MEMBERSNEWS
Unique partnership awarded for health check project A unique and innovative partnership that takes NHS Health Checks into the heart of Kent communities has been recognised with an award. The Health MOT Roadshow is a collaborative partnership between Golding Homes and Mitie, Wellbeing People, Kent County Council and Kent Community Health NHS Foundation. The partnership was presented the ‘Innovation in Partnering using TPC2005 Award’ at the PPC/TPC Awards 2015. Caroline McBride, Golding Homes’ Head of Community Development said: “Taking an adapted bus to shops and offices is a unique method to connect with hard to reach people. This innovative partnership has made this possible.” Mat Bishop, Director of Housing at Mitie, added: “This exciting project really shows the benefits of working in partnerships to deliver social value in an innovative way. We’re delighted to be involved and really happy with the results.” Ben McGannan, Managing Director of Wellbeing People said “This project simply would not be possible without any single partner. We’ve brought together public, private and not-for-profit sector organisations to solve a public health challenge. The initial results are encouraging and we’re looking forward to working on the next steps together”. The Health Check outreach programme provides a convenient, approachable and engaging way to have a NHS Health Check. The project aims to increase the detection of cardiovascular disease (CVD), especially in areas of deprivation. In addition, the programme provides referral pathways to locally commissioned services in order to enhance patient and service outcomes. The Health MOT Roadshow has successfully demonstrated the concept of tri-sector integration with regard to developing and operating a public health outreach project. Over 191 operational days, the Health MOT Roadshow delivered 1,384 NHS Health Checks, 4,405 Health MOTs, 103 referrals to the NHS Health Check programme and 563 referrals to locally commissioned services. 24.3% of NHS Health Checks and 29.6% of Health MOTs were carried out for individuals from deprived areas. By providing signposting and referrals to locally commissioned public health services to those requiring further support following a NHS Health Check or Health MOT, the Health MOT Roadshow is working not only to detect health problems but also to actively and directly improve health and wellbeing of the individual and the community at large. In addition to working directly to improve health and wellbeing in areas of deprivation, the project sets a model for collaborative working that can be extended and replicated in other settings. The PPC/TPC Awards 2015 were held in Oxfordshire on 15 October, and celebrate innovation and excellence in collaborative working.
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ThinkingBUSINESS December 2015 - January 2016
Market research agency celebrates 30 years of success with top industry award Leading UK market research provider and local employer Facts International is celebrating once more after winning the Market Research Society (MRS) Operations Award for Best Data Collection in the Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) category, at a gala event held at Revolution in London. The judges were unanimous in their decision citing “Using an innovative in-house technical solution to guide interviewer probing, Facts International demonstrated how their highly-trained interviewers are able to gather more relevant and insightful verbatim.” The telecommunications centre which is now based in Henwood was established in 1985 and employs over 1000 professional interviewers from across the area. Interviewers range from young people currently attending local schools to seasoned long-service and B2B specialists, some of whom have been with Facts International for 20 years or more. Ashford resident and Telephone Operations Director Kerry Ovenden said “We are delighted to have been recognised as the best telephone interviewing providers in the industry and that our interviewing team has been given the reward they so richly deserve. We have worked incredibly hard over the last 30 years to build a reputation for
efficient, innovative work on an international scale and that would not have been possible without access to the professional skills that are available across Kent.” Managing Director Emily Kettle added “I couldn’t be more proud of everyone involved in the operation
of the telephone centre. It is our flagship service, employing local people who work tirelessly and professionally as brand ambassadors for our clients. I personally started my career as an interviewer in the telephone centre, so I am especially thrilled with this win.”
We Focus on You
The partners of Bowden & Lowe opticians, Tim Bowden and Elisabeth Lowe, opened their first practice in Gravesend (1983) and Herne Bay (1986). They now practise on Watling Street Gillingham (2006). The partners believe in putting their patients at the forefront of everything they do. They offer a full range of services including the use of the Optomap Twin Laser Retinal Screener. This allows a more extensive examination of the retina without the need to dilate the pupil, maintains a permanent record of what was seen and allows the patient to see what’s happening. A wonderful eye examination can be ruined by the quality of the spectacles supplied; therefore all spectacles are properly measured
and adjusted to ensure the best vision, fit and comfort. Contact lenses are their speciality including Overnight Vision Correction (OVC) and Myopia Control. OVC is a technique for short-sighted (myopic) people where lenses are worn only at night, allowing clear vision throughout the day, especially attractive to children as all activities are undertaken without worrying about their contact lenses. Evidence confirms that OVC with children helps reduce the
progression of myopia. The World Health Organisation considers the global increase in myopia an “epidemic.” High myopia increases the risks of retinal detachments, cataract, glaucoma and myopic maculopathy with associated personal and social costs. Most prescriptions can be fitted with contact lenses with ages ranging from 6 - 85. They also run Low Vision clinics for the severely visually impaired and Dry Eye clinics to improve ocular comfort.