Health Business Volume 10.1

VOLUME 10.1

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HEALTHCARE IT Achieving quality, innovation and productivity – The future of informatics is here

PATIENT SAFETY HEALTH & SAFETY DATA SECURITY

HEALTH BUSINESS AWARDS – Recognising excellence in healthcare

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DEAR READER,

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I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the winners of the 2009 Health Business Awards – well done! Held in December, the event showcases the success stories in the health sector, recognising and celebrating the significant contributions made each year by organisations that work inside and alongside the NHS. Please go to page 25 to read all about the event. Entry to this year’s Awards is now open at www.hbawards.co.uk Enjoy the issue.

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IT HCARE on HEALT innovati ure g quality, Achievin ctivity – The fut and produatics is here of inform

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CURITY DATA SE SAFETY HEALTH &

healthcare cellence in gnising ex DS – Reco ESS AWAR SIN BU HEALTH

Sofie Lidefjard, Editor editorial@psigroupltd.co.uk

­HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE ONLINE If you would like to receive six issues of Health Business magazine for £45 a year, please contact Public Sector Information Limited, 226 High Road, Loughton, Essex IG10 1ET. Tel: 020 8532 0055, Fax: 020 8532 0066, or visit the Health Business website at: P NEWS P FEATURES P PROFILES P CASE STUDIES P EVENTS P AND MORE

8 www.healthbusinessuk.com PUBLISHED BY PUBLIC SECTOR INFORMATION LIMITED 226 High Rd, Loughton, Essex IG10 1ET. Tel: 020 8532 0055 Fax: 020 8532 0066 EDITOR Sofie Lidefjard ASSISTANT EDITOR Angela Pisanu PRODUCTION EDITOR Karl O’Sullivan PRODUCTION DESIGN Jacqueline Grist PRODUCTION CONTROL Julie White

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CONTENTS HEALTH BUSINESS VOLUME 10.1

7 NEWS 13 FINANCE At a time when technology is moving so fast, leasing new equipment makes good business sense, argues the FLA The Institute of Payroll Professionals looks at recent changes to legislation regarding swine flu and Reforming the Medical Statement

25 HB AWARDS A look at the winners of the 2009 Health Business Awards

31 PATIENT SAFETY The NPSA discusses the importance of hand hygiene in reducing reduce HCAIs

39 HEALTH & SAFETY You might think you’re doing everything you can to prevent slips, trips and falls in your workplace, but everyone could do a lot more, says the Health and Safety Executive

45 FACILITIES MANAGEMENT Wolverhampton City PCT and the city’s acute trust have both earned a national reputation for excellence in facilities management

51 ENERGY City Hospitals Sunderland is cutting carbon emissions and energy costs with new combined heat and power systems

55 SIGNS When will the digital revolution take place?

57 FIRE SAFETY The role of the portable fire extinguisher should not be overlooked, says the Fire Industry Association

63 ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health reminds us that all asbestos needs to be managed with care, and that everyone should be protected from inhaling any asbestos fibres

71 MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY The Medical Technology Group warns that the UK is falling behind other European countries in the uptake of medical technologies

75 HEALTHCARE IT HC2010 is the UK’s largest, most powerful and rewarding event for health informatics and social care professionals

81 SECURITY The BSIA discusses the importance of safely disposing of sensitive information so that it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands

89 MARKET RESEARCH The Market Research Society looks at how research can help decision-makers better understand the health sector

93 FLEET MANAGEMENT The NHS operates a huge and complex range of vehicles that present enormous challenges to those who are responsible for managing them, says the ICFM

99 CONFERENCES & EVENTS A tour of Leeds and West Yorkshire, highlighting some of the best venues to hold a conference or event

106 CONFLICT MANAGEMENT Health professionals and social care workers are among the high risk occupational groups when it comes to being victims of violence

116 PARKING Preview of Parkex, Europe’s largest dedicated event for the parking industry

THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR HEALTH MANAGEMENT

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- Natural ventilation systems An effective method of providing natural ventilation to any building. Supplying clean, fresh air without any running costs or energy consumption.

- Natural daylight system Can save up to 75% of electricity costs.

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Waiting times for cancer patients in Scotland meet target aiting times for people urgently referred and diagnosed with cancer in Scotland have surpassed their target for a year.

According to ISD Scotland figures, 96 per cent of patients who were urgently referred and subsequently diagnosed with cancer in June-September 2009 were treated within 62 days, surpassing its 95 per cent national target.

The national target has now been met each quarter since October-December 2008.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said the figures indicated sustained

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improvement within the NHS, with the figure a year ago standing at 94.6 per cent and 84.5 per cent in the first quarter of 2007.

The Scottish Government’s cancer strategy, Better Cancer Care, introduces two new tougher targets by December 2011. The first target is to achieve 62 days from referral to treatment for any patient urgently referred with a suspicion of cancer or through a national screening programme. The second is to achieve 31 days from decision to treat to treatment for all cancer patients.

Rise in hospital admissions for obesity he number of people admitted to hospital for obesity shot up almost 60 per cent last year while the number having weight-loss surgery rose 55 per cent, figures from the NHS Information Centre show.

There were 5,020 admissions with a primary diagnosis of obesity in 2007/08 but this rose to 7,990 in 2008/09 – a 59 per cent rise – the data for England revealed.

The 2008/09 figure is more than

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eight times higher than the 950 admissions recorded in 1998/9.

The figures also revealed a rise in the number of people undergoing weightloss surgery; NHS cases more than doubled between 2006/07 and 2008/09, from 1,950 procedures to 4,220.

The 2008/09 figure is up 55 per cent on the 2,724 operations carried out in 2007/08.

Report calls for fairer health in the future ecretary of State for Health Andy Burnham has welcomed a report outlining short, medium and long term ways to tackle health inequalities for the next 10 years and beyond.

The report ‘Fair Society, Healthy Lives’ is an analysis of health inequalities in England today, identifying key areas for future action and will help set the direction beyond current targets.

The government welcomes the report and supports the focus on tackling the

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root causes of ill health and inequality, building on what has already been achieved; acknowledges the challenge posed by a social gradient; and recognises the potential of initiatives that give extra attention to tackling disadvantage, especially in the early years.

The report also stresses that any future strategy will need to take full account of the different aspects of health inequalities as well as social class. These include gender, ethnicity, area, age and disability and strongly affect health and life chances.

NEWSINBRIEF New book celebrates the work of healthcare scientists The unique work of healthcare scientists will be recognised in a new book called ‘Extraordinary You – Science in Healthcare’.

The book profiles the pioneering work of healthcare scientists within the NHS and details their reasons for choosing a career in science to encourage more people to join the profession.

Lord Drayson, Minister for Science and Innovation, said: “Healthcare scientists in the UK work at the frontier of medicine, solving the riddles that the human body conjures up. I hope this book will encourage young people to consider a career in this fascinating and life-saving field.”

One million making healthier choices with Change4Life One million mums say their families are eating better and being more active thanks to the Change4Life campaign, which started one year ago.

One million mums claim to have attempted to change their children’s behaviour as a result of Change4Life. An early analysis of people’s shopping baskets suggests that families who signed up to Change4Life are now more likely to chose low fat milks and low sugar drinks.

The health sector is also embracing the movement, with NHS staff ordering more than six million items of Change4Life material.

Problems faced by rural cancer patients to be addressed The Commission for Rural Communities (CRC), Macmillan Cancer Support and the Department of Health are working together to understand the problems faced by cancer patients living in rural areas.

There are particular challenges associated with running awareness campaigns and screening services in rural areas and difficult or costly journeys to hospital place extra strain on patients.

The provision of care for discharged cancer patients remote from health services and with poor public transport is a further concern.

The CRC’s research highlights that new ways of working are needed to improve health outcomes for cancer patients in rural areas and key people in cancer care are being brought together to develop solutions to the problems facing rural cancer patients.

Sarah McAdam, chief executive of the Commission for Rural Communities, said “Rural cancer patients told us about the pain and discomfort of regular and lengthy journeys to remote treatment centres and about the considerably increased costs that they faced as a result. We are therefore supportive of any measures that enable cancer services to be delivered closer to people’s homes.”

THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR HEALTH MANAGEMENT

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Improve patient safety Comply with the NPSA directive with Zebra’s HC100 antimicrobial wristband printing solution.

As a supplier to over 150 NHS Trusts, we can install and integrate the HC100 so you’re up and running in no time.

To find out more please visit www. healthcareoptimisation.com

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Health Business | Volume 10.1

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Prompt payment varies among trusts new survey has found astonishing differences in the amount of time different health trusts are taking to pay their suppliers.

Research carried out by the Forum of Private Business (FPB) discovered that while some NHS trusts are paying more than 90 per cent of their bills within 10 days, others are processing absolutely none in the timeframe – and some are barely managing to pay one in five invoices within 30 days.

The FPB used the Freedom of Information Act to reveal the figures, more than a year after all public bodies were urged to pay bills within ten days to help small firms through the recession.

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The FPB found at least five NHS trusts had paid fewer than one per cent of their bills in 10 days over the past year.

Additionally, at least 35 trusts processed fewer than 10 per cent within 10 days.

Breakthrough heart scanner will allow earlier diagnosis n innovative cardiac scanner will dramatically improve the process of diagnosing heart conditions.

The portable magnetometer is being developed at the University of Leeds, with funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

Due to its unprecedented sensitivity to magnetic fluctuations the device will be able to detect a number of conditions, including heart problems in foetuses, earlier than currently available diagnostic techniques such as ultrasound, ECG (electrocardiogram) and existing cardiac magnetometers. It will also be smaller, simpler to operate, able to gather more information and significantly cheaper than other devices currently available.

And for the first time, skilled nurses as well as doctors will be able to carry out heart scans, helping to relieve pressure

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on hospital waiting lists. The device will also function through clothes, cutting the time needed to perform scans and removing the need for patients to undress for an examination. It could also be taken out to a patient’s home, leading to a reduction in the use of hospital facilities.

NEWSINBRIEF Greater improvements to GP out of hours care GPs providing out of hours care in England will be subject to tighter controls and more robust skills and knowledge testing.

These tough new measures form part of a package that, together with stronger national standards and tighter monitoring of performance, will improve GP out of hours services.

The measures follow the ‘General Practice Out of Hours Services’ report published by the Department of Health. The Department has accepted all of the report’s 24 recommendations and expects all Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) to act on them as a matter of urgency.

The measures include introducing stronger national minimum standards and producing a model contract for PCTs to use when procuring out of hours services.

PCTs will also be expected to regularly review their performance management arrangements for their out-of-hours GP services, ensuring they are robust and fit for purpose. Strategic Health Authorities should also oversee how PCTs manage the performance of out of hours GP providers.

Ambulance launches health and safety basics course St John Ambulance has launched a new health and safety course aimed at helping small to medium sized businesses understand the basic processes involved in making their workplace legally compliant.

Health and Safety Executive figures show that in 2008/9 there were nearly 105,000 injuries which led to absence from work. Around two fifths were caused by handling, lifting or carrying and nearly a quarter due to tripping or slipping.

The new St John Ambulance health and safety basics course is accredited by the British Safety Council and successful completion of the course results in a BSC certificate.

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PARKING PROBLEMS? PEACE OF MIND PARKING SOLUTIONS & PRODUCTS

3 Car Park Management 3 ANPR 3 Car Park Products

Car park management and enforcement has had many changes over the last few years, many of which has involved the industry becoming more transparent and not just to penalise motorists.

It now a legal requirement for any wheel clamping operatives to be licensed by the Security Industry Authority, this involves BTec courses and a annual CRB check, this helps to ensure the old aggressive image of clamping operatives should no longer be valid. In addition to this all parking companies that issue any parking fines to motorists must now be members of the British Parking Association in order to be able to access the DVLA database in order to enforce any parking fines.

3 Car Park Wardens 3 Pay & Display 3 Wheel clamping We at Parking Control Services carry out many car park management services, ranging from car park wardens, wheel clamping operatives and the latest technology ANPR, a camera based enforcement system which can also be linked to Pay & Display machines so to ensure every motorist pays for their parking, we also offer many car park related products at very competitive prices.

We also can now also offer all landowners or landowners representatives a service that gives them total control over car park enforcement, whereby they issue the vehicle a PCN and simply upload the details on to our Client Web System, where we take care of the enforcement of the PCN and upon payment the landowner receives a ÂŁ10.00 compensation payment, therefore making the whole service self financing.

Car Park Management www.parkingcontrol.co.uk Car Park Products www.webproductsdirect.com Freephone 0800 970 5109

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50 per cent of doctors suffer abuse ver 50 per cent of doctors say they have been physically or verbally assaulted during the last five years, according to a new survey.

Of 172 GPs and hospital doctors who responded to the survey by the doctors indemnity organisation the Medical Defence Union (MDU), over half (99) said they had been physically or verbally assaulted in the last five years.

While some of the respondents accepted this as part of the job, over half (100) said they had not received training in dealing with such situations and would like to feel more confident.

In order to minimise the potential for problems the MDU advises doctors to consider identifying potential assailants or groups, such as patients with a history of previous violence, mental health difficulties or alcohol/drug abuse.

It also advises doctors to anticipate activities that might present a high risk of aggression – such as refusing an appointment or delivering bad news or unwelcome information.

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And it suggests a look at the layout of your consulting room or reception, in terms of where the exit is and whether it’s equipped with panic alarms and CCTV. Arranging training for yourself and your team in handling verbally or physically aggressive people is also advised.

NEWSINBRIEF NHS failing to implement patient safety alerts Hospitals are failing to comply with NHS orders designed to prevent deaths from mistakes involving drugs, surgery or equipment, according to a health watchdog.

The report, by patient safety and justice charity Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA), shows that hospitals are not complying with safety alerts issued by the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA).

‘Adding Insult to Injury – NHS failure to implement patient safety alerts’ is based on a Freedom of Information request the charity made to the Department of Health, which manages the Central Alert System (CAS). When the NPSA issues an alert, NHS bodies have to report to the CAS when the recommended actions have been completed.

The research into 53 alerts showed that over 300 NHS Trusts had not complied with the required actions in at least one patient safety alert for which the deadline had already passed. Furthermore, 80 Trusts had not complied with 10 or more separate alerts – 35 of these Trusts have Foundation status.

“The fact that so many NHS bodies are failing to comply with potentially life saving alerts from the NPSA is shocking,” said AvMA chief executive Peter Walsh. “We all know mistakes can happen, but there can be no excuse for not acting on patient safety alerts. It is also incredibly worrying that there is no system in place to monitor compliance with these alerts and to intervene where necessary.”

JJ – the first choice in food service

Learn English fast at Spinnaker College

OR MORE THAN 20 years, JJ Food Service with its range of ambient, chilled, frozen foods, packaging and cleaning products has excelled within the food industry. As a result we were recently awarded The Grocer Gold Award 2009 for Wholesaler of the Year.

Our service not only provides for all your catering needs, but also offers courses such as the L2 Food Safety Award.

JJ Enfield is a registered Royal Institute Training Centre.

All of our goods are meticulously tested for quality, we also use the expertise of our development chef Gino D’Acampo to make

PEAKING ENGLISH fluently in a work situation is important. And understanding, writing and conversing in English should be taken for granted in the health business. But if your staff need to improve their English language skills, then Spinnaker College can help.

We specialise in English language tuition. With a range of courses including General English, Intensive General English, one-to-one lessons and Business English as well as exam tuition such as IELTS, ESOL with Citizenship and TOEIC, we cater for the whole gamut of English teaching. We also run ABE management courses.

Courses start every Monday and can be taken for as little as a week to a whole year.

Fees are extremely competitive

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sure that every product we sell not only tastes good, but is of the finest quality.

The Lloyds Register Quality Assurance Environmental Certification ISO14001:2004 recognises JJ Food Service and its commitment to minimise the company’s impact on the environment.

All our certifications are available on request or through our website in the ‘about us’ section.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01992 701 727 Fax: 08719 730 888 E-mail: admin@jjfoodservice.com Web: www.jjfoodservice.com

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and a variety of accommodation can be arranged. Our teachers are dedicated to ensuring that students achieve success rapidly; lessons are engaging and classes kept small.

We are accredited by the British Council, English UK and Investors in People. Located in the heart of Portsmouth, on the sunny south coast, we have excellent communication links, with London just 90 minutes away.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Special discount of 20 per cent for readers of Health Business.

Tel: 023 9287 3344 Fax: 0845 833 6651 E-mail: marketing@ spinnakercollege.com Web: www. spinnakercollege.com

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FINANCE

FINANCING MEDICAL EQUIPMENT Many in the NHS assume that new equipment has to be purchased as leasing equipment is too expensive or too difficult. But is this assumption right? Louise Hamilton, Chair of the Finance and Leasing Association’s Healthcare Group, investigates HAVING THE LATEST MEDICAL equipment doesn’t guarantee a high quality of affordable healthcare – but it often helps.

And having to make do with unreliable, inefficient or outdated equipment can curb the provision of good healthcare.

It’s clear meanwhile that the NHS is likely to face very difficult and extremely challenging financial pressures in the next few years. There are likely to be modest or no cash increases in NHS spending – increasing demand, and inflationary cost pressures. Efficiency improvements are supposed to generate £20 billion in savings over four years. Maintaining and improving high quality healthcare services will depend increasingly on cutting waste and boosting efficiency.

According to the NHS Confederation, the quality and efficiency gains are most likely to come from large-scale redesign of clinical services.

Not all changes to clinical services will need new equipment, but many will. But it is often difficult for clinicians to get hold of the equipment they need. The NHS Confederation had reported that the process of introducing new technologies is tortuous.

It requires clinicians to have the determination to take on a system that often appears designed to stop innovation. According to the policy institute Reform there is a fear of capital spending in the NHS, even though capital projects can be a driver of change.

Medical equipment investment in the UK is lower per head than in many other countries, including Germany, France, USA and Canada. The Finance and Leasing Association has proposed that it should be easier for those leading changes to clinical services to obtain new medical equipment.

NEW EQUIPMENT Many in the NHS assume that new equipment has to be purchased. Leasing equipment from the private sector is often seen as too expensive or too difficult. But is this assumption right?

Probably the most significant objection to leasing in the public sector is that the cost of government borrowing is less than that of banks and other leasing companies. But because the government stands behind NHS borrowing, interest rates charged by leasing companies are usually competitive with the costs of public funds. And increasingly, buying equipment outright just isn’t going to be realistic as less money is made available for investment.

More fundamentally, it’s only by comparing the total costs and risks of equipment

Leasing has always been about making smarter use of limited resources, keeping options open by having the flexibility to change equipment after a few years, facilitating efficiency improvements and improved patient care THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR HEALTH MANAGEMENT

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Count

on us...

...to add value to leasing NHS Supply Chain is delivering outstanding benefits since taking over the leasing of medical equipment from NHS PASA. faster initial costs can be provided within 48 hours easier evaluation and administration prepared for you further driving efficiencies and helping your budgets go further

For further information please contact Cheryl Cordon on tel 07850 931583 or email Cheryl.Cordon@supplychain.nhs.uk

www.supplychain.nhs.uk/capital

Our leasing suppliers

NHS Supply Chain, West Way, Cotes Park Industrial Estate, Alfreton, Derbyshire DE55 4QJ

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purchase, operation and disposal can a proper comparison between owning and leasing be made. In particular, with leasing the private sector can take the risk that the equipment might not be needed after a few years. In the industry jargon, this is called the residual value risk. As the pace of change of developments in many types of equipment – such as radiology or remote monitoring units – increases, it makes sense not to commit to the same equipment until it breaks down.

ACCOUNTING RULES Unfortunately the introduction of new accounting rules in the NHS is causing a lot of confusion. Accounted for one way, the only cost of leasing is the rental payments.

Accounted for another way, there are extra costs called depreciation and capital charges.

You will be relieved to hear that the details belong in ‘Accounting Standards Bulletin’ not ‘Health Business’! But the bottom line is that accountants’ judgements can make all the difference between essential medical equipment being affordable or not. This makes no sense at all and we are calling for the rules and guidance on accounting to be improved.

Leasing agreements with the private sector provider can also be off-putting.

The NHS Procurement and Supply Agency (PASA) has, over recent years, tried to help by preparing some standard agreements, simplified procedures and a list of approved suppliers. Although well-intentioned, take-up hasn’t been high. Sometimes the guidance seemed to make using leasing more, rather than less, complicated.

The leasing industry has welcomed the recent announcement that NHS Supply Chain will take over responsibility for leasing in the NHS. Supply Chain plans to provide more practical assistance than PASA did, and should help to simplify the use of leasing. It really should be simple, because for all the jargon involved, leasing is simply about renting equipment and often about having that equipment maintained.

LEASING AGREEMENTS A successful leasing agreement needs more than a good legal agreement. Users need to be confident that they will be treated fairly and responsibly by their leasing company. The Finance & Leasing Association’s (FLA) code of practice helps to achieve and maintain the

essential level of trust needed between NHS users and their leasing company partners.

In today’s economy and at a time when technology is moving so fast, leasing new equipment is more likely than ever to make sense. Leasing has always been about making smarter use of limited resources, keeping options open by having the flexibility to change equipment after a few years, facilitating efficiency improvements and improved patient care.

As financial pressures grow on the NHS, large-scale redesign of core medical processes in hospitals will need upfront investment, including new medical technology. Changes to NHS financial and procurement processes are needed to make it easier for clinical teams to get hold of the equipment they judge that they need. In particular, the processes for obtaining equipment leased from, and sometimes maintained and managed by, the private sector need to be streamlined.

If this can be achieved, as well as leading to efficiency savings from more reliable equipment, it will help support clinical teams deliver the process improvements needed to maintain and improve healthcare services – the ultimate goal for all Trusts.

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YOU’LL FIND STRENGTH IN OUR NUMBERS. Well capitalised. One of the largest asset finance providers in the market. Awarded ‘Best Leasing & Asset Finance Provider’ in 2008 for the seventh consecutive year & ‘Best Business Motor Finance Provider’ in 2009 by Business Moneyfacts.

A few reassuring facts from Barclays Asset & Sales Finance. That’s in addition to our expertise and wide range of flexible finance solutions.

Barclays is a name you can trust.

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Email at: paul.brake@barclays.com Or visit barclaysassetandsalesfinance.co.uk for more information.

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FINANCE

THE POWER OF LEASING While leasing equipment is by no means compulsory, for most NHS organisations it remains the most sensible option. Barclays Asset Finance, in partnership with Equigroup, offers tailored leasing solutions, with a focus on reducing costs, improving cashflow and enhancing reputation of Radiologists is that equipment should be kept for no longer than seven years. This move has led to a quicker turnaround in equipment and has allowed organisations to keep pace with rapid technological changes.

Alex Brown, head of Asset Finance, Barclays

AS ADVANCEMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY continue to grow, uncertainty about our economy remains and new initiatives are regularly brought in, leasing can be the best way to manage budgets, deliver cost savings and remain at the cutting edge of technology. Traditionally managed through the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (PASA), purchasing and procurement support has now been transferred to Buying Solutions, an executive agency of the Office of Government Commerce. Essentially it has the same function: to help coordinate and organise leasing.

A HOST OF BENEFITS Hospitals, PCTs and ambulance trusts need a significant amount of equipment, from medical equipment such as CT scanners and ultrasounds to IT packages of hardware and software. All of these items are prime candidates for leasing; they require regular updating and they become costly to maintain after a number of years.

Cashflow is surely the major incentive for leasing within the NHS. Although the option is there to use cash for equipment, it nearly always is unfeasible. Therefore, leasing is an excellent tool for confident budgeting. However, we are entering into a new era, moving away from pure financial motivation and towards another incentive, managing risk of equipment.

With more and more advancements in medical technology, particularly in digital imaging, MRI scanning, oncology and PET screening, organisations are becoming increasingly aware

of the need to update equipment regularly.

This brings some obvious benefits, such as improved patient care and less expense maintaining and repairing equipment.

However, another key driver for organisations to regularly update equipment is attracting talent. Many top surgical and medical staff will demand the best equipment, and hospitals with leasing policies will find it easier to recruit and retain these staff, as their strong reputation within the industry will be compelling for top-level candidates.

Cost savings are a clear advantage too. For example, we could expect to deliver cost savings of around 20 per cent over three years on IT equipment or five years on major diagnostic imaging equipment, using asset management systems to efficiently monitor and track equipment and by outsourcing the risk in the future value of the equipment to the financier.

CHANGING TIMES The NHS is an ever-changing, ever-growing institution. New initiatives are regularly brought in and changes are rife thanks to pressures from government legislation and consumer expectation. And all of this adds to demands within the healthcare market for equipment that can manage and support these initiatives.

For example, government guidelines for shorter waiting lists and faster treatments have led to a change in leasing terms. Where equipment was traditionally renewed on a 9-12 year basis, current advice from the Royal College

GREEN CREDENTIALS A question asked by many organisations is “What happens to the equipment at the end of the lease period?” In our era of environmental awareness, it’s important to stress that leasing and updating equipment is strictly regulated and monitored. Most equipment still has many years of life at the end of the leasing period, so is resold in secondary markets such as developing countries/regions or larger established economies. It is interesting to note the United States is one of the largest secondary markets for used medical equipment.

The Waste Electronic Electrical Equipment (WEEE) directive is becoming very relevant in many organisations that wish to maximise their green policy and behaviour. Therefore, for these organisations, it’s a huge incentive to know that their leasing company operates within the WEEE standards for recycling equipment.

MAKING FINANCIAL SENSE It is hard to write about financial operations without a word about the economy. With a shortage of global capital likely for some time to come, businesses need to make their balance sheets work harder. As capital funding from the government becomes harder to come by, asset finance is fast becoming the most financially efficient means for updating equipment and raising standards.

Leasing is an excellent way of supporting the cost of an asset and maintaining consistency within budgets. There is also a current trend for public hospitals to take on some private patients, in which case rental costs can be matched by these fees, with benefits passed on to public patients.

So, budget management, cost savings, risk management and ecological responsibility; all key areas for most NHS organisations, and all areas which can be effectively addressed and implemented through a sensible programme of leasing. Organisations can also boast the best staff, top-level equipment and up-tothe-minute technology, all of which enhance and boost reputations across the industry.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Call us today on 0800 015 1874 or visit barclaysassetandsalesfinance.co.uk

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FINANCE

SOFTWARE FOR GP PRACTICES IRIS GP software is first choice for Grampian NHS

Just from talking to other practices, I know how highly regarded IRIS support is for giving out accurate information and resolving enquiries quickly and effectively, it doesn’t surprise me IRIS GP software is the NHS Trust’s first choice when it comes to accountancy software – it makes perfect sense to me.

Heather Pirie, practice manager of Cullen Medical Centre GRAMPIAN NHS TRUST in North East Scotland oversees 80 GP practices and is responsible for the welfare of over half a million patients. IRIS GP Payroll and IRIS GP Accounts software is used by over three quarters of all GP practices in the Grampian catchment area.

Grampian NHS Trust has endorsed IRIS as its favoured software provider due to the software’s overwhelming popularity and widespread use. It now only funds software packages for practices which choose to use either or both IRIS GP products.

Alastair Watt, IT planning analyst at NHS Grampian, said the decision to standardise the software used by GP practices had been an easy one. He said: “With over three quarters of the practices using IRIS GP software, it made administrative sense to opt for IRIS as our chosen software provider.”

“We fund payroll and accountancy software through an IT development fund. Should a practice wish to access it, they must use IRIS GP Payroll or GP Accounts. As a result we deal with a single invoice from IRIS and negotiate fees on an annual basis.”

He added: “IRIS is good value for money and we don’t have to worry about any unforeseen costs or big annual price hikes. We don’t use the systems ourselves so cost, rather than functionality, is obviously a big consideration for us.” Alistair, who has been in his current

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role for the past two years, said he and his team regularly receive positive feedback from practice managers who are happy with the unique functionality of both products.

Unlike other off the shelf accounting solutions, both IRIS GP Payroll and IRIS GP Accounts have been designed by GPs for GPs. Consequently, IRIS GP Accounts offers integration with NHS payment statements and provides unique facilities for dispensing VAT practices. IRIS GP Payroll handles all NHS Pension Scheme requirements as well as providing extra facilities for salaried doctors, plus built-in wizards for the Whitely Council/Agenda for Change contractual maternity pay. Put simply, both products are unrivalled in terms of functionality, value for money, reliability and ease of use.

Heather Pirie, practice manager of Cullen Medical Centre in Moray, has been using IRIS GP software for 14 years. She is responsible for the payroll and accounts of two practices overseeing the welfare of 5,000 patients. She agrees there is no match for IRIS GP software.

USER FRIENDLY “IRIS GP Payroll and IRIS GP Accounts are incredibly easy to use and I have actively recommended both to numerous practices. Processing payroll takes me a matter of minutes, whilst year-end takes just over an hour and is completely stress-free.”

Whilst Heather has never needed to

use the free telephone support provided as part of the software’s licence fee, she agrees it is a valuable service and offers piece of mind to administrators.

Heather added: “Just from talking to other practices, I know how highly regarded IRIS support is for giving out accurate information and resolving enquiries quickly and effectively, it doesn’t surprise me IRIS GP software is the NHS Trust’s first choice when it comes to accountancy software – it makes perfect sense to me.”

The popularity of IRIS software amongst the GP Practice community partly stems from the software provider’s long history of pushing boundaries in terms of customer service. In April 2009, IRIS launched an online community portal and interactive resource exclusively for GP practice managers.

Designed by practice managers, the portal has grown to become an invaluable resource to over 4,300 regular subscribers. As well as providing customers with the opportunity to network and chat to other practice managers across the UK, the portal is packed with lots of useful information, free tools and advice.

PRACTICAL HELP Unlike some other online resources, IRIS Online for GP Practice Managers combines topical information with direct, practical help.

Subscribers can chat online live to a specialist IRIS support team, watch animated tutorials on IRIS GP Payroll and IRIS GP Accounts and search the IRIS product KnowledgeBase.

David Murray, IRIS product manager, said IRIS Online for GP Practice Managers was “one of a kind” and fast becoming the UK’s leading online resource dedicated to GP practice management.

“We are always looking at ways we can develop the portal and have just added a Petty Cash Book application and a Budget Planning Tool that are available to download for free to all IRIS customers. Both tools enable practice manages to manage the money they receive from PCTs accurately and effectively.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION To find out more about IRIS GP Payroll, IRIS GP Accounts or IRIS Online for GP Practice Managers go to www.iris.co.uk/healthbusiness or call IRIS on 0844 815 5660.

Health Business | Volume 10.1

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FINANCE

LEADING PAYROLL PROFESSIONALS The Institute of Payroll Professionals looks at recent changes to legislation regarding swine flu and Reforming the Medical Statement IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT INDUSTRY sector you work in people have to be paid; the health sector is no exception. There have been a few key changes to legislation discussed in the media recently, which will affect us all; the swine flu pandemic and ‘Reforming the Medical Statement’ but more on this later. Firstly, we would like you to know what the IPP is all about.

WHAT WE DO The IPP is a membership body and we represent employers’ payroll and pension departments, i.e. the professionals that ensure we are paid on time. Payroll professionals deal with reams of ever changing policy and legislation on a daily basis and this is where our roles as part of the Policy and Research team for the IPP fits into the equation.

One of the main responsibilities of the team is to represent our members at consultation with Her Majesty’s Government (HMG). HMG being Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the department for Business Innovation

and Skills (BIS). The Policy team has built good relationships with government bodies and as a result our contribution as member representatives is valued and we are invited to attend both Strategic Policy and Operational level consultation meetings. This means that when HMG plan to change or introduce new rules and regulations, the IPP along with other external and internal stakeholders ensure that all affected parties are provided with representation whilst at the same time assist HMG to introduce any changes.

The objective being to minimise administration burden whilst being conscious of cost implications and realistic timescales for implementation.

As a result of this involvement we can now bring to you the latest news regarding swine flu and Reforming the Medical Statement.

SWINE FLU IMPACT The IPP Policy team recently attended a series of meetings organised by the Cabinet Office to discuss swine flu and the possible impacts on business. The outcome of those meetings, in conjunction with other stakeholders has enabled us to provide

an update on the current situation.

Employers may be aware that for the outbreak of H1N1 influenza (swine flu), the World Health Organization has moved to pandemic Phase 6. One of the proposals under consideration by the UK government for the containment of swine flu is to extend the period of self-certification for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) purposes beyond the current seven days limit. In addition to other measures and considerations, this would help contain the pandemic by avoiding those affected attending doctors’ surgeries. The change, subject to Parliamentary approval, could be for a fixed period of up to six months and would then revert back to the current system of the seven day limit.

If your payroll system captures the seven-day parameter your software provider may issue an update or work around it to allow the processing of a greater self certification period.

As and when notification of any changes are provided by government you may wish to check the process with your software provider.

The government has plans to communicate any change of the limit to businesses,

THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR HEALTH MANAGEMENT

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Health Business | Volume 10.1

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FINANCE

but at present the limit remains at seven days for self-certification for SSP. CONSULTATION ON DRAFT REGULATIONS The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently consulted on amending regulations in order to implement proposed changes to the medical statement known in the payroll world as the Med 3 Certificate. The new medical statement will be introduced in April 2010, subject to Parliamentary approval. The Social Security (Medical Evidence) and Statutory Sick Pay (Medical Evidence) Amendment Regulations 2010 will bring about the following changes: • Change the format of the medical statement to allow doctors to record whether a patient is fit or not fit for work but also include a new option to allow a doctor to indicate where someone “May be fit for some work now” • Update the rules relating to completing statements • Make provision to rationalise the current set of medical statements, by removing forms med 4 and 5 to simplify the process for GPs and employers, and reflect recent changes to the welfare system arising from the introduction of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) • Permit GPs to issue statements printed by their practice’s computer systems as opposed

Payroll and pension professionals are busy people and do not have the time to conduct government research, as a benefit of membership the IPP Policy and Research team provide a weekly e-newsletter entitled ‘News On Line’, which includes all of the latest payroll and pension news that may have occurred within the previous week to handwriting on a statement pad.

The IPP has been involved in this consultation and in order to provide a true voice for IPP members we conducted a survey to establish their actual responses. In response to the survey the majority of the IPP members who responded indicated they were in favour of all the proposals within the consultation, however, some members requested further clarity around the detail of the draft regulations. There was also concern around how viable it would be for a doctor to accurately assess someone as ‘fit for some work’ when he or she has minimal or no knowledge of the workplace set up.

The IPP Policy team will continue to update members once government has provided a response to the consultation and also provide updates as an outcome of attendance at consultation meetings.

Finally, payroll and pension professionals

are busy people and do not have the time to conduct government research, as a benefit of membership the IPP Policy and Research team provide a weekly e-newsletter entitled ‘News On Line’, which includes all of the latest payroll and pension news that may have occurred within the previous week.

The team also provide a Legislation Planner and Timetable, which can be viewed by visiting the IPP web pages. The planner includes further detail of what the IPP Policy team are working on and provides valuable information on forthcoming changes. To view the legislation planner please see: www.payrollprofession.org.

This article was written by Elaine Gibson FIPPDip, Senior Policy and Research Officer and Manager of Strategic Academic Qualifications, and Diana Bruce, Policy Liaison Officer and Manager of the IPP Advisory Service

THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR HEALTH MANAGEMENT

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Protect your people as they serve the community.

Omniguard.

Omniguard is a new lone worker personal safety solution from Airwave.

Integrating with the existing Airwave network radio device, lone workers will be safe to carry out their job with the benefit of a flexible, passive, automatic real-time monitoring system. Ambulance Trusts will benefit from greater flexibility from their teams and improved performance with peace of mind.

To find out how your front line workers could benefit contact our experts on: T: 08000 11 33 99 E: health@airwavesolution.co.uk W: www.airwavesolutions.co.uk

Health Business | Volume 10.1

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LONE WORKERS: SAFETY FIRST With the numbers of staff who now regularly work alone facing increasing threats to their safety, Alan Kennedy, head of sales for the Health Division at Airwave Solutions Limited, considers the technologies available for this vulnerable workforce LONE WORKERS MAKE UP A significant proportion of the UK workforce, with more than 3.3 million in the public sector, and a number of private-sector industries also relying on staff who work alone. Lone working enables organisations to make efficient use of resources by putting more people in the field than they would be able to otherwise. But the flipside is that these staff can easily find themselves in vulnerable situations and their employers have both a moral and legal duty of care towards them.

DIVERSITY AMONG LONE WORKERS With many lone workers working outside of normal hours, or in remote locations, they face a number of situations and risks alone. The most common threats are violence and abuse, which pose a particular problem for groups dealing with mental health issues and drug or alcohol misuse.

There are few statistics about how many lone workers encounter difficulties during the normal course of the work. What is clear is that there is a genuine concern among staff: a 2007 survey by the Royal College of Nursing found that more than half of the respondents thought the risk of violence or abuse had increased in the previous two years, with more than one-third having been assaulted or harassed during the same period – and not all attacks were reported to managers1.

THE NEED FOR LONE WORKER SOLUTIONS Technology can play an important part in protecting lone workers from various threats.

Although manual paper monitoring such as duty rotas provide some protection, they can fail through human error and are often not linked to processes and procedures to get help quickly when needed. Lone worker solutions are a robust alternative and fulfil multiple roles that benefit end users and their employers.

Often the need for a lone worker solution only becomes apparent once a serious assault or injury happens. It is therefore imperative that managers are aware of their responsibilities and are prepared to lead when it comes to the introduction of systems. It should also be noted that technology alone is not a panacea. The NHS Security Management Service states: “It is essential to recognise that lone worker devices will not prevent incidents from occurring...however, if used correctly in conjunction with robust procedures, they will enhance the protection of lone workers”2.

SOLUTIONS FOR LONE WORKERS Some lone worker solutions use dedicated devices worn by the user, for example a pendant which hangs around the neck.

These have the advantage of being designed specifically for security purposes, and deliver the ability to discreetly summon help while not alerting assailants. But these devices are dependent on a positive response from the end user which may not always be possible.

Other lone worker solutions use applications developed for smartphones. Staff can be equipped with a single device, however, these have not been designed with a personal security role in mind, meaning it may not be easy to access emergency features covertly or when under attack, limiting effectiveness.

For public safety authorities, a third option is a TETRA radio, which supports both passive and active monitoring. The rugged radios are resilient and are standard equipment for bodies such as Ambulance Trusts and Police forces, which allows them to be easily extended to support lone workers. Using this solution, lone workers are protected by a monitoring team located in the same control room as standard communications, whether they use the active button to summon help, or rely on passive monitoring.

The deployment of lone worker solutions

enables employers to address one of the biggest barriers to the adoption of solo working, namely reassuring staff that their safety is being monitored and that assistance can be quickly deployed if required. This is as much psychological as tangible: when provided with tools designed to protect their wellbeing, employees will feel more comfortable on their own, paving the way for wider acceptance of lone working.

Many solutions prove especially costeffective by building on existing technology investments. Smartphone-based solutions use devices already provided to workers, while for the public safety sector TETRA-based systems also use infrastructure that is already in place, meaning that only incremental technology investments are necessary.

And should the worst come to the worst, lone worker solutions alert when staff are in potentially dangerous situations, providing fast access to emergency assistance – a benefit which alone justifies the investment.

About the author: Alan Kennedy is head of sales for Airwave Solutions Limited; he previously worked in the NHS for 32 years, starting out as a paramedic and later holding the position of support services at London Ambulance Service, and chief executive at Surrey Ambulance Service and East Elmbridge Primary Care Trust.

Notes 1. Lone Working Survey, Royal College of Nursing, May 2007 2. Not Alone – A Guide For The Better Protection Of Lone Workers In The NHS, NHS Security Management Service, 2009.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 08000 11 33 99 E-mail: health@airwavesolutions.co.uk Web: www.airwavesolutions.co.uk

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Health Business | Volume 10.1

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HB AWARDS

TRIUMPH FOR THE NHS The 2009 Health Business Awards recognised the many shining examples of excellence taking place in the National Health Service DESPITE ITS HUGE ACHIEVEMENTS in providing quality care for millions of people, the NHS frequently falls victim to negative publicity from the media that is all too quick to focus on its perceived failings. The HB awards aim to redress the balance by concentrating on the many shining examples of innovation, dedication and teamwork that are evident since the NHS transformation began in 1997.

Held on 10 December 2009 at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, the awards were presented by BBC News presenter Nicholas Owen and included categories ranging from technology, procurement and catering, to transport and security.

This year saw the Outstanding Achievement in Healthcare award, sponsored by NHS Supply Chain, go to Guys & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust.

Overall, the Trust has one of the lowest mortality rates in England, with patients survival

Centre in Bristol undertook a project designed to assess the potential for using telehealth equipment in a Primary Care setting.

Patients were given monitors that prompted them to check their vital signs and answer health questions each day. The information is then automatically and securely transmitted for review by the healthcare team.

As well as helping to avoid hospital admissions and reduce some of the burden on secondary care providers, it provides a cost-effective model of care for the management chronic heart failure.

The Healthcare IT Award went to Alder Hey Childrens NHS Trust for its National Paediatric Toolkit (NPT). The toolkit is a computer-based survey system which uses a collection of animated characters, led by the charming Fabio the Frog, to capture the attention of young patients and guide them through a series of electronic questionnaires. The system has

This year saw the Outstanding Achievement in Healthcare award, sponsored by NHS Supply Chain, go to Guys & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust. Overall, the Trust has one of the lowest mortality rates in England, with patients survival rates nearly 25 per cent better than the national average. This is attributed to an active patient safety and quality improvement programme rates nearly 25 per cent better than the national average. This is attributed to an active patient safety and quality improvement programme.

In September, The Trust became one of the first in London to produce its own electricity and heat to power the hospitals.

Accoring to the Trust, this saves the equivalent in carbon dioxide of around 17,000 passengers flying to New York.

For the second time in three years, Guys & St. Thomas has achieved ‘excellent’ ratings in both categories of the Care Commisions’s annual health check. Its financial performance remains one of the best anywhere in the NHS, achieving a £25.5 million surplus that will be reinvested in services and the hospital environment.

IT AND TELEHEALTH South Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust was awarded the Telehealth Award, sponsored

by PageOne. As a joint venture between NHS South Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire Council Community Care & Housing Department, the Orchard Medical

built in audio and visual impairment facilities including voice over in several languages. It also features a survey previewer, which makes setting up patient experience consultations really simple by using pre-defined templates.

The IT Innovation Award went to East Kent Hospitals University Foundation NHS Trust for its Speech recognition software. The Trust has been able to reduce diagnosis times by deploying digital dictation with speech recognition technology, allowing pathologists to dictate results in real-time. As a result, histology reporting turnaround times have been cut from a week to often the same day.

SAFE AND ENERGY EFFICIENT The Sustainable Hospital Award, sponsored

by Monodraught, was scooped by the United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust.

The Trust has signed up to the NHS Carbon Management Programme, a pledge to reduce its carbon footprint by 30 per cent over the next five years. Helping to achieve this is a new state-of-the-art biomass boiler

Telehealth Award

Healthcare IT Award

IT Innovation Award

Sustainable Hospital Award

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HB AWARDS

Hospital Building Award

Hospital Security Award

which has been installed at Pilgrim Hospital in Boston. The technology behind the boiler results in very little ash being produced and minimal chimney emissions other than water vapour from any dampness in the fuel.

Before installation, the hospital produced between 10,000 and 12,000 tonnes of carbon a year. The new boiler should halve this, setting a high standard for eco-friendly energy sources across the UK healthcare sector.

The Hospital Building Award went to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth.

The £256m project brings together the existing Queen Alexandra Hospital, St Mary’s Hospital and the Royal Hospital Haslar. The new site more than doubles the size of the previous hospital provision.

Special design features include antimicrobial curtains and curved skirting boards to help fight healthcare acquired infections. The development has also enabled the trust to reduce CO2 emissions by using waste heat to make steam and hot water, and features low-energy lights and tinted windows.

Moving on to security provision, the award for Hospital Security went to Mersey Care NHS Trust. Redevelopment of mental health services on the inner-city Rathbone Hospital site raised complex, conflicting security issues. The trust’s critical assets, the privacy and dignity of its patients and staff, and the clinical safety concerns presented by patients with challenging behaviour, all presented unique security needs.

The site includes two locked, low-secure units with 38 legally-detained inpatients and an open unit for 25 inpatients with longer-term needs.

External security is provided by barrier access, grounds CCTV and robust building perimeters.

Staff have proximity cards, and when patients

go out on leave are given barrier cards. An escape-resistant security fence system allows those inside to see out while not being on show to outsiders. In addition, the windows are secure against forced entry or escape, while being able to be opened by patients without supervision.

HEALTHCARE RECRUITMENT The Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust took home the Healthcare Recruitment Award, sponsored by Hays Specialist Recruitment. In 2007 the Trust found low levels of satisfaction among managers responsible for hiring staff.

Recognising this, the Trust created a resource support team to oversee the preemployment process, and each candidate is now given a named contact. Both managers and job applicants are said to be more satisfied with the process, and there has been a 58 per cent reduction in job vacancies and less use of temporary carers, both of which have improved patient care and saved the trust £1.4 million in recruitment costs.

AMBULANCE SERVICES Wales Air Ambulance Service received the award for Air Ambulance Service of the Year, sponsored by Bond Air Services.

Wales was the last country and region in Europe to have an air ambulance service but it has since grown to become one of the busiest and fastest growing operations in the UK. From one helicopter flying limited hours each week, the organisation now operates three helicopters and provides cover across the whole of Wales. Since 2001, the aircrews have flown more than 11,500 missions throughout Wales, saving countless lives in the process.

In April 2009, Wales Air Ambulance

Healthcare Recruitment Award

Air Ambulance Service of the Year

Ambulance Trust of the Year

THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR HEALTH MANAGEMENT

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Is your Air-con costing the earth?

Cool-phase is an extremely low energy, fresh air ventilation system for use within the Commercial, Education and Healthcare sectors. It is capable of providing both cooling and heat recovery, but at a fraction of the power of typical AC systems. Using Phase Change Material, Cool-phase is able to store and release thermal energy highly effectively. The system is constructed from recyclable materials and the PCM at the end of its serviceable life is mixed with fibrous material such as hedge cuttings and composted. www.cool-phase.com

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Health Business | Volume 10.1

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HB AWARDS

Hospital Procurement Award

Hospital Catering Award

HOW TO ENTER NHS Trusts are now able to enter their projects for this year’s event by submitting a 500 word entry statement. Visit www. hbawards.co.uk for details. launched its first New Generation helicopter, the EC-135. In addition to one pilot, two paramedics and one patient, the new EC-135 can also carry the parent of an injured child.

The award for Ambulance Trust of the Year went to London Ambulance Service (LAS).

In 2008/09 the service responded to almost 974,000 incidents, an increase of nearly three per cent on the previous year, of which nearly 320,000 were Category A calls.

LAS was the first ambulance service to successfully implement two-way paging for community volunteers.

In a survey carried out by the Care Quality Commission, 99 per cent of respondents had trust and confidence in the staff who attended them, and 97 per cent said that they had received a good, very good or excellent level of care.

GOODS AND SERVICES The Healthcare Purchasing Consortium scooped the Hospital Procurement Award. Formed in 2001 as an executive agency of University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, the Healthcare Purchasing Consortium provides procurement, supply chain, healthcare contracting and commercial services across the West Midlands and North Central London.

The partnership works on behalf of more than 40 NHS Trusts who together spend

ÂŁ2.4 billion a year on goods and services.

Recognising excellence in catering, County Durham and Darlington Foundation NHS Trust won the hospital catering award for its Darlington Memorial Catering Department, which provides a first class catering service, with five dedicated chefs producing in excess of 20,000 meals per week. It was the first in the County to introduce organic milk for patients, staff and visitors, and it has demonstrated year-on-year improvement in both local and national surveys.

The Hospital Cleaning Award, sponsored

by Proventec Healthcare, went to Barnsley Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which has introduced extra cleaners and a 55 per cent increase in hours spent cleaning each week.

MRSA screening has also been rolled out to all patients being admitted to the hospital.

The trust has also been praised for the cleaning and sterilisation of medical equipment, after winning a handful of prestigious contracts to provide the service to other hospitals in the region.

RAISING AWARENESS The Act F.A.S.T. Stroke Awareness Campaign was awarded the NHS Publicity Campaign.

The campaign aims to educate healthcare professionals and the public on the signs of stroke and the importance of prompt emergency treatment. It incorporates the Face, Arms, Speech, Time test developed by the Stroke Association, and features hard-hitting imagery to highlight the visible signs of stroke The campaign has led to a 55 per cent increase in stroke calls to emergency services and research suggests that 84 per cent of the public remember it.

Hospital Cleaning Award

NHS Publicity Campaign

Outstanding Achievement in Healthcare Award

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Plinth model 503‌ still the best

For more details on the Plinth 2000 range of plinths, couches & podiatry chairs, please contact us at:

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Health Business | Volume 10.1

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PATIENT SAFETY

BREAKING THE CHAIN OF INFECTION Hand hygiene is considered one of the most cost effective interventions to reduce HCAIs, argues the National Patient Safety Agency QUALITY, INNOVATION, PRODUCTIVITY and prevention are the current buzz words in the NHS as we search for ways to use resources more effectively and improve the patient experience.

The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA), as coordinator of the national cleanyourhands campaign in England and Wales, would argue that reducing healthcare associated infection (HCAI) through improved hand hygiene by staff would fulfil these criteria.

Plus, whilst significant progress has been made, there is still more that can be done.

HCAI has a devastating effect on patients, affecting an estimated 5,000 patients each year1. It often means a longer stay in hospital; for example, a patient with an MRSA bacteraemia will, on average, stay in hospital for an additional 10 days. Financially, HCAI also makes a big impact on the NHS with the additional cost of treatment ranging from £4,000 to £10,000 per patient2. The overall cost to the NHS in England is estimated to be in excess of £1 billion a year3.

PREVENTING INFECTIONS Hand hygiene is considered one of the most cost effective interventions to reduce HCAI. Prior to national rollout of the

cleanyourhands campaign back in 2004, a formal economic evaluation estimated that even a reduction of 0.01 per cent in infection rates would make the campaign worthwhile. While a nine per cent reduction on infection rates (a conservative estimate according to the academic literature) as a result of improved hand hygiene by staff could save the NHS £140 million per

launch) to June 2008 and collected data on bed occupancy, product consumption and infection rates. The Study found that the campaign remained a top priority for NHS trust management even 30 months after implementation with widespread uptake of the campaign materials. Importantly, virtually all acute trusts had alcohol handrub at the point of care in at least three-quarters of their

HCAI has a devastating effect on patients, affecting an estimated 5,000 patients each year. It often means a longer stay in hospital; for example, a patient with an MRSA bacteraemia will, on average, stay in hospital for an additional 10 days annum and, most importantly, 450 lives4.

An independent assessment of the campaign has concluded that it is has been successful in changing the hand hygiene behaviour of staff working in those organisations.

The National Observational Study to evaluate the effectiveness of the cleanyourhands campaign (NOSEC) surveyed infection control teams in acute trusts across England and Wales every six months from July 2004 (pre-

inpatient wards with a threefold increase in the procurement of alcohol handrub and soap5.

The campaign has engaged NHS trusts across England and Wales and from April 2008 was extended to primary care, mental health, ambulance and care trusts with over 97 per cent now signed up. From June 2008 it was also launched to hospitals in Northern Ireland and a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the

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PATIENT SAFETY

FIVE MOMENTS FOR HAND HYGIENE • before touching a patient, • before clean/aseptic procedures, • after body fluid exposure/risk, • after touching a patient, and • after touching patient surroundings.

Independent Healthcare Advisory Service in December 2008; giving their members access to the campaign materials.

The Five Moments are based on risk minimisation, with each Moment incorporating a variety of different indicators for hand hygiene. This approach rationalises when hand hygiene needs to occur, eliminating unnecessary hand hygiene and ensuring that staff clean their hands at the critical points for preventing the transmission of infection-causing microbes

CHANGING BEHAVIOUR So what makes cleanyourhands effective?

Well, the campaign approach and resources target the different reasons behind why staff don’t clean their hands as often as they should and support NHS trusts to take an organisational-wide approach to improvement.

The approach is multimodel with a range of different elements working together to support behaviour change including: • provision of alcohol handrub to make hand hygiene at the point of care a realistic possibility • posters and other materials to act as prompts for hand hygiene and reinforce positive behaviour • supporting the involvement of patients, with some materials featuring the message “It’s OK to ask” • audit and feedback to enable the measurement and feedback of compliance • tools and resources to support hand hygiene awareness and education.

Two key fundamental principles underpin the campaign approach. Firstly, the focus on the hand hygiene of healthcare staff.

Due to the nature of their work – moving between different patients and different care activities with the same patient – healthcare staff have the greatest potential to spread the microbes that cause infection.

Secondly, and even more significantly, is the focus on staff hand hygiene at the point of patient care. The point of care consititutes the time and place where there is the greatest risk of transferring those infection-causing microbes; the point of care can be defined as the patient’s immediate vicinity in which healthcare staff-to-patient contact or treatment is taking place.

This is not intended to lessen the value of hand hygiene at other times. In the current pandemic circumstances, good personal hand hygiene is more important than ever; however, the cleanyourhands campaign is specifically concerned with preventing HCAI and the hand hygiene behaviour of staff at the point of patient care is critical to this.

FIVE MOMENTS FOR HAND HYGIENE To help healthcare staff better understand when they need to clean their hands during patient care, the cleanyourhands

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Antimicrobial call points and very easy to clean The 08 system wipe-clean call point and waterproof lead Infection control cannot be compromised.

The constant routine to maintain cleanliness is sometimes a chore, particularly when products have the hard to reach places bacteria love. Made with antimicrobial additives, our call point and lead can be sprayed with disinfectant and very easily wiped clean.

For patient ease of use, the call button is at the top of the front face and, feeling from top to bottom of the unit, is also set in braille for the partially sighted. The call point can also be adapted to be part of the versatile Mains Switch System.

The lead itself is entirely waterproof. It can withstand complete immersion and meets the IP67 standard.

Call for a FREE no-obligation quotation and on-site demonstration

0800 068 7419

nly waterproof lead The o reless radio in the wi nurse call market

www.c our tney-thorne.co.uk

Health Business | Volume 10.1

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PATIENT SAFETY

campaign has embraced the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Five Moments for Hand Hygiene. The Five Moments approach aims to take the emphasis off the ‘how’ and focus on the ‘when’ and ‘why’ of hand hygiene so that staff apprecriate when they need to clean their hands in order to keep themselves and their patients safe.

The Five Moments are based on risk minimisation, with each Moment incorporating a variety of different indicators for hand hygiene. This approach rationalises when hand hygiene needs to occur, eliminating unnecessary hand hygiene and ensuring that staff clean their hands at the critical points for preventing the transmission of infection-causing microbes.

Each one of the Five Moments is aimed at protecting the patient and/ or the healthcare worker from harmful microbes. The key principle behind the approach is the concept of ‘zones’ and preventing these harmful microbes from crossing from one zone to another. The ‘patient zone’ is the patient’s immediate environment whilst the ‘healthcare zone’ is the wider healthcare environment. The approach acknowledges that the patient zone will be colonised with that patient’s flora and fauna whilst the healthcare zone will be contaminated with lots of different microbes. The aim of the Five Moments is prevent the microbes from the healthcare zone being moved into the patient zone and vice versa.

Once inside the patient zone, providing Moment One (before patient contact) has been complied with, the healthcare worker can care for their patient without needing to clean their hands again unless they have contact with body fluids (Moment Three) or perform an aseptic task (Moment Two).

SUPPORTING THE NHS The Five Moments link hand hygiene to the evidence-base about the breaking the chain of infection and was originally developed by the University Hospital Geneva as part of the Swiss national hand hygiene campaign. The cleanyourhands campaign acknowledges the challenges that this could present – being developed in different health economy for an inpatient environment – but believes that the potential benefits of this approach outweigh these challenges and, as such, is working with NHS trusts to support them in working through its application.

In the first instance, this has involved rolling out a programme of regional workshops aimed at infection control teams so that they are equipped and able to train frontline staff in their trusts. A number of resources were provided to support local education and training including a film that illustrates the application of the Five Moments in different care settings during one patient’s journey through the NHS from ambulance to hospital and back home. We have also facilitated a dedicated workshop for infection control and training representatives from the ambulance service to help them work through some of the issues specific to their organisations and care settings.

Over 286 infection control staff with a specific remit to deliver training attended the regional workshops, representing 239 trusts from across England and Wales with a good mix of all trust types.

The feedback from the event was overwhelmingly positive with 95 per cent of respondents considering them excellent or good.

This is just the start, however, as we work to embed the Five Moments for hand hygiene as an integral element of patient care.

Finally, a simple online game has been created to raise awareness of the Five Moments and support the WHO initiative, Save Lives: Clean Your Hands on the 5 May. If you fancy giving it a try, visit the cleanyourhands website: www.npsa.nhs.uk/cleanyourhands References: 1 Improving patient care by reducing the risk of Hospital Acquired Infection, National Audit Office, 2004 2 Clean Safe Care: Reducing infections and saving lives, Department of Health, 9 January 2008 3 Improving patient care by reducing the risk of Hospital Acquired Infection, National Audit Office, 2004 4 The economic case: Implementing near-patient alcohol handrub in your trust, NPSA 2004 5 www.idrn.org/nosec.php

Commercial floorcare machines for the NHS RUVOX international is a leading supplier of commercial floorcare machines, based in Southampton, England. Truvox has successfully expanded both its product range and its geographic reach to a point where it is now recognised in over 60 countries worldwide.

Truvox offers a wide range of well established brands including Orbis rotary burnishers, Hydromist carpet extractors, Valet vacuums, Multiwash scrubbers and Cimex three brush technology.

Supporting the delivery of outstanding value cleaning solutions based across the UK and worldwide.

Priding itself in being a world leader in the design and

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production of innovative floorcare machines as well as demonstrating thorough attention to quality standards, Truvox is a BSI Registered Company (BS EN ISO 9001:2002).

In 2007 Truvox became part of the Tacony Corporation based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, providing it with worldclass development facilities, access to an even wider range of product permutations and extensive sourcing options including manufacture in the UK, USA, China and India.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 02380 706600 Fax: 02380 706608 E-mail: marketing@truvox.com Web: www.truvox.com

Effective endoscope decontamination ERE ARE JUST FOUR possible reasons why the hospital Decontamination Lead may need ‘no strings’ advice from the specialists.

Want to see best practice at work in endoscope decontamination? We can show you reference sites throughout UK using Lancer AERs where the whole process runs safely and smoothly with minimal delays in patient lists.

Want to save time and costs?

The latest FD8E drying and storage cabinet aseptically dries and stores scopes for seven days without need for the expense and inefficiency of repeat disinfection before use.

Staff need endoscope decontamination training?

Whether managing, operating an AER, daily/weekly testing, Lancer Academy offers a range of independent affordable courses that are City & Guilds accredited

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and approved by JAG and IDSc. Worried about JAG audits or compliance? Lancer can review your decontamination facilities and give advice on latest equipment, procedures, connectors, validation, training requirements – free without commitment.

FOR MORE INFORMATION We are here to help.

Lancer, part of the Getinge Group, world leaders in infection control.

Contact us at Cambridge on 01223 861665 or e-mail enquiries@lancer.co.uk

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Take one to relieve backache, neck pain and headaches Introducing headsets from Plantronics – taking the pain out of using the phone If you constantly have your ear glued to your phone at work, you’d be far better off with a headset. Using a wired or cordless headset means that you can work without crunching up your shoulder and tilting your head, improving your posture and your health. Tests have shown that they can reduce back pain, headaches and neck pain by as much as 31%*.

At Plantronics, we’ve spent over 40 years designing and refining headsets.

With the combination of stunning design, perfect sound quality, comfort and durability, it’s no wonder that more and more people worldwide feel happier talking with our headsets.

And right now, you can try one for free.

Call us on 0800 0855 655 and quote ‘health business’ or visit www.myofficeheadset.com before 30.04.2010 for your free trial. *Research from the University of Surrey.

©2010 Plantronics Inc. All rights reserved.

Written By Paul Clark, Director for the UK and Ireland, Plantronics

www.healthbusinessuk.com

HEADSET HEALTH CHECK By introducing wireless headsets, companies can reduce the occurrence of many posture related ailments while enhancing workers’ experience A HEALTHY WORKFORCE IS CRUCIAL to a successful business. Issues such as repetitive strain injury and chronic back and neck pain, as a result of poor posture, are among the highest causes of long term absenteeism in the UK. According to statistics from the National Back Pain Association, back pain affects 17.3 million people in the UK and is a key contributor to the £13.2 billion lost by UK business a year as a result of illness.

When looking at ways of enhancing employee health in the workplace, many companies often resort to replacing furniture and training staff – all at a relatively high cost. Yet by simply introducing wireless headsets, companies can reduce the occurrence of many posture related ailments while enhancing workers’ experience.

WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENTS The type of workplace environment is significant when determining the impact a wireless headset can have on health. Research by the Health and Safety Executive found that front line call handlers experience significantly higher stress levels than people in other occupations. NHS call centre agents for example, are a high risk group. Working in fast-paced environments where the flow of work can contribute a great deal to work-related stress and dissatisfaction.

However, call centre agents are not the only ones at risk. The average office worker, in any environment, can spend from 25 to 40 hours a week in a static position in front of a computer or on the phone. In these cases there is great potential to damage posture. This is compounded further by poor lifestyle habits involving long journeys to and from work, and topped off with a TV dinner on the couch instead of exercising.

COMBATING BACK & NECK PAIN According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, back pain is the second largest cause of long-term absence in the UK – yet it can be easily prevented by ensuring that working environments are back friendly.

Poor use of telephone handsets is the most significant cause of work related disorders of the neck and back, as the simple act of routinely squeezing the handset against the shoulder can cause not only discomfort but potentially structural tissue damage.

According to research, headsets reduce neck pain, upper back pain, and shoulder tension by as much as 41 per cent. And, not only is there a health incentive, but studies have shown that using a headset instead of holding the phone frees up a hand and can improve productivity by up to 43 per cent. When considering the stressful environment experienced by call

The health benefits of wireless technology are not constrained to combating back pain and RSIs. Wireless environments also allow a degree of freedom for employees; reducing the time they spend ‘tethered to their desks’ centre operatives, this can be a significant advantage when faced with the high-stress, fast-paced environment in which they operate.

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) from poor posture when using telephone and computers is another symptom of a poor working environment.

Although frequently overlooked it is equally addressable through use of wireless headsets and properly adjusted, ergonomic workstations.

BEYOND BACK PAIN The health benefits of wireless technology are not constrained to combating back pain and RSIs. Wireless environments also allow a degree of freedom for employees; reducing the time they spend ‘tethered to their desks’. From a psychological standpoint, the ability to walk around the office and stretch their back and legs while on a call can help make them feel more active and refreshed both mentally and physically, which in turn can enhance productivity.

At a more advanced level, wireless technology can also be used to support employees when working from home.

Although not directly health related, 2009 saw significant strain put on industry as a result of swine flu. Here, wireless technology and headsets supported employees in their

efforts to work from home, minimising potential exposure to sick colleagues and safeguarding the overall health of employees.

CONCLUSION The use of wireless headsets benefit businesses by improving employee health and reducing absenteeism. With the freedom a headset provides, awkward and prolonged static postures of the head and neck are avoided; and by reducing absenteeism in this way, businesses also benefit from increased productivity in the workplace. Ultimately, wireless headsets are a cost effective solution for business owners and facilities managers to improve the working environment and improve working conditions in the workplace.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Call us on 0800 0855 655 and quote ‘Health Business’ or visit www.myofficeheadset.com before 30.04.2010 for your free trial.

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SATRA Slip Ad 2010 v1:EsenAd

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It takes more than a warning to ensure public safety

From shoes to floors, SATRA research, development and testing has helped improve the performance, quality and safety of a wide range of products and materials.

Ask the leading expert on slip testing

www.dontslipup.com

MaintechMRO supply a complete range of working at height solutions from step ladders and industrial ladders through to mobile scaffold towers and personnel lifts. MaintechMRO can also arrange for in house PASMA training of personnel for qualified use of this equipment.

How safe are your hard floors?

To find out ask for your FREE slip risk assessment report (available until 31st March 2010) The pendulum - the only official HSE test for a floor's slip resistance

Call 0844 880 9294 or visit our website maintechmro.com for further information.

“St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust asked MaintechMRO to source a Mobile scaffold tower and PASMA training, MaintechMRO fulfilled this request. The PASMA training was held on consecutive days, this allowed the maintenance engineers to be trained on their own equipment, in shifts, with the least down time and disruption to their work.”

Tel: 0844 880 9294 www.maintechmro.com

Call NOW on 01442 419470, email info@bonasystems.com or visit www.bonasystems.com

20 years’ experience in solving slip and trip problems

Health Business | Volume 10.1

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HEALTH & SAFETY

STAYING ON YOUR FEET The Health and Safety Executive’s ‘Shattered Lives’ campaign aims to reduce unnecessary slip, trip and fall incidents in the workplace by encouraging managers and duty holders to do more to prevent them by taking simple measures IN 2008/09, IN THE HEALTH AND SOCIAL care sector alone, there were

more than 1,800 major injuries caused by slips, trips and falls in the workplace and over 3,500 that resulted in workers having to take more than three days off work.

Failing to manage risks effectively can shatter lives, leaving employees and their families to pick up the pieces and businesses paying a heavy price. Slips, trips and falls in this sector cost British society around £50 million every year. Although, over the last 10 years there has been a sustained reduction in the number of fatalities caused as a result of falls from height in the workplace, it still remains the most common cause of fatal injury, with slips and trips the most common cause of major injury.

Peter Brown, HSE’s head of Division for Work, Environment, Radiation and Gas, said: “Making improvements doesn’t need to cost the earth and we are encouraging people to visit the Shattered Lives website, where they will be able to get simple and cost effective solutions to help manage slips, trips and falls hazards in their workplace.”

As part of the campaign HSE has developed two e-learning tools to identify risks and manage hazards in the workplace.

STEP deals with slips and trips and WAIT with work at height. To use these tools visit www.hse.gov.uk/shatteredlives.

• patients being seriously injured through falls leads to additional medical costs and an increased stay in hospital, with implications for waiting lists and service delivery • staff sickness absence due to slips, trips

Making improvements doesn’t need to cost the earth and we are encouraging people to visit the Shattered Lives website, where they will be able to get simple and cost effective solutions to help manage slips, trips and falls hazards in their workplace – Peter Brown, HSE’s head of Division for Work, Environment, Radiation and Gas Taking sensible measures to keep workplaces safe, protects staff and helps to give patients a good level of service.

The cost of incidents may affect the delivery of high quality patient care and viability of the business. For example:

and falls at work, and other associated costs, such as staff replacement costs, will have a detrimental effect on budgets • people may experience hardship as a result of loss of wages, as well as pain and suffering.

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www.healthbusinessuk.com

Visit the website to view the categorised productJanuary finder Advert 2010.qxp

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Anti-Slip

FIBREGLASS GRATING

Are the floors in your hospital safe?

TEST Equipment W ESSEX Ltd is one of only two

DURA TREAD

Fibreglass Grating has one of the highest degrees of slip-resistance ever measured for a walking surface Applications:

Benefits:

Industrial flooring Stairs Walkways Platforms Assembly lines Wash bays Work stations

Anti-slip surface High strength Easy installation Lightweight Corrosion/fire resistant Impact resistant Zero maintenance

Tel: +44 (0) 1255 423601 - Fax: +44 (0) 1255 435426 www.duratread.co.uk - info@duracomposites.com Dura Composites Ltd., Unit 14 Telford Road, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex CO15 4LP, UK

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THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR HEALTH MANAGEMENT

manufactures of the British Pendulum Skid Tester. The Pendulum is the only machine sanctioned by the Health and Safety Laboratories for accurate testing of pedestrian walkways in both dry and wet conditions.

Wessex Test Equipment Ltd undertake independent testing of your floors supported with a full report, if needed recommendations are given as to how you can resolve any problems that may arise from these tests.

We have carried out tests in a number of varied locations, e.g: railway platforms, football stadia, NHS clinics in Scotland as well as numerous shopping centres and office blocks country wide.

Wessex Test Equipment Ltd also manufactures the Tortus 3 Floor Friction Tester, this can be used for ongoing monitoring of your floors, allowing you to pick up any changes in the floor surface at an early stage and thus remedy it before any problems occur.

If you would like an independent and confidential test carried out on your floors then contact our office to arrange a visit from one of our test engineers.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Company Name: Wessex Test Equipment Ltd Tel: 01934 824000 Fax: 01934 820532 E-mail: sales@ wessextestequipment.co.uk Web: www. wessextestequipment.co.uk

Visit the Health Business website to view the categorised product finder www.healthbusinessuk.com

Health Business | Volume 10.1

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HEALTH & SAFETY

These incidents can be cut dramatically through planning and positive management during refurbishment and new build, together with good housekeeping.

Employees should be consulted at an early stage, as they will have useful experience of areas where problems arise.

CAUSES OF SLIPS

The main causes of slips and trips incidents in healthcare are: slippery/wet surfaces caused by water and other fluids; slippery surfaces caused by dry or dusty floors; contamination, such as plastic, lint or talcum powder; obstructions, both temporary and permanent; uneven surfaces and changes of level, such as unmarked ramps. Other factors include poor levels of lighting and external glare; human factors such as employees rushing; running or carrying heavy/cumbersome items; the wearing of unsuitable footwear or the use of improper cleaning regimes.

In order to reduce slips trips and falls, it is recommended that you: • Follow the free practical guidance offered by the e-learning tools, STEP and WAIT, at www.hse.gov.uk/shatteredlives • Depending on the degree of risk and the size of business, develop a policy document but crucially ensure practical arrangements are in place, such as quickly cleaning up spillages and better still preventing spillage of water, oils, cardboard, waste etc onto the floor in the first place • Remove any obstructions • Avoid creating trailing cables • Store goods safely • Keep workstations clear of obstacles • Make sure flooring materials are level and secure • Mark slopes and changes of levels • Ensure you have adequate lighting • Wear sensible footwear • Think about visitors to your workplace, what do they need to know? Do you need to do more to protect them?

WINCHESTER AND EASTLEIGH NHS TRUST

After monitoring health and safety records, bosses for Winchester and Eastleigh NHS Trust recognised they had problems with slips and trips on wet hospital floors.

Between 2002-2004 the Trust had to tackle in the region of 100 slips and trips from staff, all of which could be blamed on floors left wet after cleaning.

The Trust’s safety adviser had attended an HSE slips, trips and falls workshop in 2004, which reinforced the belief that more could and should be done. This prompted the Trust to look again at the areas where falls were occurring to identify trends. Around the same time the Trust was unfortunate enough to have a member of staff fall in a ward area after the floor had been mopped.

An inspector from the Health and Safety

Using HSE’s online risk assessment tools and having HSE on board was fundamental in reducing the slips and trips within our organisation. Without these tools and HSE support we wouldn’t have seen such dramatic results and made our wards safer for our members of staff and patients whilst maintaining our clean environments – Dean Bailey, safety advisor for Winchester and Eastleigh NHS Trust

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Health Business | Volume 10.1

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HEALTH & SAFETY

Executive recommended that changing the way mopping was done could reduce the risk of slips and trips. He suggested using a dry mopping system using micro fibre, would limit the amount of fluid on the floor.

Micro fibre mops are designed to pick up dirt and cling to it. Rather than saturating the mops, the mops are placed into a bucket and left to soak up the water and cleaning fluid. This reduces the amount of residue that is left on the floor during and after mopping. The staff were also advised to mop and dry the floor in sections before moving onto the next part of the ward, to provide safe access around the area.

Dean Bailey, safety advisor for Winchester and Eastleigh NHS Trust, said: “At first the housekeeping staff were reluctant to change to a system that they believed would take much longer. However, once we started to see a decrease in the number of people slipping and how easy it was to implement, they were more than happy with the new way of working.”

The Trust purchased 11 systems and trialed them for four weeks. The results were so dramatic they bought another six so they could roll the method out across all wards.

Since the Trust implemented the system in April 2005 it has received one report of a slip/trip to date as a result of wet floors, which was reportable under RIDDOR, and an 85 per cent reduction in falls from the 100 reported in the previous two years.

Dean Bailey said: “Using HSE’s online risk assessment tools and having HSE on

board was fundamental in reducing the slips and trips within our organisation.

Without these tools and HSE support we wouldn’t have seen such dramatic results and made our wards safer for our members of staff and patients whilst maintaining our clean environments.”

Draeger offers a wide range of personal protective equipment for use across the health service

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ROM FILTERING FACEPIECES and portable gas detectors through to chemical protective suits and drugs and alcohol testing devices, Draeger offers a wide variety of personal protective equipment for use across the health service.

The Draeger X-plore Series of filtering half and full face masks provides effective, reliable protection against both particulates and gases and vapours. Available in limited life and reusable half-mask as well as full face mask versions complete with eye protection, the X-plore range offers a wide variety of masks for use in different applications.

Designed to protect against particulates, the Draeger X-plore 1700 filtering half mask, for instance, provides FFP1, 2 and 3 protection levels and is easy to use and comfortable to wear. Available in three colour-coded versions for easy identification, these lightweight, folded masks incorporate Synsafe filtering material for high filter efficiency and low breathing resistance. They also benefit from a soft, comfortable inner layer, a bend-to-fit nosepiece and an adjustable head harness to suit different head sizes. Both the FFP2 and FFP3 versions are supplied complete with exhalation valves for optimum comfort in hot or humid atmospheres.

Current legislation makes it very clear that employees must be free from the effects of

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THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR HEALTH MANAGEMENT

stationary systems, Draeger drug and alcohol testing solutions provide fast, accurate and reliable results. Suitable for use as part of the pre-employment screening process, they can also be used after an accident, where intoxication is suspected, or to check contract personnel working on site.

The Draeger Alcotest 6810 breath alcohol measuring instrument is simple, quick and easy to use. Accurate and reliable, it can be operated within six seconds of start up and provides up to 1500 measurements with just one pair of AA batteries. The lightweight, portable Draeger DrugTest 5000 drug detection system detects six different substance categories simultaneously, within just a few minutes.

Non-invasive, hygienic and easy to use, it analyses oral fluid samples as a preliminary test for traces of opiates, cocaine, cannabinoides, amphetamines and designer drugs and tranquilisers of the Benzodiazepine group.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

drugs and alcohol at work. This is particularly relevant where the use of vehicles and machinery are concerned or where employees have a critical role to play in the care of others. Available as portable instruments or

Contact: David Fenton Address: Draeger Safety UK Limited, Ullswater Close, Blyth Riverside Business Park, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 4RG Tel: 01670 352891 Fax: 01670 356266 Web: www.draeger.com

Visit the website to view the categorised product finder

Flooring – a quick fix is only skin deep LOORS PLAY A CENTRAL role in every building by providing the main working surface. They contribute to the atmosphere and feel of a building with colour and texture as well as providing a safe environment. As with most other things floors begin deteriorating when first used, in fact floors are the most used and abused part of a building.

The challenge for the maintenance department is choosing between a proactive and a reactive approach to maintain quality. When defects are noticed they pose a challenge, they have to be dealt with, but how?

It’s at this point that small quick fix repairs looks very appealing as they seem to deal with the immediate concern. Sadly many temporary repairs also carry the secret expectation of a permanent solution but the fact is that quick repairs are always cosmetic and

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Protect your patients and staff with fire sprinklers from FSS Ltd IRE SPRINKLERS ARE proven to be the most effective way to control fires, and allow safe escape from buildings, particularly for elderly, infirm, incapacitated or special needs residents.

In the residential care and support sectors, sprinkler systems to BS9251:2005 are becoming widely used and offer true 24/7 protection against fire, allowing staff to concentrate on resident’s welfare rather than having to deal with the fire itself, thus permitting safer and more assured evacuation procedures. Such systems offer a good, cost effective ‘safety of life’ investment for all care providers.

However, it is recommended that in selecting a sprinkler system provider, only fully trained and formally approved Companies are considered. A 3rd Party Accreditation Award

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never target underlying faults. Few floors exist that don’t bear the scars of old repair works and fewer still have only been repaired once.

A proactive focused approach to floor maintenance makes sound financial sense. It ensures that hazards such as uneven surfaces, failing joints or general wear and tear are identified and dealt with before they require more substantial works.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01430 861600 Fax: 01430 861666 E-mail: admin@ bonusflooring.co.uk

is also recommended, thus ensuring a correctly engineered and effective system.

FSS Ltd has been committed to the residential fire sprinkler market since 2004 and we are ‘approved installers’ by both BAFSA and the RSA fire sprinkler associations. Each member of our installation teams has successfully completed a fully certificated 3rd Party training programme.

The company has also attained FIRAS 3rd Party Accreditation status. Our experience and professional approach to this market has we believe, made us the leading BS9251 Installer in NE Scotland.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: +44 (0)1467 626055 Fax: +44 (0)1467 622721 E-mail: sales@firegard.co.uk Web: www.firegard.co.uk

Asbestos management consultancy services

Specialist anti-slip solutions from RODAL

OAL CONSULTANTS is an independent health and safety consultancy offering a range of professional services specialising in asbestos management.

We have a wealth of experience working for a number of NHS Trusts, offering advice and implementing quality assurance systems to comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006. Our expert knowledge has proved invaluable when advising on many legal issues and developing management plans to suit the individual requirements of each of these Trusts.

As an approved UKATA Asbestos Awareness Trainer we provide awareness training to comply with CAR 2006 tailored to individual clients. Our range of services also includes:

ODAL – THE leading specialist in anti slip treatments and coatings for all your existing internal and external hard floors where there is a major safety issue in hospitals, care and nursing homes, primary care and national health trusts, clinics and local authorities.

Rodal can provide and install anti slip treatments, floor finishes, industrial coatings, bath treatments, and bath and shower mats. All of our products will increase the coefficient of friction for all types of internal and external flooring including vinyl, linoleum, laminates, ceramics, porcelain, wood decking, concrete and many more.

We offer on site evaluation for the measurement of pedestrian

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• Duty to manage • Management of asbestos and management plans • Project management of asbestos removal schemes • Specifying, tendering and control of removal contractors • Quality control of analysts • Type 1, 2 and 3 surveys • Sample testing • Air testing • Asbestos awareness training We are based in Brighouse, with regional offices in Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle and Nottingham.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0113 397 1040 Fax: 0845 437 9300 E-mail: brighouse@ coal-consultants.co.uk Web: www.coal-consultants.co.uk

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slip potential using the HSE preferred method, the British Pendulum Slip Tester (BS7976).

Operating on a national basis our client list includes hotels, leisure clubs, schools offices, factories, retail and NHS Trusts.

Most recently Rodal has completed the task of treating all corridors, operating theatres, canteen and changing rooms at the Spire Hospital, St Leonards with anti slip Maxiflex HT Floor Care Finish.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0845 521 6966 Fax: 01444 443888 E-mail: info@rodalanti slipfloors.co.uk Web: www.rodalantislip floors.co.uk

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Have your finger on the pulse of FM Get to the heart of facilities management by joining the BIFM today.

Be at the very heart of your profession by joining the BIFM. It’s the one body that has something for everybody in the business. We offer the most prestigious training, development and recognition for facilities managers.

We provide a fantastic range of benefits, services, and offers for all our members. We enable you to network with your peers and share ideas at a whole range of national, regional and local events.

Join today and quote HBUK

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We keep you totally in the know through FM World magazine, our continuously updated website and networking groups.

We even give you a chance to influence your profession personally by getting involved and giving FM a better future.

If you want to put your heart and soul into FM, talk to us.

T: 0845 058 1358 E: membership@bifm.org.uk www.bifm.org.uk 17/11/09 10:03:41

EASIBATHE & EASIACCESS Life made Easi

Easibathe & Easiaccess have over 15 years experience in specialist adaptations. From individual homes to large-scale refurbishments we guarantee a first class service that will be simple and trouble free. From initial enquiry through to the completed installation, the Easibathe & Easiaccess teams are highly experienced and offer a wide range of technical and after sales support.

Keeping Kids Busy

Original activity and play tables and furniture. Create a relaxing and controlled waiting environment.

Not sure what you are looking for? Our sales and survey teams are here to help! Using our customised software ‘easiplan’, the adaptation process could not be simpler. To find out more just Freephone 0800 321 7430.

Telephone: 07872 988153 Email: info@play-furniture.com Web: www.play-furniture.com

Health Business | Volume 10.1

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FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

REWARDING INNOVATION IN THE WORKPLACE With recent criticism of his home city, Keith Sammonds, managing director of the Healthcare Facilities Consortium, looks at both the local PCT and the city’s acute trust and reflects on how recent awards to both show the forward looking nature of the people in Wolverhampton Healthcare YOU MAY HAVE SEEN THAT Wolverhampton, my home since I was in short trousers in 1967, was recently cited by the Lonely Planet Guide as being the 5th worst city in the world. In simple terms the people who wrote that report can never have been to the city, or perhaps they just rode through on a train to elsewhere. Wolverhampton is a vibrant city with some of the friendliest and most helpful people I have ever had the privilege to meet. Having joined Wolverhampton Health Authority in 1979 and been a user

and supporter of the health services within ever since I find it desperately frustrating when there is little or no acknowledgement of the innovation and resourcefulness of the people employed in our hospitals and clinics.

So now to redress the balance (a little): As a membership organisation the Healthcare Facilities Consortium has always endeavoured to find and propagate the very best of good practice and in the last few months our local PCT Facilities Team has won three such awards and our local

acute hospital premature infant team earned a national reputation for excellence.

The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust runs the premature infant team at its New Cross Hospital base and the Express and Star, the local evening paper, recently ran a half double page spread under the headline “Mother of all baby units”. This report highlighted how the unit is receiving premature babies from as far afield as Scotland and the Isle of Man because of its very high reputation. The report highlighted: “From consultants to domestic staff, all play their part

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in helping New Cross Hospital’s neonatal unit maintain its reputation as one of the finest in the country.” It is very pleasing to see that the Domestic Services team are mentioned in the article on an equal basis with the consultants, nursing staff and EME technicians that maintain the unit’s seven high dependency and 12 low dependency cots. The cleanliness of the unit is critical to maintaining a healthy environment for the infants and this has to be carried out with the constant flow of concerned visitors and staff. No wonder the domestic services team drew special mention. With this success behind it the unit is now bidding to expand.

Through my membership of the HefmA West Midlands Branch I was aware that the Wolverhampton City Primary Care Trust Facilities Team had won the Branch Good Practice Award in 2009 and subsequently also came second in the HefmA National Facilities Team of the Year Award. Later in the year the team also came second in the Building Better Healthcare Award for Best Facilities Management Service. No mean achievement for a Primary Care Trust team! So what is special about the team and the services they provide and how can the rest of us involved in healthcare facilities learn something from them?

The PCT has devised a new approach to their facilities team in the community setting. The Trust has established a flatter management structure, defined roles and responsibilities and actively encourages the team members to take responsibility and innovate

LEADING TOGETHER As a start point I viewed with interest the presentation made to the local HefmA Branch meeting in November last. Each HefmA West Midlands Branch award winner is expected to make such a presentation to the branch members with the clear intention of sharing best practice and so the presentations take around half the year to complete being made to the bi-monthly meetings. The first thing that struck me was that the presentation was made by a team of two senior managers who effectively share the role of leading the team. Joanne Appleby and Lindsay IbbsGeorge are the general managers for Facilities within the Wolverhampton City PCT. In looking at ‘Facilities in the Community’ their presentation reviewed how the PCT has devised a new approach to their facilities team in the community setting. The Trust has established a flatter management structure, defined roles and responsibilities and actively encourages the team members to take responsibility and innovate. Looking at the flatter than I am used to management structure it was obvious that this is not what we would normally call a ‘Facilities Department’. To start with there is no estates function – this is handled by the Estates Team, which is not linked in any (formal) way to the Facilities Team. As well as Housekeeping, Catering, Transport and Waste there is an Arts Coordinator and Warehousing also included in the team’s responsibilities as well as Contract and Performance Monitoring.

One other significant difference from what we are more used to seeing in the management structures of E&FM departments or directorates

within the health service is that the Team reports directly to the finance director and not the more usual facilities or operations director.

So what differences does this approach make?

Although the presentation was good and very informative I wanted to know more and so I arranged a visit to their offices. This was a little bit of a trip down memory lane for me as I was part of the commissioning team for West Park Hospital in the 1980s and helped establish the new Unit Works Department that looked after the (then) new hospitals at West Park and Penn as well as maintaining the Health Centres, clinics, ambulance stations, staff accommodation, the old Eye Infirmary (now sadly closed along with the patients’ chapel that we built out of the old theatres and equipped with stained glass windows from a local redundant Church (now my financial advisor’s office!) and the Rehabilitation Centre at Patshull Hall – now a local golf club and hotel). The approach to the hospital entrance was very pleasing to see, well laid out with a ramp instead of the steps that were part of the new build. The reception was bright and airy and noticeably clean and well maintained and I was properly greeted on the reception desk and directed to the offices. Walking down the corridor I noticed the crisp design of the facilities team uniforms, a facilities notice board and a pull up promoting the Dr Hans Clean campaign being run jointly between the PCT and the acute trust.

Sharing a coffee and a chat with Lindsay and Joanne was very illuminating as they poured enthusiasm for what they have achieved. The finance director has actively encouraged the

team to put in for awards and their success has been a springboard for other elements of his management area to follow their lead and it looks as if there is now a healthy competition growing amongst the departments which is resulting in spin off benefits for the local community. As an example the IT department have launched a website on children’s nutrition in conjunction with the school nurses and I gather that this is being put forward for an award. The Directorate hold Team Away Days and each department is required to make a presentation on what they are doing: Informatics have been working in support of The Good Shepherd Centre, a hostel for the homeless I the city centre, Procurement are working with local schools providing football training – well we do have a Premiership Team again! These activities are undertaken by the staff in their own time and the finance director’s view is that Corporate Services should be out and understanding the Trust functions better – and this drives the additional benefits into the community.

WINNING THE AWARDS Looking more specifically back at the Facilities Team and having judged awards in the past I wondered why you would put yourselves through the awards process? For the Facilities Team at Wolverhampton City PCT the trigger was a number of LIFT projects some 18 months previous and they found themselves competing against the local authority teams and wanted to show that they were better and worthy of being granted the services provision. Having produced the evidence there was very little extra

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effort required to make the information already at their finger tips into an awards submission. In particular, as some of the team had suggested Theme Days amongst the staff to brighten the atmosphere for patients, showing the staff all dressed up for a 1940s day gave a very real and visual image of the drive within the team. They have subsequently held Asian and Ascot days.

Having received these three recognitions there have been some very real benefits for the team.

Firstly the team received £500 as part of one of the awards and use d this as a primer for some BICS training for the housekeepers. With the number of staff involved additional funding was required and the approach to the FD after winning the first award was like pushing at an open door. Funding in the region of £20k has provided training for 120 now qualified to Cleaning Operative Proficiency Certificate level and the supervisors are going on to the next level.

When the team come up with new suggestions they do not have to prove to the same degree as the quality of the service has been proven in a comparative with their peers from around the country. It was also interesting to hear that the awards are displayed in the CEO’s office – he values “his team” having won them.

Some of the suggestions that have come through the team include a BAG to the FUTURE; they will be collecting bags of old clothing that generates around £400 per ton.

One member of the team decided to walk to work and raised over £75 towards the British Heart Foundation. One of the housekeepers suggested providing bottled water instead of the traditional jugs to the elderly patients (frail patients find the jugs difficult to handle, something I know only too well having seen both my late parents struggle with them).

This provided a cost effective solution as there is a significant saving in cleaning and refreshing the jugs through the day. Added

benefits are that it is far easier to monitor how much water the patients are consuming, the patients them selves can manage the sports tops easily and there is less spillage. They have now implemented their own recycling scheme for the volume of plastic bottles they use.

From the PEAT evaluations they have built action plans and develop bids for funding for innovative ideas to improve the patient experience. One example of this is that they now provide newspapers for the patients on the wards and also run an afternoon cakes trolley for patients and visitors – the aim being to make the ward a more homely environment for their patients. The housekeeping teams cover a wide range of areas including food, environment, cleaning, laundry and bed making (this later item being introduced this month).

At the Mental Health Unit younger patients are encouraged to make their own beds with the housekeeping team providing the linen as they do the routine tasks. The aim is to provide a less institutionalised environment for the patients.

FACILITIES COORDINATORS In the community there are facilities coordinators covering the 25 Health Centres and they act as a focal point for all hard and soft FM issues handling deliveries, flooring work, contractors’ attendance etc and all attendance by the internal Estates Maintenance teams. This is part of the proven ward based service being rolled out into the community properties. It has proven far easier with these staff in place to prove both the services and also invoicing for things like waste. Lindsay and Joanne told me that the awards have helped them prove that they can do these things; this has then been followed up by proven cost efficiencies one example of which is their Continence Service. As part of a tender exercise locally they decided to consider an internal service using a warehouse

receiving bulk deliveries and internal distribution rather than home deliveries by the distributors.

This has proven successful and cost effective and may lead into other allied arrangements.

Following the Deep Clean programme, which was executed primarily using contractors, the team undertook a review to consider how they were going to maintain the standards. Use of contractors proved difficult partly because of the high demand for their services but also because of the problems of arranging access for the contractors to so many outlying properties. They built a proposal for an in-house service and this has shown cost savings over the contractor programme and also enhanced service flexibility. The service is run using a housekeeper with two full time equivalent staff and with full liaison with the Estates Team to provide for the removal of fixtures and fittings. The first period of the new service was followed by a thorough audit and proof positive of the benefits of this service provision.

As noted earlier the team includes an arts Coordinator but I think I will leave this for a later article as there is significant interest in this kind of work to warrant a further look.

The Facilities Team has its own branding, in house magazine and will shortly be moving into its own Facilities HQ including its own training centre. All in all a very forward looking and effective team from the Trust’s high end management structure and approach through the two general managers and their infectious enthusiasm to the staff at the sharp end who appreciate the freedom to think and innovate and value the opportunities they are given to provide their own input into the planning and decision making processes. The fact that so many get involved on a voluntary basis with fund raising and patient support activities is testament to the loyalty and commitment that the management methodologies are inspiring.

Premier Facilities Maintenance Ltd REMIER FACILITIES Maintenance Ltd are a property and building services maintenance provider, based in the East Midlands.

We have established ourselves as a multi trade provider offering comprehensive planned preventative/reactive maintenance for total building services.

Since the business was established we have grown from local to regional and national provision. During our growth we are pleased to be associated with East Midlands Ambulance Service for the provision of facilities management and maintenance.

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and are affiliated to the HVCA. We strive to supply our clients with the best possible service provision with individual maintenance packages tailored to suit your specific maintenance requirements.

Our helpdesk is provided as a 24/7 call out facility offering a fast response with professional support and back up of our management, administration and technical team, ensuring that a comprehensive level of customer care is maintained at all times.

FOR MORE INFORMATION We employ skilled and experienced operatives who are trained to current nationally agreed standards, we are Gas Safe, F-gas registered

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Getting the most out of your linguistic supplier ET THE MOST FROM your linguistic supplier to keep those budgets under control with these useful tips from T&I Services (UK) Ltd, a translation and interpreters provider.

Preparing a brief – plan ahead and provide plenty of information. The best results, in both spoken and written form, will require reference to terminology and context.

The purpose – be clear on how the material is to be used. Is it a report, news article, informative web-page or legally binding contract?

Go with the know – professional translators and interpreters only work in their native language and in subjects they understand.

Keeping with the same supplier will pay dividends. Flex to fit their schedule if needed.

Setting deadlines – expect a translator to take 2-3 working days for two pages of text and book your interpreter as far in advance as possible to keep costs low.

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Getting a quote – for an accurate quote be prepared to send the full documents.

For a ball-park figure; word count, subject matter, language and purpose of translation should be enough.

The T & I Service includes 10 in-house translators and a team of 5,000 fully qualified, vetted and tested linguists world-wide. To communicate in another language, culture, and environment call T & I Services on 0845 6008150.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0845 600 8150 Fax: 01908 265461 E-mail: enquiries@ tiservicesuk.com Web: www.tiservicesuk.com

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ENERGY

LOWERING COSTS AND EMISSIONS City Hospitals Sunderland is dramatically cutting carbon emissions and energy costs after installing a 1.55MW combined heat and power system SUNDERLAND ROYAL HOSPITAL IS A 970-bed acute hospital run by City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust and offers a full range of clinical specialisms and therapies. The hospital is on course to recover the £600,000 capital cost of its new combined heat and power (CHP) system – supplied and operated by cogeneration specialist ENER-G – in less than three years.

The Trust has also installed three high efficiency water boilers, replacing old steam boilers. The entire installation is making carbon savings of approximately 3,447 tonnes per year – equivalent to the environmental benefit of 344,700 trees.

Rob Allport, divisional director for estates and facilities at Sunderland Royal Hospital, said: “This latest installation complements a whole range of investment made by the Trust in energy saving/sustainability over the last 20 years and the Trust has already delivered its 10-year 2010 energy efficiency target of existing buildings.

“The Trust welcomes the new NHS target of reducing its carbon footprint by 60 per cent by 2050 and this latest CHP installation is giving us a very good start to achieving this target.”

GAS CONVERSION CHP technology converts gas into both electricity and heat in a single process at the point of use. The technology works by generating electricity on-site and recovering the majority of the heat created in the process, in contrast to conventional power stations where heat is simply wasted into the atmosphere through power station cooling towers.

In addition, significant amounts of energy are lost along the many miles of electrical distribution cables needed to bring the power to site. CHP is a proven, energysaving technology that can transform environmental and cost performance. It is growing in popularity amid increasing economic pressure, regulatory concerns, and fears over security of supply. The technology is ideal for applications with consistent demands for thermal energy and considerable electrical base loads, including large general hospitals.

The new system at Sunderland Royal Hospital has replaced a gas turbine powered CHP unit, supplied by ENER-G 16 years ago.

CARBON REDUCTION STRATEGY As Europe’s biggest employer, the NHS contributes approximately three per cent of England’s total carbon dioxide emissions, so there is a powerful need to implement effective carbon abatement strategies like CHP. A political mandate has now been set

This latest installation complements a whole range of investment made by the Trust in energy saving/ sustainability over the last 20 years and the Trust has already delivered its 10-year 2010 energy efficiency target of existing buildings.The Trust welcomes the new NHS target of reducing its carbon footprint by 60 per cent by 2050 and this latest CHP installation is giving us a very good start to achieving this target THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR HEALTH MANAGEMENT

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ENERGY

economical from an operational point of view.”

Other major general hospitals to have implemented ENER-G’s cleaner, greener CHP technology are Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Solihull Hospital and Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

An award-winning £5m energy efficiency programme at Birmingham Heartlands has reduced primary energy consumption by 21 per cent; CO2 emissions by 42 per cent; and utility spend by 24 per cent. The 5,600 tonne cut in CO2 emissions equates to the environmental benefit of 560,000 trees.

The Birmingham Heartlands programme, financed by ENER-G Combined Power was structured around the principles of a Public Private Partnership contract, and included a £403,000 grant from the Carbon Trust under the government’s Community Energy Programme. ENER-G Combined Power provides the trust with a guaranteed level of performance for the system over a 15 year period.

through proposals for a new Carbon Reduction Strategy that commits the service as a whole to reducing emissions by 60 per cent by 2050.

The potential for CHP use in the NHS is huge.

Sunderland Royal’s top-end CHP system is among the first installations in Europe

by ENER-G of its new 1.55MW MTU unit powered by a natural gas engine. This comprises a 16v gas generator set with LV generation that is transformed to 11kV in a transformer for connection to the site.

The new MTU reciprocating unit develops 1550KWe, compared to the 1050KWe output of the hospital’s previous gas turbine engine.

CHP systems from ENER-G are available from 4kW to 10MW. Typical applications run on natural gas, although systems can also be fuelled by biogas, propane, diesel or bio-diesel.

In the range up to 2MWe capacity; units

can be delivered and packaged as a single unit with the controls, heat recovery units and engine within neat, compact, acoustically insulated enclosures suitable for either internal of external installation. Above 1MWe, each one of ENER-G’s cogeneration units is bespoke, with the engine and system carefully designed to meet each specific application.

The previous gas turbine power unit at Sunderland Royal has enabled carbon savings of around 30,000 tonnes over 16-years.

ENER-G senior service engineer, Ian Rutherford, had been responsible for the power unit at Sunderland Royal CHP unit for 16 years. He commented: “The previous turbine machinery was a fantastic piece of engineering and I will be sorry to see it go. However, the new reciprocating engine represents the latest advances in technology and is more

CHP IN SOLIHULL An £5.7 million green energy system is being installed at Solihull Hospital, with projected annual savings of £293,000 and a 45 per cent reduction in carbon emissions.

The CHP system will enable the hospital to generate its own electricity, cutting annual C02 emissions by 1,920 tonnes – the equivalent environmental benefit of a forest of more than 295,000 trees. Construction work on the site in Lode Lane, Solihull, started recently and is expected to be finished by early 2010.

Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital NHS Trust switched on new CHP technology at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital to cut £2 million off the Trust’s energy bills. The combined heat and power system also means big reductions in Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital NHS Trust’s carbon emissions, a factor that led to the Carbon Trust awarding a grant of £549,000 – the maximum grant available.

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on future carbon reductions. These decisions can be made easily from information provided by the software without the need to trial potentially expensive alternatives.

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ENERGY

SMARTER AUTOMATIC METER READING Smarter AMR can provide real benefits, including increased efficiency, carbon reduction and reduced labour costs AMR IS NOW A TOPIC THAT HAS reached even the furthest corners of the UK plc. The main driver of recent months has been the Carbon Reduction Commitment or CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme as it is now to be known.

As recently as last month the Environment Agency has had a climb down on the requirement to buy two years carbon allowances in July 2011, essentially halving the cash flow impact of the CRC energy efficiency scheme on qualifying businesses, at the same time doubling the benefit in the second and third years of the scheme of installing AMR..

IMPACT The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme’s impact on your business (should it qualify) will in 2011 entirely depend upon what are called the Early Action Metrics, whereby a league table is drawn up and your companies relative performance to others is gauged by these metrics. In the first year, a successful installation of AMR across 90 per cent of your portfolio should see you avoid the associated financial penalties as AMR accounts for 50 per cent of these metrics in the first year.

The other metric is to achieve the Carbon Trust Standard or other similar scheme. In the second and third year the impact of AMR has doubled now delivering 20 per cent in the second year and 10 per cent in the third year. This now gives higher emphasis to Early Action changes and reducing more slowly to better recognise your investment in AMR. Of course your organisations ability to reduce its consumption weighs heaviest after the first year, with the difficulties of doing this from estimated invoices; AMR is the best way to prove exactly what you have used.

It is also worth noting that if your consumption submission for CRC is based upon estimated readings then they will be increased by 10 per cent, offering further incentive for the installation of AMR.

SIMPLE SOLUTION In case you have missed the whole smart meter AMR thing, AMR stands for Automated Meter Reading. It covers a range of technologies all of which provide users with timely and accurate access to their utility usage. AMR is available for electricity, gas and water meters, however in the case of gas and water an additional item, data logger or other similar device, needs to be connected to your existing meter via a pulse output, should a working pulse output be present on your meter.

This is easier said than done as depending

upon the age and size of your meters you should expect up to 40 per cent of your gas meters and even 70 per cent of your water meters may not have a working pulse output therefore requiring a full meter exchange (and then fitting your data logger to it).

Requesting your gas or water supplier to change your meter has until recently proved either difficult or costly and this would often result in either the installation of another intermediate device (OCR devices which obscure the view of the gas meter dial and often end up being removed by a meter reading agent reducing their longevity of use) or changing your Meter Asset Provider to an alternative to National Grid

produce bills without estimated readings, both of which are a benefit to the end consumer.

However, some electricity meters can be remotely disconnected by your energy supplier for non payment of invoices, for this reason due consideration should be given to owning your own meter asset and appointing your own maintainers and data collectors. All electricity meters and gas and water data loggers have to be installed by accredited parties.

Jonathan Akers, head of Technical Energy Services BIU, says: “The incentives for getting AMR right are being created by both the government and suppliers. The penalties from the board room for getting it wrong are also, due to changing legislation and lack of transparency.

Some electricity meters of the Smarter variety have the ability to be remotely configured to optimise your billing tariffs and suppliers also use AMR to obtain readings remotely and produce bills without estimated readings, both of which are a benefit to the end consumer. However, some electricity meters can be remotely disconnected by your energy supplier for non payment of invoices, for this reason due consideration should be given to owning your own meter asset and appointing your own maintainers and data collectors Metering (formally known as Transco).

Recent changes have seen that National Grid are committed to providing working pulse outputs on their gas meters for you to use.

Similarly in the case of electricity AMR it is often neglected to consider the costs and implications of having to turn the power off to a building in order to change an electricity meter as typically around 60 per cent of your sites will require just that. The cost to have a representative present at your site, or potential loss of revenue of interrupting supply during trading hours, along with the IT and systems costs to turn the power back on is often overlooked. All electricity meters and gas and water data loggers have to be installed by accredited parties

REMOTE ACCESS Some electricity meters of the Smarter variety have the ability to be remotely configured to optimise your billing tariffs and suppliers also use AMR to obtain readings remotely and

It is important that your AMR solution is independently verified, financial and consumption benefits clearly detailed, and that the same company will support you in a year or two’s time when you are asked to prove the results.”

BIU has provided metering services to RBS, Tesco, One Stop Stores, NCP, Pets at Home, Café Rouge, Poundland, Pret-a-Manger and the 2012 Olympics Athletes Village.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01253 789 816 Fax: 01253 714 131 E-mail: amr@biu.com Web: www.biu.com

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Visit the website to view the categorised product finder

Taktyle Hygienic Leading brand of braille signage Active hygienic protection Reduces the risk of infection For more information, please contact us at: T 01302 788 700 F 01302 390 004 E info@biosign.co.uk

Direct Signs – 20 years experience in the NHS IRECT SIGNS (northern) Ltd, is a leading supplier and service providers to NHS organisations and healthcare establishments.

Our long term expertise in NHS sign making has enabled us to produce a wide range of signs on quality substrates, delivering your corporate identity message on buildings, vehicles and internal signs, from plans to installation.

We offer wayfinding signs in varying forms, including wall, suspended, door or post mounted, and modular post and panel sign systems and directories.

DDA compliant products, which conform with the technical bulletin 24 issued by the RNIB and Guide Dogs for the Blind, are available to meet the needs of every type of application.

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Our health and safety supplementary signage including fire safety signage to HTM hospital memorandum 65 Signs Guide 2, and our health and safety general signs conform to BS5499 in accordance with all current UK safety rules.

Using the latest technology and equipment available allows us to provide our customers with highquality materials and deliver at the most competitive prices from design to manufacture, from a single sign to a complete project.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Direct Signs (northern) Ltd Sales Department Tel: 01325 351092 E-mail: info@direct-signs.com Web: www.info@ direct-signs.com

Health Business | Volume 10.1

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SIGNS

GOING DIGITAL Digital signing has great potential but we’re not there yet, says Alan Stevenson, Workshop 2 I’M A SIGN DESIGNER, I DEVELOP signing and wayfinding strategies for a wide range of environments, including healthcare facilities. To develop a wayfinding strategy; we identify decision-making points, horizontal and vertical circulation routes, entrances and exits for a range of different building users, potential ‘pinch points’, security concerns, health and safety issues. We also look at corporate identity and branding issues, ergonomic factors, legibility issues, compliance with regulations, forward site developments, budgets, opportunities to involve public arts, interior finishes, environmental policies, editorial policies, policies on access, diversification and dozens of other concerns.

Once we’ve considered all of this, we come up with a theoretical ‘family’ of signs that will address all the issues and mark the positions onto building plans and a schedule of signs that list the graphic content of each sign.

languages at the touch of a button (on a touch-screen of course). Signs that can display personal mapping. Signs that can connect to the internet. Signs that can display schedules and events. Signs that can be updated remotely. Signs that have audio content.

Digital signing will make beautifully crafted bespoke signing or well-engineered signing systems all old hat, if it hasn’t got a plug on it, no one will want to know. However, the digital revolution hasn’t happened yet, it will not happen next year and it may not happen in another five years.

Why not? Well firstly, at the moment, digital signs look pretty rubbish. They either look like tellies or a souped-up version of the sort of cash machine you find in 24hr mini-marts. Who wants to fill their buildings with either of these?

Secondly, they are very costly. A digital door sign or a directory will cost 10 times more

CHOOSING THE PRODUCT Up to this point we have only been dealing with theories and concepts, now we have to realise the designs. Historically, we have two choices; either a bespoke construction or one of the numerous sign systems. There are pros and cons for each type of product.

Sign systems usually allow more flexibility to manage cost and content over time and are tried and tested solutions, however, as they are made from a range of standard components there are limits to design flexibility. There are excellent sign systems out there and some truly rubbish ones.

With regard to bespoke products, we start with a blank sheet of paper and put together a specification from scratch, this gives us the ultimate in design flexibility, we could use low cost PVC materials or high specification stainless steel. Bespoke solutions tend to be more expensive to manage over time and there is more scope for inconsistencies.

We often end up with a hybrid solution with both signing systems and bespoke elements. Regardless of which option we go for, we will have a static display.

Continued hybridisation between GPS satellite industries, telecoms industries and internet service providers will mean that mobile telephone type devices will become real time personal wayfinding devices

DIGITAL SIGNING For the last few years, people have been predicting the coming of age of digital signing.

I don’t mean the endlessly looping digital advertising or point of sale sites that are now common. I mean signs that help people to navigate a building. Signs that help to explain how an organisation fits into a space. Signs that can explain procedures. Signs that you can interrogate and can provide real depth of information. Signs that can offer multiple

than a conventional sign but the additional functionality is so paltry that it’s simply not worth it. You can display the name of the person who has booked a meeting room on a sign outside the room; big deal.

Then there’s the issue of responsibility, digital signing falls uncomfortably between several stools. A digital signing project may involve an organisation’s IT Department, Marketing Department and Facilities Management Department. One of these parties will be the driver of the project and the other two, reluctant followers. This comes into sharp focus once a project is installed and someone needs to be responsible for the maintenance of the hardware and the upkeep of the editorial content. On a more fundamental level, when a building is under construction or a building is being fitted out, it’s not clear which of the trade packages digital signage should fit into.

Does it fit on with the electrical package, the IT package or the signing package?

PRACTICAL PROBLEMS Assuming that a contractor has shoehorned the digital signing into a contract package and that someone on the client team has taken responsibility and the client has swallowed the cost, we then get down to the practicalities.

The principal practical problem is probably

connectivity. Each sign will require to be hard wired to a power source and probably a LAN. That’s two cables to be dealt with. If you’re working on a new build or a substantial refurb, the cabling can be hidden in wall voids or partitions, assuming that you’ve juggled the contract packages correctly. If not, you’ll have to put up with the cables or hide them with a bit of conduit.

Neither option is particularly attractive.

Then there is integration. If the digital signing package has any sort of interactivity or function like a scheduling activity then it will probably have to be integrated into an existing network. People who design and manage IT systems like hermetically sealed networks. They do not tend to embrace someone from the marketing team coming along with a couple of dozen monitors and associated unfamiliar boxes to be integrated into their network.

One day of course, all these issues will

be resolved. Developments in flexible screen technology will permit digital signs to have more elegant cases or be built into the building structure.

Screens of the type used in electronic books, only require power when the screen is refreshed cutting power consumption enormously. This together with initiatives like the University of Missouri’s nuclear batteries, which they claim have a million times more capacity than conventional batteries, will negate the need for hard-wiring for power.

Bluetooth will continue to improve making complex wireless connections and technical addressing more reliable. Phones are already being built with 2D barcode receivers that can transmit data directly.

Continued hybridisation between GPS satellite industries, telecoms industries and internet service providers will mean that mobile telephone type devices will become real time personal wayfinding devices.

Open-source mapping has already loosened the stranglehold held by the OS and gives people the ability to edit, personalise and update maps in real time.

One day the potential of digital signing will be fulfilled. In the meantime, I’ll be happy to specify beautifully crafted bespoke signing or well engineered signing systems for my clients.

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FIRE SAFETY

FIRST AID FIRE FIGHTING Robert Thilthorpe, technical manager, Fire Industry Association, discusses the role of the portable extinguisher WHEN CONSIDERING FIRE SAFETY IN hospitals, the major focus tends to be on the fire detection, alarms and automatic extinguishing. While they are all very important aspects to consider, the role of the humble portable fire extinguisher should not be overlooked. In a hospital, it is not just the life-threatening fire itself that needs to be considered – the potential loss of electronic medical equipment that could be critical to a patient is also a factor, as are the consequences of having to evacuate. Beyond the life safety considerations, you have the damage to the building and its contents, increases in insurance payments, the destruction of data, and the psychological impact that a fire has on those affected. For all of these reasons, it is vital that a means of first aid fire fighting is available – the opportunity to tackle a small fire before it has the chance to develop into something more serious.

worldwide fire protection manager said that if he had his way, all portables would be removed from his company’s hotels as he would rather everyone evacuate immediately and then wait for the Fire & Rescue Service to arrive. He did, however, accede that neither his staff nor his customers were in agreement.

Martin Harvey, the Chairman of our trade association, witnessed only recently at a corporate event the start of a small fire that involved a candle, paper napkins and a dining

table. As he reported: “It was amazing to watch people’s lack of a reaction. Most sat and did nothing for at least 30-40 seconds, then one person tried to dab out the fire without success. Luckily each table had a jug of water on it and another person stepped in and poured the water to extinguish the fire.”

Had the jugs of water not been to hand, what would have happened? Everyone evacuate and wait for the fire to spread and build to a size that actuates the sprinklers or, if not sprinklered,

EXTINGUISHING SMALL FIRES In certain quarters, people have perhaps lost sight of the importance of fire extinguishers, particularly in a culture which appears ever more conscious of potential litigation. For some, removing portable extinguishers is the easy option. At a recent presentation by a world-renowned hotel chain, the chain’s

The Fire Safety Order requires a full risk assessment of any hospital, part of which should be devoted to matching the number of fire extinguishers to the identified risk

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Visit the website to view the categorised product finder

In a serious fire...

Time = Life

In a fire, a few extra seconds may save lives. Timonox flame retardant coatings slow down the spread of flame.

Legislation introduced in 2006 imposes a duty on building owners and employers to carry out whole building risk assessment, an element of which underlines the risk of flame spread over painted wall and ceiling areas.

We have produced an informative DVD and CD set, providing information about the legislation and its implications. It includes the relevant guides produced by the government for different building types. Most importantly, it shows how Crown Trade Timonox can help to “buy time” for a building to be evacuated.

For more information on the full range of Crown Trade Timonox Flame Retardant Coatings, please contact the Customer Relations Team on 0845 389 9583 or email info@crowntrade.co.uk Crown Paints Ltd, PO Box 37, Hollins Road, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 0BG

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Scotchkote liquid coatings from 3M CQUIRED BY 3M in 2007, the Copon and Thortex brand names are synonymous with high performance coatings in aggressive operating environments. Now integrated into the Scotchkote range from 3M, the track record of these products, combined with the brand of 3M within the healthcare profession means that specifiers and users can trust the technology they are using to provide the solutions they need.

3M’s Northallerton plant manufactures a range of specialist liquid coatings. In the fire protection arena the company’s expertise in polymer technology has led to a range of protective coatings incorporating highly effective intumescence, minimal flame spread and reduced levels of heat, smoke and toxic fume emissions. The company is a member of the ASFP and the Intumescent Coatings Forum.

The Scotchkote Pyrotech SPX waterborne intumescent product range offers fully tested and approved coatings for the timed protection of structural steel used within the construction of

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buildings. The range of products is available through our national distribution channel.

Scotchkote liquid applied walling coatings provide the benefits of seamless, hygienic and easy to clean surfaces, with the intrinsic low smoke and flame spread properties associated with systems used within underground areas, thus contributing to the ongoing safety of building users.

3M and Scotchkote are trademarks of 3M Company.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01609 780170 Fax: 01609 780438 E-mail: enquiries. cpp@mmm.com Web: www.3m.co.uk/ scotchkote

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FIRE SAFETY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Robert Thilthorpe joined the Fire Industry Association (FIA) in 2002, initially as Assistant Technical Manager, having previously worked at the British Standards Institution (BSI) where he was responsible for National, European and International Fire Committees. He took on the role as the association’s technical manager in 2005. wait until the Fire and Rescue Service arrives?

While as a trade association that represents the fire protection industry and one that works very closely with the Fire and Rescue Service, we are in no way advocating a cavalier approach to tackling a fire, surely having the means to tackle a fire, if it is safe to do so and the relevant training has been given, has to be better than an approach which simply leaves the fire to escalate.

The success of portable fire extinguishers as a means of combating fire is well documented. A survey into their use showed that 80 per cent of the fires fought with them are successfully extinguished and that in 75 per cent of cases

there was no need to call the Fire and Rescue Service. It is clear that fire extinguishers play a very important role in the preservation of life and property and, in a hospital, the ability they provide to control a fire in its early stages can significantly reduce the risk in an environment which, by its very nature, is caring for those who are particularly vulnerable.

RISK ASSESSMENT The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (the fire safety legislation that is now in place) requires that a full risk assessment be carried out on any hospital and, as part of that process, the number of portable fire extinguishers required should be matched to the risk identified in a given premises.

Attention should also be paid to selecting the appropriate extinguisher for the fire risk.

There are several types of fire extinguisher: water, foam, multipurpose dry chemical (powder), carbon dioxide, wet chemical and special powder. The multipurpose dry chemical is the most common extinguisher in hospitals because, as its name suggests, it is particularly versatile. Most extinguishers carry labels to identify the

types of fire on which they can be used: Class A – flammable solids Class B – flammable liquids Class C – flammable gases Class D – flammable metals Class F – cooking oils and fats The dry chemical extinguisher can be used on Classes ABC and electrical risks but, for example, hospital kitchens would require a wet chemical extinguisher to tackle any fire generated from fats or cooking oils. A guide to the types of extinguisher and their application is freely available from the Fire Industry Association (FIA) either in printed form (phone 020 8549 5855) or on the website: www.fia.uk.com.

The extinguishers should be located at appropriate points, such as on the escape routes at each floor level, with signage possibly also necessary to highlight their location.

TRAINING Just having the extinguishers to hand is not enough. Attention must also be paid to the need to train those people who may be expected to attempt to extinguish a fire. In a hospital this will obviously be staff rather than patients

High performance fire safety storage solutions

Lawrence Webster Forrest – fire consultants

O BIRD IS ONE OF the world’s leading manufacturers of high performance storage solutions for fire, safety and lifesaving equipment. These products, which include the Firebird and Toughstore ranges, have been successfully used over long periods in some of the world’s most hostile environments.

The British made Toughstore range of injection moulded ABS/ Polycarbonate cabinets are not only very robust but also have a very high standard of finish to complement indoor environments.

Within the range are cabinets for fire extinguishers, breathing apparatus, defibrillators and fire hoses which are widely used in factories, offices, schools, marinas and waterfronts.

We have recently introduced a new model for use in hospitals and care homes. The SOS101AM features an anti-microbial additive which kills at least 99.9 per cent of bacteria and viruses. This helps to cut down the risk of infection and makes the process of cleaning easier together with protecting

AWRENCE WEBSTER Forrest Ltd is a fire safety engineering consultancy with over 20 years experience in the development of fire engineering technology and the application of fire safety standards.

As the UK’s leading independent fire consultant, LWF provides building managers, owners, occupiers, developers and designers with innovative solutions to the problems of establishing an integrated premises fire safety strategy.

Such solutions are individually designed to each building considering relevant constraints such as structure, occupancy, use, operation and cost.

The company has been providing these service since 1986 and has built up an impressive client list which includes architects, developers, government departments, project managers, consulting engineers, building owners, facilities/ building managers and owners.

Services offered include,

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the equipment inside. The clear door means it is possible to easily check the state of the equipment and it has a quick release handle for rapid access in an emergency.

Most of our cabinets also uniquely carry Lloyds Type Test approval.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Please see our website for the full range of products available: www.jobird.co.uk.

Tel: 01278 785546 Fax: 01278 780541 E-mail: Info@jobird.co.uk

fire safety training, fire safety management and procedures, fire risk assessments, fire safety audits/ surveys, fire alarm and detection system design, fire suppression system design, emergency lighting system design, fire engineering design solutions, fire strategy development, evacuation modelling, fire and smoke modelling, design review and appraisal.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Peter Gyere, marketing manager Tel: 020 8668 8663 Fa: 020 8668 8583 E-mail: fire@lwf.co.uk Web: www.lwf.co.uk

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Health Business | Volume 10.1

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FIRE SAFETY

The success of portable fire extinguishers as a means of combating fire is well documented. A survey into their use showed that 80 per cent of the fires fought with them are successfully extinguished and that in 75 per cent of cases there was no need to call the Fire and Rescue Service and all staff should be familiar with the location and basic operating procedures of the portable fire extinguishers provided.

In a hospital environment, portable fire extinguishers should primarily be used to protect life and facilitate safe escape as the emphasis must be towards the safety of patients and staff rather than fighting the fire. Despite their undoubted value, it is important to appreciate that their role is to tackle a fire in its early stages: they cannot be expected to deal with a large fire since they are essentially first aid fire fighting appliances which is why training in their use is so important. Returning to the point made earlier in that some people are looking to remove extinguishers from premises completely. The reason usually proffered is the lack of training and the fact that it cannot be guaranteed that everyone is adequately trained. This is an excuse rather than a reason – extinguisher training is very simple and can be provided easily by any of the extinguisher maintenance companies that should be maintaining the extinguishers in the hospital at least once every year.

COMPETENCY All fire safety precautions provided need to be installed and maintained by a ‘competent person’. Under the Fire Safety Order a person is to be regarded as competent where he/she has sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other qualities to enable him/her properly to assist in undertaking the preventive and protective measures. For commercial buildings the main enforcing body will be the local fire and rescue authority.

In view of the above it is strongly recommended that portable fire extinguishers be properly maintained by personnel that can prove their competence through membership of a scheme such as the ‘Portable Fire Extinguisher Service Technicians Scheme’ from BAFE. PART OF THE EQUATION In conclusion, portable fire extinguishers are only part of the means of protecting a hospital from fire, albeit an important part and one that should not be ignored. Other fire protection provision will invariably be required e.g. hose reels, sprinklers, fire blankets, other automatic extinguishing systems, as well as fire detection and alarm systems. The major transparent change under the new fire safety regime is that fire certificates have been removed, with the designated responsible person now required to ensure the fire safety of the premises. For that responsible person, the need to employ companies and individuals that are competent in their respective field of fire safety has become more important than ever.

The FIA is a not-for-profit trade association with the aim of promoting the professional status of the UK fire safety industry

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 020 8549 5855 E-mail: info@fia.uk.com Web: www.fia.uk.com

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Eton Fire Ltd – specialists in fire protection systems ton Fire Ltd is an LPCB approved and highly respected fire protection company with a proven track record in new build, alterations and maintenance in all market sectors.

Our recent projects and clients include Castleoak Care Partnership (Care Homes and Supported Housing), Kent’s Building Schools for the Future (BSF) Programme, Wembley Stadium, Bluewater Shopping Centre, Marston Aerospace, HSBC and Canary Wharf to name but a few.

Established in 2001, we combine experienced personnel with bright new talent to create a fresh and friendly team with a

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professional approach to business.

The corner stone of our success comes from developing strong relations with our clients from the very beginning and our handson approach promotes excellent cooperation ensuring we provide the best solution to meet your specific requirements every time.

We are confident in our ability to under-take projects of any size or complexity, and will be delighted to discuss how we can be of assistance to you.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Please visit www.etonfire.com or call 0207 517 6300 for further information.

Swift – for all your fire and security requirements WIFT FIRE & SECURITY has operated within the fire and security industry since 1982, providing our services on a national basis, to leading organisations in both the private and public sectors.

Fire is a fast moving, lethal beast that can burn, melt and choke the life out of a building. Swift understand that the safety of your staff, patients and visitors is of primary importance and have the experience and expertise, operating within the healthcare industry to prepare and protect you in the event of an emergency.

Recognising the benefits of offering a total solution, Swift has established its own internal Fire and Mechanical Products Division, specialising in the supply, fit, installation and maintenance of fire fighting equipment, and fire suppression systems, including extinguishers, blankets, hose reels, fire safety signs, dry risers, hydrants, sprinklers and gas suppression systems.

The division offers qualified,

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professional advice and training, essential in ensuring your organisations compliance with current legislation and the safety of your people and premises.

In addition to fire fighting equipment, Swift is an industry leader in the provision of fire detection systems. Swift Fire & Security incorporates every aspect of electrical, mechanical and physical fire and security, offering a one stop shop for the all your needs.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0844 413 0181 Fax: 0870 240 6648 E-mail: marketing@ swiftfireandsecurity.com Web: www.swiftfire andsecurity.com

Health Business | Volume 10.1

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FIRE SAFETY

VIGILON IS THE CURE FOR NEWCASTLE HOSPITALS Newcastle upon Tyne is carrying out a £300 million transformation of its city hospitals and has called in specialists, Cormeton Electronics Ltd, to carry out ‘emergency’ fire alarm ‘operations’ THE NEWCASTLE HOSPITALS programme is the biggest health project ever seen in the North East and one of the largest in the country.

The two key hospitals involving Cormeton Electronics are the new Victoria Wing and Great North Children’s Hospital at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI), a new super hospital in the heart of the city, and specialist Renal unit at The Freeman Hospital. Cormeton Electronics’ cure for both sites has Gent by Honeywell’s Vigilon fire alarm system installed, supported by the latest S-Quad multi-functional sensing technology.

Steve Milbourne, systems design engineer for Cormeton Electronics, a Gent by Honeywell Elite System Integrator (ESI), said: “Both sites have complex demands but the RVI is particularly challenging due to its scale. The new development comprises a six storey atrium, new main entrance, car parks, ambulance access and even a helipad for emergency patient transfer.

“The main concern for hospitals is false alarm management, so having a system that can eliminate the risk is essential. In the case of a fire, it’s also vital that hospital patients, visitors and staff can be evacuated in an orderly fashion and without panic, so the combination of the Gent by Honeywell’s Vigilon system with S-Quad and S-Cubed devices was the ideal solution.”

To cover the 200m x 150m RVI site, Cormeton Electronics’ design includes 23 Vigilon panels and 69 loops of fire detection as well as 850 sounders. The building has been divided into 270 zones, allowing a managed phased evacuation of the site in an emergency.

The specialist Renal unit and the Freeman hospital is on a smaller scale and has 10 Vigilon panels with three loops per panel and 900 devices across 120 zones.

The combination of Vigilon control panels and the S-Quad sensors means the system is able to quickly identify real fires, significantly cutting the risk of false alarms.

The Vigilon control panels have a simple user interface with a LCD screen providing clear and accurate information. Identifying the exact location of the device in an emergency can save minutes and consequently reduces the risk of injury or loss of lives.

In addition to this the same information greatly increases the efficiency of maintenance and trouble shooting.

Every loop address has a unique customer defined label of up to 64 characters in length assigned to it, allowing fires to be located quickly in an emergency. For added security every device connecting to a Vigilon loop

The main concern for hospitals is false alarm management, so having a system that can eliminate the risk is essential – Steve Milbourne, systems design engineer for Cormeton Electronics incorporates a short circuit isolating device providing system integrity in the event of a cable failure (open or short circuit) at all times and the added benefit of unambiguous compliance to BS5839, part 1 2002 as separate protection devices do not have to be installed at zone boundaries during the installation of the system.

The S-Quad was chosen due to its advanced capabilities in early detection and signaling of fires and for its unique dual angle optical chamber, which recognises the distinction between fire-like phenomena and actual fire.

Early detection of fires whilst minimising false alarms is especially important in Health premises ensuring confidence in the fire detection system at all times, the S-Quad sensor range ensures this is achieved with both new projects.

The S-Quad alarm devices incorporate sound speech and strobe effects in one device. Due to its low power consumption, it means more sounders can be installed per detection loop and the strobe element is fully monitored for circuit failures.

Steve added: “The Newcastle Hospital programme is ongoing but to date the

client is delighted with the fire system. Its flexibility and reliability have been a real hit, giving the client peace of mind.”

Work has now been completed on the Great North Children’s Hospital, with commissioning and handover completed during October 2009, where three further Vigilon panels being added onto the Victoria Wing network.

Tyneside-based Cormeton Electronics Ltd is one of over 60 independent fire specialists and one of only 15 Elite System Integrators around the UK and Ireland who work as part of the Gent 24 Approved Network.

FOR MORE INFORMATION E-mail: gentenquiry@honeywell.com Web: www.gent.co.uk

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Total asbestos management RSK STATS Environment Health & Safety Ltd is one of the UK’s largest environmental, health and safety consultancies, with offices nationwide and globally. We are UKAS accredited for asbestos surveying, bulk sampling, bulk analysis, air sampling, fibre counting and 4-stage clearance testing and we hold a Supervisory Licence from the HSE to supervise asbestos removals.

Our extensive client base, ranging from small businesses, through local authorities, manufacturing, transport, commercial and the voluntary sector to large multi-national energy companies, is testament to our competency and experience.

Our services include: • Asbestos surveys • Sampling and analysis • Air monitoring and 4-stage clearance testing • Project management and supervision of asbestos removal works • Asbestos contaminated land • Asbestos policies, procedures and management systems • Asbestos training • Auditing • Database solutions • Expert witness

For further information, contact: Jason Hodgkiss 02476 236816 or jhodgkiss@rsk.co.uk or Sarah Cartwright 0141 332 8440 or scartwright@rsk.co.uk

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ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT

LEARNING TO LIVE WITH THE HIDDEN KILLER From doctors’ practices to hospitals, many of our healthcare institutions occupy buildings that are likely to contain asbestos. The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health asks what you can do to protect yourself and others ASBESTOS IS THE SINGLE GREATEST cause of work-related deaths in the UK, causing 4,000 deaths per year. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reported last year that 2,156 people died from mesothelioma – an asbestos-related cancer that can take 40 years to develop – in 2007, and Britain now has the world’s highest mesothelioma death rate. Although its use is now banned, asbestos is still present in many buildings, including many of our healthcare institutions.

“Asbestos is likely to be widespread in older buildings,” says Nigel Bryson, director of Bryson Consulting. “It’s difficult to identify any reliable estimates as to how much remains in buildings in current use, but generally speaking, as all forms of asbestos were banned in 1999, the HSE indicates that any building built in 2000 or after won’t contain asbestos.”

A LETHAL LEGACY You only have to look at last year’s press to see the legacy of asbestos among healthcare professionals. There’s the death of retired hospital maintenance worker John Swales, reported in the Lancashire Telegraph in April.

John had worked in several hospitals during the 1960s and had sometimes come home covered in asbestos dust. A post-mortem examination found a staggering eight million asbestos fibre particles in his lungs.

Writing in The Guardian last April, just a couple of months before he died, Doctor James Partridge said he believed his mesothelioma was caused by exposure to asbestos-lagged pipes when he was a trainee in the 1950s.

Then there’s the Nursing Times report about the rising number of nurses now dying from mesothelioma, after being exposed to asbestos early in their careers.

The stories just keep coming, and each one underlines the fact that asbestos has been widely used in buildings such as hospitals and clinics. As Dr Partridge wrote, nobody knew about the harmful effects of exposure to asbestos in the 1950s and 1960s, and many people who’ve worked in the healthcare industry are now suffering from the results of exposure to asbestos decades ago.

For all the tragedies now being lived out, at least we now know about asbestos risk. Breathing in asbestos fibres can cause potentially fatal conditions such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.

These diseases tend to be significantly advanced by the time they’re diagnosed

Breathing in asbestos fibres can cause potentially fatal conditions such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. These diseases tend to be significantly advanced by the time they’re diagnosed and in the case of mesothelioma, may leave patients with only a few months to live and in the case of mesothelioma, may leave patients with only a few months to live.

We can’t, however, just get rid of all the asbestos in our hospitals and other public buildings. If we don’t want asbestos to kill people, we have to learn how to live with it – that is, to manage it so it doesn’t pose a risk to people’s health.

A LEGAL DUTY The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2006 brings together the previous requirements on asbestos use and bans the importation, supply and use of all forms of asbestos.

Crocidolite (blue asbestos) and amosite (brown asbestos) have been banned since 1985, while chrysotile (white asbestos) has been banned since 1999. There’s also a ban on the second-hand use of asbestos products,

such as asbestos cement sheets and tiles.

But there’s still a lot of asbestos in existing buildings, and for non-domestic premises such as health care facilities, the Asbestos Regulations specify a ‘duty to manage asbestos’.

It’s difficult to evaluate how well healthcare businesses are managing asbestos. However, Bryson points out that the HSE health and safety plan for the health sector includes actions like ‘ensuring consistency in dealing with asbestos duty to manage issues’ and ‘proactively seeking examples of poor asbestos surveying work with a view to bringing those that manifestly fail in their duties to account’. This suggests that there may be a need for more consistency in asbestos management across the healthcare sector.

“The issues facing healthcare institutions are likely to be identifying if they have asbestos in the building; the quality of the management

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ROBYLAND ENVIRONMENTAL LTD

Unrivalled expertise in asbestos removal Robyland Environmental Ltd is part of Robyland Ltd who are a very successful construction and building company for the past 33 years.

Robyland Environmental Ltd have been operating for 8 years. The management and the workforce have a vast knowledge in all aspects of the asbestos removal industry.

Robyland Environmental Ltd has unrivalled experience and expertise in the specialised field of asbestos removal works. Over the past years we have undertaken contracts of every size and scope across a broad spectrum of commercial and domestic buildings from theatres to factories to the private housing sector. We have vast experience working for and along side of local councils and housing associations.

We operate our asbestos removal works using the latest plant and equipment all plant and equipment are fully serviced and tested as to the Health and Safety executive requirements. All management and staff are fully trained, holding certificates on the experience of asbestos removal and safety on site. Robyland Environmental Ltd carry out Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 asbestos content surveys in buildings. Depending on the outcome of the survey we will undertake encapsulation, or carry out asbestos removal work efficiently, effectively and most importantly safely.

Robyland Limited, 65 High Road, Wormley, Herts, EN10 6JJ

T. 01992 451 767 F. 01992 451 596

• Asbestos Removal • Waste Collections • Asbestos Surveys • Licence Scaffolding • Domestic & Commercial

Ark Environmental (UK) LTD Unit 8b Gatehouse, Trading Estate, Lichfield Road, Brownhills, Walsall WS8 6JZ T: 01543 378317 F: 05602 047849 E: arkenvironmental@btconnect.com

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ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT

ABOUT IOSH IOSH is the Chartered body for health and safety professionals. With more than 36,000 members in 85 countries, we’re the world’s biggest professional health and safety organisation.

We set standards, and support, develop and connect our members with resources, guidance, events and training. We’re the voice of the profession, and campaign on issues that affect millions of working people.

IOSH was founded in 1945 and is a registered charity with international NGO status.

plan; maintaining an effective asbestos register; and training workers to understand what they need to know about asbestos,” says Bryson.

“For example, in GP surgeries housed in old buildings, they might not realise that asbestos could be an issue and what plans are needed.”

So, how can you make sure you know about all the asbestos in your buildings – and once you know about it, how should you manage it?

In order to manage asbestos effectively, it’s important to understand it. In the past, blue, brown and white asbestos have all been used extensively in building, including insulation, ceiling tiles, fire-proofing materials, guttering and wall panels. While blue and brown asbestos have been acknowledged as the most hazardous types, white asbestos is potentially harmful in its own right, and it’s often mixed with other types.

All types of asbestos pose a serious threat. At IOSH, we believe that all asbestos, whatever its colour, needs to be managed with the same amount of care, and that everyone should be protected from inhaling any asbestos fibres.

WHAT YOU CAN DO “Duty holders in all buildings should have a plan for managing asbestos, including emergencies where asbestos contamination may occur,” says Bryson.

Even if your building was constructed after 2000, you should make sure you know about the site it’s on. If it’s a ‘brownfield’ site which has previously been developed, buried asbestos could still be present.

Many healthcare facilities are based in buildings that are more than 10 years old.

Smaller concerns such as doctors’ surgeries or care homes might occupy leased buildings, and as with any institution as large as a hospital, many new buildings are simply additions or extensions to an older site. In these cases, there are few certainties in terms of asbestos

content, and you should presume that it might be present in any structure built before 2000.

The next step is to find out any existing information you can about asbestos in the building. There may be records of previous asbestos surveys, and it’s a good idea to get copies of any plans or reports relating to the building. Even if these don’t contain any information about asbestos use, they’ll be useful for recording anything you find out.

You should also look for any records of asbestos work carried out in the past – you might get this information from previous owners, equipment suppliers or companies that have carried out building or maintenance work. This isn’t a failsafe though – in the past, when the dangers of asbestos exposure were less well know, people might not have kept rigorous records of asbestos work. If you don’t find any evidence of asbestos from these sources, that doesn’t mean it’s not there.

“The only way of confirming if asbestos is present is to sample materials that may be of concern,” says Bryson. “Legislation allows duty holders to ‘presume’ asbestos if present if materials are suspected. Asbestos may be marked in the original plans of the building. For system-built properties, if asbestos is found in one building, it’s likely to be in the others of that type. The best way to check is to have a survey done.”

ASBESTOS SURVEYS An asbestos survey has three main purposes: • To find asbestos containing materials (ACMs – materials either known or presumed to contain asbestos) and make a record of what, where and how much is there • To record how accessible the ACMs are, what condition they’re in, and any surface treatment • To record what type of asbestos is contained in the materials.

There are two main types of asbestos survey – the management survey and the refurbishment and demolition survey.

As its name suggests, a management survey provides information for the ongoing management of premises that may contain ACMs. It involves sampling and assessing materials that release fibres if disturbed. It’s important to allow as full a survey as possible – the Methods for the Determination of Hazardous Substances series (MDHS 100), which provides guidance for asbestos surveyors, warns that putting restrictions on the survey – either by the client or surveyor – can seriously undermine the management of asbestos in buildings.

A refurbishment and demolition survey aims to locate and describe all ACMs in the part of the building being refurbished – or the whole building if being demolished – so they can all be removed before the work begins.

You might think that, when it comes to managing asbestos, you only need to consider the management survey. But think again – in a large organisation such as a hospital, refurbishment, demolition and rebuilding of different parts of the site might be fairly frequent occurrences. While the management survey is crucial, you might need to consider both types of survey as part of your asbestos management system.

It’s also important to make sure your surveyor is competent to do the job. The HSE advises that you use surveyors accredited to BS EN ISO 17020 by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service, or those certificated by the Asbestos Building Inspectors Certification Scheme.

SO YOU’VE GOT IT – WHAT NOW? Once you’ve confirmed the presence of asbestos, you need to manage it to keep staff, contractors and visitors safe.

If ACMs are in good condition and are not likely to be damaged, worked on or disturbed, then it’s safest to leave them in place. Your asbestos management system should then aim to make sure the right measures are taken by maintenance workers and outside contractors whenever work is done that could disturb asbestos-related materials.

“As long as asbestos materials are in

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good condition and sealed, fibres can’t be released,” says Bryson. “When asbestos materials are removed or worked on, proper control measures should minimise fibre release. But if work is shoddy and areas contaminated, people may be exposed.”

Any work that might disturb the fabric of the building should be assessed to make sure ACMs won’t be affected. The duty holder should also inform anyone working in the premises that they must not disturb the fabric of the building without permission, and tell maintenance teams and outside contractors where ACMs are located. In addition, warning signs or labels should be displayed on ACMs. You also need to provide training courses for members of the property management group, maintenance supervisors and staff so they know about the potential hazards associated with exposure to asbestos, the location of any ACMs, how to handle and dispose of them safely, and how to maintain records. IOSH

provides safety awareness training for managers and employees, as well as professional courses for health and safety practitioners, facilities managers and anyone who manages risk programmes involving asbestos.

Once you’ve put your safety measures in place, you need to assess all your ACMs on a regular basis to make sure they’re still safe. How often you do this will depend on factors like the condition of the materials, how accessible they are and the level of activity in the area.

CORRECTIVE MEASURES You might find that you need to take corrective measures such as minor repairs, enclosure or encapsulation of ACMs. Apart from minor works with a very low risk of exposure, any asbestos work must be done by companies licensed by the HSE. It’s important that any work that might disturb ACMs is compliant with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006, so the job doesn’t expose those doing the work,

PVsurveys – promoting safety within asbestos VSURVEYS LIMITED has over 30 years experience in dealing with all matters related to asbestos. From initial discussion and advice, through the survey process, right up to air clearance and hand over, PVsurveys supports its customers all the way.

Our client list is as impressive as it is varied, from domestic buildings to the largest factories, campuses and public buildings; PVsurveys offers fast and professional services across the UK, including site surveys, management software, removal and ongoing re-inspections.

The regulations for managing any asbestos in a commercial building are clear but can be a time consuming task for already busy property management and maintenance departments – this is why we offer a software

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solution to help with that duty.

Survey data (new or existing) is input to our system which can be web based, client held or outsourced to us for management, to ensure initial compliance.

From this, a management plan is designed to ensure full compliance and can be administrated by you or us. Keeping the data up to date is a prime task of the CAR 2006 regulations and one which must be performed regularly.

For further information on this and other aspects of asbestos management, please call or e-mail PVsurveys Limited on 0845 226 5061 or info@pvsurveys.co.uk

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0845 226 5061 Fax: 0808 208 3563 E-mail: info@pvsurveys.co.uk Web: www.pvsurveys.co.uk

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or anyone else, to risk from the asbestos.

The slow development and late diagnosis of many asbestos-related diseases means that we’ve not yet seen the worst of its effects on those exposed decades ago. We may know more about asbestos risk now, but this is no time to become complacent. Only by learning to live with asbestos – by constantly monitoring and managing it – can we make sure that today’s healthcare staff and contractors don’t become the asbestos victims of tomorrow.

FOR MORE INFORMATION IOSH: www.iosh.co.uk HSE: www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2006: www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/regulations.htm United Kingdom Accreditation Service: www.ukas.com Asbestos Building Inspectors Certification Scheme: www.abics.org

Allan Dyson Asbestos Services achieves BS OHSAS 18001 LLAN DYSON Asbestos Services is one of the UK’s leading providers of asbestos services. Since our inception in 1996, we have earned a reputation for quality, professionalism and excellent customer service. With a wealth of specialist experience within asbestos management and two offices strategically located in Lincoln and Stevenage, we are ideally placed to deliver a professional asbestos removal service throughout the UK. We pride ourselves on our rapid response to client requirements and safe work practices across all aspects of our asbestos services.

We have provided quality and reliable asbestos services for local authorities, and are no stranger to delivering effective asbestos services within the retail, pharmaceutical and NHS Trusts.

From site surveys and management planning to safe and efficient asbestos removal

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and disposal, as a full contracting ARCA member we ensure that quality control and best practice procedures are upheld at all times, in line with Health and Safety Executive guidelines as appropriate.

With credentials including ISO 9001:2000, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 quality assurance, CHAS accreditation for Health and Safety, plus Constructionline and Safecontractor registration, Allan Dyson Asbestos Services is your ideal asbestos services partner.

We are committed to delivering safe, effective and cost-effective asbestos removal and surveying services and are extremely proud of our flawless health and safety record.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01438 360656 Fax: 01438 721973 E-mail: mark@allandysonasbestos.co.uk Web: www.allandysonasbestos.co.uk

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UKATA registered asbestos awareness training provider SBESTOS TRAINING PROVIDERS is a newly established organisation, formed from a nucleus of senior professionals from the UKAS accredited asbestos laboratory and consulting industry.

The ATP instructors are a group of mature, knowledgeable, and experienced individuals, based in the northern home counties.

All members of the team are BOHS Certified Competent Persons (asbestos), with nearly 60 years combined practical experience in the asbestos industry. Individually, the trainers have been presenting Asbestos Awareness training courses for between five and fifteen years.

At ATP we provide training for clients ranging from multinationals, national corporations and government bodies all the way through to small companies and the self employed.

Our aim is to raise levels of awareness of the hazards

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and risks associated with asbestos, the implications for management, requirements of the law, identification within the workplace and appropriate actions in the event of incidents.

Our objective is for delegates to gain a sound understanding of the full range of asbestos issues and to develop a balanced approach to dealing with it, leaving employers safe in the knowledge that their personnel are equipped to keep themselves, and others, protected from exposure to ‘the hidden killer’.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01582 866800 or 07973 830190 E-mail: asbestos-tp@tiscali.co.uk Web: www.asbestos-tp.co.uk

Cordtape – helping you to meet your asbestos obligations URN TO OUR HIGHLY trained and professional team of personnel for all your asbestos requirements; ask for our specialist advice on asbestos surveys and sampling, management of asbestos containing materials, asbestos removal, and asbestos waste management.

We are able to work alongside your staff to help you formulate an asbestos management plan that is best for you.

We are fully licensed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and are registered by Environment Agency to hold an asbestos waste transfer station license, so we can completely dispose of your asbestos in accordance with all health and safety and environmental requirements.

In addition to our 3-year HSE license, we hold CHAS (Contractors Health and Safety), Construction line, SAFE contractor scheme, British Safety Council and are also members of ARCA which demonstrates our commitment

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to health and safety at work.

Cordtape Environmental Services Ltd is a family run specialist company established over 25 years ago. We provide an efficient and effective service to our wide range of clients who include local authorities, the NHS, demolition contractors, major construction companies, property developers and consultants. Contact us for a confidential and free estimate.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0800 0937810 Fax: 0114 2444895 E-mail: asbestos@cordtape.co.uk Web: www.cordtape.co.uk

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Bespoke training from Gully Howard SIGNIFICANT change in the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 was the inclusion of mandatory training for those liable to come into contact with asbestos. Regulation 10 states that “Every employer shall ensure that adequate information, instruction and training is given to those of his employees who are or who are liable to be exposed to asbestos, or who supervise such employees”.

Asbestos awareness training is required, amongst others, for: • General maintenance staff • Electricians • Plumbers • Gas fitters • Demolition/construction workers • Roofers • Heating and ventilation engineers • Building surveyors and other such professionals We are pleased to offer a three hour training course covering the four key areas: • Properties, uses and

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risk to health • Use of asbestos in the construction industry • Risk of exposure and control methods • Legislation Gully Howard Technical Ltd is run by qualified scientists, occupational hygienists and surveyors who have extensive experience in providing training in all aspects of asbestos work. Training can be delivered in our dedicated training facilities or we can organise course training at your own premises.

FOR MORE INFORMATION www.gullyhowardtechnical.com

KAD – the specialists in managing asbestos HE HSE’S LATEST awareness campaign will be designed to target ‘employers’ and legal ‘duty holders’. Are you fully informed on the legal requirements; the risks and for what you must provide to comply?

KAD Environmental Consultancy Ltd is a specialist in managing all risks associated with asbestos. KAD has developed simple and effective management systems in line with current regulations and HSG264 the Survey Guide, to immediately minimise exposure risks in any premises. KAD operates on behalf of their clients and legal ‘duty holders’, to ensure all asbestos risks are managed correctly, professionally and efficiently.

KAD is currently providing full asbestos management packages for central government departments throughout England and Scotland, as well as many other public and private sector clients including NHS Trusts.

KAD’s free, no obligation and confidential Asbestos Management Health Check instantly identifies

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your current compliance with legal requirements, and provides an accurate action plan to start managing your asbestos risks correctly. KAD is accredited to UKATA for both Asbestos Awareness Training, and NonLicensable Asbestos Work Training. KAD provides a complete professional packages that manages ALL of your asbestos risks, ensuring you and your organisation are protected against the risks associated with asbestos!

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01702 308438 or 07736 887483 Fax: 01702 308438 E-mail: kevingraham@kadec.co.uk Web: www.kadec.co.uk

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SWT – fully qualified independent surveyors

Asbestos – are you managing safely?

YKES WATERFIELD Taylor is an independent asbestos surveyor with your interests at heart.

We aim to provide a cost effective solution and help you meet your legal obligations. We have the experience and expertise to undertake all forms of asbestos surveys in a wide range of buildings.

Since the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations were put in place in 2004, there has been a legal requirement for all nondomestic premises to have a management plan for asbestos.

Since there are over 3,500 products containing asbestos it is not easy to identify which materials contain asbestos. Surveyors from Sykes Waterfield Taylor can help in a number of ways: • By carrying out surveys to the Approved HSE Code of Practice (MDHS100) • By carrying out the necessary risk assessments required to comply with the legislation • By drawing up the prescribed asbestos register • By preparation of the required management plan for asbestos In most cases, further expenditure

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is not required as the HSE’s preferred option is, if possible, to leave any asbestos in-situ and manage the risk. Remaining totally independent and impartial, Sykes Waterfield Taylor has no association or affiliation with any removal contractors.

We have considerable experience of industry and commerce, both in process and management, enabling the necessary procedures to be carried out with the minimum of disruption and particularly without compromising on-site safety standards.

All surveyors are fully insured and qualified in asbestos surveying and the management of asbestos in buildings by BIOH (The British Institute of Occupational Hygienists). You can rely on our independent and experienced expertise to enable you to fulfil your legal obligations with the minimum cost to your enterprise.

FOR MORE INFORMATION To discuss please call freephone 0800 955 1001 anytime or visit www.asbestosbuilding-survey.co.uk E-mail: info@asbestosbuilding-survey.co.uk

ALROD

Ltd has been established since 1975 and specialises in asbestos removal, asbestos surveys, project management and consultancy.

Malrod provides highly trained technical staff to operate on projects for our clients to achieve their workplace safety and environmental goals.

Malrod aspires to delivering a quality service at an affordable price with emphasis on customer service by developing an understanding of our clients’ requirements. We aim to work alongside our clients by advising the most appropriate course of action to succeed in conforming to the current legislation and future demands the environment will make on us all.

Effective and professional standards of service, tailor made

E ARE A COMPANY

W that understands the

problems involved in working in a care home or nursing home.

Therefore, when we work we take care to put others first and allow time for people to be moved if that is necessary.

We work in cooperation and in harmony with your staff and try to phase our work into their working day. We carry asbestos surveying, Fire Risk assessments, Asbestos Awareness training and also the removal of Asbestos to ensure you comply with all the Asbestos Regulations. If you wish to give me, Andrew Evans, a call and discuss your concerns

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or problems do so on 01633 224422 or you can look us up on www.asmltd.net. We look forward to hearing from you.

You have a legal requirement to keep an asbestos register on your site to locate any asbestos and your staff and any potential workmen have Asbestos Awareness training.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Centre for Business, 12 Devon Place, Newport NP20 4NN Tel: 01633 224422 Mobile: 07740 543 514 E-mail info@asmltd.net Web: www.asmltd.net

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FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01942 811 591 Fax: 01942 814 411 E-mail: admin@malrod.co.uk Web: www.malrod.co.uk

Plansafe – health and safety management LANSAFE SOLUTIONS Ltd was incorporated in 1995 by former HSE Inspector, David G Wood, and since then has continued to develop and expand along sound business guidelines.

We offer practical solutions for general H&S management and also specialist services such as asbestos surveying, legionella/fire risk assessments, H&S training, noise, vibration and CDM co-ordinator work.

Our client base spans such industries as construction, engineering, plastic recycling, general manufacturing, agriculture and forestry. We have been heavily involved in CDM co-ordinator work since the introduction of the CDM Regulations, 2007, and Planning Supervision from 1995 to 2007, working on newbuild academies and hospitals, school and hospital refurbishments, and domestic housing projects

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Asbestos surveying and management advice

to suit the needs of all whether we work in conjunction with your management team or by handling a project from start to finish.

Malrod offers effective solutions to your health, safety and environmental needs. Positive and practical, our staff will inspire confidence in your environmental performance and ensure you are equipped with answers to meet your legal responsibilities.

for social landlords.

We offer both IOSH and British Safety Council training on all aspects of H&S including fire, confined space, risk and COSHH Assessment and many other subjects. We are UKATA accredited Asbestos Awareness Trainers and draw on the experience of surveys undertaken over a wide range of buildings and industries, identifying a diverse range of asbestos-containing materials.

The company’s experience and knowledge is well recognised and our managing director, David G Wood, provides an Expert Witness service countrywide, assisting in HSE prosecutions and civil claims from Aberdeen to Brighton.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01387 255535 Fax: 01387 255535 E-mail: info@plansafe.co.uk Web: www.plansafe.co.uk

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One of the UK’s leading demolition contractors

Definitive asbestos solutions from Amity

DS DEMOLITION is a demolition, strip out, asbestos removal recycling and site clearance contractor operating nationwide with excess of 35 years experience.

Across three decades of operation we have developed a strong client base with work streams from both public and private sectors. DDS Demolition strives to fulfil customer requirements at every stage of the demolition process, providing complete contract management irrespective of size, complexity or budget. Each contract is tailored to meet the needs of the client; the company is proud of its ‘hands on’ approach which has enabled us to develop a reputation for providing a strategic and coherent solution, always delivered on time and within budget.

Our main strengths are working on large complex industrial contracts, city centre contracts, demolition of super structures and low rise housing.

We also regularly undertake contracts for the development

MITY SPECIALISES in providing bespoke asbestos solutions to organisations including local authorities and hospitals throughout the UK. With our extensive experience and depth of knowledge Amity is ideally suited to fulfil any asbestos contract.

Offering licensed asbestos removal, asbestos surveys, awareness training, environmental cleaning, reinstatement works and much more Amity is proud to provide high quality solutions.

We offer complete peace of mind, assurance, extensively trained operatives and an excellent customer service experience throughout, all of which is proven by our varied awards and accreditations along with our established customer base.

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of both hospitals and schools.

At DDS Demolition we understand that demolition is more than the removal of a structure; it is clearing the way for potential future development. The environmental implications on this have changed considerably over recent years and DDS Demolition remains at the forefront of the field, with strict risk assessment regimes, consistently high standards of training and the most advanced plant, equipment and techniques. This facilitates the optimization of health and safety regulations as well as increasing the potential for recycling at every stage of the contract.

The methods we employ are the most efficient available, reducing noise and vibration as much as is practically possible, and our environmental policies contribute to our overall high standards and performance.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01843 821555 Fax: 01843 821666 E-mail: info@dds-demolition.co.uk

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e-learning or face to face asbestos training ATAS PROVIDES a full range of asbestos and health and safety related training courses for HSE licensed work, non-licensed work and awareness at all levels. Natas is a provider of BOHS P Module asbestos and other courses, including our unique eFace™ fast track courses, combining e-learning with the BOHS proficiency modules.

Natas provides nationwide training at a growing number of UK venues, as well as bespoke in house courses. Natas, in partnership with HSS Training, provides a full range of industry recognised technical and health and safety courses.

Asbestos Awareness courses are held at our nationwide venues, and bespoke packages can be designed. New for 2009: e-learning courses – ‘Natas’ Asbestos Awareness’ and ‘Asbestos Awareness and the Duty to Manage’ offering an online,

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Asbestos awareness training from ARCA T

HE ASBESTOS Removal Contractors Association (ARCA), committed to promoting standards within the UK asbestos abatement industry for its member companies, joined forces with the Health and Safety executive (HSE) and other prominent stakeholders to support the campaign ‘Asbestos: The hidden killer’, which is aimed at making tradesmen aware of asbestos and the damage it can cause to their health and lives.

The HSE’s Approved Code of Practice states that asbestos awareness training is the appropriate information instruction and training for persons who are liable to disturb asbestos during their everyday work. ARCA is the leading supplier of asbestos awareness training aimed at

building and maintenance workers.

The range of courses which ARCA have available is comprehensive. Each has been designed to ensure that your staff acquire a real depth of knowledge and capability.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Amity offers practical solutions to meet your specific needs.

We offer a free of charge estimating and consultancy service which can be booked on 0800 877 8310 or by e-mailing enquiries@amitygroup.co.uk.

For written enquiries please send all correspondence to: Amicus House, Lynch Hill, Stanton Harcourt, Witney, Oxon, OX29 5BB

self paced, comprehensive and economical training platform, these courses are available in multilingual options. E-learning can be tailored to individual clients including corporate branding and licensing.

NATAS Environmental provides a wide range of practical and site services, offering UKAS accredited laboratory and testing services as well as a project management, supervisory and auditing function.

Our surveyors are trained and qualified to BOHS P402 or S301 standard and have extensive experience within the asbestos surveying, management and removal industry, for some going back to the early 1980s.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0870 751 1880 Fax: 0870 751 1881 E-mail: info@natas.co.uk Web: www.natas.co.uk

FOR MORE INFORMATION To find out more or to arrange a no obligation meeting to discuss your employees asbestos awareness training needs please contact ARCA on 01283 531126.

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It’s official – best LED lighting in Europe HE EUROPEAN Electronics Industry has awarded Brandon Medical’s HD-LED medical lighting the ‘Best LED Lighting Application Award’.

The LED Lighting Application Award was given to Sagentia and Brandon Medical after collaborating to create HD-LED® medical lighting. HD-LED® was selected after demonstrating how the technology can be used to improve human vision, efficiency, and cost in medical applications.

It was judged based on the high performance, design and flexibility.

HD-LED uses a novel colour transformation technology to produce very high quality light from LEDs. The innovative technology delivers excellent light quality and is fully adjustable.

In addition, because the lights use solid-state technology they generate virtually no heat, producing only visible light (therefore no UV or infrared).

HD-LED® lights use up to 70 per cent less energy than conventional medical lighting. The lighting range has consistently exceeded the standards laid down in

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environmental legislation. The contribution to CO2 reduction is approximately 1.25 tonnes per year per operating theatre.

The latest medical light to feature the HD-LED technology is Brandon’s Quasar operating theatre light. The Lighting technology gives the best quality light of any other medical light on the market. Quasar was also awarded £50,000 by the British Chambers of Commerce as the outright ‘winner of winners’ and the Innovation through technology award.

David Frost managing director of the Chamber of Commerce commented: “Brandon is a shining example of what a good British business can do in a global market. The Company have used its intelligence and experience to develop a set of unique products that is helping the medical profession improve in a way that really could save lives.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0113 2777 393 E-mail: enquiries@ brandon-medical.com Web: www.brandon-medical.com

Medical refrigeration at the forefront of technology OLESTAR COOLING Ltd, the specialist refrigeration manufacturer based in West Sussex, is pleased to offer the latest range of biomedical refrigeration products manufactured by Dometic Medical Systems.

Dometic Medical Systems has a prestigious history in the supply of medical refrigeration, dating back to 1979. The latest generation of professional refrigerators and freezers is at the forefront of medical refrigeration technology and offers their highest specification models to date. A new, intuitive and easy to use controller is fitted across the entire range, providing a host of warnings to safeguard valuable products. All products can be linked to Dometic’s monitoring software allowing a complete temperature and activity log to be monitored and stored.

The range consists of pharmacy and laboratory refrigerators, blood refrigerators, plasma freezers, low temperature freezers (-86˚C) and transport boxes for blood

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and samples. Dometic products are ideally suited to the National Health Service, where durability, reliability and performance are key considerations.

All Dometic Medical equipment is backed with a comprehensive two year warranty and dedicated after sales support.

Polestar Cooling offers service contracts, calibration and temperature mapping to ensure your equipment is maintained to the highest standards.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01243 825511 Fax: 01243 825512 E-mail: info@polestarcooling.com Web: www.polestarcooling.com

Davis Associates – user insights for design OOD DESIGN REQUIRES more than just inspired guesswork; particularly in the health industry where human errors caused by poor design can compromise patient safety. A true understanding of users’ needs, capabilities and limitations is essential.

Davis Associates has over 20 years experience in providing ergonomics expertise and eliciting essential user insights to identify opportunities for innovation and inform design decisions.

Our evidence-based approach reduces project risk by clearly defining the users’ functional and emotional needs and assessing design concepts against those requirements. To do this, we engage with end users from project conception to implementation and we apply scientific methods, ranging from ethnographic studies to empirical trials. This evidence-based approach saves time and money by clearly defining user requirements, quickly eliminating unsatisfactory design concepts and identifying how others can be further refined.

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New products available at diabeticshop.co.uk ERE AT the Diabeticshop.co.uk we are constantly looking for new products to assist a diabetic lead a more natural daily life, we are pleased to add the Calsulin and Medifridge to our range of products.

Calsulin calculates the insulin dose in the same manner as an insulin pump, users of syringes and pens can enjoy the same level of blood sugar control as pump users.

Keep your injectable medications cool with Medifridge, a portable refrigeration unit from

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Medicool. Medifridge safely stores syringes, insulin pens and cartridges. The product includes mains or 12 volt car adaptor and is easily transportable.

Please visit our website for a large range of insulin coolers specialist socks and assorted products relating to diabetes.

FOR MORE INFORMATION For further information or a free brochure, e-mail: info@diabeticshop.co.uk, call 01924 239 343 or visit www.diabeticshop.co.uk.

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Our team includes qualified ergonomists and designers who are used to working within multi-disciplinary design project teams on projects as diverse as patient service design, medical delivery devices, products and equipment, human-computer interfaces, information design and interactive systems, wayfinding strategy and workstation design.

If you would like to know more about capitalising on user insights to develop effective design solutions, contact us today.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01707 663665 E-mail: gary@davis-associates.co.uk Web: www.davis-associates.co.uk

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MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

‘SLOW-TECH’ NHS The Medical Technology Group, backed by leading politicians, has warned that the UK is falling behind other European countries in uptake of medical technologies THE MTG IS THE UK’S LARGEST COALITION of patient groups, research charities and medical device manufacturers working together to improve access to medical technologies for everyone who needs them. In a 12-point Action Plan “Medical Technology – Can We Afford To Miss Out” the Group warned that any cuts to NHS technology budgets would cost more in the long-run and risked damaging the quality of life of thousands of patients with diabetes, heart disease and other long-term conditions.

The UK’s annual budget for medical technology is almost 22.7bn less than the EU average. The Action Plan highlights examples of slow uptake of technologies including: • Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICDs), which can lead to a 50 per cent reduction in cardiac deaths, were implanted in Germany at over three times the UK rate in 2008, despite being recommended by NICE. • Less than 4 per cent of patients with Type One diabetes have access to a NICE recommended insulin pump in the UK, compared with 35 per cent in the US, and 20 per cent in other European countries.

This under-use is problematic for three reasons: Most importantly, it can lead to patients being denied the choice of interventions that can improve and prolong their quality of life and dramatically improve health outcomes.

Tina Amiss has cardiomyopathy, and knows firsthand the benefits to be gained from using an Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) to control her condition. Tina says: “This powerful but diminutive piece of technology has enabled me to get back to a relatively normal life and has helped stop my family living in constant fear of another cardiac arrest. The ICD is life saving and reduces both the cost and emotional trauma of life threatening cardiomyopathies – it should be available to all who need it.

“However, there remains a post-code lottery in provision – often due to variations in the depth of knowledge about ARVC and other types of cardiomyopathy. I was lucky but we still need more specialist centres to ensure that those at highest risk don’t slip through the net.”

OVERLOOKING SOLUTIONS The UK’s under-utilisation of medical technology also overlooks potential solutions to some of the major challenges facing today’s NHS – such as infection control, moving care from acute to community settings and delivering cost effective management of long-term conditions. For example, minimally invasive surgery can result in overall cost savings to the NHS. Innovative surgical instruments and equipment allows increasingly

This powerful but diminutive piece of technology has enabled me to get back to a relatively normal life and has helped stop my family living in constant fear of another cardiac arrest. The ICD is life saving and reduces both the cost and emotional trauma of life threatening cardiomyopathies – it should be available to all who need it – Tina Amiss

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Health Business | Volume 10.1

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MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

complex surgery to be performed minimally invasively, including some joint replacement surgery. Often, minimally invasive techniques allow patients to leave hospital earlier, and require less aftercare. This can offset higher costs of the innovative technology and equipment, resulting in better patient outcomes, improved productivity and capacity at equivalent or reduced cost to the NHS. The third consequence of the under use of medical technology stretches far further than the NHS. Many technologies can help people to continue in the workforce, keep them well at home rather than in hospital, or enable young people to continue in education, leading to overall economic gains. For example, spinal cord stimulation, on which favourable NICE guidance was published in October 2008, relieves chronic (neuropathic) pain and helps patients stay in work. Currently 25 per cent of chronic pain sufferers stop working because of their condition. Appropriate use of technology could allow them to stay economically active, paying tax rather than relying on incapacity benefit.

RECOMMENDATIONS The MTG Action Plan makes 12 recommendations for enhancing the UK’s

teams. Training and mentoring programmes should be initiated to ensure that this best practice spreads throughout disciplines.

6. Professional bodies should work with industry to provide regular training on the latest medical technologies and the managers should build time in to work schedules for attendance.

7. Patients’ right, enshrined in the NHS Constitution, “to drugs and treatments that have been recommended by NICE for use in the NHS” should be made legally enforceable. PCTs should not be able to deny treatment of NICE approved technologies on the basis of lacking the supporting infrastructure to provide them.

8. Procurement should have a focus on the value and cost-effectiveness of devices rather than solely the price.

9. Collaboration is needed between government, the NHS and industry to map uptake of medical technologies. This information should be used to identify and address areas of under adoption.

10. We welcome the OLS’ new plans for a SHA Delivery Group to support the early and systematic uptake of innovations in technologies which provide value to the NHS, and urge the government to consider including

I want to build a health service where procurement delivers the best possible patient and financial outcomes, rather than focusing on short:term targets, and where specialist equipment is not treated as just a commodity, but as a value for money use of public money – Conservative Shadow Health Minister Stephen O’Brien MP uptake of effective medical technologies: 1. Forums should be established to allow dialogue between stakeholders including policy makers, clinicians and patients themselves.

This could include formalising links between industry and professional bodies to ensure that new developments reflect clinical need.

2. More opportunities for those working in industry to be seconded to the Department of Health could help to ensure coordination, and the needs of all stakeholders are considered.

3. Patients need to be given better information about treatment options, i.e through NHS Choices or telephone advice for those not online, so they can make an informed choice and get access to the most appropriate medical technology.

4. A comprehensive map of services and specialisms should be made available to GPs and patients through Choose and Book to assist them in making appropriate referrals.

5. Innovation Prizes should be used to encourage and reward progressive clinicians and

patient representatives in this Group.

11. MTG welcomes the review by NHS chief executive David Nicholson of the Tariff, and urges the government to set Tariff rates that reflect the actual costs of procedures using the best technologies, so that Payment by Results works as a mechanism to facilitate the uptake of innovation. This will ensure providers are able to carry out high quality procedures, supporting best practice and improving patient outcomes.

12. Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) should be piloted to include medical devices and allow full assessment of their benefits. The measurement system should be kept flexible to ensure longer-term results are captured.

POLITICAL SUPPORT Leading politicians have supported the report. Conservative Shadow Health Minister Stephen O’Brien MP said: “I want to build a health service where procurement delivers

ABOUT THE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY GROUP The Medical Technology Group (MTG) is a coalition of patient groups, research charities and medical device manufacturers working to improve access to effective medical technologies for everyone who needs them. Medical technology gives value for money to the NHS, patients and taxpayers but uptake of medical technologies in the UK is not as good as it should be. MTG is interested in a variety of clinical areas but has a common objective in securing patient access to the best diagnostic, imaging, surgical and supported living technology. the best possible patient and financial outcomes, rather than focusing on short:term targets, and where specialist equipment is not treated as just a commodity, but as a value for money use of public money.”

Norman Lamb MP, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, commented: “These recommendations focus on key issues which the NHS and the government must address. They provide a very welcome contribution to the debate.

“Adoption of medical technologies is often both cost effective and in the patient’s interest.

Up until now, the NHS has been slow to recognise the value of technology. This has to change if we are to maximise the effective use of resources for the benefit of patients.”

CASE STUDY – INSULIN PUMPS The battle for access to effective medical technologies can affect those of all ages.

Thomas Double is 10 and has Type 1 diabetes. He uses an insulin pump that is recommended by NICE to manage his condition, after his mother battled for over two years to get agreement from her PCT to fund the therapy. Thomas says: “Going onto a pump was definitely the right thing to do. Now, instead of having a lot of injections I just have to press a few buttons. It’s easier to spend time with my friends without constantly feeling different and worrying that I won’t be able to do the same things as them.”

Thomas’s insulin pump frees him from the need to frequently inject himself, and helps to stabilise his condition, meaning less time is spent in hospital.

As well as improving Thomas’s quality of life this generates NHS savings.

The insulin pump also allows Thomas more freedom to eat and exercise whenever he wants, not at times dictated by his condition.

This helps him to keep up with his friends, and lets his family live a normal life.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Web: www.mtg.org.uk

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Integrated Health Intelligence

Enterprise Business Intelligence and Decision Support for Health and Social Care

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Visit us at HC 2010, Birmingham 27.-29. April 2010 Stand 159

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HEALTHCARE IT

REGISTRATION OPEN AND PROGRAMME CONFIRMED HC2010 is the UK’s largest, most powerful and rewarding event for health informatics and social care professionals REGISTRATION FOR HC2010, Europe’s largest health informatics congress, is now open to interested delegates at a specially created website www.hcshowcase.org. The conference programme for the 3-day exhibition and conference, which includes a number of highprofile speakers, is also available on the site.

HC2010, taking place 27-29 April at Birmingham’s International Conference Centre (ICC), will bring together a range of events and opportunities for those working in health and social care, plus commercial organisations and other major stakeholders in the field of health informatics.

EVENT SPEAKERS Speakers at HC2010 include Christine Connelly, CIO for Health, Jim Easton, National Director of Improvement and Efficiency, and Professor Heinz Wolff, Founding Director at the Brunel Institute for Bioengineering. Also speaking will be Dr Aiden Halligan, Director of Education at University College London Hospital, Professor Michael West, Executive Dean at Aston University, as well as David Behan, Director General of Social Care at the Department of Health, and Christine Goodfellow, Director of the Improving Information Sharing and Management Programme at the Department of Children, Schools and Families.

The annual showcase and exhibition, run

by BCS Health, part of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, will concentrate on the

three themes of quality, innovation and productivity, and specifically on how informatics can directly and most effectively support operational health and social care services.

The conference programme comprises 12 streams focused on a wide range of issues: • Care across boundaries • Care records, privacy and confidentiality • Care strategy, policy and planning • Clinical showcase • Informatics academia • Informatics futures • Informatics innovation • Informatics research and development • Informatics technology • Professional health informatics • Using information to support care • Using information to support public health.

There will be a case study on the UK’s first NHS/local authority integrated ICT service (between NHS Herefordshire and Herefordshire Council), as well as interactive workshops about information and its relationship with the delivery of care, hosted by BCS Health. Speakers from Bristol Royal Hospital for Children will talk about the lessons learned in developing a knowledge sharing culture across the NHS. INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION Delegates will be able to contribute their views during the interactive café discussion about informatics as a profession and how it should be recognised for the critical role it

plays in the delivery of a modern, safe, high quality and value-for-money health service.

This session will be led by Di Millen, Head of Informatics Development Department for Health’s Informatics, Policy and Planning unit.

Chair of the conference organising committee, Mike Sinclair, says: “This year’s event will build significantly on the success of previous years, maintaining its presence as the most powerful and rewarding place for professionals from all walks of life to see demonstrations of best practice; review leading-edge technology; and keep up-to-date with current research.

Our themes of quality, innovation and productivity will each focus on how informatics can directly and most effectively support operational health and social care services.”

Delegate registration will be automated this year thanks to the use of barcode and mobile technology sponsored by mobile telecoms firms O2 and Blackberry. They will be asked to register online at www.hcshowcase.org whereupon they will be given a code that can then be used at specially-provided dispensers at the registration point, to pick up their badges.

Delegate rates for HC2010 have also been significantly altered to reflect expected constrained budgets, and to allow BCS members to benefit from their membership. The rates are as follows, and each includes the full three days plus the cost of the event’s gala dinner, this year held on the first evening of HC2010.

• Delegates working in the public sector who

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Trustworthy information.

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Best Practice is an online decision-support tool that presents the latest research evidence, expert opinion and guidelines via one simple resource. Its step-bystep approach allows you to move quickly through the necessary information and access information structured around the patient consultation.

Action Sets pre-define the appropriate diagnostic and treatment orders for a range of conditions, bringing critical information into the heart of the clinical workflow to improve consistency and quality of care.

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HEALTHCARE IT

are not BCS members, will be charged £4501 • Delegates who are BCS members will be able to attend for £275 • The cost to ordinary delegates is £625.

Non-BCS members could benefit by signing up for BCS membership for as little as £36 (see www.bcs.org/membership) • Student rates are £275 for two or more days, or £175 for one day.

Mike says: “Now, more than ever, it is vital for the health informatics community to network with other colleagues and make connections with suppliers. We are aiming for HC2010 to provide a unique opportunity to learn, share, debate and network, all under one roof.

“We are mindful that budgets are under pressure. We have developed a new pricing structure which we hope will respond to the demand that is obviously there, but at a rate that delegates and their organisations can afford. With standard one-day public sector conferences ranging between £300-500, our rates represent very good value for money.”

SHOWCASING INNOVATION This year, commercial organisations will be able to showcase their innovations as a fully integrated part of mainstream presentations. Citadel Events, which is managing the sales of exhibition space as well as the commercial and logistical aspects

of HC2010 on behalf of the Institute, reports that over 80 per cent of the floor exhibition has been sold/reserved at the ICC. Dennis Wheatley, sales manager for Citadel Events, says: “We are very pleased to be able to offer commercial organisations this opportunity to take part in HC2010 in a more integrated way than in previous years. We hope the effect will be a richer experience for delegates as well as creating yet another incentive for commercial organisations to attend the conference next year.

“The level of interest in spaces at the new venue for HC2010 is extremely encouraging, especially given the present economic climate.

Prospective and existing exhibitors clearly see HC2010 as the health informatics event of the year, and are prepared to invest to be there.”

He adds: “Initial feedback, from new and long-standing exhibitors alike has been extremely positive. Many of our regular exhibitors tell us they are relishing the prospect of taking space at such a high-profile event and central venue.”

Laurence Campbell, managing director of ALERT Life Sciences Computing UK Ltd, which has exhibited at a number of past HC events, says: “We find that the people who visit our stand are often the key decision makers in the procurement of healthcare IT, and consequently generate

good quality sales leads for follow-up.”

Also this year, The Association for Informatics Professionals in Health and Social Care (ASSIST) will run its Annual Conference and AGM alongside HC2010, on April 29.

In addition to the usual representations from BCS health groups, there will be strong international contribution.

Matthew Swindells, the new head of the Institute’s prestigious and influential BCS Health, says: “This is a crucial time for informatics and the NHS as a whole. The challenge is for the NHS to raise the quality of its services, whilst dramatically reducing costs. I find it hard to imagine that the NHS can succeed in doing this without the support of information technology. I will be working to the build skills and confidence of the informatics community to fully contribute to this strategic challenge.”

Notes: 1. All delegate prices are subject to a VAT rate of 17.5per cent It can take up to 10 days to process membership

FOR MORE INFORMATION To see the full conference programme, to register as a delegate or visitor, or to book stand space go to http://www.hcshowcase.org

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HEALTH INFORMATICS CONGRESS

THE FUTURE OF

INFORMATICS 2010 The UK’s largest, most powerful and rewarding event for health informatics and social care professionals.

A new international standard venue, an exhibition packed with leading HI companies, a fresh approach to networking opportunities, more service and clinically based content, and a more dynamically structured conference programme. HC2010 Health Informatics Congress – the event at the cutting edge of informatics in healthcare.

HC2010 CONFERENCE • ‘Achieving Quality, Innovation and Productivity’ 12 whole day streams • Confirmed contributors include: - Christine Connelly, CIO for Health - Gwyn Thomas, CIO for Wales - David Behan, Director General of Social Care - Professor Emeritus Heinz Wolff, Founding Director, Brunel Institute for Bioengineering - Charles Gutteridge, National Clinical Director for Informatics • The BCS ASSIST National Conference runs alongside HC2010 on Thursday 29 April

TO SEE THE CONFERENCE PROGRAMME & REGISTER AS A DELEGATE ONLINE VISIT THE WEBSITE

Find out how you can get involved in HC2010 at

ICC Birmingham

27-29 April

HC2010 EXHIBITION • A unique opportunity for companies and organisations to interface direct with key decision makers in the NHS • Companies whose primary focus is the development of healthcare informatics systems and products designed to enhance and improve patient care • High level of interest in the exhibition with prospective and existing exhibitors viewing HC2010 as the health informatics event of the year, and being prepared to invest to attend • HC2010 provides a unique opportunity to learn, share, debate and network, all under one roof

TO BOOK STAND SPACE OR TO REGISTER AS AN EXHIBITION VISITOR, VISIT THE WEBSITE

R E G I S T R AT I O N S P O N S O R S :

www.hcshowcase.org For all enquiries contact Citadel Events 01423 526971

M E D I A PA R T N E R :

O R G A N I S E D B Y:

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Our services are ethical in that links to relevant ‘bricks and mortar’ services are created so that users can move from online to faceto-face therapy, if appropriate.

We were pioneers in the field of online counselling in the UK and are now recognised as leaders in this sector having won

HE BMJ EVIDENCE Centre provides highquality, evidence-based products and services to healthcare professionals, researchers, health service planners and patients.

At HC2010 Health Informatics Congress, the BMJ Evidence Centre will be showcasing two of its flagship products: Best Practice and Action Sets.

Best Practice was launched in February 2009, and it is already providing vital decision support to a wide range of healthcare professionals. It represents a major new concept in information delivered at the point of care and combines the latest research evidence with

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peer-reviewed expert opinion and guidelines. Presented in a step-by step format, it covers diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and prevention, to provide you with an instant second opinion.

Action Sets pre-define the appropriate diagnostic and treatment orders for a range of common conditions, bringing critical information into the clinical workflow to improve consistency and quality of care.

FOR MORE INFORMATION For details about the full range of products and services from the BMJ Evidence Centre, please visit www.evidencecentre.bmj.com

Because everything should work together England’s central source for health and social care information INCE IT CAME INTO being in 2005 as a Special Health Authority, The NHS Information Centre (The NHS IC) has continued to establish itself as England’s central, authoritative source of health and social care information, acting as a hub for high quality, national, comparative data.

The NHS IC delivers national information to support government initiatives such as 18 weeks and practice based commissioning, which helps local decision makers within the NHS and social care communities, improve the quality and efficiency of frontline care.

The organisation delivers a substantial portfolio of information resources which include: • National statistics, information resources and analytical tools to underpin health policy, planning, benchmarking and improvements right across the healthcare system • Statistical publications on subjects ranging from lifestyle issues such as alcohol

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Our flagship WebFOCUS platform – the world’s most widely utilised BI solution – is flexible, scalable, and secure. It permeates every level of the extended enterprise and delivers actionable information through a simple user experience. iWay Software, an innovator of enterprise integration, solves complex integration problems quickly using pre-built components – enabling minimum custom programming with a flexible enterprise architecture that can adapt to long-term change.

WebFOCUS – the most widely utilised business intelligence (BI) platform – connects to any enterprise system or application and enables simple and intuitive interaction with information. Its superior architecture provides

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Developed with all users in mind, it is the most secure, scalable, and flexible solution in the market. iWay Software’s suite of graphical design tools assemble powerful, pre-built components for enterprise-class integration scenarios – without custom code.

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www.healthbusinessuk.com

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G4S – end-to-end solutions for the effective management of healthcare facilities and services

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EALTHCARE AND G4S? Many people are familiar with the professional and efficient services G4S provides to ensure our security in numerous sensitive and critical environments, but many are not aware of the vast array of support services we provide through our G4S FM product range.

Whether managing maintenance and support services for hospitals and their estates, transporting patients, providing forensic medical services, or inputting to the design and operation of new healthcare facilities, G4S provides the same world-class standard of service.

We specialise in high quality, flexible and cost effective integrated facilities management and critical support services.

Our service solutions are delivered to NHS, government, public and private sector customers. The common factor throughout our customer base is that all have the need for a business partner who can be trusted to ensure that their facilities, assets and support staff work with the utmost efficiency and flexibility to help them deliver their critical services.

Whether those services are ensuring their building is maintained, clean and available, their patients are delivered for their treatment, or that

their visitors are guided and supported, our staff take responsibility, providing each customer’s staff with a single point of contact for any support services they wish, without the day-today trials of managing individual subcontractors.

G4S FM has an impressive track record of working with customers who require the highest standards of governance, and need partners they can trust implicitly to help them support our critical national infrastructure.

The Met Office and the new Dublin Criminal Courts of Justice sit alongside hospitals, schools, police authorities, government agencies and corporate headquarters as customers

who benefit from our tailored service solutions delivered by our fully qualified, trained and vetted staff. Our focus is on customer service, and achievement of internationally recognised standards that support our service ethos.

We change as our customer changes, working as a strategic partner to help address the pressures on cost efficiency and operational effectiveness that intensify daily. We provide added value without compromising quality, security or service.

Our customers know they are working with an organisation with the financial stability, business acumen, resources, knowledge and expertise of a market-leading, global support services company. G4S is the largest employer on the London Stock Exchange, with over 580,000 employees in around 115 countries and a turnover of £5.9bn. However, our ethos is to listen carefully to, and focus on each customer’s individual requirements to develop a bespoke, end to end solution that suits their operation and environment.

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G4S manages the risks of the ‘information age’ OSS OF sensitive data is commonplace, high profile and costly. The G4S Information Security and Assurance business delivers a range of integrated solutions for the handling and destruction of classified and commercially sensitive media and equipment.

G4S ISA is accredited to the highest possible standards and managed in accordance with the highest possible standards.

It is the only commercial organisation accredited by government and security agencies to carry out complete destruction of the most highly classified material and G4S already delivers these services to Police Authorities, Secure Government agencies and Private Sector industries. Within the healthcare sector, G4S Information Security and Assurance can work in partnership with Trusts to manage risks associated with the massive volumes of medical records and confidential patient and employee data maintained in either hard copy or electronic format.

G4S Information Security and Assurance provides this integrated information risk management solution through a tailored combination of the following services:

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‘Secure’ – discrete, end-to-end solution in secure destruction of government classified and commercially sensitive media and equipment.

‘Assure’ – specifically designed audits and training in handling and controlling data and information.

‘Procure’ – provision of receptacles, lockable containers and staff to aid and encourage collection of media and equipment within workspaces.

‘Ensure’ – ‘project-based’ clean-up and disposal of surplus media and equipment (re-branding, redundant projects, uncontrolled storage, step-changes in technology).

Benefits include: • Fully integrated solution • Externally accredited destruction to the highest standards • Intact reputation • Investor and customer confidence • Environmentally friendly and legally compliant destruction • Reduced business fraud risk • Enhanced governance/controls • Full audit trail David Toone, who heads this G4S business, emphasises this is not a waste management or diversified storage solution: “The G4S Information Security and Assurance business is based on an integrated and proactive approach to managing information risk. We are accredited to the highest government standards and focus on management of information, not waste streams. We differentiate ourselves through the secure destruction of both media (paper, CDs, DVDs, etc.) and equipment (PCs, laptops, etc).

We have aspirational environmental targets of zero landfill, reducing carbon emissions and best use of natural resources”.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Further information can be obtained from g4sis@uk.g4s.com

Written by Russell Harris, chairman, BSIA’S Information Destruction Section Chairman

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SECURITY

KEEPING DATA OUT OF THE WRONG HANDS The healthcare sector holds vast amounts of sensitive personal data and keeping it out of the wrong hands involves not only comprehensive inhouse protection but also established procedures for its secure disposal

THE CARELESS DISPOSAL OF information has long been a cause of concern to public and private sector organisations alike. Over the years, several high profile examples of this carelessness have hit the headlines, including the Downing Street advisor who threw away sensitive memoranda with his household waste and the random check of rubbish bags outside branches of high street banks that uncovered information about more than five thousand customers. However, the risk extends beyond paper records. Another press report described how computer hardware discarded by a major international bank had been used to uncover the share dealings of high profile customers by reconstituting the supposedly ‘wiped’ hard drives.

A number of recent reports have also highlighted the potential consequences of inadequate controls over the handling and disposal of sensitive data in the health care sector. Examples include the theft of laptops containing confidential information, patients’

x-rays dumped for anyone to find, wholesale data losses and even the sale of a PC on eBay, complete with its files of medical records. Such lapses remind us that information needs to be protected at every stage, and that includes the way it is disposed. Failures of this kind are often unlawful as well as careless but prosecutions for breaches of the Data Protection Act generally take place only after the harm has been done.

Good practice must therefore aim to anticipate and prevent problems before they occur.

COMPLETE DESTRUCTION The security industry took an early lead in addressing the serious implications for businesses and others engaged in data processing. Shortly after the Data Protection Act came into force, the Nationwide Association for Information Destruction (NAID) and the BSIA merged to form the BSIA’s Information Destruction Section, which now represents the bulk of the UK market. The section defines its remit as the

secure destruction of information in all its forms, including paper, computer media and hardware, as well other items that could cause problems if they fall into the wrong hands.

The risks are wide ranging, which is why the need for secure disposal extends beyond physical documents to include information held on computers and storage devices, as well as other potential means of access to data such as staff identity documents and uniforms. Computer equipment, for example, must never be disposed of until all the personal information has been securely removed, such as by destroying the hard disk. Simply deleting files is not an adequate response. Modern cyber criminals know how to manipulate systems and recover deleted information in order to steal identities, conduct fraudulent transactions and even commit blackmail.

Crucially, the careless disposal of confidential data often allows them to do this without anyone knowing the information has been compromised. If that happens, it is obviously

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SECURITY

impossible to take appropriate countermeasures.

Almost any kind of information is valuable to criminals, for example, patients’ records, financial reports, payroll information and personnel data. The unlawful use of such information contributes to an explosion of identity theft crimes that are now estimated to cost the UK about £2 billion every year. Identity theft allows criminals to obtain goods, credit or services in someone else’s name and offenders target both public and private sector providers, including using stolen identities to fraudulently obtain prescription medicines and state benefits.

LEGAL OBLIGATIONS The law therefore imposes legal obligations on any organisation that processes personal information, whether about employees, customers, patients, or members of the public. The act does two things: it tells organisations what types of information they may hold and how it must be safeguarded.

It does this through key principles for data protection, including the need for data to be processed in line with the rights of the individual, kept secure and retained no longer than needed. These principles also demand the use of effective means to prevent misuse by destroying personal information at the point of disposal. It is crucial in this respect to understand that the key element of disposal is to render the material both unusable and incapable of being reconstituted.

Many infringements of the Act relate to the way in which data is disposed of. The problem can be overcome by employing a professional information destruction service, but despite the ready availability of this common sense solution, companies and organisations continue to be prosecuted for improper practices. Many more escape prosecution because their carelessness is never discovered.

It is known that only a small fraction of organisational waste paper and data processing products such as hard drives, CDs, memory sticks and DVDs are destroyed annually by professional firms. By far the majority of such material continues to be disposed of via municipal refuse collection or waste paper reprocessing. Neither method generally involves any kind of secure handling, yet it is inevitable that much confidential data is included in this general waste and therefore a significant cause of avoidable risk. It is not surprising in these circumstances that the rubbish bin is a regular source of prosecutions under the Act, just as it has long been a core element of the private detective’s trade.

FACING LIABILITY The law sets clear rules for the destruction of personal information. It should be carried out by a company which guarantees under contract that processing (destruction) is done securely and effectively. The organisation and its chosen information destruction

contractor are then jointly liable for any breaches of the Act. Liability extends to individual managers and data controllers, who could face personal fines up to £5,000 and the prospect of a criminal record. Another possibility is civil action by a complainant, since anyone who suffers damage as a result of contraventions of the Act is entitled to compensation. Convicted organisations could also be subject to future spot checks to ensure

compliance. Significantly, it is a defence to show that all reasonable care has been taken to comply and the BSIA’s Information Destruction Section was formed to enable organisations to meet their legal obligations.

The section’s remit is to assure good practice through established standards for the collection, transportation and destruction of confidential material. Its members collect confidential waste at source and provide a fully trackable service

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SECURITY

up to the point of destruction. The process consists of waste collection by secure transport, inspection, removal and destruction of rubbish, and the shredding, pulping and recycling or incineration of other material. Recent additions to standards and operating practices include the publication of a European Standard for the sector - EN 15713:2009, which was written initially as a code of practice for BSIA member companies, before its development into a British and finally European Standard.

EN 15713:2009 describes the essential requirements and operating procedures for a professional information destruction company, including employment practices such as the security vetting of all staff members and details relating to the security of its premises by means of monitored intruder alarms and CCTV systems. Detailed rules are set down for the actual destruction of data, incorporating material-specific shred sizes, and requirements for the security of vehicles used both for the collection and on-site destruction of confidential waste. As well as helping to ensure the highest standards, EN 15713:2009 provides a valuable new benchmark to assist users in choosing a provider. All BSIA Information Destruction Section members will be inspected to the new standard, as part of the audit procedure for their obligatory ISO 9001:2008 quality accreditation.

IMPROVING COMPENTENCE Another significant development in the sector has been the publication of new National Occupational Standards (NOS), which define the level of competence needed to work in information destruction and increase professionalism. The BSIA worked closely with Skills for Security in developing the new standards, which all member companies are being urged to incorporate into their training practices. The publication encompasses all key activities undertaken within the sector, as well as situations employees are likely to encounter in their day-to-day work. It covers a comprehensive range of topics from customer service to risk assessment, the use of IT, vehicle load security, vehicle and equipment safety and even good driving techniques.

The NOS goes into considerable detail in specifying standards of occupational

competence for the sector. It deals with all aspects of the operation, including collecting consignments of confidential material, complying with proof of collection requirements and maintaining security during the loading and transportation process. The use of documentation to meet audit trail requirements and comply with relevant legislation is covered in detail, encompassing the use of waste transfer, pre-treatment, collection and delivery notes, vehicle check sheets and certificates of destruction. It goes on to describe performance criteria and essential knowledge for the destruction of data, incorporating the use and maintenance of mobile and on-site equipment.

A separate section is devoted to providing a quality service when carrying out information destruction operations, including communicating effectively with customers and colleagues, and identifying ways to improve performance.

The BSIA has encouraged all companies

operating in secure waste disposal to embrace the NOS, which has clear benefits in terms of creating a highly qualified workforce and raising standards across the industry as a whole.

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) is the professional trade association of the UK security industry. Its members produce over 70 per cent of the country’s security products and services to strict quality standards. For further information, visit www.bsia.co.uk. The BSIA operates a local rate helpline on 0845 389 3889.

FOR MORE INFORMATION For further details of the new NOS, visit www.ukstandards.org.uk. To find out more about the BSIA’s work in information destruction visit www.bsia.co.uk/shredding

City centre data storage at out of town prices DS OFFERS CITY CENTRE data storage at out of town prices within its 45,000 square foot warehouse using market leading barcode software.

All of our clients store at the right prices and we offer retrieval by the box, file, sheet and we can even send your documents back online. Our other services include media storage and back up cataloguing, refilling, re-boxing, document

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scanning plus a scan-on-demand retrievals as PDF’s should you prefer it. We can also shred your documents and media at the end of life in house, so you retain a chain of command and as a market leaders in we comply with the European standards and data protection laws.

Our highly trained, vetted and uniformed staff offer an unsurpassed old fashioned service quality, whilst our scanning

technology and software partners give peace of mind thru auditable, tack ability and references can be given.

FOR MORE INFORMATION If you require any further information visit our website www.shredall.co.uk or call Lucy Williams for more detail 0845 330 2330.

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Mobile shredding and recycling services HRED-ON-SITE specialises in on-site shredding and recycling of confidential material where the destruction process takes place on our customers’ premises in state of the art shredding trucks. Our solution is designed to deliver the very highest levels of security and guarantee the integrity of your confidential and sensitive data as it moves through our destruction process – from storage on site in secure containers to the collection and destruction by our staff who are vetted to BS7858, uniformed and carry photo ID. We have seen a rapid growth in our public sector client base recently, driven by a compelling case to switch to our solution: High Speed Shredding makes our solution the most efficient system on the market. We have passed this efficiency on in the form of

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Helping to lower your recruitment risk LIVE IN AN increasingly W Evulnerable age where a threat to an organisation may come from both internal and external sources and can have either physical or financial consequences. All have the potential to harm any successful organisation. As a leading provider of security services, we know that pre-employment screening really is business critical and the consequences of failing to complete due diligence on staff can have serious and far reaching consequences.

Security & Vetting Solutions Ltd is a leading provider of preemployment screening services.

Our aim is to minimise your risk by completing effective background security screening checks on new and existing employees and contractors. We secure employment history and character references, check driving licences, financial status and verify all aspects of your candidates’ Curriculum Vitae.

As an umbrella body for the CRB and Disclosure Scotland we can also evidence criminal record.

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Employment screening can be completed to adhere to the British Standard-BS7858:2006 for security personnel, for FSA regulated positions, for airside pass applications, for other legislative needs and for company policy requirements; or simply to relieve the burden on your existing management team.

For a no obligation discussion on your pre-employment security screening options, please telephone or e-mail Stephen Cox.

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cost savings to our customers – taking the premium out of on-site shredding. Flexible storage facilities, service schedules and billing processes have enabled us to deliver truly bespoke solutions to suit our clients’ needs. Our operating systems produce valuable management information to optimise our service delivery and maximise value for money.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Visit our website at www.shredonsite.co.uk call us on 0800 181 4106 or e-mail info@shredondite.co.uk

Redundant IT equipment removal – with data security guaranteed ADESTONE TRADERS LTD is a small, dedicated and professional company based on the Isle of Wight who specialises in the removal of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). As a company we cover the south of England and have many blue chip companies, councils and health care trusts amongst our customers.

As a company Jadestone is ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004 registered and one of only a few WEEE collection companies nationwide who is ISO 27001:2005 approved. The ISO 27001:2005 standard was awarded for the information security management systems and specifically focuses on

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secure data destruction.

Any and all redundant IT equipment collected by Jadestone is thoroughly checked for any items capable of electronic data storage to ensure that your data is safely and securely destroyed.

Unlike other companies who promise to protect your data by wiping it with a NATO approved computer program we physically destroy the hard drive, once destroyed the shredded remains are recycled. This ensures the completely secure process we pride ourselves on.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01983 854871 Fax: 08700 276911 E-mail: mail@jadestone.co.uk Web: www.jadestone.co.uk

A New Era in Security and Safety Management

Look to the Future - Engage with the Pink Fluffy Cloud Taking a close look at where the Health Sector can benefit from the direct convergence between what the Security and Safety Sector and the IT and IP infrastructure players are developing.

Paul Hennings IP UserGroup Director comment’s.

Applications across many Healthcare disciplines: · Surveillance & CCTV · Access Control, Time & Attendance · Intruder Detection & Alarms · Fire Detection & Evacuation · Integrated Safety Solutions · Audio, Intercom & Messaging · Transmission & Comms Systems · Building Management Systems

As a great advocate of hosted business services such as CRM (customer relationship management), Web building solutions, server-side storage and email marketing as a service. I am only too aware of the possibilities available to the Security and Safety function within the Public Sector should some of these fundamentals be employed.

The terms Cloud computing, Virtualisation and Saas (Software as a Service) are no longer exclusive to the IT arena, but increasingly crossing the divide into ALL areas of business life.

Recently Alastair Hayfield, Research Manager at IMS Research commented “In the year ahead there are a host of new trends that will keep the industry talking and drive market resurgence.” And in bringing together the top ten trends, placed the following at the top of the list:

“2010 will see Video Surveillance as a Service (VSaaS) emerge from the shadows and take the limelight. 2010 will see a raft of companies announce VSaaS solutions.”

In truth Saas and Virtualisation in one form or another has been part of the Security, Surveillance and Safety world for several years, but now the Public Sector are seeing it as a major opportunity and using Security and Safety to further leverage investment in the network infrastructure.

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For far too long the Public Sector has been satisfied to treat anything the other side of the ADSL hub or router as a pink fluffy cloud, but are you missing a trick? The IT industry certainly believe that there is mileage in providing products within the cloud and are already providing many business services to both Public and Private Sector customers.

Engage before it’s too late!

IT and the network infrastructure are key elements in any 21st Century Security or Safety solution. An underlying knowledge of Information Technology and the way that the network operates is essential and without this the effectiveness or efficiency of any deployment could be severely effected.

There is a need to engage with specialists that have both the knowledge and influence to drive IP based solutions forward, and a greater understanding of the needs of both parties essential.

Forward thinking There are already several companies that have identified the need to engage and exploit this opportunity. To prove this, why not take the opportunity to join the IP UserGroup at one of the IP-in-Action Live events in a city near you, or plan a visit to the IIPSEC event in October where a whole range of solutions will be on show.

Visit www.ipusergroup.com/live or www.iipseconline.com for details.

We’re in the business of listening If you need top quality recruitment for your healthcare projects from an agency that has extensive experience in the health care industry, call US. Our mission is to achieve the best possible recruitment for your qualitative and quantitative projects. The key to our success is listening and attention to detail.

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We help with a wide range of research requests, including: • Staff surveys • Patient consultation exercises • Business development issues We offer research by telephone, email, web, face-to-face, or post.

For further information, do visit our website, or contact Ann Grimsdale, Managing Director 01763-272746 ann@interviewingservices.co.uk

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MARKET RESEARCH

IDENTIFYING OPPORTUNITIES The Market Research Society discusses how research can help decision-makers better understand the health sector AS THE WORLD IS ROCKED BY THE aftermath of the recession and the government attempts to manage the largest budget deficit in history, Britain’s National Health Service faces a challenging future. Now more than ever, focus must go on streamlining services and reviewing objectives to ensure that the best possible service can be delivered under increasingly constrained resources.

A tough financial climate can bring opportunities for those best placed to support change. Businesses that can help decision-makers better understand the health sector and advise on supply and demand will be central to ensuring the long-term health of the NHS. Likewise, in the private health sector, those who can identify new growth opportunities and demonstrate bottom-line impact are in high demand.

UNDERTAKING RESEARCH Research falls within this space. The emergence of 24-hour news and social media has brought government departments and decisions more firmly into the public eye. Any step taken involving public spend will be quickly and broadly scrutinised. The result has been a steady swing towards undertaking more in-depth social, market and opinion research to support healthcare professionals making decisions on all from budget allocation to drug policy or advertising. As this research is undertaken to inform important decisions, it must be ethical and properly conducted to ensure that it is robust. Above all, research must be able to prove its own worth, providing measurable insights and quantifiable results at a time when output is everything.

The Market Research Society (MRS) is the UK’s regulatory body for social, market and opinion research. It helps public and private sector healthcare professionals source credible, experienced research suppliers who can deliver realistic, impactful results. Here, MRS Chairman Rowland Lloyd is joined by several healthcare research experts to discuss the role of research in the health sector and how the sector can make best use of research as a business intelligence tool.

Public sector health organisations are increasingly approaching research suppliers to help guide the decision-making process and demonstrate a good understanding of their stakeholders’ concerns – be that employees in the health sector, patients, drug companies or government. Gone are the days when research was a ‘tick box’ exercise; today, it is a lynchpin in helping to secure budgets, implement policy, build stakeholder support and develop a robust health service.

So, whether you are a healthcare practitioner,

a user of services or a supplier to the sector, how can research help you? How does market, social and opinion research differ and can it help improve services in the health sector?

WHAT IS RESEARCH? Research is based on the principle that a relatively small sample of people can provide accurate opinions and insights into a subject or issue that is representative of a much larger population or community. This data can then be applied to gauge public opinion and provide greater understanding of perceived attitudes.

At its most effective, research can also operate as a means of communication between health service providers, their stakeholders and patients. Effective research can hold the key to understanding a target audience of any kind.

“Research has many uses within the health sector,” comments Steve Lowery, head of Custom Healthcare Research at Synovate UK. “It can help identify the potential for new products or services, it can help to ensure appropriate allocation of budgets and resources and it can be fundamental in helping to develop effective social marketing campaigns amongst the general public or specific patient groups. In addition to this, attitudinal research also enables organisations to assess different perceptions and opinions relating to customer and patient satisfaction.”

From a communications perspective, research opens up a two-way dialogue with key stakeholders, informing the selection of effective channels of communication. It also helps organisations’ public relations efforts, helping them to understand the behaviour and attitudes of target audiences to inform media positioning and branding.

IFF Research is a leading provider of market, social and communications research to the health sector, working for the Department of Health, NHS Direct, the COI and Primary Care Trusts. Joint managing director Mark Speed thinks that using research to support and inform decisions on public spending is more important now than ever. He explains: “Research helps organisations develop policy and make decisions safe in the knowledge that these are really based on patient needs and wants. Our clients are often accountable for spending public money and they must ensure funds are directed appropriately and spent effectively.”

Whilst it may be costly to conduct robust patient and local resident research, it ought to more than pay for itself, continues Mark.

“When developing policy and making key decisions about the prioritisation of services, user opinion is crucial. And if a health campaign is aiming to change behaviour, using

research to help develop the messages and creative approach can make the difference between a campaign that works and is on target and one that fails to communicate the message to the core audience.”

As with any professional service, research is only as valuable as those who undertake it. Organisations wanting to benefit from the real value of research must approach accredited suppliers who stick to the rules to ensure findings are above all accurate, robust and reflect public opinion.

The research sector is renowned for its professional conduct and ethics and MRS upholds a number of rules and guidelines to ensure good practice across sectors.

Professionals that are MRS members and organisations that are MRS Company Partners have to abide by the MRS Code of Conduct, which provides a step-by-step guide to effective, fair and accurate research.

Rowland Lloyd, MRS Chairman, comments: “Gone are the days when research was perceived to be ticking boxes and answering quick surveys. Today, it is about understanding what questions to ask, who to ask, and how to ask them in order to get useful results. And when organisations take shortcuts they find themselves spending money on the wrong solution – a risk that those in the public eye, spending public money, certainly cannot afford to take.”

He continues: “MRS Company Partners and MRS members must adhere to the MRS Code of Conduct and the Data Protection Act of 1998, which offer a strict professional set of parameters that restrict malpractice in research. Providing these legal and ethical rules are complied with, research can provide an unparalleled insight into the opinions and actions of audiences to redefine the way decisions are made.”

TYPES OF RESEARCH There are broadly two types of research, quantitative and qualitative. Both have their own specific purpose and any MRS-accredited research supplier can advise on what sort of research suits a specific requirement.

Quantitative research generally involves using larger samples of respondents to provide reflective data on major issues.

Such research would be particularly useful to inform a decision on changed hours at a GP surgery or investment in a new drug.

Qualitative research, on the other hand, involves much smaller samples and more bespoke, personal questioning, which can provide a greater degree of insight. This is frequently used by researchers running focus groups to help inform an advertising or

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MARKET RESEARCH

communication campaign. A combination of approaches often provides the fullest picture.

ADVICE AND GUIDANCE? The MRS website (www.mrs.org.uk) should be your first port of call for advice and guidance. The site includes ‘A Newcomer’s Guide to Market Research’, as well as the annually updated ‘Research Buyer’s Guide’ ( www.theresearchbuyersguide. com), which lists MRS Company Partners and organisations with MRS members, their contact details, geographic area and industry specialisms. All organisations and individuals listed in the Research Buyer’s Guide are committed to adhering to the MRS Code of Conduct and those with healthcare research expertise can be easily found.

Elsewhere, LARIA (the Local Authorities Research & Intelligence Association) has its own website (www.laria.gov.uk) and works closely with MRS. LARIA can offer bespoke advice specifically to local public health care providers. MRS and LARIA’s joint ‘Using Surveys for Consultations’ guides local public sector organisations looking to conduct research. The document complements the ‘MRS Code of Conduct’ and offers advice specifically on researching public opinion on issues of local importance, such as the various types of health service provision.

More information on this can be found at www.mrs.org.uk/standards/guidelines.htm.

“These sources are an excellent starting point for anyone looking to find out more about the benefits of research and how it can assist in strategic decision-making,” says Rowland Lloyd. “As the Hepatitis C case study (see below) reveals, research can play a vital role in helping communicate with

and reassure stakeholders on sensitive and complex health issues. Understanding what drives your audiences, especially in these challenging times, is the key to ensuring every decision taken is the right one.”

HOW TO COMMISSION RESEARCH “Your choice of research supplier will be driven by a number of factors, including the research objectives and the target audience,” comments Synovate’s Steve Lowery. “Our clients want to use an MRS recognised supplier who understands best practice and has signed up to the MRS Code. This reassures them that the research will be conducted properly and that the methodology will be grounded in stringent theory giving results that are credible. It also means the research will be developed with due consideration for ethics and data protection – for example, ensuring that participants’ anonymity and confidentiality will be preserved at all times and making sure that they are given an opportunity to get their point across.”

Rowland Lloyd concludes: “If any organisation, in any sector, wants to make decisions based on the results of research, it simply has to stand up to scrutiny. They must invest in suppliers who fully understand the brief and who comply with the MRS Code of Conduct. With concerns around data privacy ever prevalent, the Code enables researchers to reassure respondents that their details are kept securely and that information is not misused – vital if you are to get a good response rate and honest answers. Above all, it reassures decision makers that policy, communication or budgetary decisions, however significant, are the right ones to take.”

Further advice on how to commission healthcare research that complies with the

MRS Code of Conduct can be found on the MRS and Research Buyer’s Guide websites.

The Department of Health commissioned IFF Research to explore awareness of and attitudes towards Hepatitis C in 2003. Since then IFF has worked over the last seven years to help refine and measure a campaign facing a unique combination of challenges. The purpose of the research is to raise awareness of Hepatitis C among ‘at risk’ groups, to encourage those at risk to be tested and, if positive, to get treatment immediately.

IFF has employed a range of research tools to deliver this research. Baseline surveys involving general public omnibus questions have measured penetration and recruited at risk groups for follow-up. This has been followed by face-to-face quantitative survey among at risk groups and general public focus groups to measure opinion and attitudes. IFF has also implemented a qualitative creative development study with Hepatitis C sufferers to enable more in-depth questioning.

IFF is soon to start interviewing 200 ex-Intravenous drug users as well as conducting a survey among the general public and south Asians to evaluate the current campaign.

This research demonstrates that hard to reach audiences can be accessed and surveyed on highly sensitive and complex health issues. IFF’s research has helped the DoH to identify the most effective communications channels for encouraging its targets to act and has helped drive an uplift in awareness and understanding of Hepatitis C.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Web: www.mrs.org.uk

Research solutions for the health sector OHN GRIFFITHS has been running Planning Above and Beyond, a consultancy pushing the boundaries of research and communications planning since 2000.

John sets out to tackle issues whose resolution is not necessarily straightforward.

And research projects which require creativity and lateral problem solving.

Planning Above and Beyond’s client list is diverse reflecting the nature of the briefs worked to: Intercontinental Hotels, Microsoft and Tesco have all used PAAB’s services.

Last year John ran brand development research for the CNWL Foundation Trust across a number of their key stakeholder groups.

He has considerable experience designing internet research projects. And he has been a

choosing a supplier is to use a fresh pair of eyes. When required we build virtual teams to order to service UK and international research needs drawing on the skills of ethnography, semiotics and anthropology.

Extensive communications experience including social media allows us to support the needs of communicators today.

Planning Above and Beyond is a company partner of the Market Research Society.

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consultant attached to the Insight Research, one of the UK’s leading pharmaceutical agencies.

If you have a problem you perceive to be intractable one of the best reasons for

Tel: 01992 421047 Mobile: 07740 125794 Fax: 01992 421047 E-mail: john.griffiths@paab.biz Web: www.planningabove andbeyond.com

Visit the website to view the categorised product finder

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Surveys delivering more than just answers

Engage with the help of qualitative experts

VER 30 YEARS IN operation has taught ISL how to deliver “more than just answers”, in helping clients get the most out of each and every survey.

We deliver intelligent research solutions right through the survey process, from helpful advice on the most appropriate methodology, to advice on questionnaire content and sample, to insight on the findings.

In today’s environment, where it is more and more important to know what people think (be they patients or staff), ISL offers the resources and experience to help you find out, and finding out what’s in people’s heads is not as time-consuming or as costly as you might think.

We offer face-to-face, telephone, postal and a range of online solutions, for example e-mailed surveys, or panel management.

Ann Grimsdale, managing director, has worked at ISL since

LUCIDATION is a market research agency that recognises that health and social care organisations are striving to be patient centred. We provide sensitive work across stakeholder groups. Our experience includes qualitative and quantitative projects with the public, patients, families, carers, volunteers, staff, management and chief executives.

Our core expertise is focus groups. Many people dabble with this methodology. We do it professionally based on 20 years of experience. For sound results you need sound planning.

Thought is required about who to recruit, how to approach them, how to make the research suitably representative, how to ensure that diverse audiences have a voice and so on.

Analysis needs rigour and reporting needs to be in context.

O

E

graduating in 1981, and is a full member of the MRS. Away from work, Ann is regularly invited to review business plans submitted to Cranfield School of Management.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01763 272746 Fax: 01763 272788 E-mail: ann@ interviewingservices.co.uk Web: www. interviewingservices.co.uk

We understand the complexities of local and national health structures. Our interpretation and commentary will be honest about the emotion of public and patient views but will not be naïve about the challenges of meeting these needs given financial and other operational constraints.

If you have studies requiring depth interviews or focus groups please consider us. Excellent references available from: • NHS Trusts • Marie Curie Cancer Care • Parkinson’s Disease Society • Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 020 7419 1565 E-mail: lucinda@ elucidationresearch.co.uk Web: www. elucidationresearch.co.uk

Making a difference with public perspectives UBLIC PERSPECTIVES is a specialist in research and community engagement for the public and third sectors.

We are passionate about using research and community engagement to help improve people’s lives and the way organisations operate. Our aim is to work in partnership with you to deliver actionable findings that can help lead to positive change.

We have expertise in conducting a wide range of research and community engagement with diverse audiences.

Our experience includes research and community engagement on health and social care issues such as the personalisation agenda, joint strategic needs

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assessments, world class commissioning, patient experience, equality impact assessments, access to services, evaluations of services or initiatives and consultations on the introduction and removal of services.

We would be happy to discuss your research needs in more detail even if it is just looking for informal and no obligation advice.

Public Perspectives is an MRS Company Partner and NCVO Approved Consultant.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 07984927526 E-mail: mark@public perspectives.co.uk Web: www.public perspectives.co.uk

Health professional research business EALTH NUTRITION and Research UK is a small but specialist health consultancy and qualitative research business run by Sue Malcolm, dietitian and Market Research Society accredited professional.

With 25 years experience, services include: • Research (including groups and one to one interviews) with employees, clients/ patients and general public • Nutrition and health support including nutrition advice, policy making/ implementation, marketing and project management eg. obesity programmes Health Nutrition and Research UK is unique in its employee health professional status and applied nutrition knowledge; with considerable experience both driving and supporting successful government and industry projects.

If you need research conducting

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and/or health-related support in areas such as those above, Health Nutrition and Research UK provides dedication, passion, reliability and nutrition knowledge as second nature; thereby helping you to achieve sound and focused solutions for optimal results.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Visit www.healthnutrition andresearch.co.uk for more information and to discuss possible large or small projects please call Sue Malcolm (SRD, MMRS) 07737 396 948 or e-mail sue@ healthnutritionandresearch.co.uk.

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RESPONSIBLE FLEET MANAGEMENT John Webb, council member of the Institute of Car Fleet Management, discusses the key elements of professional fleet management in the health sector and the issues that need to be addressed if value for money is to be delivered

WITH THE RECENT LAUNCH OF THE new framework for vehicle conversion by NHS PASA, there has never been a better time to focus on fleet management within the NHS. Recent months have also seen a change in the way that NHS transport related procurement is managed since the transfer of non-clinical goods and services procurement from NHS PASA to Buying Solutions Health.

While the new framework, together with other comprehensive frameworks for vehicle acqusition, offer cost effective and legally compliant routes to market, this does not mean that fleet, transport and finance managers in the NHS can take their eye off the ball in managing the ongoing challenges of managing fleet running costs and keeping expensive business critical assets on the road. After all there is little point in spending tens of thousands of pounds on vehicle conversion if the vehicle in question is off the road or running costs are out of control.

SUPPORTING TARGETS In common with all fleet operators, public and private, NHS fleets will be continually trying to balance a number of elements if vehicles are to support key business targets: • Operational performance – is the vehicle fit for purpose?

• Downtime management – optimising

vehicle on road time thereby delivering ‘payback’ for the investment • Cost – not just the cost of acquisition but ‘whole life costs’ including fuel • Safety – a paramount consideration that must never be compromised • Environment – reducing CO2 emissions in line with government targets.

This means that, more than ever, those responsible for fleets – in finance, procurement or the more traditional fleet managers – need to be competent in a wide range of skills and expertise if they are going to be successful.

FIT FOR PURPOSE Once a business requirement for a vehicle has been identified a crucial step will be to identify a vehicle which is fit for purpose. Complying with the requirement for the vehicle to be fit for purpose requires a fleet operator to have addressed two key management issues: • Ensuring that the vehicle, by design and specification is suitable and appropriate for the functional requirement – including the design of any internal and external conversion.

• Ensuring the vehicle is maintained in good condition.

Particular consideration needs to be given to selection and specification of the vehicle with reference to: • Ensuring the vehicle is of an appropriate size

and configuration for the passengers, patients and equipment which must be carried, for example ease of and safe access as well as to the specific role requirements for the vehicle.

• Requirement for specialist equipment and consideration of the impact such equipment will have on overall weight and potentially on driver licensing.

• The ability to carry the planned payload without breaching the maximum vehicle weight.

• Special licence requirements for drivers.

• Health and safety considerations for the driver, passengers and the general public.

• Making sure that loads can be safely and fully secured in the vehicle and the driver protected from hazards associated with the load itself • Accessing the operating zone with particular reference to vehicle size and its height.

• The operating cycle – does the vehicle have to drive at high speed, make frequent stops and starts in an urban environment or long distance journeys on motorways or dual carriageway?

NHS operates a huge and complex range of vehicles that present enormous challenges to those who are responsible for managing them. They must provide suitable infrastructure and working practices to ensure that vehicles are properly maintained.

Fleet operators must ensure that the vehicle

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FLEET MANAGEMENT

WHAT IS THE FRAMEWORK? The framework comprises of three lots, cars, vans and CEN, which runs to 14 July 2012.

Lot 1 – car: This lot allows for any car to be converted through the framework, from a complex fast response vehicle (FRV) to a doctor’s car with some lights on top and everything in between.

Lot 2 – van: This lot allows for any van to be converted through the framework, from a patient transport service vehicle to a minibus and everything in between.

Lot 3 – CEN: This lot allows for any van conversion which is CEN compliant to be converted through the framework. This lot does not support the conversion of the box body A&E front line ambulance, these can only be bought via the A&E Framework. manufacturer’s servicing schedule is applied and to an appropriate standard and that any further inspections or tests determined by the vehicle or its equipment are carried out on time. Appropriate basic safety checks must be carried out and recorded.

FUEL EFFICIENCY An effective vehicle maintenance programme can go a long way towards improving and maintaining your van’s fuel efficiency. For example, tyres that are under-inflated by 20 per cent – equivalent to 10 psi for most van tyres – can increase fuel consumption by up to three per cent. This can also reduce their expected lifespan by as much as a quarter. Over a year, this could add up to about £250 in extra fuel and tyre costs.

Managing the drivers is an important part of the fleet operator’s considerations. NHS vehicles often operate on a shift basis and multiple driver operating styles bring additional areas of management focus which include ensuring that each driver is familiar with the correct procedure for adjusting the vehicle for his/her use. Managers must also ensure that there is a robust system for collecting and acting on vehicle faults and malfunctions.

We occasionally hear fleet managers saying that they have ‘learnt by experience’. Another way of expressing this is ‘learning by mistakes’ which can be very costly and life threatening mistakes indeed in the case of NHS vehicles.

Vehicles are expensive, business critical assets and the total cost of fleet, if known, is usually one of the highest costs to an organisation after salaries, estates and IT. Wrong decisions can also result in far higher fuel bills and CO2 emissions. However, it is still an area where untrained staff can be asked to make decisions which may cost millions of pounds.

This also applies to those professionals whose core competence is in areas like finance or procurement where the focus is on delivering

value for money contracts, but not necessarily managing the ongoing service delivery.

THE RIGHT SKILLS So what skills do NHS managers need for effective fleet management? The core requirements remain the same regardless of the type and size of organisation as follows.

Strategy and planning • working with key business stakeholders in understanding business requirements • developing an action plan for implementation in line with business and financial plans • project management Stakeholder and risk management • identifying key stakeholders and having a plan for managing their input to the project • identifying and managing risks Market knowledge and basic principles • understanding the basic principles of fleet management from policy development and legal compliance through to acquisition, management and disposal The Institute of Car Fleet Management (ICFM) recognises the different levels of competence required to meet these needs and has developed structured modular Certificate and Diploma programmes courses supported by work based assignments that underpin the programmes and ensure that the employers paying for the training have a return on their investment.

A common organisational dilemma – particularly in these times of economic constraint – is how to justify the cost of employee training and development, even for programmes directly linked to the individual’s own job. Not only has all ICFM training been designed to develop the key competence elements linked to various levels of fleet administration and management but it has also produced a wealth of evidence to demonstrate how participants have applied their learning, leading to new initiatives for improving policy and, invariably,

tangible savings in fleet running costs.

Participants sometimes share their successes while attending successive modules but more often detail them in the assignments or project work used to assess competence associated with the attainment of a particular award, e.g. the Certificate or Diploma in Car Fleet Management. At Certificate level, the assignments need to be verified by the individual’s line or sponsoring manager so the improvements, cost savings, etc. resulting from the training are tangibly real and not just a ‘figment of the imagination’ of the trainee.

For example, focused assignments include requirements for demonstrating best practice for safety or green fleet management and evidence that an action plan for CO2 reduction has been developed and outcomes achieved.

VALUE FOR MONEY By the time they have acquired their qualification most participants find it easy to provide evidence of savings that far exceed the cost of the initial investment in their training and many have accumulated evidence of significant savings that are far in excess of the cost of their initial training.

Our successful students have gone on to win many national awards for fleet management. Our courses are also increasingly popular with police fleet managers and other central government fleets.

It is a profession to be proud of and accredited qualifications will bring the individual into line with industry leading best practice and a network of professionals in public and private sector.

FOR MORE INFORMATION For further information including how to apply for membership and training courses please go to icfm.com

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FLEET MANAGEMENT

WHO IS MANAGING YOUR FLEET? Derwent Fleet Management (DFM) can provide the complete solution ‘to the NHS by the NHS’ 2010 SEES THE NHS FLEET MANAGER with an unprecedented work load; increasing fuel and leasing costs; reductions in real budgets; reduction of the carbon footprint; the Duty of Care legislation and the ‘grey’ fleet etc.

Trusts now need to be identifying who is driving on business, are their journeys really necessary, and if they are they being made in the most carbon friendly and cost effective way. The need for professional input has never been greater.

The days of fleet management being a part-time job attached to the payroll department are over.

Derwent Fleet Management (DFM) can provide the complete solution “to the NHS by the NHS”.

Derwent Fleet Management (DFM) was established in 1992 to provide fleet management for the leased vehicles within Southern Derbyshire. Since then it has become one of the most successful and respected fleet management suppliers in the NHS. DFM now manages the fleets of more than thirty NHS organisations both large and small throughout England and Scotland. Looking after more than 4,200 vehicles which makes us the largest supplier of fleet management who are still wholly part of the NHS. By being totally independent of any leasing company we can offer a completely unbiased service ensuring that the interest of the Trust and driver are always the main priority.

STABILITY AND GROWTH Until recently DFM was hosted by Derwent Shared Services but since 1 December 2009 we have become part of the well respected Berkshire Shared Services organisation (BSS).

This means DFM will have access to the investment potential of a large and successful NHS Shared Services Organisation. The service continues to be based in Derby with the same expert staff providing the same high levels of service. Neil Robertson, who heads the Derby operation, says: “The stability and growth potential that comes with being part of a large organisation will lead to more investment in the future of DFM. We have exiting plans to provide new and innovative products to our current and future clients whilst keeping tight controls of costs, which in the current financial climate is imperative to all our customers.”

DFM offers a complete fleet management service to both Trusts and drivers. Vehicles are sourced through the Buying Solutions Framework agreement. Wherever possible we use dealers nominated by ourselves; these services have been assessed by us and meet our exacting requirements for service quality and reliability. We meet regularly with our dealers to ensure these standards are maintained.

We also meet regularly with manufacturers,

Trusts now need to be identifying who is driving on business, are their journeys really necessary, and if they are they being made in the most carbon friendly and cost effective way leasing companies, and the Buying Solutions Transport team to ensure that we and therefore our drivers and Trusts are kept up to date with the latest news within the industry.

We can advise on scheme design, tailoring schemes to meet the individual requirements of the Trust. If Trusts take our own ‘best practice’ scheme we can offer their drivers online quoting. This allows drivers 24/7 access via our website to obtain informal quotations for any vehicle so that they can decide on which vehicle they wish to order at their own convenience.

ENSURING COMPLIANCE With the ratio of grey fleet drivers (drivers who complete business mileage in their own vehicles) to lease car drivers being conservatively estimated at 5:1 the need for reassurance that the Trust has done everything it can to comply with its duty of care. We offer a service for checking driving licences, insurance cover and MOTs. This can also be linked to servicing at discounted rates so that not only does the Trust get re-assurance that they are fulfilling their duty of care responsibilities but the drivers are getting reduced servicing costs.

We can, on behalf of a Trust, run a salary sacrifice scheme for any grey fleet driver, which although not suitable for all employees is a

tax effective way for both the driver and Trust of obtaining a new vehicle. An alternative is to introduce an option in the Trust’s current scheme where the drivers pay 100 per cent of the costs. This has the advantages of making sure the vehicles are insured correctly, regularly serviced and the drivers are properly checked without the trust incurring any costs.

Large leasing companies offering fleet management may offer lower administration fees but usually at the cost of personal service.

We believe that we have the balance right between being large enough to offer the benefits of scale but small enough to offer a service that suits each individual trust and where drivers are still treated as individuals.

FOR MORE INFORMATION If you are looking to outsource or change your fleet management or would just like further information on the services we offer please contact either Emma Forster or Neil Robertson on 01332 622430 or e-mail neil. robertson@derwentsharedservices.nhs.uk.

Please note that Berkshire Shared Services also supply other back office functions please use the contact details shown above for initial enquiries.

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CONFERENCES & EVENTS

A WARM WELCOME TO WEST YORKSHIRE Modern, unique, traditional, academic – Leeds, Bradford and West Yorkshire offer a mixed bag of conference venues to suit your needs LEEDS AND WEST YORKSHIRE HAS seen a huge growth in meetings and events into the region over the last five years; particularly in meetings from the public sector.

According to the latest independent research on the meetings and events industry in West Yorkshire, the total expenditure by delegates amounted to £777 million from 5.79 million delegates; accounting for 56 per cent of all business visits to Yorkshire.

The figures come from the Yorkshire Business Tourism Research report, carried out by Yorkshire Forward, which forms part of the annual UK Events Markets Trends Survey (UKEMTS) research, a nationally recognised industry benchmark.

IN THE TOP FIVE Leeds has also been named in the top five meetings destinations in the UK for the 3rd year running. The British Meetings and Events Industry Survey 2009 (formerly the UK Conference Market Survey 2007) named Leeds as the 5th most popular choice for corporate meetings ahead of strong competition from cities such as Glasgow,

Newcastle-Gateshead and Nottingham.

The survey researches the buying habits and preferences of over 600 conference organisers and is widely considered to be the most reliable benchmark in the industry.

Nicola Lockwood, head of Conference Leeds, the super-convention bureau for Leeds and West Yorkshire, said: “We are delighted with these figures. We had a really busy year in 2009 and despite the recession, 2010 is shaping up to be our busiest year ever.”

She added: “There has been a huge growth in hotels and meeting venues in the city over the last five years, we are delighted to be holding more and more public sector events.

The choice of venues to suit all budgets, together with the support that Conference Leeds offers to organisers has put us in the top five of meetings destinations in the UK.”

of accredited venues for any region outside of London. Two of the venues have been awarded the coveted GOLD star award – Weetwood Hall Hotel and Conference Centre and the Royal Armouries International.

The MIA’s AIM scheme is endorsed by Visit Britain, the national tourism body which is encouraging all meetings venues in England to become AIM accredited to provide assurance to conference and event organisers that venues can demonstrate consistently high meetings standards and have met stringent assessment criteria.

Venues in the Leeds and West Yorkshire area have worked with Conference Leeds (the Convention Bureau for Leeds and West Yorkshire) to achieve the status and give the area a competitive edge in the meetings industry.

A QUALITY DESTINATION The destination has also raised its games in the quality and standard of venues on offer – over 40 venues have achieved the coveted Meetings Industry Association (MIA) AIM Higher Accreditation, the highest number

SURGE IN DEVELOPMENTS The success of Leeds and West Yorkshire as a conference desination is partly due to the surge in development offering a great choice of meeting venues at a price to suit most budgets.

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The pace of development continued throughout 2009 with the opening of high profile venue The Rose Bowl; Leeds Metropolitan University’s state of the art conferencing facility. The dramatic signature glass five-storey facility, situated behind the Civic Hall in the heart of the city’s Civic Quarter offers dedicated conference and events space for a wide range of events for up to 600 delegates.

Hotel development continued to grow too, with the new City Inn opening its doors to guests. Part of the new Leeds Granary Wharf regeneration project, City Inn is located adjacent to Leeds train station and next to the canal. With 333 bedrooms and a 360 degree panoramic view of Leeds from its spectacular Sky Lounge 13 floors up, the hotel promises to be a great addition to Leed’s conference venues.

UNVERSITY CONFERENCING Development continues into 2010. The University of Leeds’ state-of-the-art on campus accommodation is proving popular amongst conference organisers with over 20,000 bed nights sold to date, even though it doesn’t open until next year. The eagerly anticipated £27.1 million Storm Jameson Court with 459-bedrooms opens to delegates in June 2011.

Richard Handscombe, head of sales and marketing for the University of Leeds conferencing, events and accommodation, said: “We’re delighted with the amount of interest that Storm Jameson Court has received from conference organisers. The impressive building, which for the first time enables us to offer en-suite rooms at the heart of the campus, helps to move us into the premier division of UK conference venues and is set to rival anything in British higher education.”

Work began this year too on The Queens Hotel exciting new 8th floor project. In the city centre and adjacent to the railway station, The Queens is a 4-star standard hotel proud of its Art Deco Heritage.

Its existing 217 stylish bedrooms and 16 flexible conference spaces are being supplemented by an exclusive QClub Floor.

With nearly half a million pounds being invested in the redevelopment, the new QClub Floor will incorporate 18 executive guest rooms and suites. Guests will enjoy exclusive access to the executive lounge, complete with complimentary bar, first-class meeting space and a dedicated concierge as well as unrivalled views of Leeds’ skyline.

QClub is set to launch later this spring.

Award winning Rudding Park Hotel near Harrogate is also undergoing development in 2010. Independently owned luxury country house hotel has recently been named ‘Number One Hotel in the UK’ in the 2010 TripAdvisor® Travelers’ Choice Awards which honour the world’s finest hotels.

Work began this month to extend a further 34 bedrooms and additional leisure facilities to the hotel; the building programme will

Rudding Park Hotel

The Queens, Leeds

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CONFERENCES & EVENTS

rock & pop and political leaders. Today it is one of the most stylish and contemporary hotels in Bradford with 70 super chic, individually styled luxury bedrooms and suites, the ever popular Corniche Restaurant & Grill and the RBar. The fourth floor is the ultimate in luxury loft living in a city hotel, with 13 loft style bedrooms and suites with rich, opulent interiors created by Browning and Baize.

Close by, the Midland Hotel offers a stunning architectural backdrop too. Built between 1885 and 1890 by the Midland Railway Company, the hotel was a showpiece for the railway company’s northern operations, and is of particular architectural interest, with some of the finest Victorian interiors in the city, including the Victorian Passageway with its floor to ceiling Burmantoff tiles.

Today sees a hotel that has undergone a transformation, with investment to all areas of the building, restoring it to its original greatness; with magnificent public areas and extensive meeting facilities.

In contrast the modern Hilton Hotel in the city centre offers a wide choice of purpose built meeting rooms, international dining in the City 3 Restaurant and internet connections in all 120 bedrooms.

National Media Museum, Bradford

be completed by November next year.

Simon Mackaness, chairman of Rudding Park, commented: “At Rudding Park we strive to provide our guests with the best possible facilities and service. The creation of our new bedroom wing will provide a further 34 bedrooms, as well as a small spa and gym, and will further enhance our award winning property by providing the luxury facilities our guests are seeking. We are delighted to be working with a local team of advisers and contractors to build this extension.”

BRADFORD – CELEBRATING CULTURE Bradford is establishing itself as a meetings destination with a difference. With a £2 billion re-generation plan underway creating a new look City centre, a newly acclaimed accolade as Unesco’s first “City of Film” and

a celebration of its diverse culture; Bradford is making its mark on the meetings industry.

Bradford is shaping itself into a dynamic, exciting new destination offering visitors an unusual destination with great value; where business tourism features highly on the city’s priorities.

VENUES WITH A DIFFERENCE Bradford hotels and venues are diverse and can offer meeting venues and accommodation to suit most tastes and budgets; from stylish boutique-style hotels such as the Great Victoria to the 2,000 capacity ALCC – West Yorkshire’s largest conference venue.

The Great Victoria, built in 1867 and originally a railway hotel, is a landmark Victorian building which over the years, has been a favourite haunt for wealthy merchants, stars of the stage,

THE CITY OF FILM Named in summer 2009 as the world’s first “City of Film” Bradford has been recognised for its continuining contribution to the world of film, an accolade that can be appreciated by visitors to the National Media Museum in the heart of the city.

The National Media Museum offers a topquality corporate experience with five floors of spectacular galleries, two auditoria and the IMAX ® experience – all housed within a magnificent glazed frontage. The events team are on hand for everything from conferences in the auditoria to canapé receptions, intimate dinners in the museum galleries or even team building to create a TV programme in the museums very own working TV studio.

Close to the city centre but with a real get-away-from-it-all feel there is a wide range of country hotels and venues such as Marriott Hollins Hall Hotel, a magnificent Victorian country home, beautifully modernised with lots of meeting space, wonderful views and an 18-hole golf course; and modern, 800 seat Cedar Court Hotel offering excellent road access conveniently located just off the M606 and M62.

REDEVELOPMENT PLANS The city has unveiled an ambitious new “master plan” which includes the showpiece City Park Project. Work has started on a 70 week build to redevelop the City Centre and City Hall; creating stunning water features, Europe’s largest, in the heart of the city. Part of the plans includes the development of a new 120 bedroomed Jurys Inn for the city.

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Based on a unique ‘park in the city’ concept, this vision for Bradford is designed to change people’s perceptions of living, working and playing in the city centre. Known as ‘The Bowl’ this area of the centre will play host to an innovative mirror pool. This tranquil body of water can be drained quickly to create a large space for public events such as iceskating, outdoor theatre and art installations.

Complementing the mirror pool in the Bowl will be a dynamic Business Forest office park, the Interchange transport hub and an enlarged and enhanced Exchange Square Concert Hall (St George’s Hall).

The area in the centre is quickly becoming a cultural focal point with a selection of

Heritage Village of Saltaire, at the heart of which is Salt’s Mill, a colossal old mill building now home to the one of the largest David Hockney collections in the world. A little further afield is the literary village of Haworth, home of the Brontë sisters and a fantastic spot to absorb the atmosphere of the moors.

destinations including London, Edinburgh, Belfast, Amsterdam, Düsseldorf and Paris.

The rapidly expanding airport has recently announced a £70 million investment plan, over the next five years which will enhance the exisiting facilities and support the airports expanding flight programme.

GREAT VALUE FOR MONEY One of Bradford’s most appealing features for meetings and events in the current economic climate is its value for money. Research has showed that Bradford venues day delegate rates and 24 hour rates are below the national average, whilst still retaining the high standard of service offered by Yorkshire venues.

SUPPORT SERVICES Conference Leeds provides a Convention Bureau for Bradford ad West Yorkshire – a team of dedicated professionals who are on hand to provide friendly advice to help conference organisers manage an event every step of the way. From an initial enquiry through to post event follow up – the team offer a range of free services to make event planning as easy as possible. Services include: • An impartial venue finding and booking service, giving access to over 200 venues across West Yorkshire, the free venue finding service will provide organisers with full accurate event costings including the main venue, accommodation and support services • Accommodation booking. Easy to book accommodation for delegates – with preferential rates from venues • Site visits. The Conference Leeds team are happy to organise and host a tour of potential venues and accommodation • Assistance with sourcing experienced providers of transport, technical equipment, and entertainment • Travel advice • Advice on social programmes and partner activities • Provision of delegate information packs.

Bradford is shaping itself into a dynamic, exciting new destination offering visitors an unusual destination with great value; where business tourism features highly on the city’s priorities cafes, restaurants and bars framing City Hall.

Culturally Bradford’s diversity is celebrated in a host of options for entertaining. Recognised nationally as home to some of the UK’s finest Asian cuisine, Bradford also offers country pubs, highly regarded local ales and the spectacular Edwardian Theatre – the Alhambra.

Bradford celebrates its culture through special events such as the Midland Hotel’s taste of Asia weekends where guests are invited to learn more about traditional Asian customs, visit a sacred religious site, experience Bollywood entertainment and learn the secrets of creating one of the most popular food dishes in the UK, curry, demonstrated by celebrity chef Gita Mistry.

Further afield, yet perfect for partner or social programme visits, is the delightful World

For example Bradford hotels such as The Midland and Cedar Court offer day delegate rates (ddr) from as little as £24 and 24-hour rates from just £99, compared to national averages of £43 and £123 ddr and 24-hour rate.

ACCESS TO THE AREA Access has always been good to Bradford and West Yorkshire, sitting as it does at the heart of the M1 and M62 motorway network; but recent improvements have led to even greater choices of how to get to the destination. Trains run regularly between Bradford and London with a journey time of approximately three hours and during peak times a half hourly service operates. Leeds Bradford International Airport also flies to over 40 British and European

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0113 2206351 E-mail: info@conference-leeds.com, Web: www.conference-leeds.com

The 3rd Annual Public Sector Transformation Summit 2010 HE 3RD ANNUAL PUBLIC Sector Transformation Summit is scheduled to take place 18 March 2010, at the ICC, Broad Street, Birmingham. Building on the strength of the previous summits, the main premise of the 2010 event is focusing on ‘Maintaining and Improving Public Services in a Reduced Budget Environment’. This event is designed to re-invigorate all public sector transformation professionals with everything they need to know to make each step of the journey of transformation

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easier, on time and within budget.

Following a plenary session, the summit will be split into three streams, which will allow you to focus on the areas which are relevant to your specific area of work: Transforming Customer Services, Transforming Social Care Services and Transformation and Engagement.

The event will feature over 35 panels, roundtables and case study presentations on every aspect of transformation during one action packed day. The support of senior figures from central and local government illustrates that the Public Sector Transformation Summit has now been firmly established as the leading Public Sector Transformation event.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 020 7336 4692 Fax: 020 7336 4601 E-mail: andrew_mowbray@osneymedia.com Web: www.thetransformationsummit.com

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Written by Stuart Hex, Institute of Conflict Management

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

TACKLING VIOLENCE EFFECTIVELY Latest figures show health care professionals are still among highest risk of assault

THE ROLE THAT ALCOHOL PLAYS IN assaults at work is seen to be high, but this, reports the BCS: “can only provide an indication of the role of alcohol or drugs in offences, as a relatively high proportion of respondents are not able to make this judgment, particularly for drugs”.

Nevertheless, victims of actual or threatened violence at work said that the offender was under the influence of alcohol in 36 per cent of incidents, and that the offender was under the influence of drugs in 18 per cent of incidents. Alcohol was more often named as a factor by victims of assaults at work than by victims of threats at work. Perhaps an indication, amongst many, of society’s wider ills but also a hint that a multi-agency approach to the problem of violence at work is necessary.

EFFECTIVE MULTI-AGENCY WORKING Ascertaining the root causes of conduct disorder is key to working on long-term solutions. Smith (1995) highlights the importance of beginning to apply sufficiently prompt support. She cites: “the indications of later problems are usually present at an early age” and that “the case for early intervention is irrefutable”. Leaman (2005) focuses on three main areas that cause challenging behaviour, namely low selfesteem, egocentricity and internalised anger.

Glanz, Rimer & Lewis (2002) posit that an

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RISK OF VIOLENCE AT WORK FOR ADULTS OF WORKING AGE IN EMPLOYMENT – HIGHEST RISK OCCUPATIONS ONLY, 2008/09 BCS PERCENTAGES (SOURCE HSE BCS 2008/9)

Assaults

Threats

All violence at work

Health professionals

0.4

3.4

3.8

Health and social welfare associate professionals

1.0

1.8

2.6

Protective service occupations

8.4

1.2

9.0

individual’s behaviour is influenced by their own beliefs and values, and there is ample evidence that both can be changed through effortful intervention strategies. Behind every problematic childhood behaviour is often a complex range of issues and parents are at the heart of these. Frequently parents are beside themselves with frustration and often anger as they find themselves in difficulty with their children’s behaviour.

Greenberg et al (1993) in Sutton (2000) refers to a review of studies on aggressive behaviour disorders in children [which] grouped the developmental factors contributing to these disorders into four clusters – which may be seen as drawn from the same pool of variables as those shown

by Herbert (1981) in the frontispiece:

1. Family stressors 2. The nature of discipline given to the children 3. The child characteristics, including temperament or neurobiological factors 4. Attachment relationships Working with children and their families or carers, assessing their needs, formulating a holistic approach and working through to help people make the changes will offer the chance to bring sustainable improvements. Now, more than ever agencies are attempting to work together, but the results are not always effective due to cultural differences as well as entrenched procedures and perspectives.

Back in 1998 Dyson, Lin and Millward in DCSF RB60, were flagging up a common problem: “Interviewees reported a series of problems in

FROM CONFLICT TO COLLABORATION Conflict comes in many forms but two common delineations are warranted conflict, where we share a simple difference in opinion, versus unwarranted conflict, where psychological diversity causes a breakdown between individuals or groups.

In the healthcare environment it is more complex; with factors often interrelating to create long term institutionalised conflict, often termed the clinical-managerial divide. In an increasingly hostile environment this is a significant source of risk, where energy expended in internal conflict could be better utilised improving competitiveness.

solution to be intellectually superior, only serving to entrench views. Furthermore, in their capacity as patient advocate, they may feel almost obligated to defend their position vigorously. Similarly, managers may well feel that the authority vested in them by the Trust to achieve specific objectives equally obligates them to pursue their agendas regardless of the resistance they meet. It does not help that the natural communication style of each is often radically different from the other, inciting intense feelings in its own right that serve to turn up the heat of an already bubbling cauldron.

Rational reasons for irrational behaviour

And so the divide shall remain...

The majority of clinicians have a psychological profile very different from their managerial counterparts. This alone gives rise to the conundrum that faced with a similar challenge; doctors would most likely choose to resolve it quite differently from managers. Given the knowledge, training & clinical experience of doctors, they are likely to consider their

This divide is unlikely to depart imminently, with managers under increasing pressure to deliver productivity, save money and address national agendas. As this heat becomes uncomfortably warm, the natural tendency of an already assertive group is to push harder against a clinical workforce that is pretty good at pushing back. This is the intellectual equivalent of

doing the same thing but expecting for one miraculous moment to get a different result. If it hasn’t worked for the last 20 years then why should it start now!

Simple solutions with resounding impact In truth, this is a systemic failure to develop an adequate understanding of the medical mindset, how to access it and more importantly how to engage and influence clinicians in a positive, collaborative manner. The good news is just how easy this is to rectify. What’s interesting is just how long individuals are prepared to continue wading through treacle before they choose the line of lesser resistance.

Author: Andrew Vincent, Managing Director & Lead Consultant, Medicology Ltd Web: Tel:

www.medicology.co.uk 01332 821260

medicology

Leading the way in Leadership Leaders in leadership, management & performance training & services for healthcare staff Our ethos is paramount. It must produce a step change in effectiveness, it must be practical and most importantly it must be consistent with the harsh realities of the increasingly competitive, financially challenged era we are entering. And it is.

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Conflict Resolution Challenging Absenteeism The average employee misses 10 days’ work each year – a major drain on resources. Many managers feel powerless when it comes to dealing with absenteeism. This DVD is designed to help them gain confidence in dealing with absence. It consists of 7 real-life scenarios of different problems that managers face.

Each scenario is shown in two parts – how NOT to deal with the problem, followed by ‘The challenge met’ – a more effective way of dealing with the problem that results in progress towards a resolution.

nteeism • Effective measures to reduce abse in dealing • Help managers develop their skills nce abse with tly consisten agers will be • Uses everyday problems that man familiar with

• Define the terms of a dispute, establishing aims and ground rules • Determine boundaries to establish how much negotiating room you have • Make realistic compromises – and discuss what is agreed, not what is in dispute • Decide on common outcomes and points of agreement

Conflict is often perceived as negative and undesirable. Many people go to great lengths to avoid conflict or deny it even exists. However, conflict is a natural part of our lives – we all have different values, needs and feelings that differ from each other.

This Conflict Resolution DVD and training package shows how when handled properly, conflict can highlight problems that need to be addressed, lead to new ideas and behaviours, and help to enhance communication.

PREVIEW ANY DVD FREE FOR 7 DAYS! All our DVDs are available for a free, no-obligation preview.

Call us on 01353 865350 and we’ll send the complete DVD and guides. Just post them back when finished!

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CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

securing and maintaining effective cooperation.

There were sometimes delays and difficulties in the exchange of information between agencies and joint information handling systems were rare. Schools did not always find it easy to identify appropriate contacts in Social Services Documents or to secure the sorts of interventions from Social Services Documents which they thought were appropriate. There were ‘border disputes’ over responsibility for providing particular services – notably speech and language therapy. Sometimes interventions in the same case were made by two or more agencies with little or no coordination between themselves.”

Current good practice fosters a culture of cross agency communication and liaison, however, due to the differences in training between agencies; some of the difficulties listed above have still not been ironed out.

For agencies to be able to communicate effectively with each other, five aspects need to be consistent: shared training, shared criteria, shared goals, equitably accessible cross-agency finance, and moderation between different areas with similar demography.

Until these are addressed few sustainable improvements will be made and successes will be hap-hazard and difficult to quantify. It must be a priority for an incoming government to re-evaluate inter-agency strategy and to put the necessary structures into place to take things forward and make tangible improvements. This multi-agency approach coupled with effective training and post-incident management could then provide a realistic solution to preventing and managing the problem of violence at work.

SAFE & EFFECTIVE TRAINING The Institute of Conflict Management (ICM) has been established since 1997 working with all sectors that face the problem of work related violence. During this time the ICM has been aware of the plight of workers within the NHS and agrees that it is totally unacceptable for doctors and nurses to be subjected to verbal abuse and violence whilst treating patients. But with high quality training, effective management systems and post-incident support, incidents of violence to staff can be reduced effectively. The new ICM certificated education & training Awards provide greater resources to enable the NHS to address this issue.

Although incidents of aggression and violence are comparatively rare, from time to time, employees may be confronted by service users presenting particular management problems and challenging behaviours; a problem especially acute in hospital settings. But these can be managed effectively by putting in place the correct management systems and risk assessing job roles and deciding how this risk can then be minimised. The National Occupational Standards on Preventing and Managing Work-related Violence provide a useful framework from which to set up procedures and where necessary, adequate training to ensure the safety of their workers; from initial risk assessment to post-

ACCREDITATION

ICM-Quality Award Centre (QAC)

CERT/AWARD

LEVEL

GLH

ICM-Certificate in Delivering Conflict Prevention and Management Training

3

30

ICM-1 day Awards 1. Assessing the risk of work related violence 2. Preventing & Managing Conflict

1 1

10 10

ICM-Foundation Award

2

20

Customised Awards (QAC Specific)

Varies

Varies

ICM-QAC with Tutor holding ICM-Physical Skills Tutor Award (PSTA)

ICM-Certificate in Delivering Physical Skills Training (DPST)

3

30

Tutors with the ICM-Cert DPST

ICM-1 day Award 1. Physical Skills 2. Physical Skills

1 2

10 10

ICM-PSTA

Customised Physical skills Awards

Varies

Varies

incident procedures. The reporting of incidents, effective deterrents (such as tougher sentencing) and victim support all form a valuable part of an organisation’s overall strategy for preventing and managing work related violence. An effective strategy that also promotes an antiwork related violence culture and combines this with a logical and systematic procedure for risk assessments, reporting of incidents, post incident counselling and relevant training, and, where possible, the use of technology, can all help to reduce incidents of work related violence. These are all issues that are highlighted time and again as effective measures with which to deal with violence and abuse to staff in the NHS, but all too often become lost in the wider priorities of an organisation, especially where budgetary constraints are an issue.

In acknowledging our responsibilities towards the health and safety of NHS workers and our duty of care to service users, one of the key objectives must be to receive high quality training. The training should enable all staff to recognise and manage the factors, which lead up to a person becoming aggressive and deal effectively with any untoward incidents of conflict. In certain circumstances (where a risk assessment identifies this) it may also require the teaching of physical intervention skills, but only with careful consideration to the following values: • Physical interventions should only be used in the best interests of the service user.

• Service users should be treated fairly and with courtesy and respect.

It is also a basic principle in the management of aggressive people that physical management techniques are only used as a last resort and that interactional skills should always form the employees core skills. All training should be provided by suitably qualified instructors with a capacity to teach theoretical and practical skills to work colleagues enabling them to manage challenging behaviour in a skilled, confident, non-confrontational, non-judgmental manner which is of paramount importance.

All members of the ICM charged with the task of facilitating management of violence and

aggression training are expected to maintain standards of professionalism to teach techniques correctly and help implement procedures in a professionally disciplined manner, ensuring that the imperative philosophy of duty of care to service users is maintained at all times.

These new ICM Awards are intended to provide a recognised standard for this type of training, which is backed up by a system of accreditation and monitoring for trainers engaged in training delivery, ensuring their continuous professional development, adherence the ICM’s Code of Practice, and subject to desk top audits and panel reviews. Already, the ICM has had interest from a number of NHS Trusts who are looking to use the ICM as the lead body for all matters relating to violence and aggression at work.

The ICM is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to setting standards in the prevention and management of work related violence and aggression.

References: Glanz, Rimer & Lewis (2002) in Hall and Fong, Health Psychology Review Vol1: No1, Routledge, Abingdon, 2007, page 40 Leaman L, Managing Very Challenging Behaviour Continuum, London, 2005, page 5 Smith H, Unhappy Children Reasons and RemediesFAB, London, 1995, page 50 Sutton C, Child and Adolescent Behaviour Problems, British Psychological Society, 2000, page 11 A multidisciplinary approach to assessment and intervention, Leicester

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0116 2691049 E-mail: conflictmanagement@ associationh.org.uk Web: www.conflictmanagement.org The Latest Findings from the British Crime Survey 2008/9 can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/ causdis/violence/bcs2008-09.pdf

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Response Training Services (RTS) is a specialist provider of personal safety courses including: Conflict Resolution, Personal Safety Awareness, Breakaway / Disengagement, Physical Restraint, Handcuffing & NHS Security Officer Training.

We are accredited by Leading Specialists in the field of Personal Safety Training including: • The National Federation for Personal Safety (NFPS Ltd) • NHS Counter Fraud Security Management Service (NHS CFSMS) • Blauer Tactical Systems Inc All of our Instructors hold nationally recognised teaching qualifications as well as the Btec Level 3 Advanced Award in Coaching & Instruction in Physical Restraint Practice, which is the only nationally recognised level 3 coaching award in UK & Europe specific to Physical Restraint & Breakaway Training. They have also attended National Syllabus Familirisation Seminars with the NHS CFSMS on the subjects of Conflict Resolution and Promoting Safe & Therapeutic Services.

Workplace conflict and violence seriously impacts productivity, increases stress related absenteeism and lowers employee retention. We specialise in providing proactive solutions to harassment, aggression and violence in the workplace, through our training and consultancy services.

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Conflict Management & Resolution Courses Physical Intervention Courses (Low-impact break-away & disengagement) Personal Safety Courses for Lone Workers Consultancy Service

All our courses are based on a Training Needs Analysis we carry out for each new client; this ensures our training reflects your specific working environment.

We can offer both tailor made and nationally recognised Btec courses which were written by NFPS Ltd and accredited by Edexcel. Our training programmes have been subjected to full risk assessments as well as a Legal Audit by a Barrister at Law to ensure it is legally accurate and court credible.

If you want training that protects your staff and your organisation, contact us today.

Tel: 01622 710981 Mobile: 07912252835 Email: response-training@tiscali.co.uk

www.response-training.co.uk

info@btbl.co.uk | www.btbl.co.uk | 0845 602 55 95

For a comprehensive approach to the management of aggression, we Provide Proven, Effective Consultancy & Training Approaches to:

Cardinal Training & Development Ltd has evolved in to the Cardinal Security College for the benefit of Students within a Security Role. Until now there has been no specific centre of excellence, where an individual can go and increase their knowledge from basic level to intermediate level. Here at the College we are developing Detective courses, Physical Intervention and Conflict Management Training designed specifically for Care, Retail, Rail and Licensed Retail Industries.

A selection of our courses are listed below: • National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders - NCPLH (BIIAB) • National Certificate for the Designated Premises Supervisor (NCDPS) • BIIAB Level 3 Diploma in Licensed Hospitality • Responsible Alcohol Retailing Level 1 • Essential of Catering Award Level 1 • Conflict Management • Physical Intervention • Personal Safety • Arrest & Restraint • Search & Concealed Weapons • Manual Handling • First Aid • Accident Investigation • Interview Techniques For further information Contact Martin Brown AIIRSM on 07725970954 Please Quote Unique reference number CSC001 UKRLP No 10025331 Cardinal Security College, The Old Station House, Station Approach, Great Chesterford, Saffron Walden Essex, CB10 1NY. T: 0845 680 1796 F: 01799 533461

• Risk Assessment & Management • Prevention and Management of Violence & Aggression • Violence Reduction Strategies Our quality programs include: • Theoretical subject areas relating to the management of aggression • Consultation on operational and policy issues • Legal briefings • Non-physical skills training, i.e. de-escalation, care planning, conducting risk assessments • Physical skills training, i.e. disengagement, breakaway and a range of physical restraint techniques We provide consultancy and training to a wide range of health service clients from the independent and public sectors.

Our Senior Team are an experienced group of health professionals with a range of relevant qualifications and professional backgrounds, including nurse consultancy in conflict management, and are all experienced and skilled instructors and facilitators.

Contact us now for a confidential training needs consultation on your risk and aggression management needs, or for further information on our services:

Visit the website to view the categorised product finder

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Enhancing skills for working with conflict

First class training in physical intervention

ANDLING CONFLICT is one thing at which almost everyone wishes they were more skilled. Whether it is dealing with aggressive behaviour from a member of the public, improving performance in a dysfunctional team, handling a sensitive negotiation, dealing with a difficult member of staff, or managing a personality clash between two people that has a negative effect on the general work environment, conflict management skills are certainly an essential part of the tool-kit of anyone who wishes to be more effective at work.

Chris Rose, a psychologist and former psychiatric nurse, has specialised for the past 15 years in helping people who work in the public sector to develop their ‘people skills’.

He is an accredited mediator with CEDR, Europe’s leading conflict resolution body, and an NLP Master Practitioner and Trainer. He has a wealth of experience in helping people

ILVERMILL TRAINING provides nationally recognised Edexcel Btec physical intervention training to the Health, Social care and Security sectors.

As an ethical company we pride ourselves in delivering the highest quality training which is recognised by one of the foremost providers of academic qualifications, Edexcel.

All physical skills have been subject to rigorous medical, technical, legal and health and safety audits to ensure we continually meet employer’s legal responsibilities.

Our experience is that accredited training may not be as robust.

All our training includes conflict management, de escalation and knowledge of the underpinning law and guidance around the use of physical force.

We believe that training should be affordable and as such have the following charges. Each course is for up to twelve students.

• 1 Day Btec Award in Break-away and Self Defence. £500 inclusive.

• 2 Day Btec Award in Disengagement and non-

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working with conflict situations.

Not surprisingly, then, Chris is much in demand both as a trainer and as a coach. If you are interested in exploring how he might help you to provide your staff with the best support you can offer, he will be delighted to hear from you.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 07918 679772 E-mail: mulberrydt@ btinternet.com Web: www.mulberrydt.com

Dealing with conflict and aggression HE NEED TO DEAL appropriately, professionally and safely with individuals is an important part of working life for many people.

However, on the premise that prevention is often better than cure, it may not always be necessary to resort to the ‘hands-on’ control, restraint and breakaway conflict management techniques commonly used in an aggressive situation, if ‘soft skills’ can be applied to effectively diffuse a situation and avoid escalation.

Greater Manchester Police have recognised expertise in the provision of training to effectively deal with aggressive situations and can offer learning and development opportunities in a broad range

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of areas to both public and private sector organisations, Our one day “Dealing with Conflict Within Your Role” course enables learners to identify physical, social and environmental factors at work that may contribute to the likelihood of a physical or verbal attack. Learners will also start to recognise behaviours within themselves that may contribute to the likelihood of an aggressive attack and how to change their behaviour to achieve results without physical intervention.

FOR MORE INFORMATION For information and details about this training, please contact Ann Moloney on 0161 856 1195 or e-mail ann.moloney@gmp.police.uk

restrictive physical intervention skills. £1,000 inclusive.

• 2 day Btec Award in the Care and Control of Children and Young People. £1,000 inclusive.

• 3 Day Btec Award in Disengagement and Physical Intervention Skills. £1,500 inclusive.

FOR MORE INFORMATION For an informal discussion and an assessment of your training needs speak to Paul Plummer. Tel 07766410664 or E-mail silvermill@talktalk.net.

Web: www.silvermill.org.uk

Sometimes conflict comes from within T OPP, WE USE business psychology to resolve internal conflict within teams.

In the health sector, there is often a focus on conflict in the patient/ professional relationship – yet disagreements frequently occur within the profession too. We regularly see conflict in situations where dedicated, compassionate people are required to provide their high standards of patient care around shrinking budgets and ‘rationed’ resources – while trying to find their feet in shifting hierarchies. OPP is passionate about turning this less frequently acknowledged form of conflict into something positive.

OPP has more than two decades’ experience in managing conflict and allowing organisations to benefit from it. Our business psychology expertise, underpinned by robust psychometric tools, allows organisations to gain from disagreement, rather than have conflict interfere with

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outcomes. We can help, and we can train you how to do it too.

Understanding others is the key to benefiting from conflict – and our tools help people do this. We distribute the MBTI®, FIRO-B® and 16PF® instruments, as well as the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument, a tool that requires no training to use, which immediately helps people to understand their approach to conflict, and suggests strategies that lead to positive outcomes.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01865 404 551 Fax: 01865 557 483 E-mail: info@opp.eu.com Web: www.opp.eu.com/health

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Conflict management The UK’s premier backup training for professionals and safety service ETERAN SOLUTIONS provides consultancy, training and support across a wide range of functional disciplines.

Veteran Solutions (Wales) was established in Swansea as a fully accredited and certified training centre and provides conflict management and restraint and breakaway courses for the private, voluntary and public sectors.

We can offer a range of BTEC Level Two qualifications or can tailor courses and supporting materials according to your requirements. Our aim is to provide a firm foundation which enables trained staff to confidently apply their knowledge, judgement and skill when dealing with violent or aggressive behaviour. Our training covers the law, risk management, de-escalation strategies and appropriate non-restrictive and, where necessary, restrictive physical skills. Whether courses are delivered in Swansea or on-site at clients’ premises we employ a wide range of instructional techniques to ensure that we meet the preferred learning styles

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of all candidates and develop confident and knowledgeable individuals who are better prepared to manage conflict, and are more likely to act legally and appropriately when safeguarding themselves and others.

Veteran Solutions (Wales) actively supports Help for Heroes and will donate five per cent of all profits made by the company to help provide practical, direct support for our wounded Servicemen.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01792 540200 Fax: 01792 540200 E-mail: info@ veteransolutions.co.uk Web: veteransolutions.co.uk

Conflict resolution or customer service?

N TANDEM THE STEADY increase in customers’ expectations within in the public sector, there has also been a steady increase in the incidence of verbal abuse and aggressive behavior towards staff. Against this rise in work-related violence is the employers’ duty of care to provide a safe place of work and the need to promote a professional corporate image.

Staff Safety Solutions have been delivering a range of health and safety based courses, including conflict resolution training within the public sector for many years. We recognise that this training should be about preventing violence through the introduction of control measures, as well as about identifying when a situation is becoming confrontational and taking steps to diffuse and calm the situation.

Staff Safety Solutions delivers a range of training products, from leading vocational qualifications providers to bespoke courses specifically designed to meet

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KYGUARD’S SERVICE features a 24/7, purpose built Incident Management Centre accredited to BS 8484 and BS 5979, which manages personal safety alarms and lifethreatening situations on a daily basis. We use GPS enabled devices to identify the user’s location, with 2-way voice allowing our controllers to listen and reassure the user, if it’s safe to do so.

Our highly trained controllers use purpose built software, and have rapid access to the emergency services. Customers also have the use of our 700 vehicle National Response service as a backup response.

Customers can conveniently create and manage their employees details in real-time, via our secure online Customer Service Centre, 24/7. The portal also allows individual and company alarm escalation procedures to be created, tailored to your lone worker’s requirements. All this

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your individual needs.

The courses introduce simple strategies, hence are intended not only to promote a safe working environment and a positive corporate image, but also help to improve the confidence of staff, and reduce fear and anxiety. Our courses are tailored to reflect your Policies and Accident/Near Miss reporting procedures.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0844 800 2273 Fax: 01380 859222 E-mail: info@ staffsafetysolutions.co.uk Web: www. staffsafetysolutions.co.uk

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information will be immediately made available to our controllers during an alarm activation.

The Skyguard devices have the ability to be pooled between multiple users, and can be instantly allocated to staff members via the Customer Service Centre. Having the flexibility to reallocate devices to staff in real-time can prove invaluable.

Used and trusted by the Police to protect their most vulnerable individuals, subscription starts from just £12/month.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0845 0360 999 Fax: 0208 786 3334 E-mail: sales@skyguardgroup.com Web: www.skyguardgroup.com

Personal alarms from www.besafealarms.com E SAFE ALARMS is operated by Onezerosix Ltd and supplies personal and home-based attack alarms with a proven track record of attack and burglary prevention.

Personal attack alarms are available in a variety of sizes, small enough to fit inside pockets and handbags but large enough to be easily accessible in an emergency.

Activation methods are designed to suit the user, and range from pin-pull to buttons. Models have a range of decibel levels, with the loudest models reaching the 130 – 140db mark, providing a piercing, sweeping alert for help. Many have built in torches for further attracting attention.

Door accessories, which allow

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personal attack alarms to be used as a door or window sensor, are also available, giving you multiple functionality in one device.

Be Safe Alarms also offers a range of security devices for protecting your home, including distraction burglary prevention and safety deposit cans.

Motion detection systems are offered for garden and home protection, with a variety of features including cordless access, wireless interference protection and waterproof casing. Some models can be switched off for silent alert.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01582 794171 E-mail: david@onezerosix.com

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Personal attack alarms from Arena Access

Conflict management and security training

ERSONAL SAFETY IS always important to every employer and protecting your staff in difficult or dangerous situations can be hard. Personal alarms can be an ideal solution.

A reliable personal alarm within easy reach will give peace of mind and assurance to the employer and to your employees in situations were they may feel unsafe. Arena Access is well aware that a good quality, reliable and easy to use alarm is a must for all potentially vulnerable staff, and with a number of quality alarms to chose from, Arena Access has the ideal personal alarm for all eventualities.

Our range of personal attack alarms include discrete slim line alarms, key ring alarms, hand held alarms, ripcord alarms and alarms with built in strobe light and torch most of our alarms give off a piercing 138 decibel siren on activation to deter attack while some omit a foul odour and ultra violet die to trace a potential attacker.

Arena Access supplies many organisations including the prison

BA TRAINING AND Recruitment Limited and affiliated Companies world-wide, provide cost-effective protection and crime management solutions to its clients. Our team has a broad spectrum of expertise and experience and have operated within the Middle East, Africa, Afghanistan, the United States of America and Europe.

We are comprised of former protection officers, military, police personnel and corporate security executives. Incorporated in two thousand and eight by unification of a few very select companies, our ethos is to train to the highest standards available and to continue to be client and quality driven.

With interests across Europe and Africa, we offer a wide range of training and operational services.

The collective experience and operational knowledge of our team spans well over fifty years in the protective and corporate sectors.

Our team have designed bespoke courses and training solutions

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service, NHS, care workers and the general public. Many confess to feeling safer knowing if they need help they can alert someone.

Prices start from £7.00 each while all come complete with batteries and free UK delivery.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01695 559785 Fax: 01695 559826 E-mail:enquires@ arenaaccess.co.uk Web: www.arenaaccess.co.uk

to a wide variety of corporate, state and diplomatic support staff. Our trainers continually upgrade and refresh their training methodologies and qualifications to provide the highest quality and professionally relevant courses.

All of our instructors well exceed the industry standards and Level Three in Delivery of Conflict Management. In addition, they all have provable experience in the sectors in which they instruct.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01744 627863 Fax: 0161 386 8708 E-mail: info@pbagroup.com Web: www.pbagroup.com

Conflict resolution Preventing and managing and assault avoidance challenging behaviour R ECURICARE HAS been at the forefront of training in the prevention and management of challenging, aggressive and violent behaviours since the early 1990s.

The training is accredited and can be externally certificated.

SecuriCare is an Institute of Conflict Management Quality Award Centre ICMQAC. The training covers the following core learning objectives and meets the requirements of the NHS National Conflict Resolution Training Programme: Describe the common causes of conflict; Describe different forms of communication; Give examples of communication breakdown; Explain three examples of communication models that can assist in conflict resolution; Describe patterns of behaviour they may encounter during different interactions; Explain the different warning and danger signs; Give examples of impact factors; Describe the use of distance when dealing

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with conflict; Explain the use of ‘reasonable force’ as it applies to conflict resolution; Describe different methods of dealing with possible conflict situations.

The training also includes Disengagement skills; and physical intervention/restraint skills where necessary and is part of the organisations policy and staff guidelines. Train the Trainer Packages are available for in-house training personnel and can including NVQ Level 3 Direct Training & Support (QTLS).

FOR MORE INFORMATION For more information please visit our website at: www.securicare.com Tel: +44 (0)1904492442 E-mail: trainers@securicare.com

AISING AWARENESS and reducing the risks faced by employees is a vital aspect for any organisation committed to reducing incidents of workplace violence. Wilplan Training offer specialist consultancy and training services in conflict resolution and assault avoidance for a range of organisations with bespoke solutions including policy review and guidance through to training and development of staff.

A specialised and personal service is offered ensuring that the right solutions are given at the right level which reduces the risk to staff and ensures the organisation meets its legal obligation under statutory legislation. Direct Delivery, E-learning and individual study are available to our clients.

Training courses are fully certificated through City & Guilds and our clients can be assured that all training is in line with the CFSMS and National Occupational Standards. We are committed to assisting you through developing and implementing a workable solution in reducing the risks and

with a range of tailored training we ensure that organisations have the flexibility to ensure training is commensurate to the risks.

Our approach to training is through personalised consultation with our clients which has included local councils, Security staff, NHS and care workers through to enforcement roles in transport and education.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0845 009 5647 Fax: 01257 421114 E-mail: info@wilplan training.co.uk Web: www.wilplant raining.co.uk

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Visit the website to view the categorised product finder

Adopt best practice in physical intervention

Just ONE Recruitment and Training Limited

UIDING HANDS Training is a highly professional supplier of specialised training and knowledge to organisations whose employees may have to decide on the best course of care and control or manage physical confrontation in the workplace.

Guiding Hands Training provides you with the two building blocks your staff need: physical skills and underpinning law.

We believe we are unique in being the only training provider in the UK to offer the combination of accredited trainers and an in-house lawyer. We can offer all female or all male trainers should your requirements dictate. Our lead training consultant is a qualified and experienced female prison custody officer who also has many years experience working in secure forensic units and social care.

Many of our trainers have experience of working in the

UST ONE RECRUITMENT and training is a place where social care, education, health and housing staff can find quality training and temporary/permanent staffing solutions for the organisation in which they work.

Just ONE was founded and is managed by staff with direct experiences of both front line practice and management within the local authority and private sector arenas of social care/ health and children’s services.

The training company delivers over 160 short courses meeting both statutory and specialist needs. Key stakeholders informing the training include CQC and OFSTED. Examples of mandatory training include first aid, manual handling and infection control.

More specialist courses include The Forensic Management of Risk, Therapeutic Management of Self Harm/Injury and Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

The company also maintains a specialist division of training/ consultancy in the areas of managing conflict, aggression

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public sector and the NHS in areas such as social care, nursing, children’s services, forensic care and security. We are accredited BTEC training providers offering BTEC certified courses in physical intervention, breakaway and self defence, management of aggressive behaviour, care and control and conflict resolution.

Guiding Hands also offer bespoke in-house training and certification according to clients’ needs.

Protect your organisation, staff and patients in an increasingly litigation conscious age.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01709 544318 E-mail: info@guidinghands.co.uk Web: www.guidinghands.co.uk

UK leaders in lone worker care and protection RGYLL IS PART OF the SafeShores Group of companies involved in the research and development of software, devices and monitoring services for the purpose of public safety and emergency response services.

Argyll is recognised as the UK market leader in lone worker safety monitoring services and deploys the most robust and advanced risk monitoring technology. Argyll is proactive in setting standards for the lone worker industry and works closely with the Associations of Chief Police Officers throughout the UK and BSIA (British Security Industry Association) to develop and improve its software and works closely with manufacturers to introduce new safety device products within the UK. Argyll’s complete lone worker solution currently supports almost 30,000 lone worker subscribers via a failsafe risk management approach. A range of future-proof services and devices is backed up by comprehensive training services that enable vulnerable staff to manage their activities and call for assistance when required. Argyll’s service assures employers of staff safety after the completion of their shift and

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and violence. This division is able to offer highly respected cost effective solutions at all levels of conflict and also promotes JOSSL, which is a highly intelligent web based violence reporting, recording, action and audi system.

Within the realms of violence management Just ONE is able to offer qualifications in the areas of physical restraint practice, self defence/breakaway and the laws surrounding the use of reasonable force.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0151 724 6047 Fax: 0151 724 6260 E-mail: ian.mcclure@justone.org.uk Web: www.justone.org.uk

The experts in project management training following temporary risk activities throughout the working day.

Incident management is provided around the clock by a dedicated team within Argyll’s £1.5m purpose built Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC). The ARC exceeds the standards BS8484 and BS5979 CATII required to deliver quality lone worker services and obtain a guaranteed police response.

The ARC service also incorporates integrated location management to assist responders. A dedicated account management team and sophisticated Internet based administration offer employers a single point of contact and dynamic day-to-day control that ensures full compliance with the duty of care under UK Health & Safety legislation including the Corporate Homicide and Corporate Manslaughter Act (2007).

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0870 750 1475 Web: www.argyll.uk.com

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O YOUR PROJECT TEAMS refuse to talk to each other? Do they always end up arguing or just ignoring the project manager? What are you going to do? Particularly now that your funds have to be used ever more efficiently and effectively?

For project managers working in central government organisations, the UK Government recommends professional membership of the Association for Project Management (APM). Their qualifications cover those aspects of project management considered fundamental to the professional management of projects.

The Management Skills Centre is an Accredited Training Provider for the APM. It provides open and in-house courses for both the Introductory Certificate (2-day) and APMP (5-day) qualifications.

These courses complement the Prince2 methodology by emphasising those aspects excluded or only partially covered by Prince2.

“For leadership positions

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emotional intelligence competencies account for up to 85 per cent of what sets outstanding managers apart from the average.”

So in addition, the MSC provides in-house courses on Team-building, Negotiation and Conflict Management, Motivation and Leadership. A simple fourdimensional tool of proven worth may be used to analyse team and individual performance.

Workshops and coaching can be provided where necessary.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01892 506872 E-mail: andrew@mscsoutheast.com Web: www. managementskillscentre.com

Visit the website to view the categorised product finder

Bray Leino BroadSkill – learning and development services RAY LEINO BROADSKILL is one of the UK’s leading providers of learning and development services. Our principal activities include management and leadership development, coaching, and personal workplace skills development, both soft skills and IT. Operating throughout the UK, we have been a contracted partner of over 50 public sector clients for over 14 years and also serve a wide array of private sector clients.

Combining unparalleled training experience and professional project and account management capabilities, we work in close partnership with clients helping them create and deliver solutions for their staff in these important areas.

By using experienced learning professionals to design solutions, we ensure that we incorporate the latest evidence and thinking in these key areas and provide advice on wider issues as well as creating effective learning and development solutions relating to a wide range of relevant skills.

We are highly experienced in working with organisations with specific organisational

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cultures and values.

We operate across the training and development cycle from needs analysis through bespoke design and face-toface delivery to evaluation and we can respond to projects of all sizes from ad-hoc one day events to major programmes as well as design of e-learning and new media solutions.

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Violence and aggression training solutions EFEND UK IS A specialist provider of unique training solutions and consultancy for the management of violence and aggression in today’s ever changing environment. Our fully risk assessed courses are delivered by our full time team of qualified and highly skilled personal safety consultants, trainers and self defence coaches. We never contract in external trainers.

Examples of our courses, all available in house or at multiple regional locations, include: full legal briefings on the use of force with children, conflict resolution following the NHS CFSMS Syllabus, BTEC accredited Breakaway and Disengagement, physical intervention, and restraint courses.

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We also offer courses in lone worker safe systems of work, mechanical restraint policy and practice implementation – for dental professionals and specialists aiming to promote safer therapeutic services, SIA, BTEC accredited physical intervention training for hospital security, briefings on powers of arrest, search and trespass.

Special offer for in house courses booked before March 2010: One full day’s training £600 all inclusive.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01772 774577 Mobile: 07872 500272 E-mail: info@defenduk.org Web: www.defenduk.org

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01271 337110 Fax: 01271 337111 E-mail: broadskillenquiries@ brayleino.co.uk Web: www. brayleinobroadskill.co.uk

Network Languages – the translation experts

What do you do when contracts fail?

STABLISHED IN 1996, Network Languages offers a translation service in over 1,000 languages and in-house typesetting/DTP in over 2,000 languages. Our translator database exceeds 10,000 professionally qualified mother-tongue translators, listed according to their specialist knowledge and experience.

In addition, our team of language experts, highly experienced in all these languages, will not only ensure that all our in-house typesetting is accurate and of the highest quality but will also offer an independent proofreading and language consultancy service. We have extensive experience within medical fields covering medical devices (ICU), pharmaceuticals, white papers and assistance to professionals within worldwide disaster zones.

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We are a dedicated team focusing on the pursuit of quality and excellence. Our goal is to perform with pride, ownership and responsibility. Developing relationships based on trust, reliability and commitment, we provide a professional service to achieve total client satisfaction.

Network Languages Ltd is full member of the Association of Translation Companies.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01344 870700 Fax: 01344 870710 E-mail: enquiries@netlang.net Web: www.netlang.net

in the NHS, so what do you do when a contract fails? You can’t just walk away from it – the dispute has to be resolved. The Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) is here to help.

All standard NHS contracts now contain the same dispute resolution provisions: to negotiate, to mediate and to adjudicate. Are you acting in accordance with these provisions and if so do you know how to get the best results from each method?

CEDR has been nominated by the Department of Health as a preferred provider of these dispute resolution services because it has been working with the NHS for years, providing neutral

experts to help with disputes and offering training, through the NHS Litigation Authority, PCTs, SHAs, hospitals and individual practitioners and contractors.

FOR MORE INFORMATION To find out how CEDR can help you when things go wrong visit www.cedr.com/NHS Tel: 020 7536 6000 Fax: 020 7536 6001 E-mail: gmassie@cedr.com Web: www.cedr.com/nhs

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PARKING

THE FUTURE OF PARKING Parkex showcases the very latest in parking solutions, giving visitors an informal setting to discuss their requirements with suppliers and industry experts PARKEX 2010, EUROPE’S LARGEST dedicated parking exhibition will take place at Earls Court in the heart of London from 2-3 March. Parkex is organised on behalf of the British Parking Association (BPA) and showcases the very latest in parking management, parking equipment, parking software and innovations in parking enforcement, access control and car park services from over 120 exhibitors.

Parkex meets the needs of the industry professional, by creating an effective space where leading suppliers of parking technology products and services can meet their customers in an informal setting, geared to their requirements. As well as showcasing the latest technology, it also offers a knowledge forum and a unique networking opportunity as over 90 per cent of UK local authorities will be represented as visitors to the show.

Parkex 2010 has the support of four event partners: Bemrose Booth, Civica, Equita and NSL Services Group, representing leaders in the parking industry spectrum from ticketing and enforcement to consultancy and urban management solutions. The event offers the partners a unique platform to communicate with their industry, build relationships and discuss new services and products, and the organisers are delighted to have them on board.

INFORMATIVE SEMINARS The extended free-to-attend Parkex seminar programme is now well regarded as the forum for the parking industry, where leading parking experts will cover both on and off-street parking topics focusing on relevant, topical issues that are affecting the parking professional.

Each day the seminars will be split into two themes: ‘Driving Issues’ and ‘Raising Standards’ which underpin the work of the BPA. Patrick Troy, Chairman of the BPA, will open the programme on Tuesday 2 March at 10am and the sessions that follow will include spokespeople from leading parking organisations.

With numerous sessions each day, this year’s programme provides an in-depth look at a diverse range of topical issues, including: • Environmental solutions for ticketing • Pay by phone • Hospital Parking • Blue Badge Fraud • Car Park Management from disrepair to distinction • Baliff and enforcement challenges CAREER POINT The Parkex ‘Career Point’ will offer expert advice on training and career opportunities

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from the industry’s leading recruitment specialists. The Institute of Parking Professionals (IPP) will be available on stand C12, to give advice on maintaining the high standards of professional skill, ability and integrity among individuals working in the UK parking and parking related industry.

Visitors looking for a more creative take on parking will be able to see the shortlisted entries for the international ‘Think Outside the Parking Box’ competition, hosted by Design Boom in collaboration with Nissan. The competition involved over 3,000 designers from 96 different countries to create a new

vision for parking, visitors can see the top 50 entries which we will hope will inspire the parking industry to ‘think outside the box’.

Exhibitor confidence is high and there is continued interest in the sell-out show, as Bill Butler, Parkex 2010 exhibition director, comments: “Parkex 2010 in London has generated a huge amount of interest from exhibitors and visitors, with the event reaching a sell out two months before the doors open to visitors. This really confirms to me the strength of feeling about Parkex within the industry, particularly in these challenging times. There will be lots for visitors to see, with all the familiar

Health Business | Volume 10.1

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PARKING

parking brands taking part, alongside plenty of new exhibitors who will be displaying the very latest technology, services and fresh ideas that will help visitors solve their parking problems.’’

PRODUCTS & SERVICES This year’s Parkex is set to display a truly fantastic range of products and services including the latest energy saving products, high performance weatherproofing systems, mapbased traffic orders software, mobile parking and civil enforcement solutions. Visitors can obtain expert advice, research and compare the very latest products and services from all the leading suppliers, including NSL Services, Bemrose Booth, Equita, Metric Parking Group, WPS, ZEAG, APT Ski-Data, Motorola, Parkeon, Park Mobile and many more. For the most up to date exhibitor list visit the website.

Read on for a highlight of what not to miss when you visit:

Another Level Car Parks (Stand Z26) returns to Parkex to showcase its demountable modular deck Car Parking System, for hire or sale.

The fully galvanized steel decks simply span existing car parks without central supports and normally there is no need for foundations, making this system incredibly quick to install. The car park is 100 per cent reusable, once removed there will be no evidence that such a structure had been in place.

Alpha Parking will be exhibiting the latest in their parking solutions for local authorities and the private sector. Visitors to their stand (Z3a) can sign up for a five minute free consultancy session where Alpha Parking will answer any parking related questions regarding Civil Parking Enforcement, Traffic Orders, using ParkMap, optimising your Car Parks, Training, Control Parking Zones, and Signs and Lines.

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS Buchanan Computing (Stand Z10) will launch TraffWeb: an intuitive but powerful system for map-based internet and intranet access to orders and parking places for authority staff and public access. Buchanan Computing is the provider of ParkMap, the UK’s most widely used system for making traffic orders and managing on-street parking controls and moving vehicle restrictions, such as speed limits.

Win a bottle of vintage champagne on Stand 15. Spot five mistakes on a fake blue badge at Blue Badge Fraud Investigation’s stand and enter a draw to win a bottle of vintage champagne to take home with you.

BBFI is an investigation and prosecution organisation drawn from highly trained and experienced police and members of the home office and local government.

Have a go at driving around some of the world’s Formula One racing track circuits using a simulator system at Chandler’s Certificated Baliffs and Enforcement Officers on stand A10. The driver with the fastest lap will win a racing experience day at Brands Hatch for themselves and a £300 cheque sent to a charity of their choice.

Designa (stand B13), established supplier of ‘Pay on Foot’ barrier systems, will feature their full PM ABACUS System, complete with fully integrated ANPR system and a SLIMPARK system. They will also be demonstrating their ‘MID software’ – a Management Information Dashboard that enables the viewing of all important statistical data on one easy to read screen.

The latest ‘QED’ luminaire de-population battens will be previewed on stand Z14 by Energy Converservation Solutions. These battens exploit the higher light output of Triphosphor tube use made possible by ‘Save It Easy’ retro fit converters to reduce the number of fluorescent tubes in multi-tube luminaires – further increasing energy economy.

The Group Fast Park, provider of a unique patent pending parking deck that can

afford to be permanent in a “turnkey” complete package, will be demonstrating its latest parking facilities installed in UK and throughout Europe. The original and innovative system is distributed at international airports, hospitals, local authorities, shopping malls and railways stations and can offer many different benefits including fast construction and minimum disruption to an ongoing parking operation and to users. Visit them on stand Z1.

STRICTLY COME PARKING Imperial Civil Enforcement Solutions (ICES) is inviting all visitors to ‘Strictly Come Parking’ at its ballroom on Stand D4. The enforcement management and notice processing specialist will show how its commitment to close working partnerships has transformed operational procedures for different types of enforcement authorities.

Ben and Becky Milan-Vega, semi-finalists in last year’s Britain’s Got Talent, will also perform a variety of stunning routines on the ICES dance floor to demonstrate the benefits of effective partnership in practice.

Jacobs has significant experience in the collection of Road Traffic Charges currently working in partnership with 47 local authority clients in England and Wales. Using the latest technology, including digital pens, client web and ANPR software, Jacobs makes a real difference to its clients’ collection rates.

Visit JBW Group on stand C23 to find out more about their dynamic, intelligenceled and innovative debt management and enforcement solutions. JBW Group offers a 21st century service, dispelling old myths that surround the enforcement industry and take a modern approach that exceeds the usual industry standards. They deliver an ethical, discrete and intelligence led approach to enforcement that is firm but fair.

Liberty Services will be exhibiting their full range of parking products and services including PCNs, carriers, permits and notebooks. To compliment its full back office processing system it will be launching a new document scanning and payment processing service in partnership with Documetric aimed at providing the most efficient and technologically advanced mail out, in service in the UK. Parkex also sees the launch of its P600 and P1000 pay and display machines supplied by Island, one of best available on the market with a comprehensive maintenance and repair service.

Metric Group Ltd will be showcasing the latest developments in pay & display equipment with the Aura and Accent machines, new developments with the powerful WebASLAN back office software will be on show.

Hardware solutions of note will be the wave & pay credit/debit card machine, ANPR integration and bank note acceptance. The technical team and sales staff from Metric will be on hand to provide full demonstrations of all their equipment and back office solutions.

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ADVERTISERS INDEX The publishers accept no responsibility for errors or omissions in this free service 195 Piccadilly

Elcomponent

50

Planning Above and Beyond

90

3M E Wood

58

Elucidation

91

Plansafe Solutions

68

Aid Call

82

Eton Fire

60

Plantronics

36

Airwave Solutions

22

Evac+Chair

58

Plinth 2000

30

AIT Partnership Group

54

Fenman

Polestar Cooling

70

Allan Dyson Asbestos Services

66

Firegard Safety Services

43

Premier Facilities Maintenance

48

Amerex Fire International

56

Forbes Rental

46

Proventec Healthcare

26

Amity Insulation Services

69

Natas

69

Public Perspectives

91

AMS Group

12

G4S Secure Solutions

80

Public Sector Transformation Summit 2010

Anglia Composites

49

Gent by Honeywell

61

PVsurveys

Argyll and Islands Telecom Ark Environmental UK

114

Ghost Creations

64

GJ Plastis

Asbestos Removal Contractors Association

69

Greater Manchester Police

Asbestos Safety Management

68

Guiding Hands

Asbestos Training Providers

67

ATS Euromaster Barclays Asset & Sales Finance Barcode Warehouse

108

9

66 88

Redcliffe Catering

104

111

Response Training Services

110

114

Robyland Environmental

Gully Howard Technical

67

Rodal Antislip Solutions

43

96

Health Nutrition and Research UK

91

Rosetta Translation

IBC

16

HC2010

78

RSK Environment

62

ICS Heat Pumps

50

Satra UK

8

54

QPSMR

105

64

38

Barry Callebaut

46

Information Builders UK

74

SecuriCare International

BIFM

44

ING Car Lease UK

96

Security & Vetting Solutions

86

BMJ Group

76

Interviewing Services

91

Semperit

32

Bonasystems

38

IP UserGroup

87

Shred on Site

86

Bond Air Services

24

Iris Software & Services

18

Shredall

Bonus Flooring

43

Jadestone

86

Silvermill Training

70

JJ Food Service

11

Singers Healthcare Finance

Jo Bird & Company

59

Skyguard

112

Slip Alert

40

Spinnaker College

11

Brandon Medical Company Bray Leino Broadskill

115

113

85 111 20

British Independent Utilities

2, 53

Just ONE Recruitment & Training

114

Burnt Tree Vehicle Solutions

94

KAD Environmental Consultancy

67

BWA

49

Kensington Conference & Events Centre

102

Staff Safety Solutions

112

Care Tech

86

Labcold

BC

Swift Fire & Security

60

Lancer UK

35

Sykes Waterfield Taylor

68

LAR

64

T & I Services

49

CEDR Centurion Europe

115 54

Chris Rose Associates

111

Lawrence Webster Forrest

59

TCG Recycling

84

Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms

104

Malrod Insulations

68

Tersus Consultancy

64

Coal Consultants Connexion2

118

100

43 108

Management Skills Centre

114

Tevo

92

Medicology

107

The Best Organisation

88

62

Transflo Instruments

96

6, 28

Truvox International

35

UK Field Company

88

UK Plumbing Supplies

46

Cordtape Environmental Services

67

MIS Environmental

Corrigenda

46

Monodraught

Courtney-Thorne

34

Multitone Electronics

40

Crown Trade

58

Network Languages

115

Cyberpharm

52

Nexans

72

UKPC

Data Supplies

76

NHS Supply Chain

14

Veteran Solutions (Wales)

112

DDS Demolition

69

NHS Information Centre

79

Village Hotel & Leisure Club Walsall

102

Derwent Shared Services

97

Nippon UK

Diabeticshop.co.uk

70

Onezerosix

Direct Signs

54

OPP

Draeger Safety UK

42

PageOne

28

Wilplan Training

Dura Composites

40

Parking Control Services

10

Xenzone

Easibathe

44

PBA Training & Recruitment

113

Education Essentials

44

PES Group

113

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4

Village Hotels

98

Waypoint Corporation

38

Wessex Test Equipment

40 113 74