solutions tailored to high-traffic environments in healthcare.
Life safety, compartmentalisation, regulatory compliance, and smoke containment are just a few of the critical reasons why fire door services are essential in healthcare settings. Yeoman Shield’s fire-rated door protection products, and associated services not only provide robust solutions but ensure both the safety and compliance of any facility.
Footfall and movement of equipment and objects in 24/7 operational settings such as hospitals and care homes can easily cause damage. For businesses that operate around the clock, fire doors must be in optimal condition in order to provide consistent safety. Yeoman Shield’s range of fire rated door protection products will save businesses thousands of pounds on future costs when it comes to replacement services or repair.
Yeoman Shield continually strives to expand its product range, offering a comprehensive selection that includes door frame and architrave protection, clapping lath protection, glazing beads for doors,
door protection panels, door kick plates, and door edge protection. Combined with exceptional customer service and expert installation, Yeoman Shield stands out as a clear leader in the industry.
What’s more, regular inspection, maintenance and servicing of fire doors are essential to ensure they function as intended in an emergency. Yeoman Shield has a suite of services to go alongside its long-standing and industry recognised products. All fire door inspections are undertaken by Yeoman Shield qualified fire door inspectors who can also carry out maintenance and remedial work on fire rated doorsets under the FIRAS third-party certification scheme, as well as install new ones. What’s more, Yeoman Shield door protection products can also be offered as supply only.
Yeoman Shield also offers a Colour Scheme Picker tool that allows clients to visualise designs and choose colours that align with their branding or interior needs featuring three ranges: On Trend, Premier and Ancillary. Once finished, simply click the ‘Get Summary’ button on the website and all details will be emailed directly to your inbox within minutes. Samples are also readily available.
“We’ve also recently products range, introducing a new protective hand and crash rail called Contour to meet the growing demand for durable, hygienic solutions,” added Phil.
Since 1966, Yeoman Shield has been dedicated to delivering high-quality solutions that protect buildings while preserving their aesthetic appeal. The company’s commitment to cost-effectiveness, regulatory compliance, and exceptional customer care are hallmarks of its trusted service. Looking ahead, we asked Phil about the company’s plans for the future.
“We plan to continue innovating our wall and door protection systems, invest in sustainable solutions, and grow our presence in the public sector to support a wider range of buildings.”
For more information, please see below: 0113 279 5854 info@yeomanshield.com www.yeomanshield.com
Sickness, recruitment and retention are currently the biggest challenges for social care providers.
During our training, all participants are asked “What does the organisation do to support you emotionally, and what could they do better?”
Most care staff are aware of services such as HR and Occupational Health, but many feel uncomfortable using them as they fear being ‘reported on.’ Most other services, such as EAP or counselling, staff are unaware of or how they can help. Where organisations have wellbeing champions or mental health first aiders, staff generally say they don’t really know what they do.
Staff tell us that measures already in place are almost exclusively reactive and come with the stigma of being ‘broken.’ What’s missing are proactive measures for themselves and their teams. Proactivity is key to tackling sickness, recruitments and retention but is overlooked services are stretched and resources are short.
Participants on our courses get to make suggestions for improving wellbeing offers and often have very simple and practical solutions, which we then pass on to stakeholders. These suggestions have included:
: Protected meal and coffee breaks
: Hot food, especially when on a long shift
: A nice staff room where they can relax and, if necessary, have a good cry!
: Managers to ‘walk in their shoes’ regularly to see what it is like doing the job
: A ‘real’ open door policy without fear of criticism
: Bullying dealt with and proper follow-up
: Better communication and consistency in management policy and attitudes : Being thanked and feeling that what they do is valued and so are they
Participants are taught a better understanding of the impact of vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue, and tell us they would have liked the training earlier in their career and understanding what they feel is normal has helped them to admit when they are struggling. Our training has enabled staff to realise when, and which ones, to access wellbeing initiatives more readily. This is because they know why they need to take better care of themselves and why these initiatives are helpful. They also tell us that they do not feel so guilty putting in time for self-care and prioritising their own emotional health.
This shift in attitude, together with a more engaged leadership team, has meant that when we have re-surveyed the participants of our courses at three months, we find that staff are happier, talking more openly about their wellbeing, off sick less as they are prioritising their own health, and if the management team has taken on board and acted on their suggestions, they feel more valued and
are less likely to want to leave.
This is turn will affect recruitment as a happy workforce are less likely to leave and more likely to recommend working at the organisation to others.
I feel very strongly that if organisations take the same proactive approach to emotional health and safety as physical health and safety, they will see a drop in sickness rates and increase retention. This means that staff members will be more able to care for themselves with kindness and will keep their ability to care for others with empathy and compassion.
By Jayne Ellis Founder/CEO EF training
Our training teaches tools, techniques and strategies to address the impact of compassion fatigue. If you would like to learn more about what we do, please visit our website: www.eftraining.co.uk or email us at: info@eftraining.co.uk.
19-year-old Josh has recently welcomed specialist care provider, Care Horizons into his life. Prior to September last year, when his family decided to appoint Care Horizons to give Josh professional support and mentoring, Josh was reluctant to leave the house or socialise as he has a learning disability and epilepsy. Inherently a fun-loving young man with a passion for laughter and music, Josh had become increasingly quiet, preferring to keep himself to himself. With Care Horizons’ support, he is now living life to the full, thanks to the skills, kindness and patience of his support workers.
Josh is visited by his support workers twice a week, from the Care Horizons team, for four hours at a time. The rest of the week, Josh attends a local college which he has been attending for the past 2 years.
“Care Horizons has been really good,” says Josh. “It has been extremely helpful to have someone visit and they’re such good company! We love to get out and about, especially when the weather is fine, and the laughing is endless.”
Josh is a keen DJ, and inspired by musicians in his family, his dream is to be a red coat at Butlins. “I absolutely love music. It really makes me happy, and I can see how much joy it brings to other people.”
“Josh is phenomenally entertaining,” says his mum, Cherie. “A career in the limelight would be a great fit for him, and the Care Horizons team have really helped by bringing him out of his shell. They’re very caring, which we hadn’t found with our previous provider, and Josh has taken a real shine to his carers, Andrew and Agnieszka.”
“Before starting with Care Horizons, Josh didn’t really want to go out and socialise. He was very happy staying at home, but their support has helped him get out of this habit and he loves nothing more than a trip somewhere new with the team.”
Over the festive period, Josh and his Care Horizons team were regulars at the local Christmas markets, sampling all the delicious fayre, and he hopes trips like these can continue in the spring.
“There is a great music centre in Yate,” continues Josh, “which we have visited a couple of times, and I hope we can continue this year.”
Andrew, Josh’s support worker, has noticed a real improvement in Josh since he began their work together.
“Since working with Care Horizons, we have seen a marked improvement,” says
Andrew. “He has been encouraged to look for opportunities to volunteer and also to join the local music group where he can practice with different instruments in an environment that encourages his passion for music and performing.”
Care Horizons prides itself on the personal offering it offers each and every one of its clients, which has led to a national and regional recognition.
For more information on Care Horizons and its bespoke care offering, please visit: www.carehorizons.co.uk or phone: 0117 405 4320.
Disability advocate and former Royal Navy Commander and barrister Penny Melville-Brown, has achieved another milestone in a life of incredible accomplishment having been recently elected as chair of her local beekeeping branch in Hampshire.
Penny was still serving in the Navy when her sight started to fail, a health challenge that she refused to let hinder her ambition. She went on to launch a new career running her own business, as well as holding a wide range of public appointments and roles in voluntary organisations. She has since won an international prize for blind people, cooking around the world and publishing a book of her adventures, and has been awarded an OBE and Honorary Doctorate for her work in the field of disability.
Now, Penny has added another string to her bow, having recently been elected as chairman of the Fareham and District Beekeepers’ Association (FDBKA) – thought to be the first blind chair of a local beekeeping association in the UK.
Penny’s husband, Alan Baxter, is a qualified beekeeper himself and the British Beekeepers’ Association’s Asian Hornet Team Co-ordinator for Hampshire, as well as the FDBKA’s Education Officer. Alan was recently involved in assisting a team from the National Bee Unit in locating and removing a large yellow-legged Asian hornet nest in Southampton.
Diane Drinkwater, Chair of the British Beekeepers’ Association (BBKA), said, “As far as we’re aware, this is a first in the history of the British Beekeepers’
Association. Penny is an inspiration to those around her and to all of us at the BBKA, demonstrating how individuals with sight loss can lead creative and influential lives.”
“The members of Fareham and District Beekeepers’ Association are lucky to have Penny as their chair and we wish her all the very best in her new endeavour.”
Of her appointment as Chairman of FDBKA, Penny said, “I confess that I leave the bee-suit to my husband, who has all the knowledge and experience of practical beekeeping alongside his
yellow-legged Asian hornet expertise.”
“But I’ve learned masses and am fully involved in extracting and using the honey, making our mead and have even tried creating beeswax polish.”
“Beekeeping can involve the whole family and introduces children to our natural world.”
The FDBKA provides friendly training and mentoring for new beekeepers, shared learning opportunities for the more experienced, regular meetings, loan equipment, apiary visits, an annual honey show, speakers for other organisations and a great supply of local honey for hay-fever sufferers and lovers of good food.
Penny is supported by a great team committed to growing and strengthening the skills of Association members to maintain their ancient craft in the face of climate change, the yellow-legged Asian hornet threat and other challenges to our environment.
Please visit: https://www.bbka.org.uk
In this issue of Healthcare Matters, we are pleased to feature Orchard House Designs as our Product & Furniture Design Company of the Month
Established in 2022 by Peter Griffen, Orchard House Designs is committed to creating solutions that make a real difference in patient care. Based in Macclesfield, just south of Manchester, Peter Griffen has attracted much attention around his product design skills, in particularly last year when he was shortlisted for the Made in Manchester Award as Business Owner/Entrepreneur of the year. Peter’s background in design coupled with a passion for improving patient care has inspired the creation of many innovative and ground-breaking products that have lit up the healthcare industry.
Offering solutions that improve lives, Orchard House Designs specialises in both bespoke furniture and assistive devices, that not only serve functional needs but also elevate everyday living with beauty and practicality.
“We are a product design company first and foremost, designing a new generation of assistive devices for people with chronic conditions,” said Peter. “Our first product is an assistive footrest for patients with lower leg Oedema. We design, prototype and batch manufacture our products in-house. Alongside assistive devices we design and build custom freestanding furniture to suit clients’ homes, from coffee tables to garden benches, seamlessly integrating comfort, accessibility, and style.”
Levata is the company’s FIRST innovative assistive device designed to reduce care staff’s time spent on pressure ulcers, combining ease of use and advanced technology. Elevate comfort and relieve swelling, Levata footrests are designed using innovative craftmanship, available in both static and adjustable models. It also features a unique hammock system which extends cushion life and provides superior pressure relief.
“Our product, Levata, provides a level of pressure relief that is currently unavailable across the footrest market. We achieve this by supporting the cushion on a fabric mesh hammock, instead of a hard board that over time will crush the cushion leading to pressure hot spots, discomfort and even potentially
pressure ulcers. Our adjustable model also provides the widest range of height and angle adjustment of any footrest on the market whilst being simple and intuitive to use. When it isn’t being used, it can also collapse down to an ultra-low profile for easy storage,” added Peter.
Levata supports both practical and emotional wellbeing, providing relief without compromising on style. It simplifies daily tasks by offering easyto-adjust support, making it quicker and easier to position patients comfortably. This product has been solely designed for patients with lower leg Oedema, to provide effective pressure relief and improve circulation, helping to reduce swelling, eliminate pressure ulcers and increase comfort.
Its eco-friendly design means it is made from solid timber for durability and sustainability, with each footrest blending natural beauty with strength.
“We are currently launching the static model of our innovative footrest. It features two high quality memory foam cushions supported on a mesh hammock to reduce pressure points and extend the life of the cushion. The footrest is built from sustainably sourced Beech hardwood for a natural aesthetic that compliments your home and will withstand the rigours of life. Our static model is currently on sale for £150 plus postage and packaging. Levata is provided fully assembled with your choice in cushion covers from our range of fabrics,” said Peter.
Before starting the business, Peter originally collaborated with a tissue viability nurse based in Royal Brompton Hospital in central London. A tissue viability nurse specialises in identifying the risks of developing/treatment of conditions such as pressure ulcers, leg ulcers, and surgical wounds. This
partnership informed the early design and creation of Levata, adding a clinical perspective to Peter’s existing expertise and knowledge of product design, that has enabled the production of a practical yet necessary product.
With an aim to continue research and create more innovative products within this sector of healthcare, Orchard House Designs is currently engaging with family members of those with lower leg Oedema who would benefit from a high-quality aid to relieve swelling and improve comfort.
“In the near future we plan to begin batch sales to care homes for their residents,” said Peter. “In order to best serve customers, we are always evolving to further develop the product. Also, last Easter we moved into our first formal premises, expanding our in-house workshop capabilities and office space.”
Building on the feedback from its early adopters, Orchard House Designs is going to be implementing a batch production system to help streamline its fulfilment process. “As we grow our capacity, we will expand from individual orders to care home groups, nursing homes and hospices where residents can enjoy an enhanced level of care from our products,” stated Peter.
Orchard House Designs is redefining the way lower leg Oedema – and other conditions – can be managed, through its pioneering approach to product innovation and research. By combining science-backed solutions with user-centric design, the company is setting new standards in patient care. With a commitment to improving comfort, mobility, and quality of life, Orchard House Designs is paving the way for a future where Oedema management is more effective, accessible, and tailored to individual needs.
For more information, please see below: 07751 332945 hello@orchardhousedesigns.co.uk https://www.orchardhousedesigns.co.uk
The NHS faces increasing pressure to optimise patient flow while maintaining high-quality care. Delays in scheduling, inefficient data management, and administrative bottlenecks can lead to longer patient wait times, increased operational costs, and resource strain.
The challenges
Patient flow refers to the movement of patients through various hospital departments, from admission to diagnoses, treatment and discharge. A well-optimised patient flow minimises delays, expedites patient discharge, frees up beds and reduces unnecessary patient stays. Non-Integrated
workflows can be problematic for a number of reasons:
: Manual data entry errors and duplication of effort across systems
: Lack of real-time communication channels between departments
: Complex radiology scheduling and realtime changes cause portering resource challenges
: Delays in real-time system updates by staff hinder patient flow and disrupt hospital operations
How system integration can improve efficiency
Integrating task management software with Patient Administration Systems (PAS) and Radiology Information Systems (RIS) allows hospital trusts to create data-driven environments where data flows seamlessly between departments. This approach improves co-ordination, minimises administrative workloads, and enhances the overall patient experience.
Key benefits of integration:
1) Improved workflows: Integrated systems ensure that moves and domestic activity is seamlessly co-ordinated across all platforms, minimising data entry and ensuring clinical staff has access to up-to-date information.
2) Faster decision making and reduced waiting times: Real-time updates and instant access to
Gen Z and millennials admit they know
Two in three (65%) 18-34-year-olds admit they know more about their mental health than their dental health, according to new research from Bupa – with 19% of this age group acknowledging they did not know there was any connection between oral health and mental wellbeing. In fact, just 13% of all Brits felt they are better informed about their dental health than their mental health, a knowledge gap that is costing UK businesses thousands of pounds a year.
The results come as part of a wider look from Bupa into how much Brits really know about the ways dental health connects with their overall physical and mental wellbeing. And the answer is very little, especially when it comes to mental health. 85% of respondents did not think mental health problems have anything to do with the health of their teeth, tongue or gums and drilling deeper, only 12% knew it is connected to panic attacks while just 7% understood the links to bipolar disorder.
There’s low public awareness of the links to serious physical conditions too, with just over half (53%) of the population recognising the link to mouth cancer. Even fewer are aware of connections to other conditions like diabetes (25%) or heart illness (14%).
Alongside the research, Bupa took to the streets of London to ask passersby how much or little they know about dental health. You can watch on LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram
Contact https://www.bupaglobal.com/en
critical data enable effective decision-making, reducing patient wait times and improving care outcomes.
3) Increased compliance and reporting efficiency: Integrated systems facilitate accurate data recording and tracking, allowing staff to generate reports on patient flow and resource utilisation.
4) Reduced wait times for radiology: Integrated workflows speed up patient movement in and out of radiology and other departments.
5) Reduced wait times for movement out of medical assessment units: Quicker discharge and bed cleans at ward level free up space to move patients out of MAU and onto wards.
The future of hospital efficiency
As hospitals continue to embrace digital transformation, integrating task management software with PAS and RIS is becoming essential for enhancing operational efficiency, reducing costs, and improving patient care. This integration is not just a technological upgrade but a strategic investment in building a more efficient and patientcentred NHS.
For more information about how Synbiotix can help you reach your targets through integration with your PAS and RIS systems, contact us at: sales@synbiotix.com or call: +44 (0)330 400 4150.
Itec Skills and Employment secures gold and silver honours at mental health awards wales
Itec Skills and Employment, a leading provider of skills development and employment services in Wales, was recognised for its commitment to mental health on October 9th, 2024, receiving the Silver Award for Workplace Wellbeing at the Mental Health & Wellbeing Awards Wales and the prestigious Quality Mark Gold Accreditation for Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Itec Director, Gareth Matthews (left) and Itec HR Manager, Hannah Barron (right)
Organised by The Ajuda Foundation, the awards honour individuals and companies that prioritise the wellbeing of others. The Ajuda Foundation is a not-for profit organisation that promotes positive mental health and wellbeing support, providing resources, workshops and training throughout Wales to support
individuals and groups.
As an employee owned company, Itec actively involves staff in shaping wellbeing policies through surveys and forums, ensuring initiatives align with employee needs.
These awards highlight Itec’s comprehensive wellbeing strategy, which includes support from line managers, an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), menopause support, mental health training, access to a wellbeing app and many more. The Quality Mark Gold Accreditation recognises organisations that go beyond in promoting mental health and wellbeing.
Contact www.itecskills.ac.uk
Founded in 2004, Surecall Medical has spent over two decades delivering professional services backed by a highly skilled workforce. Specialising in recruitment for the healthcare, logistics, and warehousing industries, this feature focuses on the company’s expertise in the healthcare sector.
Trusted by clients across the NHS, public and private healthcare, homecare, and complex care sectors throughout the UK, Surecall Medical is committed to providing an honest, transparent, and professional service. By working closely with clients to understand their unique needs, the company develops tailored staffing solutions that ensure the highest quality of care.
Its proven solutions are designed to meet the diverse needs of the healthcare sector, supported by a highly experienced team that ensures a prompt and efficient response to client requirements. Adhering to rigorous quality management standards, Surecall Medical operates within recognised accreditations and frameworks, including: Health Trust Europe, NHS Workforce Alliance – Non-Clinical Staffing Approved Supplier, Crown Commercial Service Supplier, Recruitment and Employment Confederation, Sedex, Association of Labour Providers, Achilles Network, and Cyber Essentials.
Whether it’s last-minute shift coverage, high-volume staffing needs, or complex care packages, Surecall Medical ensures every client receives dedicated support. Each client benefits from a specialised team, including an Account Manager, Account Support, and Payroll Manager, with direct access to Operations Management and Company Directors. This comprehensive support structure enables Surecall Medical to provide a Rapid Response service, deploying fully qualified staff on-site within just 90 minutes of receiving a request.
It’s because of this system, that clients trust they are receiving a highly skilled and compliant workforce. Every worker undergoes a rigorous vetting process, including an up-to-date DBS check, proof of identity, valid training certifications, occupational health assessments, and verification of their right to work in the UK.
What’s more, Surecall Medical has invested heavily in IT and training to ensure that it can provide its customers with all the insight needed to be assured that their requirements and KPIs are being professionally monitored and met.
The healthcare sector is undoubtedly saturated with recruitment services, but what sets Surecall Medical apart is its unwavering commitment to honesty, integrity, and professionalism. Beyond simply filling vacancies, the company excels in tailoring bespoke staffing solutions to meet each client’s specific needs. The team takes great pride in fostering strong, long-term relationships, ensuring that all client’s unique requirements are met with speed and precision.
With an unrivalled track record in the industry, Surecall Medical consistently delivers fully compliant staffing solutions that not only meet but exceed expectations. This dedication to excellence
reinforces its reputation as a trusted partner in healthcare recruitment.
Surecall Medical provide care packages to some of the UK’s most complex service users from NHS Trusts to Mental Health, Care Homes, GP Surgeries, Vaccinations and Vaccination Programs, Private Hospitals, Home Care, Treatment Centres, and keep your eyes peeled for a new package for Patient Transportation that is coming very soon.
Choosing the right healthcare agency can be challenging for healthcare professionals, but with Surecall Medical, you gain more than just job opportunities – you receive peace of mind. The company provides comprehensive advice and ongoing support, empowering you to make informed career decisions with confidence.
Surecall Medical upholds a fair and transparent payment approach, ensuring that healthcare professionals are properly compensated for their hard work, including overtime and holiday pay. With its dedicated in-house payroll department, the company negotiates the best payment terms on your behalf, guaranteeing accurate and timely payments – giving you the financial security and reliability you deserve.
As well as having the freedom to choose the shifts you want to best fit your lifestyle and routine, Surecall has a resolute team who are on hand 24/7 to ensure you’re always looked after, whether you’re having an issue with payment or a client, Surecall will act on your behalf to make sure you are treated fairly and with respect. As a recruitment service that has been in business for over 20 years, Surecall specialise in maintaining long-term relationships with its clients that span across the UK, India and the USA.
If you’re interested in finding out more, please see below for more information: 0203 910 0570 enquiries@surecallmedical.com https://surecallmedical.com https://www.surecallrecruitment.com
Advanced MRI scanners being developed by University of California Berkeley will allow doctors and scientists to see the brain in greater detail than ever before which could lead to groundbreaking treatments for brain disorders such as degenerative diseases, schizophrenia and developmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders.
Two Scottish companies have been instrumental in the development of the equipment used in the NextGen 7T scanner for the university, Wideblue and MR Coiltech, both based in Glasgow. Wideblue is
a leading medical device product consultancy and MR Coilech is a world leader in high-density MRI head coil development.
Results of images produced by the University using the scanners have been published in the prestigious peer reviewed journal Nature Methods. The paper reports that the innovative design of the RF head coils helps achieve a tenfold better resolution for functional MRI brain imaging. This means that scientists can see functional MRI features at an isotropic resolution of 0.4mm across compared to the 2-3mm which is achieved by standard MRI. The scanner can reach this much higher resolution
OptimallyMe’s ground-breaking new at-home ‘Prostate Plus’ test is set to revolutionise early diagnosis of prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with more than 52,000 men diagnosed every year on average – that’s 144 men every day. Every 45 minutes one man dies from prostate cancer – that’s more than 12,000 men every year; and 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
OptimallyMe is the UK’s leading pioneer in developing cutting-edge scientific health tests with supporting sophisticated AI analytics. Their new ‘Prostate Plus’ test will enable men to quickly and accurately test for cancer in the comfort of their own home, with a simple finger prick blood test, the only one on the market that measures three key biomarkers, unlike others that only measure one.
This new test measures ‘Total PSA,’ ‘Free PSA’ and (crucially) the ratio between the two. This is key as the NHS prostate test, and other private versions, just measure Total PSA. Anyone with an elevated Total PSA is referred for further testing including many for biopsy, which very distressing and costly to the NHS, and not always necessary. The most accurate way to determine further treatment options is to measure both Free PSA and Total PSA, and compare the ratio. Testing this way, especially in the comfort of your own home, can save unnecessary anxiety for the patient and costs to the NHS. For more information, please visit: https://optimallyme.com
The implementation of rapid and accurate medical device and laboratory equipment testing is provided by Rigel Medical’s newly upgraded SafeTest handheld safety analyser.
Designed for high performance and accurate electrical testing to reduce the risk of electrical device fault, the improved SafeTest 60+ is a compact, rugged and reliable safety analyser that is designed to accommodate the demands of highvolume testing regimes.
by using 128 sensor coils compared to 32 in a standard MRI scanner. The advanced scanner records up to 10 times more detail than current 7T scanners and over 50 times more detail than current 3T scanners commonly used in hospitals world-wide.
Wideblue were responsible for the detailed mechanical design to fit up to 96 Radio Frequency (RF) sensor coils into the space normally occupied by 32 RF sensor coils found in standard MRI scanners. The electronics were designed by MR Coiltech and the equipment was assembled and tested at MR Coiltech’s premises at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
For further information, please visit: https://www.wide-blue.com https://www.mr-coiltech.co.uk
OptimallyMe’s ground-breaking new ‘DNA Methylation and Epigenetic Age Test’ technology is at the forefront of clinical ageing research, leading the way in the booming ageing and longevity market.
This exclusive new analytics tool, comprising a simple home finger-prick blood test with personalised digital AI health results dashboard, will be transformative for anyone keen on unlocking the secret to optimum longevity and repairing and slowing their ageing process.
The test provides comprehensive insights into an individual’s genetic makeup, health, and ageing process.
It uses the pioneering Horvaths Clock methodology GrimAge2 to
Offering an easy-to-use colour coded user interface, push button operation and fast step selection of test routines, and available in a wide range of power configurations to suit local and international markets, the tester delivers point-to-point insulation resistance testing from 100K – 100MΩ with added patient applied parts testing.
Featuring an accessible and clear user interface (UI), which allows the operator to select the required tests quickly with a single key, the high-performance
provide a clear picture of biological age versus chronological age; and unlike other DNA tests on the market, it identifies completely different biomarkers not found in any other test including:
: Metabolic ageing (with HbA1c as a risk factor)
: Heart Ageing (CRP)
: Lung Ageing (PACKYRS)
: Immune Ageing (Leptin)
: Vascular Ageing (PAI-1)
: Cellular Ageing (ADM)
: ECM Ageing (TIMP-1)
: Kidney Ageing (Cystatin C)
: Brain Ageing (B2M)
: Muscle Ageing (GDF).
instrument includes an extensive selection of safety tests for hospital and medical equipment.
The SafeTest 60+ provides basic testing of medical equipment with applied parts, both patient current leakage and insulation measurement to ensure electrical safety of medical beds and chairs, operating tables, hoists, infusion pumps, CPAPs (continuous positive airway pressure), centrifuges and other similar equipment that do not require patient lead testing.
In the past year, Lavamac have continued to grow our sustainability project, with focus on rebuilding and refurbishing existing washing machines and dryers rather than buying new, not only contributing to a greener way of life, but also saving our customers money!
We have recently set up a specialist facility in St. Neots, near Cambridge, in which we are going ahead with this specialist refurbishment programme. This programme involves purchasing existing machines, and replacing the parts on them, so that they are as good as new, whilst retaining the look and feel that existed before, but with a massively increased lifespan, and a warranty on the machines that’s as good as a warranty on a new machine to go with the refurbishment too.
Our refurbishment programme in our specialist facility includes stripping down the machines, and giving them a checkover, to see which parts, if any, can be carried over the refurbishment. Lavamac will only carry over the highest-quality parts from the machine from pre to post refurbishment. The machine then undergoes an extensive refurbishment, with almost all the parts being replaced, with the refurbished machines being given specialist parts based on the model type.
Recently, the team in St. Neots completed a refurbishment of 3x SD stacker machines,
with the top half being dryers and the bottom half dryers, which are pictured. The refurbishment included a complete re-wiring of the machines, a change of approximately 80% of the parts and a complete re-spray of the machines to get them looking as good as new. This has been installed at a local laundry in Chester, and the machines are looking great!
One of the questions we are asked a lot about the refurbishment programme is why we are doing it, rather than buying new machines. The reasons are many, but a couple of them are that the refurbishment
process means that the machines that we are refurbishing cut down on waste. By using an older machine, and spare parts, we can ensure that as little of the old machine goes to waste as possible – only the parts that are tested as faulty are replaced. This means that there is less wastage going to scrap, which cuts down on our carbon footprint. Another reason that Lavamac have been pushing the refurbishment programme forward is the savings that we can pass onto customers. A typical refurbished machine can cut down on price by approximately 40%-50%, depending on the model of the machine, saving our customers money!
We recently have been awarded a bronze award in sustainability by the groundworks trust, affirming our commitment to the sustainability industry – however, as much of a compliment as it is, it does not mean that the hard work stops there! The next step on our journey is to hopefully be awarded the prestigious silver sustainability award! For this, we need to ensure that our carbon emissions are being cut down from our vans, continue our sustainability and refurbishment programme and to keep making green decisions within the company!
Total Clean are thrilled to announce they had won Cleaning Company of the Year 2024 by Business Awards UK. Without the hard work of their tireless staff, this achievement wouldn’t have been possible and they would like to take this moment to thank everyone at the company for their dedication this year.
What is the Business Award Cleaning Company of the Year Award?
Business Award UK’s Cleaning Company of the Year award celebrates and recognises the excellence of a cleaning company based on a number of different factors. Cleaning companies around the nation, whether they are residential or commercial, are recognised for their achievements in:
: Sustainable practices
: Cleaning innovations
: High standards of hygiene
: High standards of customer service
: Excellence in various cleaning services
: Best green cleaning practices
The Cleaning Company of the Year award celebrates their company as an overall success in a range of cleaning categories, showcasing their dedication and achievements across the board and highlighting their commitment to their clients and the communities they serve.
Total Clean’s cleaning achievements
The Business Awards UK achievement has been the perfect way to top off an excellent year of achievements and Total Clean are proud of everyone in their company who has helped them to win this award.
Sustainability values and achievements
Total Clean pride themselves on their sustainability practices across a number of areas in their business, allowing them to create healthier communities across the UK and ensuring that each of their
clients benefits from their rigorous standards and practices.
They have their own range of ecofriendly cleaning products, Total Defence, allowing them to reduce chemical damage and harm to the environment, their staff and their clients. They also operate their own fleet of electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions and their offices are solar powered.
Community values and achievements
Total Clean pride themselves on their customer service and on giving back to the communities they serve in, helping clients to grow and flourish, becoming more successful than ever before.
They achieve this through a range of charity donations and fundraising events. One of Total Clean’s strongest charity partnerships is with St Helena Hospice, a Colchester based charity that provides bereavement for families and support for patients who are facing incurable illness and are in the last stages of their life.
The Cleaning Company Award 2024
Their dedication to service delivery, customer service, innovation and a range of cleaning practices has earned them this coveted award and they are
thankful and grateful for the recognition.
Total Clean’s dedication to their customers is at the centre of everything they do and they are always striving to improve these services to help other clients to grow and become more successful.
The future of Total Clean’s cleaning service
As they take this achievement forward with them into 2025, they boost the morale of their employees and ensuring they deliver the same high quality cleaning services across the board for all their clients.
There are always new innovations and new technologies in the cleaning industry and Total Clean will work tirelessly through 2025 to ensure they are always improving their cleaning services and integrating new methods and processes so that their clients continue to receive only the best of the best in cleaning work.
For more information, please see below: 0207 935 5088 enquiries@totalclean.co.uk https://www.totalclean.co.uk
Thousands of doctors and healthcare professionals have signed a petition calling for the immediate suspension of all COVID-19 mRNA products because they are contributing to an alarming rise in disability in excess deaths.
The online petition, known as the HOPE Accord makes five calls for the international community concerning the COVID mRNA vaccines that were given emergency use authorisation, stating that ‘a
growing body of evidence suggests that they are contributing to an alarming rise in disability and excess deaths.’
The petition calls for ‘independent investigations to be properly resourced to allow a comprehensive reevaluation of all COVID-19 products. There must be a full exploration of mechanisms of harm to provide insight into their effect on the human body both short and long term.’
An open letter written by consultant cardiologist Dr Aseem Malhotra to the General Medical Council of the UK and several other health leaders also refers to the petition for which he is a co-founder. They include the chief medical officer, Sir Chris Whitty, the Chief scientific adviser to the British government, Patrick Valance and the secretary of state for health, Wes Streeting.
The HOPE Accord can be viewed and signed at: www.thehopeaccord.org
It’s CMT Awareness Month in October, although 70% feel GPs have limited knowledge of CMT (according to a survey)
In the UK, some 25,000 people are thought to have CMT (Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease), making it the most common inherited neurological condition. However, many people are not aware of CMT, even within the medical profession, which can make everyday living and early medical diagnosis more difficult. In a recent survey created by charity CMTUK, of over 300 respondents living with CMT in the UK, 70% felt that their GP has limited knowledge of CMT; 14% have good knowledge and 14% have no knowledge. That’s why the charity CMTUK has made it their mission to increase awareness of the disease to the general public and medical professionals, especially during October’s CMT Awareness Month.
Simon Bull, Chief Executive at CMTUK
to nerve damage, people with CMT may find that their muscles, particularly in their hands, arms, feet and lower legs, become weaker over time, and the sense of feeling can become dull or numb in the same areas, and balance is often affected. Foot drop is also a common symptom, where the front part of the foot can’t be raised due to weakness. CMT can also result in foot or hand deformities, which may need to be corrected with aids (orthotics or hand splints) and in some cases surgery.
CMT is an inherited neurological disease that affects the peripheral nerves. Due
For more information about CMT and CMTUK, please visit: https://www.cmt.org.uk/healthprofessionals
By Ali Powell, CEO and Founder at Commercial Acceleration
The latest trading performance reveal significant untapped potential in how later living and care homes attract and convert prospective residents.
Presenting later living and care homes effectively is not just about showcasing services – it’s about creating emotional connection and trust. Families and potential residents are making difficult decisions in emotionally charged situations, which requires a sophisticated approach to relationship-building and conversion.
Retirement villages and care homes are offering something no one truly wants or need, making the challenge even greater. To truly drive sustainable occupancy growth, communities must focus on transforming the customer journey – from raising awareness to handling enquiries and guiding families through to admissions. Many providers are still missing key opportunities. Too often, communities fall short in delivering the basics well, leading to lost enquiries and missed revenue potential.
Critical areas needing improvement include:
: Generating quality leads: It’s essential to attract the right audience from the outset through targeted campaigns, high-value content, and strategic outreach across multiple channels, including community out-reach, digital marketing, partnerships, referral net-works, local events, print ads, and door drops.
: Empathetic first contact: Enquiries must be handled with care, expertise, and emotional sensitivity, recognising the difficult decisions families and residents face.
: Personalised tours: Show-rounds should go beyond listing services, highlighting quality of life benefits such as personalised care plans, engaging activities, and the warmth of community life.
: Showcasing the lifestyle: Highlighting the warm, vibrant community where residents enjoy meaningful connections, engaging activities, and a fulfilling lifestyle
: Clear value communication: Families need transparent, outcome-driven explanations of the value of care – focusing on dignity, wellbeing, and peace of mind, not just amenities.
: Consistent post-visit engagement: A large number of communities do not follow-up
effectively after visits, losing potential residents and families who may need further reassurance or time to decide.
Data is king – Tracking the right metrics: To ensure the customer journey is effective, businesses need to track key performance metrics, including:
: Monthly lead generation: Number of leads that meet predefined criteria indicating genuine interest or fit.
: Monthly visits: The number of on-site or virtual tours conducted within the month.
: Monthly admissions: The total number of new residents admitted each month.
: Lead source performance: Breakdown of leads by marketing channel (e.g., online ads, social media, referrals, events) to identify the most effective sources.
: Average cycle length: The average time from initial lead generation to a confirmed purchase/ admission.
: Monthly marketing spend: Total amount spent on marketing each month.
: Website traffic: Total visitors to the website and engagement rates for the month.
: Social media: Total followers and engagement on platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
The opportunity:
Investing in marketing and relationship-building efforts is not a luxury – it’s essential. The cost per acquisition is often minimal compared to the hundreds of thousands in lifetime revenue generated from new residents. By focusing on consistency and excellence throughout the entire customer journey, later living and care homes can significantly impact both occupancy rates and short and long-term growth. The data is clear: doing the fundamentals well is not just good practice – it’s essential for both immediate results and lasting success.
It’s time for operators to move beyond filling rooms and start focusing on creating an inspiring customer journey that builds confidence, trust, and emotional connection with families.
If
Care Horizons receives ‘Specialist Care Service of the Year Award’ and ‘Most Innovative Social Care CEO’ in the span of just 1 month
Care Horizons have had a fantastic couple of months, scooping two incredible awards in the Southwest, in recognition of their unique services. Receiving ‘Specialist Care Service of the Year Award’ is a terrific tribute to their already astounding accolades. This award made a particular impact with the recent news of the care sector struggles, as it proves that Care Horizons are continuing to do incredible and important work for the local area.
Care Horizons MD Vierka Hiscock was also awarded ‘Most Innovative Social Care CEO’ for Gloucestershire. Since her takeover in 2017, she
has led the business to industry leading status in the Southwest of England with her pioneering and innovative approach to the business and care sector. Vierka is well known for securing awards in her sector, proving her leadership approach is successful. When she first joined, she implemented an individualised training plan for each staff member, including QCF qualification training.
C
olostomy UK is set for a funding boost to help safeguard the future of the charity, after they confirmed that they have partnered with a specialist Will-writing service to offer Free Wills to their supporters.
The charity provides vital information and support for people living with stomas nationwide (a stoma is an opening in the abdomen surgically created to divert the flow of urine or faeces into an externally-mounted bag, in cases where the bowel and/or bladder are damaged as a result of disease or trauma).
They have teamed up with one of the UK’s largest Will writing companies in the hope that their supporters will take advantage of the opportunity to draw up their own personalised Wills for free, while choosing to leave a legacy gift to support future generations of people living with stomas (although there is no obligation to do so).
The Free Wills service is easy to use, with Wills made online, from the comfort
of home, in just fifteen minutes or less – there is no need to visit a solicitor, and there are no fees to pay.
Colostomy UK’s Chair, Mandi Laing (pictured), hopes that this partnership will raise some much-needed extra funding and said, “It is no secret that as times get tighter and more challenging, charities are struggling to raise funds which arguably are needed now more than ever. We have so many fantastic supporters, and when we heard about the opportunity to offer them a Free Wills service, we jumped at the chance to give them access to this excellent service, while also giving our funding a boost via legacy donations, which will help to ensure that we can adapt and respond to the needs of future generations of people living with stomas.”
You can support Colostomy UK by visiting their website at: www.colostomyuk.org
Care Horizons strives itself on focusing on providing at home care allowing their clients to retain their independence and dignity for longer. It is unparalleled when it comes to transforming people’s lives for the better.
Police Care UK, the leading UK charity supporting police harmed during their service, has today announced the appointment of Renata Gomes as its new CEO, effective 11th March 2024.
Renata joins from the Blind Veterans UK Group where she was the Chief Scientific Officer. In her early career, Renata was a Volunteer Metropolitan Police Cadet and subsequently trained as a forensic and medical specialist. She brings nearly a decade of experience in military and veterans’ health and wellbeing, as well as expertise in scientific research, health economics and business management.
Renata’s appointment signals a new chapter for Police Care UK as complex mental health needs related to police trauma are now the biggest area of the charity’s support, with one in five of the police workforce suffering a form of PTSD1
Police Care UK has been trialling two ground-breaking pilot schemes for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) recovery with promising results: : Intensive Trauma Service: The UK’s first and only method of treating Complex PTSD for serving personnel in a residential environment. The pilot has a six-month recovery time and most participants seem able to return to work with zero symptoms. Please visit our ITS Fact Sheet for more details. : Trauma Impact Prevention Techniques: Training for those in service on how to recognise trauma exposure post-incident and when to seek additional support.
For 24/7 immediate crisis assistance police can text BLUELIGHT to 85258.
For more information, please visit: www.policecare.org.uk
A caring pair: Meet the duo bridging the gap for personalised care in the community
Many people know the frustration of dealing with unreliable care providers, broken promises and the constant search for someone trustworthy to look after their loved ones. Seeing this need in her own community, Elmira Khoshrouz set out to create a solution: Visiting Angels, a compassionate team dedicated to delivering care for people in the comfort of their own homes. Together with her Registered Manager, Matthew Hartley, Elmira is driven to bring positive change to South Manchester’s home care experience – one where caregivers are truly respected and recognised.
After years in hospitality, Elmira transitioned to a hands-on role at a local hospital, where she saw first-hand how her colleagues and friends were struggling to find reliable, compassionate care for their families. It soon became clear to her that there was a gap in the industry – a need for care that mirrored the dedication a family member would offer. It was then that the determination to make a more significant impact on the lives of others was born.
Visiting Angels’ ‘carer-centric’ approach sets it apart from other companies in the in-home care sector. Carers working for Visiting
Angels feel valued and respected for their commitment to the industry. Through both financial rewards and opportunities for career development, Elmira and the Visiting Angels team are determined to address issues surrounding the industry, which often leaves carers feeling little-to-no appreciation.
For more information, or to see how Visiting Angels could help care for your loved ones, please visit: www.visiting-angels.co.uk/ manchestersouth or call Elmira, Matthew and the team on: 0161 612 9308.
The 2024 edition of The Occupational Therapy Show from the 27th-28th November was held at the NEC in Birmingham. It brought together the whole OT community under one roof for two action-packed days. Organised as a dedicated trade show for the industry, it attracted UK-wide occupational therapists working in a variety of sectors such as housing, education, health organisations, social care, voluntary organisations and independent practitioners.
The event welcomed thousands of occupational therapy professionals, who were there to gain expert insight, witness the latest innovations, and network with some of the biggest names in the industry.
With a conference programme like never before, the 2024 show featured an exceptional lineup of speakers with over 100 CPD-certified hours on offer spread across six dedicated theatres, covering diverse topics relevant to all levels of practice and specialisations.
Some of the top speakers included Odeth Richardson – Chair of Council, Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), Simon Fielden – Technical Director, Rahana Life, Emma Taylor – Occupational Therapist, The Occupational Therapy Service, Samantha Shann – President, World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT), and more.
The Poster Zone awards was a real stand out moment and celebrated the outstanding contributions of the occupational therapy community through research projects and innovation. Samantha Shann, President of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, judged and presented awards to the winners on both days of the show, adding prestige and recognition to the occasion. And, not to forget the prestigious Exhibitor Awards that highlighted the creativity, engagement, and innovation of participating companies, setting a high benchmark for future events.
The programme was extensive and spanned across a variety of topics from mental health and paediatrics to technology and clinical practice. Attendees were left inspired and empowered, particularly from the on-stand educational workshops that allowed exhibitors to host hands-on
demonstrations and provide practical insights into their cutting-edge solutions. What’s more, the IRCM Roadshow also offered key updates and support on different aspects of case management practice for attendees.
Featuring world-renowned speakers and experts, the event allowed attendees to explore thousands of cutting-edge products and services from over 200 leading suppliers and to network with more than 5,000 Ots. For businesses, the event excelled in elevating the profile of their services among allied healthcare professionals.
Some of the clinical streams showcased this year was Housing, Neurology, Mental Health, Paediatrics, and Contemporary Practice. We have put together a list of our Top Exhibitors from the show here:
Jeenie Solutions: Providers of specialised, respectful care solutions for plus-size patients, dedicated to supporting healthcare providers with an emphasis on patient dignity and comprehensive safety. Its specialised training centre also teaches professionals about bariatric care and features realistic hospital and home settings.
Ice Trikes: Makers of the widest range of adult recumbent trikes available anywhere. Featuring a range of six different accessible trike models, each one is uniquely designed for comfort, performance, accessibility and freedom.
EDGE Services: With more than 25 years’ experience in delivering training, EDGE Services
are one of the leading providers of moving and handling training in the UK today. All its people and children handling courses are quality assured and regulated by RoSPA qualifications as a customised advanced Level 4 award, endorsed by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, certified by the CPD certification service, and run on a public and in-house basis across the UK.
Joerns Healthcare: With over 65 years of patient handling expertise, Joerns provide leading solutions to help professionals to deliver better care. Offering an array of patient handling solutions while keeping care-givers productive and free from injury, Joerns is at the heart of patient-centred care and innovation.
Celtic Therapy & Rehab Services: Offer a unique combination of occupational therapist and rehab engineer skills ensuring that the assessment, supply and aftercare of wheelchairs and seating are designed to meet all aspects of an individual’s lifestyle. Working in partnership with some of the industry’s leading manufacturers, Celtic Therapy offers a range of solutions to meet every need, coupled with a maintenance service for support.
Bruno Lifts: Bruno is a premier manufacturer of straight and curved stairlifts. Veteran-founded and family-owned, Bruno crafts Made-in-USA stair lifts, scooter lifts and platform lifts. Its newest product line, home elevators, continues the tradition of bringing easy-to-use mobility solutions to all customers. Bruno is also well-known for manufacturing the renowned straight stair lifts, allowing individuals to travel up and down, indoor and outdoor stairs effortlessly, this exclusive vertical rail range maximises open space for friends and family.
The next edition of the Occupational Therapy Show will return from 26th-27th November 2025 at the NEC Birmingham.
This is our pick of the best exhibitors from last year’s event, listed here in alphabetical order: Bruno Lifts, Celtic Therapy & Rehab Services, EDGE Services, Ice Trikes, Jeenie Solutions, Joerns Healthcare & Rollz Mobility. Further details can be found on this page and the next seven pages.
Contact https://www.theotshow.com
In the world of healthcare, one truth remains: when care falls short, patients suffer. Nowhere is this more evident than in the field of plus-size patient care, where gaps in training, resources, and practical solutions leave individuals stranded – literally and figuratively. At Jeenie Solutions, we refuse to accept this status quo. We’re not just filling the gaps; we’re tearing down the barriers that prevent effective, dignified care.
A centre of excellence that’s more than just a training room
When we built the Jeenie Solutions Centre of Excellence, we didn’t just want a classroom –we wanted a revolution in training. Too often, healthcare training is theoretical, detached from the real-life complexities of patient care. Our centre is different. It’s a fully immersive training ground designed to challenge professionals, shift mindsets, and prepare carers for the unpredictable realities of plus-size care.
We’ve replicated the actual environments where care happens: confined bedrooms, narrow staircases, hospital wards, and even bathrooms, where moving a patient is not just about space but about strategy. Every scenario is designed to simulate the difficult situations carers face every day, equipping them with the confidence and expertise to handle them efficiently. We don’t just train – we transform. Because when carers are better prepared, patients receive better care. It’s that simple.
to downstairs or preparing for critical hospital discharges, we step in where others hesitate. We assess every factor: the layout of the home, the equipment required, the patient’s condition, and the potential risks. Then we act swiftly and efficiently, ensuring the patient’s dignity remains intact throughout the process.
The harsh reality of patient relocations & equipment changes
In hospitals and homes across the UK, plus-size patients often face immense challenges simply due to planning issues and appropriate resources. Too many times, patient relocations – whether within a home, a care facility, or between hospitals – are treated as an afterthought, leading to delays, discomfort, and increased risk of injury for both patients and staff. Jeenie Solutions is tackling this head-on.
Our relocation service isn’t just about moving patients – it’s about moving them safely, respectfully, and without unnecessary distress. Whether it’s transitioning a patient from upstairs
When equipment changes are required, the process must be carefully managed to avoid unnecessary disruption. Jeenie Solutions ensures that patients are safely relocated while new equipment is installed or existing setups are modified. We take responsibility for managing the transition, ensuring that everything is handled with precision and professionalism. Every move is calculated. Every transition is planned. Because there’s no room for error when it comes to patient safety.
Training & education: The missing link in healthcare preparedness
We’ve all seen the statistics: poor manual handling is one of the leading causes of injury in healthcare. But beyond the numbers, there’s a deeper issue –staff are not being equipped with the right training to handle plus-size patients safely and effectively. The reality is that a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to moving and handling simply doesn’t work.
That’s why our training isn’t just about technique; it’s about understanding the full picture. We teach carers how to assess risks, how to communicate effectively with patients, and how to use the right equipment in the right way. Our courses go beyond
basic training – they challenge mindsets, break down misconceptions, and ensure that carers leave with not just knowledge, but real, hands-on experience that they can apply immediately.
The benefits of proper training ripple far beyond the individual carer. A well-trained workforce reduces injuries, cuts down hospital readmissions, and, most importantly, enhances the quality of care for patients who deserve dignity, safety, and respect. Investing in training isn’t optional – it’s essential. And at Jeenie Solutions, we make sure that training delivers real-world impact.
The bottom line: Care needs to change, and Jeenie Solutions is leading the way For too long, plus-size patients have been an afterthought in healthcare planning. Their needs have been misunderstood, their care has been inconsistent, and the burden has fallen on overstretched and undertrained staff. That cycle ends now. Jeenie Solutions is not just a service provider; we are a force for change. Whether it’s through our Centre of Excellence, our relocation expertise, or our commitment to highquality training, we are setting a new standard in plus-size patient care.
The question isn’t whether the industry can afford to invest in better solutions – the question is, can we afford not to?
The time for change is now. And Jeenie Solutions is ready to lead it.
Our services include:
: Patient relocations & evacuations
: Bed swap – patient transfers
: Bariatric study days and workshops
: Bespoke training sessions
: Equipment play days
: Risk assessments
: Evacuation Plans
: Bariatric training
: Centre of Excellence hire
: Scenario-Based Problem-Solving & Simulation
: Home Environment Risk Assessment & Equipment Planning
For more information, please see below: 01904 375123 info@jeenie.uk https://jeenie.uk
While cycling can be a wonderful aspect of healthier living, there are many for whom it is, sadly, too physically challenging.
For those people, an ICE Trike could be the answer. The laidback recumbent design, with its comfortable and incredibly stable seating position, distributes the rider’s weight, reducing pressure on the back, wrists and shoulders. This makes it a fantastic cycling option for many people. Trikes are most comfortable way to cycle.
Falmouth-based ICE Trikes makes six models of recumbent bike, ensuring a ride that is super stable. This provides a low-impact cardiovascular workout
to improve heart health, build muscle strength and increase endurance – engaging the legs and core muscles while being gentler on knees and hips. Trikes are ideal for those with balance or mobility issues or for rehabilitation following a stroke or injury.
From sporty performance racing trikes to comfortable electrically assisted touring models and even off-road options, ICE Trikes are great for all levels of rider. They have models with powerful easy to use electric assist motors and even fully automatic gearing options for people who are not experienced cyclists.
One of their riders Maria Leijerstam even achieved two Guinness world records as the first person to cycle to the South Pole on an ICE Trike – now that’s something to aim for.
Visit: www.icetrikes.co to find out more and discover a dealer or location near you where you can try an ICE Trike for yourself. Follow them @icetrikes on social media or email: sales@icetrikes.co.
The Oxford Up is an active manual stand aid, supporting assisted standing, seated transfers, and patient rehabilitation. Suitable for clients who require some assistance when standing but are able to participate and contribute effort to the process, the Up can also be deployed as a useful rehabilitation aid.
With a safe working load rating of 200kg (31st), the Up quickly and conveniently disassembles into three separate components, significantly easing storage and onward transportation, making it truly portable. Reassembly takes a matter of seconds, and its ready for use again.
EDGE Services are one of the leading providers of manual handling training in the UK today.
We will train you to deliver moving and handling, dementia care and challenging behaviour courses to your colleagues, providing you with the resources, techniques and skills to make a real difference to the health and safety of both your colleagues and your clients.
What makes us exceptional?
: Healthcare professionals: All EDGE Services Trainers are nurses, occupational therapists or physiotherapists and experts in this field.
: Fully accredited: Our People and Children Handling and Risk Assessment Key Trainer’s Certificate courses are accredited by RoSPA Qualifications, as customised awards, at Advanced Level 4. They are RCOT Approved Learning Awards, certified by the CPD Certification Service and are aligned to the Skills for Health Core Skills Training Framework.
: Compliance with professional training standards: All EDGE Manual Handling Key Trainer events comply with The National Back Exchange Training Standards plus the All Wales NHS
An over-sized multi-point push handle eases manoeuvrability for the caregiver, and the foot push pad provides a means of generating forward momentum when moving a patient. Optimum positioning of the swing-away seat pads and knee support help ensure comfort for the patient. Adjustable leg opening allows
closer access around furniture, promoting improved patient positioning and general ease of use.
Where additional seated support is required, the Oxford Deluxe Standing sling (With Clips) is fully compatible with the Up and available in three standard sizes: small, medium, and large.
and Scottish Manual Handling Passport Schemes.
: Invaluable training resources: A comprehensive course textbook, documentation to assist and support in onward training delivery, including: course agendas, handouts, PowerPoint and six modules of practical skills videos.
: On-line resource library: Our training is supported by an extensive and informative on-line resources library offering training tips and tools to develop and enhance onward training.
: Manual handling e-learning modules: We offer dynamic and user-friendly e-learning modules designed for front-line staff use.
: Post training support: Recognising that many queries from delegates happen after the training event we are on hand to discuss any questions.
Get £50 discount when you use code HCM25.
Contact 01904 677853 enquiries@edgeservices.co.uk www.edgeservices.co.uk
The Oxford Up is available to order now with a standard 5 year warranty for peace of mind. For more information including technical specifications, please contact our customer service team on: 0344 811 1158, send an email to: info@joerns.co.uk, or visit our website at: www.joerns.co.uk
If you would like to find out who your local authorised Oxford dealership is, you can find out here: https://joerns.co.uk/find-a-dealer
For many individuals, stairs can be a significant obstacle in their homes. Whether due to age, injury, or disability, the ability to move freely between floors is essential for maintaining independence and quality of life.
Bruno Stairlifts, a leader in the mobility industry, offers a practical solution that allows individuals across the UK to regain their freedom and safety at home.
Bruno stairlifts give people with mobility challenges an effortless alternative to stairs, allowing them to maintain their independence. With a reputation for providing reliable, high-quality, user-friendly stairlifts, Bruno offers multiple stairlift models, for indoor and outdoor staircases, with varying lift capacities and options to meet individual needs.
Tailored solutions for every home
Indoor straight stairlifts: Bruno’s dependable Elan is its most popular indoor stairlift and features a 21
st (135kg) lift capacity, and the Bruno Elite offers next-level adjustable comfort and a 30 st (190kg). weight capacity.
Both the Elan and Elite use a unique, vertical rail that allows the stairlift to be installed close to the wall and maximise open space on the stairs. In addition, the covered gear rack gives a clean, sleek appearance and eliminates exposure to grease.
Indoor curved stairlifts: As the only stairlift manufacturer who handcrafts their bespoke rails, Bruno Elite curved stairlifts are unmatched in their precise fit and graceful appearance. The handmade vertical rail provides a solid foundation and space-saving design. The 30 st (190kg) lift is highly customisable – with adjustable seat height and space between the armrests – to ensure individual comfort.
Multiple power options are available for Bruno indoor straight stairlifts, including power swivel seat, power footrest, and manual and folding rails.
Bruno straight indoor stairlifts come with a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Outdoor stairlifts: Bruno’s Elite outdoor stairlifts are available in straight and curved models and offer 30 st (190kg). lifting capacities and weather resistant materials, including marine-grade vinyl seat, and a lightweight cover. All Bruno outdoor stairlifts are performance tested from -18oC to 52oC to ensure all-weather dependability.
Bruno outdoor stairlifts offer a standard 5-year Limited Warranty.
Easy, safe operation
Operating a Bruno stairlift is easy. The rider simply takes a seat, clips the seat belt and pushing the armrest control to move the lift. At the top landing, standard Bruno stairlifts swivel up to 90 degrees and lock in place for safe exit away from the stairs. In addition, all Bruno stairlifts feature obstruction safety technology and seat positioning belts for added
safety. Because Bruno stairlifts are battery operated, they are also to make multiple trips even in a power outage.
Exceptional customer support
Bruno’s commitment to customer satisfaction extends beyond the sale. Bruno’s factory-trained dealers, available across the UK offer professional, caring sales, installation and after-sale service.
Peace of mind
With their commitment to stairlift quality, safety, and user satisfaction, Bruno empowers individuals to live independently and with dignity. Whether navigating a straight or curved staircase, indoors or outdoors, Bruno has a solution!
Conclusion
As the UK’s population ages, the need for practical, reliable mobility solutions like Bruno Stairlifts has never been more critical. With their commitment to quality, safety, and user satisfaction, Bruno continues to empower individuals across the country to live independently and with dignity. Whether navigating a straight or curved staircase, indoor or outdoor, Bruno’s range of stairlifts ensures that everyone can enjoy the freedom and safety of their own home.
For those seeking a trusted mobility solution, Bruno Stairlifts stands as a leader in the industry, offering reliable and innovative products that help individuals maintain their independence and mobility at home.
Who are we?
We are a team of highly trained Health Professionals based in South Wales with over 35 years’ experience of providing wheelchairs and seating in NHS, Private and Charitable sectors. We are also highly skilled at providing clinical education and training to Therapists, Suppliers, Case Managers and Wheelchair users.
What we do?
Our mission is simple. We want to improve the lives of both children and adults who use wheelchair and seating equipment. We will assess, supply and maintain wheelchair and seating products which will optimise the individuals comfort, function and independence.
As Health Professionals, we will provide unbiased, independent clinical assessments and recommendations which identify the user need and equipment solutions.
We are a team of highly trained Occupational Therapists and Rehabilitation Engineers based in South Wales with over 35 years’ experience of providing wheelchairs and seating in NHS, Private and Charitable sectors. We are also highly skilled at providing clinical education and training to Therapists, Suppliers, Case Managers and Wheelchair users.
Did your last wheelchair or seating equipment not really meet your needs?
Were you assessed by an experienced Health Professional? Was it a complicated process?
We work with Wheelchair users, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Health Professionals and Case Managers across the following settings: : NHS Wheelchair Services : Manufacturers : Charities
Why choose Celtic Therapy & Rehab Services?
Our unique combination of Occupational Therapist and Rehab Engineer skills ensures that the assessment, supply and aftercare of your wheelchair and seating are designed to meet all aspects of your lifestyle.
We have teamed up with the industry’s best manufacturers to ensure that we can offer a range of solutions to meet your every need and the maintenance support to ensure it keeps working as it should.
Who are we?
Matthew Eveleigh is a highly trained and wellexperienced Occupational Therapist with 20 years experience of wheelchair & seating as a Clinical Specialist OT in the NHS, retail and manufacturing sectors.
Matt has worked in both acute and rehabilitation medicine before specialising in Wheelchair and Seating as a Senior Wheelchair Therapist in Cardiff & Vale NHS Trust. He later progressed to Clinical Specialist OT at the Special Seating Service in Morriston Hospital in Swansea which provided seating and mobility equipment for both children and adults with complex disabilities.
Dean Williams is a highly skilled and experienced Rehabilitation Engineer with 18 years’ experience as a registered Clinical Technologist in the NHS, retail and charity sectors of wheelchairs, mobility & seating.
Dean originally worked in Wheelchairs and Seating as a Rehabilitation Engineer at Morriston hospital in Swansea, specialising in specialist seating, wheelchair manufacture and production. He later progressed to Senior Rehabilitation Engineer working closely with Matt at the Special in Swansea, assessing for and prescribing seating and mobility equipment for both children and adults with complex disabilities.
For more information, please see below: 01554 229725 info@celtictherapyandrehab.co.uk www.celtictherapyandrehab.co.uk
Getting the right wheelchair or seating for you requires the correct assessment of your needs and determining the correct product features.
and
The Rollz rollator range combines Dutch expertise in ergonomics with cutting-edge mobility innovation, enhancing independence and enjoyment in daily life. Designed for versatility, each product adapts to users’ unique needs.
fulfils a crucial gap in the market for individuals with varying mobility needs.”
The iDry body dryer is a device that uses innovative technology to dry you before you leave the shower. By generating a warm and gentle flow of air, the dryer increases the rate of water evaporation from the skin, ensuring that the whole body is evenly dried in as little as two minutes.
One notable model includes the Rollz Motion Electric, a dynamic 3-in-1 rollator, transport chair, and electric wheelchair that supports users through different stages of mobility. Designed for individuals who do not need the use of a ‘full time’ powered wheelchair and want to stay active yet supported, it can reach a maximum speed of 6km/h, covers a 15km distance on a full charge, and features a frame that is effortlessly foldable, making transportation easy.
The Rollz Motion Electric was recently awarded Product of the Year 2024 by the British Healthcare Trades Association that stated, “The Rollz Motion Electric revolutionises mobility aids by merging the functionality of a rollator, transport chair and electric wheelchair. This
With innovation at its core, Rollz empowers users to stay active while enjoying maximum comfort and adaptability.
Rollz Mobility UK Ltd is the exclusive distributor in the UK for all Rollz rollators. The company aims to support the independent lives of those who want to continue being active, even when their mobility is not what is used to be.
Get in touch with the Rollz team at the details below, for more information on the range: 0333 207 2080 info@rollz.com https://www.rollzmobility.co.uk
Frontier Medical Group are proud to announce the arrival of Toto Cradle, an extension to our automated lateral turning system. The Toto Cradle addresses the issue of manual turning as part of a pressure area care plan.
The Toto Cradle Platform is the next generation of the Toto Lateral Turning System, which has been used in hospitals and healthcare settings since it launched in 2008. Toto is an automatic lateral turning system designed to assist with patient turning. With a powered control unit and a turning platform fitted beneath a patient’s mattress, Toto automatically turns patients at user-defined intervals, relieving pressure over their most vulnerable areas.
Toto Cradle Platform has been specifically designed with the cradle support system, which reduces the risk of patient migration across the support surface while providing lateral turning.
Healthcare providers are required to turn patients frequently to reduce the risk of pressure ulcers but there are
a range of challenges when turning manually including resourcing, risk to patients and staff as well as lack of dignity for the patient. Manual turning on a 24-hour cycle can interrupt sleep patterns and be generally disruptive for patients and carers.
We recently showcased the product at the Occupational Therapy (OT) Show and exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham, where the feedback from healthcare professionals was overwhelmingly positive, with many commenting that they could see the benefits of the product in both hospital and care home settings.
The Toto Cradle Platform differs from the original Toto Lateral Turning System by providing a dual tilt to enhance patient comfort and support, effectively cradling the patient while providing consistent, prescribed lateral turning intervals.
More information about the Toto Cradle Platform can be found at: https://frontier-group.co.uk/ product/toto-cradle
The iDry body dryer gives its users increased self-sufficiency, allowing them to stay at home for longer as well as reducing demands on carers. The body dryer is also extremely economical to use, and more hygienic than towel drying.
The first body dryer was invented by our founder in 1991, but remains largely unknown to the public. As a company, we are on a mission to change that as we know just how beneficial this technology can be.
When we ask people in care what is important to them, we find that independence and dignity are very often cited as being vital for a feeling of self-worth and being able to live a more productive life. By enabling people to dry themselves autonomously, the iDry body dryer has great capacity to improve the lives of people usually reliant on care.
For occupational therapists seeking to enhance their practice through sensory room solutions, Rompa are at the forefront of providing life-changing spaces. With our expertise in manufacturing and installing sensory room equipment, Rompa offers a plethora of stimulating and calming resources for occupational therapists aiming to optimise their clients’ sensory experiences and assist in their role.
Occupational therapists recognise the profound impact sensory rooms can have on individuals with diverse needs, from those with sensory processing disorders to those undergoing rehabilitation. Rompa’s comprehensive range of products, from our in-house manufactured tactile panels to interactive projectors, presents OTs with a wealth of tools to tailor sensory environments to meet specific therapeutic goals.
Our commitment to innovation ensures that occupational therapists have access to technology and bespoke sensory spaces that evolve clinical practices and client needs. By collaborating with us, occupational therapists can unlock new possibilities for sensory interventions – fostering engagement, relaxation, and skill development in their clients.
As the demand for sensorybased interventions continues to grow within occupational therapy practice, we stand as a reliable partner, equipping occupational therapists with the resources needed to create enriching sensory experiences that promote well-being and participation for all individuals.
Please contact 01246 211777 sales@rompa.com www.rompa.com
L
aennecAI, a pioneering medical AI company based in Cardiff, announces the successful completion of its pre-seed funding round. The company has secured investment from SFC Capital and OVC Ventures, along with grant funding from the Welsh Government, Innovate UK, and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). This combined support will accelerate the development of LaennecAI’s software that turns every smartphone into an advanced digital stethoscope, aiming to bring healthcare closer to patients and usher in a new era of self-care.
Innovative technology driving accessible healthcare LaennecAI is harnessing cutting-edge technology to revolutionise healthcare. By integrating advanced algorithms into a user-friendly digital stethoscope, the company empowers patients to monitor chronic respiratory and heart conditions from home. This innovation not only makes healthcare more accessible but also represents a significant step towards the future of medical care.
Empowering patients through technology and remote monitoring
The digital stethoscope enables individuals to detect and interpret abnormal respiratory and cardiac sounds with clinical-level accuracy. Patients are guided by intelligent software and are remotely monitored by clinicians, ensuring professional oversight and timely medical intervention when necessary. This synergy of technology and telemedicine bridges the gap between patients and healthcare providers, promoting proactive self-care and reducing the reliance on in-person visits.
Please visit: www.laennec.ai
For more information, please visit: www.sfccapital.com Discover more at: www.ovcventures.com
OLIVER, the world’s first and only specialist in designing, building, and running bespoke in-house agencies and marketing ecosystems for brands, has launched a new generative AI tool, Slipstream. The tool enables clients to build more effective, complete creative briefs and elicit better results from their agency partner.
Creatives are continuing to play it safe when it comes to using AI and avoiding it in the belief that it’s a ‘creative cheat,’ according to new research from Designit, the Wipro-owned global experience innovation consultancy.
Some 84% of creatives see AI as merely a helpful assistant, and a significant minority believe strongly that using AI as part of the creative process amounts to cheating.
The findings come from a Designit poll that canvassed 1,200 creatives, including leading industrial, product and UX designers, on their feelings about using AI as part of their creative processes.
Qualitative feedback included one respondent likening AI to ‘an enthusiastic junior prospect with exceptional math skills.’ Another respondent commented that the use of AI was inevitable but likely to be abused in the creative sector in the same way ‘as steroids are to the fitness industry.’
The poll findings from practising creatives chimes with those from a smaller student survey carried out as part of Designit’s recent AI residency at the School of Visual Arts which revealed that future designers see a reliance on AI as cheating.
The Workshop Press Company, a pioneer in the field of workshop machinery, is thrilled to announce its ground-breaking approach to workshop press customisation using advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. This innovative strategy underscores The Workshop Press Company’s commitment to delivering precision-engineered, bespoke solutions that meet the unique needs of each customer.
presses that are not only tailored to specific tasks but also optimised for maximum performance and longevity.
The AI algorithms employed by The Workshop Press Company analyse a wealth of data, including material properties, usage patterns, and design preferences, to recommend optimisations that enhance the functionality and durability of each press. This process results in machinery that is not only custom-built but also intelligently adapted to deliver optimal results.
By integrating AI into the customisation process, The Workshop Press Company can now offer an unprecedented level of precision and efficiency in designing and manufacturing workshop presses. This AI-driven approach enables the creation of
This is part of a larger goal to reduce the endto-end effort expended from brief through client acceptance by a staggering 50%.
Slipstream takes the initial brief – whether a formal document or a hurried email – and first validates that it contains all the key components necessary, such as budgets, timings, target audiences and objectives. The client can then liaise directly with the tool to fill in any gaps.
It then restructures the brief into a templated format and interrogates it against what OLIVER already knows about the client and its priorities and business objectives – anything from the need to focus on sustainability or DEI to the brand’s tone of voice and distinctive brand assets.
Because OLIVER’s unique ‘walled garden’ securely holds a vast bank of previous client briefs, Slipstream can analyse if assets or details can be reused from similar, historical submissions, while also enabling OLIVER’s experts to ‘score’ each new brief so that the tool can learn over time what good briefs look like. Separately, it provides insight and guidance to the account teams, and in the future, will even help estimate and plan the work based on historical data.
Quality hinges for over 200 years Gold & Wassall are the UK’s No.1 manufacturer of hinges. We provide a fully comprehensive manufacturing service, which enables us to offer any hinge, for any application.
All our hinges are manufactured at our premises in Tamworth, UK.
Our vision is to be the leading provider of rapid and ultra-rapid charging locations, setting new standards in speed and reliability. We are dedicated to giving people the freedom to live life to the fullest, whether it’s driving the kids to school or embarking on cross-country adventures.
Biomed96 is a specialist in the medical equipment industry offering a comprehensive range of patient monitoring consumables, Oxygen concentrators, SonoStar ultrasound probes, handheld vital sign monitors, face masks, COVID Antigen test kit, Dental surgical items, Surgical Diathermy leads, Stethoscopes, Veterinary ultrasound & monitoring cables at lowest price with Free NHS delivery.
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
Thor Assistive Technologies Ltd are Distributors of Neuro Rehabilitation Robotic and related devices. We believe in ‘Robotic Integrated Rehabilitation’ to provide rehabilitation that compliments Physiotherapy and improves results by increasing repetitions and exercise dose.
UK based, providing products from around the world, the team provide assessment, demonstration, installation, training and ongoing support to our partner clinics
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.
Enhancing Lives Together
From hospital to home, it’s our mission to promote independence; we design, develop, manufacture and supply products to enhance the user’s quality of life.
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.
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.
Apex Wiring Solutions is transforming electrical systems in healthcare projects.
Our leading-edge pre-wired technology ensures faster installations, reduced waste, and enhanced safety. Trusted by healthcare leaders across the globe, we’re setting a new standard in efficiency and innovation.
Scan the QR code to discover how we’re powering the future of healthcare.
