We explore what’s happening in the healthcare sector, from new products and services to inspirational stories
What’s new? TRANSPARENT FACE MASK
APPROVED BY DHSC A new UKCA/CE certified mask developed by the Manchester based Globus Group has received approval from the Department of Health and Social Care for use in hospitals, clinics, and social care settings across the UK. The mask features a transparent panel in front of the wearer’s mouth, which enables them to communicate more effectively with people who may rely on lip reading and facial expressions, or people who live with hearing impairments, learning disabilities, autism and dementia. The clear panel is made of an anti-fog material, and is positioned to prevent reflection, thereby making the wearer’s mouth easier to see. It has also been designed with comfort
DRUMMING WORKSHOPS EMPOWER ADULTS’ PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH A new pilot scheme in the Liverpool City Region is providing an outlet for adults to improve their physical and
and breathability in mind, with Globus Group noting that healthcare professionals wear masks for hours at a time. Haraldur Agustsson, chief executive of Globus Group, said: “During the pandemic, the difficulties faced by people with communication needs have been compounded by the requirement for healthcare professionals to wear masks, as they often rely on visual cues. I am proud that Globus Group’s clear mask has been given approval by the Department for Health and Social Care for use across the NHS and care sector. This shows our ongoing commitment not just to improving people’s safety, but to also improving their lives.
mental health through drumming. Rhythm Reaction is led by former NHS worker Steve Shotton, he set up the social enterprise in 2015 and left his job to run it full-time in 2016. It offers drumming workshops, therapeutic drum workshops, drum-a-cise exercise workouts, and drum lessons; they also work with groups and charities like Mencap and Maggie’s to empower adults who are, among other things, recovering from serious illness, or living with physical or learning disabilities. The organisation are one of 22
“For three decades the Globus Group story has been one of continuous innovation. At the beginning of the pandemic, this enabled us to accelerate our plans to build two new factories in Britain, creating a fantastic manufacturing platform that means the UK now has a resilient supply of PPE. “We are driven to provide solutions for our customers, harnessing our research and development capabilities to create better products, using more sustainable materials to offer high levels of protection.”
which receives funding from Kindred, a social economy community funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Power to Change, who provide an interestfree loan of between £10,000 and £70,000 to social enterprises, which is reinvested into other projects of the same ilk once it has been paid back. Research by the Royal College of Music has shown that group drumming can help reduce anxiety and depression, and an additional study on the Rhythm Reaction druma-cise sessions showed an increase in mental health and wellbeing, with the sessions also raising participants’ heart rates to the levels needed for cardiovascular exercise. For more information on Rhythm Reaction, visit RhythmReaction.org. www.
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