Health Business Magazine issue 11.11

VOLUME 11.11 www.healthbusinessuk.net

INTERIOR DESIGN

PARKING

HEALTHCARE IT

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

National Mobile Health Worker Project Progress Report

SECURITY – The technology to protect lone workers in the healthcare sector

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HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

VOlUmE 11.11 www.healthbusinessuk.net

INTERIOR DESIGN

PARKING

HEAlTHCARE IT

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

National Mobile Health Worker Project Progress Report

SECURITY – The technology to protect lone workers in the healthcare sector

Comment

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

DEAR READER Four NHS hospitals have come top of the first CRC performance league tables. They are Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust; North West London Hospitals NHS Trust; and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (Kings Lynn). This first league table is based purely on the organisation’s early action to manage energy consumption.

There has also been a one per cent drop in the carbon footprint of building energy in the NHS in England. This is despite a 2.8 per cent increase in levels of activity and a cold winter. While this reduction is not massive, it must be seen in the context that the last four years have seen a rise of 4.3 per cent in building energy usage.

These achievements demonstrate that the NHS is taking climate change and its carbon reduction targets seriously.

On the topic of energy, on page 15, Alan Aldridge from the Energy Services and Technology Association, examines the meaning of the first CRC league tables and whether the scheme can go the distance.

Angela Pisanu

P ONLINE P IN PRINT P MOBILE P FACE TO FACE If you would like to receive 12 issues of Health Business magazine for £95 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:

www.healthbusinessuk.net PUBLISHED BY PUBLIC SECTOR INFORMATION LIMITED

226 High Rd, Loughton, Essex IG10 1ET. Tel: 020 8532 0055 Fax: 020 8532 0066 Web: www.psi-media.co.uk EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Danny Wright ASSISTANT EDITOR Angela Pisanu PRODUCTION EDITOR Karl O’Sullivan PRODUCTION DESIGN Jacqueline Grist PRODUCTION CONTROL Julie White ADVERTISEMENT SALES Jasmina Zaveri, Beverley Sennett, Kim Fouracre, Amanda Frodsham, Jeremy Cox ADMINISTRATION Victoria Leftwich, Alicia Oates SALES SUPERVISOR Marina Grant PUBLISHER Karen Hopps GROUP PUBLISHER Barry Doyle REPRODUCTION & PRINT Argent Media

© 2011 Public Sector Information Limited. No part of this publication can be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any other means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the editorial content the publisher cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. ISSN 1362 - 2541

Volume 11.11 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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Contents

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

CONTENTS 07 NEWS

21 SECURITY

33 MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

11 INFECTION CONTROL

The BSIA’s Alex Carmichael explains how security technology is helping to keep lone workers safe

How can healthcare organisations overcome the challenges of financing modern medical equipment?

25 DESIGN & BUILD

35 HEALTHCARE IT

Assessing some of the latest initiatives set to refine furniture design, improve conditions and enhance patient experiences in hospitals

Health Business takes a look at the recent National Mobile Health Worker Project report, led by Kathy Drayton, National Clinical Lead for mobile solutions

29 HOSPITAL PARKING

40 CONFERENCES & EVENTS

NICE explains how its new quality improvement guide can help secondary care settings prevent and control healthcare associated infections

15 ENERGY

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With the first league tables for the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme published, ESTA’s Alan Aldridge examines recent developments in energy performance

The British Parking Association’s Kelvin Reynolds makes the case for professionally-managed parking at hospitals and healthcare facilities

Many of today’s universities provide some of the highest quality conference and events venues in the UK

42 PRODUCTS & SERVICES A round-up of some of the latest products and services for the health sector

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PATIENT CARE

International report shows NHS performance against other countries A major international study shows that the NHS is performing well for patients in many areas including some aspects of mental health care, vaccinations and preventative care, such as the number of unplanned hospital admissions for people with diabetes.

However, the report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) entitled ‘Health at a Glance’ also shows that England still lags behind other countries on some patient outcomes. These include cancer, stroke and respiratory disease outcomes despite spending more on healthcare than the OECD average. It also reiterates the increasing pressures on the NHS due to obesity and other lifestyle related diseases and long-term conditions.

The government will soon set out

updated plans to improve patient results and address issues flagged in the report through the NHS Outcomes Framework for 2012/13. The Framework, which has been endorsed by the OECD, lies at the heart of the plans to modernise the NHS and sets out criteria the NHS must focus on.

Responding to the OECD report, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: “This report is further evidence of the need to modernise our health service. It clearly shows that although the NHS is doing well in some areas, it is still lagging behind other countries in some key areas of patient care.”

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TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Telephone upgrade to improve outpatient service Investment in new telephone equipment at the North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust should make it easier for patients to get through to the outpatients department.

A new computer-assisted system is being installed to ensure that patients are connected with outpatient booking staff quickly and effectively. This should ensure a better service for the 12,000 patients a month who come to outpatient clinics, says the trust.

And the system, which is installed in University College London Hospital, will also record the length of time patients spend making appointments, and will eventually be able to send a reminder to them by text message when their appointment is due.

PATIENT SAFETY

Hospital mortality rates higher during evenings and weekends, says report In launching its 2011 Hospital Guide, health information specialist Dr Foster says it reveals for the first time levels of medical staffing in UK hospitals at nights and weekends.

The guide identifies trusts with low levels of staffing and high mortality, and says patients are less likely to get treated promptly and more likely to die if they are admitted to hospital at the weekend. Survival chances are improved in hospitals with more senior doctors on site, says the guide, but some facilities

with A&E departments have few senior doctors around at weekends, or overnight.

Reorganisation of services is called for by the guide, in order to ensure safe care 24/7.

Examples of innovation from Poole, London, and Northumbria show how access to high quality services at any time of day or night can be achieved. Local A&E departments need to identify the services they can provide safely and link with others to provide the services they can’t, says Dr Foster.

News

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NEWS IN BRIEF Global chemo drug trial first for UK hospital A Colchester hospital has become the first in the UK to recruit cancer patients for a global trial of a new chemotherapy drug.

The first person in the UK to participate is an Essex-based patient who was given Cabazitaxel for the first time at Essex County Hospital, where outpatients go for chemotherapy, last August.

Dr Bruce Sizer, consultant oncologist at the hospital, said: “Many people assume that only major teaching hospitals take part in these types of trial, but Colchester has a long track record of participating in both national and international cancer studies. We have an eight-strong Clinical Trials Unit which includes research sisters and other research nurses, and has expanded to add a radiotherapy research radiographer.

“About one in 10 patients being treated for cancer by this Trust takes part in trials, including studies for the Medical Research Council.”

Updated guidance on norovirus welcomed by DoH The Department of Health (DoH) has welcomed the updated guidance on norovirus developed by the British Infection Association with other professional bodies. Illness caused by norovirus is generally mild and people usually recover fully within two to three days. However, outbreaks can be problematic in hospitals and it is important that NHS organisations have systems in place to deal effectively with norovirus as part of their winter preparedness plans, says the guidance.

The publication provides a more flexible approach to outbreak management and advocates that, where clinically appropriate, an outbreak can be managed by closing bays to new admissions.

It’s an important addition to the evidence base on how to manage and control outbreaks of norovirus effectively, says the DOH.

Volume 11.11 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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News

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NEWS IN BRIEF GP SURGERIES

Derby County players open new GP surgery in boots store

Derby County players Steven Davies and Frank Fielding showed their support for local healthcare services by opening a new GP surgery clinic at Boots Derby County footballers Frank Fielding and Steven in Westfields Centre, Derby. The Davies join GPs and Boots staff to open the new surgery clinic, which will offer primary medical care, is an extension of the current services available at the Wilson Street and Taddington Road surgeries. Sue Altoft, practice manager, said: “Opening this satellite surgery gives us the opportunity to be nearer to our patients and offer them the same great service at an even more convenient location.” Peter Bainbridge, director of pharmacy, at Boots UK, said: “We now have 14 in-store GP surgeries across the UK and our aim is to work alongside other healthcare professionals to provide quality, convenient healthcare services to our customers.” The surgery will be situated on the ground floor of the Boots store in Westfield Centre on level one and will open Monday to Friday.

TRAINING

PHARMACEUTICALS

New guidance on antibiotic prescribing The Department of Health has published new guidance on the use of antibiotics in hospitals in a bid to prevent patients being given them too much and developing a resistance to the drugs. The new guidance, ‘Start Smart, Then Focus’, provides hospital prescribers with best practice advice on antimicrobial prescribing. It will help ensure patients receive the right drug, at the right time, at the right dose and the right duration for the individual – avoiding unneccessarily lengthy antibiotic treatment and inappropriate use of broadspectrum antibiotics.

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PATIENT SAFETY

New plans to support healthcare assistants unveiled by DoH

NHS Grampian adopts new method of reporting severe incidents

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has unveiled plans to support the training standards of healthcare assistants. The scheme will develop a code of conduct and minimum training standards for healthcare support workers and adult social care workers in England.

The project will be taken forward jointly by Skills for Health and Skills for Care – in partnership with unions, employers, regulators, educators and others. It will focus on areas like communication, confidentiality, nutrition and hydration, and basic observations.

It will help nurses know which tasks they can delegate and which they shouldn’t. And it will bring clarity to the training assistants particularly where they need to deliver more advanced tasks. Skills for Health and Skills for Care will present their recommendations to the Department by September next year.

NHS Grampian has installed innovative patient safety software to immediately notify senior managers of severe or significant incidents. The new system from Datix automatically emails severe incidents to a group of 30 senior managers including the chief operating officer, director of nursing and quality, and the head of clinical governance and risk management unit.

Janet Seaton, Quality Informatics manager at NHS Grampian commented: “Immediately sending emails to the senior managers in the case of severe incidents has increased awareness of significant incidents by these staff. The information now goes immediately to those who have the authority to provide support to the incident managers and allocate resources to time-critical situations.”

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NHS Grampian

Volume 11.11 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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T +44 (0) 1803 529021 E sales@dartvalley.co.uk W www.dartvalley.co.uk

HCAI BEST PRACTICE prevention and control at a management or organisational level. Evidence of achievement markers accompanying each statement allow trust boards to assess their compliance or progress towards each statement. In addition, the guide provides practical examples of the types of management and structural processes and associated interventions that need to be in place in order to reduce harm from infection.

The guide contains several quality improvement statements covering surveillance systems and data gathering to inform the local response; clear communication channels with all staff, patients and carers; environmental cleanliness standards, and proactive multiagency collaboration with other local health and social care providers to reduce risk from infection (see box on page 13 for the full list).

NEW GUIDANCE ON HCAI CONTROL

A newly-published guide from NICE identifies the organisational characteristics, arrangements and practices needed to prevent and control healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is the independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance and standards on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill health.

During November, the institute published its quality improvement guide on the prevention and control of healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) in secondary care settings. Produced in partnership with the Health Protection Agency (HPA) as part of a pilot project, the guide identifies the organisational characteristics, arrangements and practices that describe excellence in care and practice to prevent and control HCAIs. HCAIs can cause significant morbidity to those affected and incur considerable costs for the NHS. In 2009/10 there were nearly 2000 reported incidences of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and over

25,000 reports of clostridium difficile infection (CDI) at a cost to the NHS of around £260 million. In addition, in 2009, 77 trusts reported 831 outbreaks of norovirus, the majority of which led to some form of ward closure.

ADDRESSING A KEY PRIORITY A range of policies and measures introduced by the Department of Health have been successful in helping the NHS reduce rates of MRSA bloodstream infections and CDI, but HCAIs remain a significant financial burden for the NHS and as a result, infection prevention and control continues to be a key priority for the NHS. The quality improvement guide is aimed at trust boards and senior management in secondary care settings including commissioners, auditors, managers and providers. The guide consists of 11 quality improvement statements describing a level of excellence in infection

The NICE guide is an important set of principles aimed at supporting Boards in delivering their infection prevention responsibilities. It should be used to offer assurance of strategic direction on this subject and also drive a culture of continuous quality improvement.

Infection Control

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

A REAL THREAT Professor Mike Kelly, director of the Centre for Public Health Excellence at NICE, said: “There have been major improvements within the NHS in infection control, particularly in relation to Clostridium difficile and MRSA bloodstream infections, in the last few years, but HCAIs are still a very real threat to patients, staff and visitors. Indeed, evidence suggests there is wide variability in Trusts’ success in reducing the impact of HCAIs. “Therefore, it is important that there is advice in place that can help Trusts achieve excellence in management and organisational practices in order to prevent and control infections. Based on the best available evidence in this area, the guide illustrates how secondary care organisations can take a whole-system approach in tackling the problem. The guide is aspirational and aims to engage Trust boards and clinicians to improve the quality of care and practice in the area of infection prevention and control over and above current mandatory standards.”

Dr Bharat Patel, lead consultant on medical microbiologist at the Health Protection Agency and member of the Topic Expert Group said: “This guide represents aspirational quality improvement statements in infection control and achieving these standards is something that all Trusts should aim for. It complements the existing guidelines on the prevention of healthcare associated infections and offers practical suggestions on how Trusts can best manage 11 key areas of quality improvement.

“The HPA has collaborated closely both with members of the expert group and colleagues from NICE on the production of these statements. We are confident that all Trusts will find them invaluable in planning and implementing their strategies to preventing healthcare associated infections.”

ESSENTIAL TO PATIENT SAFETY Professor Roger Finch, consultant in infectious diseases, Nottingham University Hospitals Trust and Chair of the Topic Expert Group which developed the advice, said: “The control and prevention of healthcare associated infections E

Volume 11.11 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

11

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HCAI BEST PRACTICE E is essential to ensuring patient safety.

The nature of HCAI is complex and demands leadership and systems that are supportive and continuously refined. These quality improvement statements take an organisationwide approach to support hospital Trusts in achieving excellence and meeting the high public expectations of healthcare delivery.”

Cheryl Etches, director of nursing and midwifery, Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust and member of the Topic Expert Group, said: “The NICE guide is a useful and important set of principles that are aimed at supporting Boards in delivering their infection prevention responsibilities. It should be used to offer assurance to Boards of their strategic direction on this subject and also to drive a culture of continuous quality improvement.

Irrespective of where an organisation is on its HCAI improvement journey it can use the guide to agree its next steps to improvement.”

Paul Unsworth, area director London, NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement and member of the Topic Expert Group, said: “I am delighted NICE has developed this guide. Healthcare associated infections are unacceptable, avoidable and can be significantly reduced, as demonstrated by the recent reductions in MRSA bacteraemias and Clostridium difficile. If implemented, this quality improvement guide, for hospital clinicians, managers, patients, carers and commissioners of

healthcare, will result in a better understanding of what infective organisms exist in hospitals and the community, and will be a crucial step in taking the initiative to collectively reduce the spread of infections throughout hospital, community and social care.

Graham Tanner, chair, National Concern for Healthcare Infections and patient/lay member on the Topic Expert Group, said: “This quality improvement guide provides an opportunity to demonstrate that the NHS can deliver exemplary services for patients. The quality improvement statement relating to NHS Trusts working proactively with multi-agencies to reduce HCAIs within local health and social care organisations is of particular importance. This will support the development of integrated health and social care services, support development of patient-centred care and potentially provide substantial cost savings to the NHS.” The quality improvement guide is available on the NICE website at www.nice.org.uk/guidance/phg/hcai/ QualityImprovementGuide.jsp L

Quality improvement statements included within the guide Trusts have a surveillance system in place to routinely gather data and carry out mandatory monitoring of HCAIs and other infections of local relevance to inform the local response to HCAIs. Trusts ensure there is clear communication with all staff, patients and carers throughout the care pathway about HCAIs, infection risks and how to prevent HCAIs, to reduce harm from infection.

Trusts ensure standards of environmental cleanliness are maintained above the national minimum requirement.

Trusts work proactively in multi-agency collaborations with other local health and social care providers to reduce risk from infection.

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THE CRC – A SUITABLE CASE FOR TREATMENT? With the publication of the first league tables for the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme, it might be thought that everything was now in place and that energy managers now had it planned into their activities. However, as most organisations in the health sector know, the scheme is anything but settled.

Except of course, that it has been turned into a pure energy tax rather than an incentive to improve energy efficiency performance.

The recently-completed consultation – we await the government’s response – is the fifth set of proposals. It begs the question:

how difficult is it to effectively encourage large non-intensive energy users to save energy? If the economic framework is right, then the ability to cut consumption and save money should be a ‘no-brainer’.

The first league tables, published in October, are based solely on the two ‘early action’ metrics. Although the scheme has now been operating for over a year, the consumption reporting has not been used for this first E

The main point of the table was to decide the amount of funds to be recycled to each participant from the pot of money raised through sales of emissions allowances.

Volume 11.11 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Written by Alan Aldridge, executive director of the Energy Services and Technology Association (ESTA).

The sale of emissions allowances for those involved in the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme has been delayed a year, but the publication of the first league tables is a reminder that the scheme has become a fact of life for many health sector organisations. Alan Aldridge assesses recent developments

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How difficult is it to effectively encourage large non-intensive energy users to save energy? If the economic framework is right, then the ability to cut consumption and save money should be a ‘no-brainer’.

E table. The two measures that count towards the final position are: the installation of automatic monitoring and targeting (aM&T) systems; and membership of the Carbon Trust Standard (formerly known as the Energy Efficiency Accreditation Scheme, developed

by ESTA) ‘or similar’. The launch of the BSI Kitemark scheme based on the Energy Management Standard BS EN 16001 offers an alternative to the Carbon Trust scheme.

The performance league table is a shadow of what was originally envisaged. The main point of the table was to decide the amount of funds to be recycled to each participant from the pot of money raised through sales of emissions allowances. With the Exchequer retaining all those funds, the table is, by the government’s own admission, a ‘reputational driver’.

Well, this first table tells us little about reputation since actual performance figures are not included. Some organisations are arguing for the table to be dropped completely.

There is, after all, no differentiation between sectors or types of organisation. However, a table would likely be unworkable with too much detail. As the scheme incorporates more performance data, it will help organisations differentiate themselves from others in the same sector – other nearby healthcare providers for example. As such, it can provide a spur to further action. The government also seems committed to its retention.

THE PURPOSE OF THE SCHEME There is a continuing potential for confusion about the whole purpose of the scheme.

The main intention is to reduce energy consumption by improving performance efficiency. However, it does this through taxing carbon emissions. Even the name does not help. It is formally the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme, yet it is universally known purely as the CRC. It is easy then for the focus to switch away from

Energy

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

efficiency and onto carbon-avoidance. So more renewable energy becomes the priority rather than overall reduction in consumption.

That would the wrong approach. In general, renewable energy still costs more than energy from conventional sources. There are short term incentives like the feed-in-tariffs but recent experience shows that these cannot be relied upon for medium to long term planning.

An emissions allowance for emitting a tonne of carbon costs £12. To buy sufficient grid electricity or natural gas to emit that amount of carbon an organisation is likely to pay in the order of £140 to £200. By switching to renewable energy you may save £10. However, reduce consumption equivalent to one tonne of carbon and you will save around £150. The emphasis should be squarely on performance improvement and therefore reduced consumption, not on switching fuel sources.

PREPARING FOR AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE That is not to say that renewable energy is not important, particularly in the context of the move towards a low carbon economy.

It is merely to point out that to minimise exposure under the CRC the focus has to be on energy efficiency. In addition, by cutting consumption an organisation can reduce the capital outlay when it comes to investing in on-site renewables since the energy footprint of the site will be smaller. E

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BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

Spirax Sarco opens new state-of-the-art steam technology centre

Expansion vessels and pressurisation systems from Reflex Winkelmann

Spirax Sarco has shown its continued commitment to worldclass training with the opening of its UK Steam Technology Centre.

The centre is the only training facility in the UK to offer a fullyoperational steam system with SCADA control. This enables it to enhance the quality of training across Spirax Sarco’s array of steam engineering courses, as well as supporting live technology demonstrations.

The revamped centre offers a variety of training courses to help steam system operators address key issues, such as improving energy efficiency and carbon emissions, reducing downtime and operating costs and ensuring safe operation.

Using leading-edge steam control technology, the training rig will showcase the modern approaches to process control, energy efficiency and carbon impact. SCADA linked systems allow delegates to observe all aspects of the boiler house and

Reflex Winkelmann has been supplying expansion vessels and pressurisation systems to the UK marketplace for many years.

Based in Hampshire, the company’s dedicated team offers a complete customer service package, helping consultants, installers, architects and end users to understand and correctly install its range of products.

Reflex Winkelmann will be demonstrating its Servitec vacuum degasser at Eco Build 2012. The Servitec vacuum degasser can have a dramatic effect on the efficiency of your system’s operations, helping to save power and cut costs.

The Variomat pump-driven pressurisation unit, which will

steam system design in real time.

As well as being utilised for training purposes, the rig can be used to demonstrate the latest steam to hot water technology to help steam system operators that work with Spirax Sarco to specify the best system for their installations.

The centre’s courses offer hands-on experience that provides real-world training, leading to formally recognised qualifications.

also be on show at Ecobuild, keeps system pressure at +/- 0.2 with atmospheric degassing and alarms suitable for BMS. The Variomat can be used in heating systems up to 10mw and chilled water systems up to 24mw.

To meet the high temperature requirements of some biomass boilers, Reflex Winkelmann created the Gigamat pressurisation unit which is suitable for use in temperatures of up to 160o. The Gigamat is also suitable for high pressure systems and systems with a large water capacity.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Visit us at Ecobuild 2012 or contact Dan Testar, sales manager on 07590 079260.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01242 535211 training.centre@ uk.spiraxsarco.com www.spiraxsarco.com/uk

Looking to securely store, access, share, visualise and analyse large amounts of data from multiple sources?

Matrica addresses data intensive requirements ranging from optimisation, capacity planning, resource planning and short to long term projections. Our solutions are widely used, particularly in the energy sector, for data management, business modelling and forecasting.

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From clinical records to meter readings we derive sense and provide interpretive analysis which supports management decisions and planning.

Talk to our experienced consultants now. We can assess your needs quickly and offer you options that suits your budget and resources.

Web: www.matrica.co.uk Tel: +44 207 536 2950 Email: info@matrica.co.uk

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HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 11.11

Tel: 02392 240816 Reflex UK Office Email: dan.testar@reflexuk.co.uk www.reflex.de

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ENERGY EFFICIENCY

E Yet this confusion between carbon and energy persists. One of the suggestions for reform of the CRC is to have a differential price of emissions allowances for energy from different sources. So grid electricity would attract a cost of so much per tonne, gas a lower amount (because of lower carbon content), for example. ESTA’s view is that the CRC is complicated enough and that the focus has to remain on overall energy consumption, not on the specific fuels being used.

As was mentioned earlier, the latest

exercise was the fifth consultation on the shape of the CRC. Will this be the last one?

Who knows? But one thing is certain: this continual tinkering with the scheme does not allow participants to plan properly.

Even so, certain parameters do seem fairly definite. Energy costs show no sign of coming down. Indeed, given the rapidly increasing demand for fuel from the industrialising nations and the increasing global population – we reached seven billion inhabitants on this planet a month ago – the law of supply and

demand surely indicates further rises in costs.

Security of supply will remain an issue, at least for the next few years. New nuclear stations will not come on stream until the beginning of the next decade. The same goes for newer renewable technologies and wind power still has to overcome the problems of intermittency. That will add to price volatility.

So users need to be able to build an energy management programme that can adapt and respond to changes in supply and policy. With the launch of ISO 50001, we now have an internationally-agreed approach to systematic energy management (and ESTA members were closely involved in the development of this standard). Adopting this template should help energy and facilities managers in the health sector cope with fluctuating political and economic influences on energy usage.

The Energy Services and Technology Association (ESTA) represents over 100 major providers of energy management equipment and services across the UK. L FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01268 569010 Fax: 01268 569737 info@esta.org.uk www.esta.org.uk

Energy prices are rising – time for saving energy

Ready for the climate change challenge?

The McCaul Group is an independent and fully accredited energy consultancy business employing qualified and experienced building services engineers and energy consultants.

Two companies make up the McCaul Group; Patrick McCaul Environmental Consulting Engineers delivers highly qualified and experienced M&E consultants, and Renewable Building Technologies Ltd deal specifically with energy management, energy efficient design and renewable technology installations for all commercial sectors.

The Group is focused on providing high quality, high value professional services by creating strategies for success tailored to suit clients needs. It is now even more important that healthcare becomes more focused on reducing energy consumption, associated costs and carbon emissions. Robust strategic energy plans should be in place

Western Power Distribution’s long established metering business has been refocused to help its customers face the challenges of climate change and increase productivity.

The WPD Smart Metering team provide metering solutions to business customers on a national basis. With a strong reputation for operating HH sites, the company now also offers a national solution for NHH sites to deliver to businesses: • automatic remote meter readings and accurate to the minute billing • energy management data and reporting with notification of overconsumption • a consistent national metering service, e.g. to manage the new connection process • integration of remote logging from sub-metering and other utility meters.

When you choose the Western

to deliver savings that will contribute to CRC commitments and release funds to frontline services.

The company can provide the specialist support and expertise that is needed to help reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions with the added value of achieving financial savings on a recurring basis. It can help with the creation and implementation of the energy management and planning that should now be in place.

The McCaul Group is also a renowned renewable energy consultancy company offering professional services for clients wishing to implement renewable energy into their estate.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Bankmore Business Park, Bankmore Road Omagh, Co. Tyrone BT79 0BE Tel: 028 82251155 Fax: 028 82251250 energy@pmccaul.com www.pmccaul.com

Energy

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

Power Group for your smart metering, you have the confidence of working with a company that has many years’ experience in helping UK organisations manage energy more efficiently.

As an independent company, WPD Smart Metering works with your supplier on behalf of your business to deliver a firstclass service – from low cost installation of the latest smart meter technologies through to full maintenance and support.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 08457 448900 smartmetering@ westernpower.co.uk www.wpdsmart metering.co.uk

Volume 11.11 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

Experts in Access Control , Air e stes ollrs t  ire Cinets e Cn ocsits roect neent ece intennce lts  tron oos e leseloconeol n ers Wit  il sille wororce 247 eerenc serice n ll U coere Associte ecrit re te onl coice or  coplete solon to or secrit nees. We offer  wie rne o procts experience enineers sreors n oce stff lon wit espoe secrit solons ll t n fforle cost.

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Integrated Access Control

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Monitoring and Management at your fingertips Define specific areas that staff, patients and visitors can access Seamless Integration Link with other systems – CCTV, intruder and fire alarms, light, heating and air conditioning controls MIFARE Smart Cards Use one card for multiple applications – access control, time and attendance, car parks, cashless vending t: +44 (0)1202 723535 e: sales@tdsi.co.uk w: www.tdsi.co.uk/healthcare 5435_Healthcare Ad_half page.indd 1

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HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 11.11

Save Energy Switch off lights and other facilities when rooms are empty

21/11/2011 20:35

LOOKING AFTER LONE WORKERS

Alex Carmichael

STAFF PROTECTION

Security

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

Many jobs within the health sector require staff to work alone, either regularly or occasionally. Alex Carmichael, technical director at the British Security Industry Association, explains how security technology is helping to keep such lone workers safe More than six million people in the UK work either in isolation or without direct supervision, often in places or circumstances that put them at potential risk.

Almost by definition, lone working can be both intimidating and at times dangerous, so the protection of lone workers involves a twofold approach; not only to provide safeguards but also to offer reassurance to the people involved. In the healthcare sector particularly, many employees are required to work within communities, delivering care and support services for patients and their families.

The nature of this work means that many are required to travel alone, both in isolated rural and busy city-centre locations, and often after dark, leaving them particularly at risk.

A SOLUTION TO THE RISKS To address these important issues, the security industry has worked with the police and end-users to develop a combination of practice, technology and standards capable of providing an effective – and cost-effective – solution to the risks.

The development of technology and practice in the field has focused on encouraging and enabling lone workers to assess the risks they might be facing and provide them with the means both to summon aid in an emergency and collect information that can be used in evidence, if necessary. This has led to the creation of lone worker devices equipped with mobile phone technology that connect employees quickly and discreetly with an emergency response system that has direct links to the police. A number of products are commercially available from BSIA member companies, including miniature devices that resemble ID holders.

ENSURING POLICE RESPONSE Police response is clearly a crucial factor and the technology has been developed to maximise effectiveness through the reduction of false alarms. This is achieved through a combination of 24/7 remote monitoring and two-tier alert facilities, classified as pre-activation (also know as amber alert or pre-alert) and activation (red alert). All approved devices are monitored by an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC), accredited to British Standard 5979. Sending a pre-

activation message allows users to inform the ARC when they are entering an area with a potential risk – e.g. before walking across a dark car park. If the user then experiences a problem or encounters a situation that seems likely to escalate into something more serious then the lone worker device can be activated to summon help.

Activating the lone worker device automatically triggers a voice call to the ARC. No further action is required by the user, as the device effectively functions as an open microphone, enabling the ARC to capture an audio recording of the incident for future action such as police investigation of legal proceedings. Operators at the ARC also monitor the audio channel in real time, enabling them to assess the situation

therapies in the patient’s own home.

The solution provided by the BSIA member in question works by combining a discreet mobile lone worker device with the UK’s highest standard manned monitoring service from a police-approved receiving centre.

When an employee feels that they are entering a hazardous situation, they send a pre-activation message which notifies the monitoring centre of their situation.

In this way, the monitoring centre is able to note the user’s location and raise the alarm if the pre-activation message is not cancelled within a pre-determined period.

At the same time, if the employee activates the lone worker device, the centre’s support staff can then discreetly listen in to what is happening and make an assessment as to the

If the employee activates the lone worker device, the centre’s support staff can then discreetly listen in to what is happening and make an assessment as to the level of support that’s required. and alert the police if the user needs help or protection. This procedure allows the police to optimise their response to genuine emergencies by providing a ‘moving picture’ of the incident, including an increase or decrease in risk as it happens. The very knowledge that this is taking place is, of course, a major boost to the user’s confidence.

MEETING THE CHALLENGE Working alongside their clients in the healthcare sector, many BSIA members have developed similar, highly-effective lone worker solutions to protect both NHS and private healthcare workers while they’re out and about in their local community.

One of the UK’s foremost independent nursing companies, Healthcare at Home, chose a BSIA member to provide lone worker devices to ensure that the welfare of its nurses remains at the heart of the company’s health and safety policy. Healthcare at Home’s nurses are often on call 24-hours a day, seven days a week, working out of 17 regional centres throughout the country, providing complex

level of support that’s required – involving the police if necessary. In the event of a verbal confrontation, the centre can also record the conversation for future action.

ENABLING EMERGENCY HEALTHCARE A similar solution is also provided by a BSIA member company to the Rapid Response teams introduced by Marie Curie Cancer Care in 2009 with the aim of carrying out urgent trips to the homes of people with cancer and other terminal illnesses, to offer expert care during out-of-hours periods.

“Our nurses are working day and night and visit patients for as long as nine hours at a time,” comments Yvonne Hastings, caring services manager for Nursing Operations at Marie Curie Cancer Care. “As our nurses travel alone and often after dark, this can be a dangerous time for them.”

This lone worker system allows Marie Curie nurses to notify their security provider while they are ‘on shift’ and potentially at risk. Should a member of staff experience a hazardous situation, they are a single E

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WARD SECURITY

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NSI’s 40-year history in regulating fire and security installers

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The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) is the leading approvals and certification body providing inspection services for UK fire and security companies involved with electronic security installation, fire detection and manned security services.

Whilst working closely with bodies such as the Security Industry Authority, the police, insurers and the fire and rescue service, NSI is an independent and not-for-profit body with a history dating back 40 years.

Its mission is to raise standards in the interests of the customer.

Every customer, whether a large commercial organisation or an individual householder, is entitled to receive a professional, quality service from their security or fire contractor. Therefore, NSI approved companies are regularly and rigorously inspected by a team of nationwide fulltime inspectors to ensure they comply with the appropriate

22

British and European Standards and NSI Codes of Practice.

NSI’s owl brand is today widely recognised as the benchmark of quality in the fire and security sectors and is a symbol that buyers and specifiers can trust knowing that NSI approval is only granted to those companies that consistently meet exacting standards.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01628 637512 www.nsi.org.uk

HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 11.11

Let ICS look after all your security requirements

8/11/11 13:29:56

Independent Contractor Security Ltd (ICS) was established in June 2007 by a group of people with many years’ experience within the security industry.

Operating from purpose built offices just off Junction 30 of the M1 means that the company has easy access to all major motorway networks and A roads. This means that response to alarm activations, fire, flood, or any other emergency can be attended to quickly and efficiently.

The objective with all clients is to develop a working partnership where the needs of both parties has to be realised to ensure a thorough understanding of what is required. This is achieved by maximising the resources and therefore creating an effective service provision benefiting all with added value to clients.

The company believes that it is only as good as its weakest officer. Its aim is therefore to always recruit and retain the

best staff available. This is achieved through excellent pay rates, good working conditions and incentivising staff through prospects of promotion.

ICS works on a basis of continuous improvement of services with all clients, by holding regular meetings and having critical success factors built into every service level agreement.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 08700 666 769 Fax: 01246 439210 www.icsec.co.uk

STAFF PROTECTION E button-press away from quickly and discreetly summoning assistance. The system is monitored by an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) through which the security company assists Marie Curie Cancer Care to manage and monitor the locations of its nurses, and their time at risk and provide them with an effective duress facility, on a 24/7 basis.

“Our nurses feel the benefit of this support and find using [this technology] reassuring when on duty. They have commented that it also provides their families with peace of mind, knowing they can summon assistance when they are working at night, sometimes in isolated areas.”

A spokesperson from the BSIA member company that provides these solutions adds: “Our service is suitable for anyone working remotely. It has enabled organisations to meet the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, which specifies that employers must identify potential hazards, assess the risks involved and put measures in place to avoid or control the risks associated with lone workers.”

For NHS South of Tyne and Wear, another BSIA member delivers more than 1,600 lone worker devices to frontline staff operating as lone workers within their local community in a contract that represents the largest deployment of lone worker devices and services to the NHS to date. In addition to the functionality provided by the device, this lone worker service complies fully with the recommendations contained within the BS8484 lone worker standard in that it also caters for the potential failure of the device.

EXPERT GUIDANCE The development of British Standard BS8484, a Code of Practice for the provision of Lone Worker Services, has been a key element of the security industry’s work to create such

solutions. BS8484 is employed by all BSIA members in the field and forms the basis for police to respond to lone worker systems.

The BSIA has also published two associated guides, which provide both employers and lone workers themselves easy-to-follow advice.

‘Lone Workers – An Employer’s Guide’ informs employers about, and what to look for when, sourcing a supplier. The guide covers the employers’ responsibilities to its lone workers, as well as specific criteria for selecting technology, monitoring services and providers, including the possession of quality management systems such as ISO 9001 and the delivery of appropriate training. ‘Lone Workers – An Employer’s Guide’ can be downloaded free by visiting www.bsia.co.uk/publications, and searching for form number 288.

For employees whose role requires them to work alone, the BSIA has produced a separate guide, ‘Lone Workers – An

Security

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

Employee’s Guide’, which can be downloaded free by visiting the BSIA’s website and searching for form number 284.

James Kelly, chief executive of the BSIA, comments: “These guides recognise the importance of keeping lone workers safe and secure. Responsible employers will consider the health and safety of their lone workers as a top priority, and the use of lone worker devices can help by connecting such employees with an emergency response system that has direct links to the police. BS8484 is the basis on which police respond to lone worker systems, so it’s important for employers to choose a supplier that works to these standards.”

To find out more about the BSIA and the work of its members, or to find a reputable supplier of lone worker devices near you, visit the Association’s website. L FOR MORE INFORMATION www.bsia.co.uk

Reliance protect – a lone worker is never alone Reliance Protect is a fully managed lone worker solution designed for all workers potentially exposed to harassement, intimidation or violence in the course of their working day. Providing protection to over 40,000 individuals, Reliance Protect is the UK’s market leading BS8484 certified lone worker protection solution.

The service is delivered

by Reliance High-Tech, an established market leader in the provision of technology led security solutions, from its BS5879 Cat II accredited remote monitoring centre. With the single press of a button your lone workers will ‘no longer be alone’ and will be quickly connected

to one of our specialist operators who manage and record incidents and provide swift and proportional escalation, including police involvement where required.

The NHS has a framework agreement in place with Reliance Protect which has

been competitively tendered according to EU guidelines and includes pricing, service levels and quality standards. This framework is open to all NHS organisations and other publicly funded bodies to purchase from.

For more information on Reliance Protect or to arrange a complimentary lone worker review please contact us using the contact details below and quote ‘lone worker’.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0845 121 0802 christine.camilleri@relitech.co.uk www.relianceprotect.com

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BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

Quality facilities management, by design All too often buildings are designed and constructed without detailed planning for future facilities management needs. FM will always be a requirement, however ongoing additional expense can be avoided by simple solution planning that costs little up-front but creates noticeable savings during the lifecycle of the building.

Accuro FM has a wealth of knowledge in development, specialist design engineering, provision of design concept advice, lifecycle FM planning and supply, as well as investment and PFI expertise – skills which, when designing and constructing a new health care space of any size, are crucially important. When coupled with its exceptional success within healthcare FM solutions, it is able to bring a unique perspective to its clients, believing that an excellent environment and FM provision

go hand in hand with first rate care and patient wellbeing.

Advice: consider the lifecycle costs and FM requirements in your build from conception.

Consult with an FM company experienced in design and construction which is willing to work with you not just as a contract service, but during design and through the whole lifecycle of your building. The benefits will show through significant reduction in lifecycle costs and exceptional FM provision.

Accuro is such a company.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 020 7881 1888 stephen.goodall@ accuro-fm.co.uk www.accuro-fm.co.uk

Innovative, design-led and eco-responsible vinyl solutions for flooring Always the innovator, never the imitator, Gerflor creates, manufactures design-led and eco-responsible vinyl solutions for flooring and complementary interior finishes for the healthcare sector. The combination of Gerflor & SPM provides a unique and comprehensive offer for new build and refurbishment projects for all healthcare environments.

Where safety flooring is required, Tarasafe™ composition with Gerflor’s unique inlaid mineral crystal particles, adds aesthetic vibrancy while making installation and recycling easier. The addition of the Sparclean® surface treatment on selected ranges improves the ability to clean and maintain Tarasafe™ in environments where hygiene is critical.

Gerflor says Taralay is the most durable and easy to maintain sheet flooring on the market offering ultra low whole-life costs due to the Protecsol® surface treatment which eliminates the need for polishes. It has excellent chemical and stain resistance and hygienic benefits due to Sanosol® anti-

24

bacterial and fungicidal treatment.

Mipolam Symbioz is the company’s top-of-the range homogeneous abrasion group T flooring, combining the lowest weight ever for a 2mm homogeneous product; an exclusive bio-based plasticiser made from 100 per cent organic sources; 40 times lower VOC emissions than European standards, and a revolutionary new surface treatment. Mipolam Symbioz features Evercare™ which provides unrivalled stain and chemical resistance and brings, on average, 30 per cent savings on maintenance costs.

FOR MORE INFORMATION On Gerflor’s latest innovations, please call 01926 622600, visit www.gerflor.co.uk or e-mail contractuk@gerflor.com

HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 11.11

Complete commercial range of internal and external redecorating Norris Painting & Interiors specialises in commercial and industrial painting, carpeting and flooring, suspended ceilings, partitioning and all aspects of interior refurbishment.

For 20 years it has been providing services across all sectors including schools, universities, hospitals, care homes, councils properties and industrial sites.

Its portfolio contains many satisfied customers, such as NHS primary care trusts across the Midlands, Bupa Care Services, Abbeyfield, and many more.

Its years of experience and expertise within the healthcare sector provide peace of mind and its specification team is certainly qualified to recommend tailored decorative solutions, such as sterile and scrubbable coatings.

Key advantages to working with Norris Painting & Interiors include: • Health and safety personnel are CSCS qualified; full COSHH information, method

statements and risk assessments are standard procedure – it has considerable experience in operating as the principal contractor where CDM regulations apply.

• It only works on occupied premises causing minimum disruption to your staff and care routines. It does not work on building sites.

• It is trained and experienced in working in areas where access is difficult.

• It is committed to using ‘green’ products and providing ecological solutions.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Contact: Zuzana Norris Tel: 0115 9797733 Fax: 0115 9797744 zuzana@norrisuk.co.uk www.norrisuk.co.uk

Link Lockers reduces cross-contamination Designing solutions that help healthcare providers maintain a hygienically clean environment is a key priority for Link Lockers when it comes to installing shelving and lockers.

Link Lockers, which holds the NHS Supply Chain contract for the supply of shelving and lockers with its sister company Link 51, is the only locker manufacturer that protects its painted steel products with BioCote® protective finish.

This silver based anti-microbial technology has been proven in peer-reviewed trials to minimise the risk of bacterial cross-infection such as E. coli and MRSA, and cuts the risk of bacteria and mould growth on surfaces.

Andy Millward, Link Lockers sales director, says: “We recognise that everything within a hospital and healthcare setting has to comply with the strictest of standards and we are committed to finding the best solutions that offer staff, patients and visitors every reassurance in this regard.

“Our products aren’t just robust for busy working environments; their advanced protective finish is an important factor in hygiene and infection control in sensitive environments.”

Link Lockers and Link 51 provide an extensive range of bespoke storage solutions for all healthcare departments, including its popular Garment Management System, which is used for the controlled issue of work wear, safety equipment or consumable items in the workplace.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Visit www.linklockers.co.uk or call the free helpline on 0800 733300.

INTERIOR DESIGN

USING INTELLIGENT DESIGN TO REDUCE INFECTION RATES As part of a comprehensive re-think, new hospital patient bedside space designs are now available to the market as a result of a national design challenge The challenge brought together some of Britain’s top designers and manufacturers, many of whom are renowned for design icons, from Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class airline seats to Parker Pens.

Design Bugs Out, commissioned by the Department of Health and in collaboration with the Design Council, was a trailblazing project using design to confront the problem of healthcare-associated infection. In just nine months, it produced cutting-edge

concepts for furniture and equipment designed to make cleaning easier and faster.

Following research with frontline staff in hospitals throughout the country, a panel of experts assessed which items could, if redesigned, have the biggest potential impact in reducing patient’s exposure to HCAIs. Of the 11 products initially developed, four – the commode, patient chair, bedside cabinet and over-bed table – have been evaluated in eight ‘showcase’ hospitals .

Innovative and user-friendly furniture designs will make it easier for staff to keep wards cleaner and help combat the spread of infections. This means keeping patients healthier, as well as saving the NHS money in the long term.

Design & Build

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

The innovative designs eliminate hard-toclean joins and inaccessible areas, reduce numbers of components to allow easy disassembly and cleaning, use tougher smoother surfaces which don’t harbour bacteria (and resist wear and tear) and a whole host of other innovations that reduce ‘touch points’ and improve usability, comfort and functionality for patients.

MULTI-PERSPECTIVE INPUT A report issued by the Department of Health in November evaluated the efficacy of these products from staff, patient and visitor perspectives on the ease of use and how quickly/easily they are to clean. Launching the report Health Minister Simon Burns said: “These four innovative and user-friendly furniture designs – now available for hospitals to buy – provide additional ways to help to reduce these infections. They will make it easier for staff to keep wards cleaner and help combat the spread of infections. This means keeping patients healthier, as well as saving the NHS money in the long term.”

This design methodology has now been used in a second breakthrough project commissioned by the Department and Health and run by the Design Council: Reducing violence and aggression in A&E. The year-long project unveiled prototypes during November with huge support from clinical staff.

By studying patient behaviour and interactions with staff, including incidents of aggression, the team of designers, psychologists and healthcare experts discovered the key to the problem lies in providing patients with a better understanding of the system they are in, and to display the E

Volume 11.11 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

25

Listen up!

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Induction loops improve audibility for hearing aid users at counters and reception desks, and in public spaces such as theatres, airports, schools, residential homes, churches and conference centres. They ease communication and help to build better relationships between staff, customers and service users.

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INTERIOR DESIGN E relevant information at specific moments in the patient journey through A&E where frustration and misunderstanding is likely to be exacerbated.

Dr John Heyworth, Emergency Department Consultant at Southampton General Hospital and immediate past president of the College of Emergency Medicine said: “Violence and aggression towards staff and other patients in the emergency department is a major nationwide issue – it has been getting worse and has not shown any signs of letting up in recent years.

“But, while there will always be a small minority intent on causing trouble, there are others who can resort to aggressive behaviour because they don’t feel they have been communicated with effectively, their privacy has been compromised through limited space and they don’t know what to expect from their treatment pathway.

“Better processes for meeting patients and discussing what they can expect, better training for both clinical and admin staff on how to handle volatile situations and improvements in the design of departments can help to remove tension and create a calmer environment.”

The solutions were specifically designed to be simple to implement across both older and newer hospitals, be low-cost and avoid creating physical barriers between patients and staff, which could create a sense of alienation and lead to an escalation of the problem.

The prototypes unveiled include a new approach to greeting patients on arrival, answering their questions and ensuring they start the A&E experience positively.

A system of environmental signage, which designers have called information ‘slices’ was also revealed which conveys clear, intuitive, location-specific information. These give patients guidance about their physical location and where they are within the A&E process.

Another feature was a personal process map that explains what to expect from the treatment process and when to expect it, in order to manage users expectations of waiting times.

Digital screens providing live, dynamic information about how many cases are being handled and the current status of the A&E department, are also recommended.

The project also looked at how violence and aggression can be tackled more effectively by staff reporting of incidents and sharing information on how to spot the early signs and take steps to ‘deescalate’ potential problems. Designers developed a suite of tools to facilitate staff-centred reporting, and an eight-week programme to help them work with managers to address incidents at a local level.

TOOLKIT SOLUTION The third output of the programme was to provide an extensive toolkit of research and best practice for senior hospital managers, allowing them to factor in the new insights when making decisions about major refurbishments or alterations.

The toolkit includes advice and guidance on the best ways to reduce the incidents of violence and aggression through better department layouts, sightlines, lighting, décor, seating, and systems and procedures.

For detailed information, visit this website: www.AEtoolkit.org.uk Design Council project manager Chris Howroyd, who led on both projects, explains one of the most important elements of the design process: “Designers lived and breathed the daily routines of staff and patients and the problems and issues they’re dealing with every day. As well as observing behaviour and systems at work, they talked to patients, visitors and practice NHS staff to gather insights. Designers call this ethnographic research and, driven by their people-centred perspective, it often yields crucial insights.

“Intelligent design allows ideas to be prototyped and tested and iterative improvements to be made before large sums of money are committed. Our model aims to take the risk out of innovation by providing a neutral space for public sector professionals and staff to come together with the private sector to tackle intractable problems. Previous challenges show that the model works and it also showed that it’s possible to get the private sector involved in healthcare innovation with relatively small incentives.” L FOR MORE INFORMATION www.designcouncil.org.uk www.aetoolkit.org.uk

Design & Build

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

NEW PRODUCTS THE COMMODE Existing commodes tend to be made up of multiple parts, with complex junctions between different materials.

This makes them difficult and time-consuming to take apart for thorough cleaning. The design team (PearsonLloyd and Kirton Healthcare) developed a simplified construction that makes cleaning the commode quicker and easier, reducing the risk of HCAIs. Aesthetic and functional changes also improve patient comfort and dignity.

A detachable plastic shell and robust stainless steel frame make the commode easy to clean and easy to store. Using a top-loading system for the pan instead of mounting it on the underside of the seat eliminates gaps and openings, preventing waste from contaminating any hard-to-reach parts of the commode.

The Commode has adjustable armrests so patients can slide directly onto it from a bed or chair. Adjustable footrests also make it easier for patients to get in to and out of the commode.

OVER BED TABLE

BEDSIDE CABINET

Geoff Hollington designed the over-bed table for patients which eliminates hard-to-clean corners, is made of special durable, scratch-resistant materials, and is easier for patients to use unaided. The smooth, easy-clean surface ensures high resistance to scratches and heat.

A contoured edge contains spillages and the side contact areas have been designed with patient tissue viability in mind.

Existing bedside cabinets are difficult to clean. Their complex internal spaces, inaccessible surfaces, angular joints and rough, absorbent materials can harbour liquids, dirt and bacteria.

The solution now being used is made from durable, wipeclean plastic that reduces the number of hard-to-reach corners and surfaces without cutting down patient storage space.

THE PATIENT CHAIR

Foam padding and vinyl coverings may be comfortable, but their tendency to degrade over time can compromise hygiene. Also, existing chairs are often difficult to disassemble, making cleaning problematic.

Using this insight the design team (PearsonLloyd and Kirton Healthcare) developed a wipe-clean frame and foam-filled waterproof cushions with removable fabric cases which make this chair easy to clean regularly without compromising patient comfort.

The removable cushions include Intelli-Gel™, which provide superior pressure management and comfort for the patient and are held in place by magnets. The cushions and fabric cases are interchangeable and can be replaced individually if they are damaged, making the chair more cost effective. A gas lift in the stainless steel frame means that the height of the chair can be adjusted to suit individual patient needs.

Volume 11.11 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

Providing parking services for over 25 years

Covering the UK and Ireland • Car Park Management • Barrier Equipment • Pay and Display • Cashless Parking • Signage • White Lining • Security & ANPR • Parking Solutions • Technology Services • Ticket Enforcement • Wheel Clamping • Consultancy Services www.peaparking.eu info@peaparking.eu

PEA also offers a cashless parking payment system called

Parkbytext allows parties to maximize revenue and reduce costs. Please visit www.parkbytext.com for further details For more information on either of these services please contact Thomas Harrington on 07595 200 641 or 0845 868 4000

28

HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 11.11

Car Parking and Select Services is a member of the BPA and its Approved Operator Scheme (AOS), and has DVLA and ICO accreditation. The company has over 25 years experience in the car parking and security industry, giving it the necessary skills needed to assess and understand the needs of each client. It offers value for money and pragmatic solutions to each customer, helping to solve their problems, utilise and maximise their car parking facilities and improve security and safety for staff and members of the public.

The company offers a consultancy service and will provide a full review of the customer’s existing car parking and security arrangements.

It looks at all aspects of the site and factors in its specific

requirements and objectives, thus providing a solution which fits the client’s needs and budgets, and offers revenue streams. This may include car park management, pay & display machines, pay on foot machines, APNR, traffic flow solutions, parking enforcement, manned security, and concierge services.

All manned parking enforcement, security and concierge services are tailored to meet the needs of each site. All operatives are uniformed and have full training and security industry authority certificates.

FOR MORE INFORMATION The Business Place No 11 44 Langford Road LadyBrook, Mansfield Nottinghamshire NG19 6QG Tel: 01623 638038

CARPARKING & SELECT SERVICES LTD

Pay-as you-go parking solutions from LCP LCP is a specialist in providing ‘pay-as-you-go’ parking systems.

By integrating existing number plate recognition technology and modern payment methods for car parks it offers simple and worry-free parking systems for patients, visitors and staff.

Your revenues can be increased as customers pay for all of the time spent within your facility as and when they leave.

Customer care is enhanced as users do not have to worry about running back to a meter to feed in more change. Instead they can pay for parking by phone or credit card, or pre-book parking on the internet.

Users’ assets are also maximised as LCP’s system incorporates staff permit parking with no consumables or need for issuance of permits that expire or may get lost, and also highlights any misuse of staff parking privileges. The system also ensures that there are always parking bays free for those that need them most

during peak demand times.

LCP will pay for all required equipment and installation with the costs to be recovered from increased future revenues and reduced running costs, thus users have no capital outlay.

With over 20 years’ experience in the parking industry, LCP provides end-to-end parking management solutions and enforcement for complex parking facilities at no cost to the landlord.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0845 8800197 Fax: 0845 8800198 info@lcpparkingservices.co.uk www.londoncarparks.co.uk

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

Hospital parking is often an easy target for a media hungry for emotional headlines. But properly-managed parking facilities serve a vital purpose, as well as releasing healthcare budgets Free parking at hospitals is the norm in Wales and Scotland as governments pander to the popular demand. Increasingly there is a demand for England to follow suit. None of this is without consequences and it is only too apparent in Scotland and Wales that there is no such thing as a free parking space. Someone is paying for it! Is it right that dwindling healthcare budgets should be used to provide parking facilities for those who choose to drive to hospital and yet those who arrive by public transport continue to pay? Shouldn’t healthcare budgets be used to provide healthcare?

LITTLE CHOICE The big difference between parking at hospitals and other healthcare facilities

and parking for business and leisure is that often there is little choice. Few people choose to go to hospital and even fewer have a choice of which hospital. These are facilities used most when we are unwell or seeking medical advice or obtaining treatment for long-term conditions.

At best we are visiting someone who is unwell. Like so many other places the demand for parking spaces at hospitals exceeds the

Written by Kelvin Reynolds, Director of Operations and Technical Services, British Parking Association.

THE FREE HOSPITAL PARKING DEBATE

supply and therefore it needs to be rationed and managed. How best then do we manage it? How do you prioritise allocation of spaces and use? How is it paid for? What is the impact on the community served by the hospital? Is it a good neighbour? These are all topics for debate and resolution.

In 2010, the BPA launched its Hospital Parking Charter, which sets out the importance of offering a high standard of management and customer service, reflecting the needs of all car park users including patients, visitors and staff and with proper and adequate access controls and fair and reasonable enforcement where this is required.

Parking

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

A HEALTH CHECK There is, of course, much more to the Charter and it’s now undergoing a ‘health check’ itself. We want to make certain that it’s fit for purpose. We want to encourage more to sign up and to abide by the principles of the charter. We want to make the charter easier to understand, simple to promote and above E

The health of the nation depends upon the NHS. The NHS depends upon the parking sector to help ensure that access to its facilities is fair, properly managed and adequately funded.

Volume 11.11 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

Energy prices are rising – time for saving energy

Car park management from SIP Car Parks

The McCaul Group is an independent and fully accredited energy consultancy business employing qualified and experienced building services engineers and energy consultants.

Two companies make up the McCaul Group; Patrick McCaul Environmental Consulting Engineers delivers highly qualified and experienced M&E consultants, and Renewable Building Technologies Ltd deal specifically with energy management, energy efficient design and renewable technology installations for all commercial sectors.

The group is focused on providing high quality, high value professional services by creating strategies for success tailored to suit clients needs. It is now even more important that healthcare becomes more focused on reducing energy consumption, associated costs and carbon emissions. Robust strategic energy plans should be in place

SIP Car Parks is one of the leading car park management companies in the UK. It is a well established and recognised name in the parking industry, and offers a tailored solution, whatever your parking needs.

Whether you require hospital parking management or an off-street parking enforcement solution, no matter how unique your parking needs are, it can help.

SIP Car Parks has extensive experience in car park management, comprehensive enforcement, design and operation, and provides consultancy for clients throughout the UK.

to deliver savings that will contribute to CRC commitments and release funds to frontline services.

The company can provide the specialist support and expertise that is needed to help reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions with the added value of achieving financial savings on a recurring basis. It can help with the creation and implementation of the energy management and planning that should now be in place.

The McCaul Group is also a renowned renewable energy consultancy company offering professional services for clients wishing to implement renewable energy into their estate.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Contact: Andrew Sutton, Commercial Director Tel: 0161 602 3620 Fax: 0870 123 1522 info@sipcarparks.co.uk

FOR MORE INFORMATION Bankmore Business Park, Bankmore Road Omagh, Co. Tyrone BT79 0BE Tel: 028 82251155 Fax: 028 82251250 energy@pmccaul.com www.pmccaul.com

CAR PARKING ENFORCEMENT COMPANY LTD SERVICES PARKING CHARGE NOTICES REMOTE SURVEILLANCE VEHICLE IMMOBILISATION RECOVERY/REMOVAL AND SAFE STORAGE SIA LICENSED ONSITE SECURITY PERSONNEL INDUSTRIAL / COMMERCIAL / CAR PARK CLEANING PAY AND DISPLAY MACHINES

30

Its car parks utilise the right balance of technology, creating well-run, user-friendly, safe and convenient environments which make car parking a comfortable and simple experience. Now, that is intelligent. Over the years it has specialised in turning underused, derelict or vacant land into car parks. SIP continues to purchase, lease and jointly develop unutilised land into profitable ventures.

HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 11.11

B O OW I Z

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

Parking

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

About the BPA The BPA is the largest professional association in Europe representing organisations in the parking and traffic management sector. These organisations are many and varied and include manufacturers, car park operators, local authorities, health authorities, universities and higher education facilities, airports, railway stations, shopping centres, theme parks and consultants.

As the recognised authority for parking and traffic management, the BPA represents, promotes and influences the best interests of those within this sector throughout the UK and Europe. In addition to this work, the BPA provides its members with a range of benefits all aimed at helping the professional in their day to day work.

BPA launches model contract for parking

E all ensure that its intentions are delivered.

This work continues through 2012 and if you would like to help, do contact the BPA.

Working alone they seek to resolve their problems locally, often challenged by local media and, indeed, their own colleagues.

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP In support of this work we have initiated a Health Care Parking Special Interest Group, which brings together people in NHS facilities, with parking operators and service providers to share knowledge and experience. It became very clear to me at a recent meeting of this group that there are some serious challenges and yet also some simple solutions. If only people knew about them. There is best practice ‘out there’.

Our role at the BPA is to raise standards, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the healthcare environment. Balancing the needs of hospital patients and visitors, staff and healthcare professionals, and ensuring that access to healthcare is fair and costeffective, requires courage and determination.

Parking managers at healthcare sites across the UK face these challenges every day.

SHARING KNOWLEDGE Working together through the BPA Health Care Parking SIG we can collectively share knowledge and best practice, as well as campaign for better recognition of the services provided and the need for them to be properly funded. The health of the nation depends upon the NHS. The NHS depends upon the parking sector to help ensure that access to its facilities is fair and appropriate, properly managed and adequately funded.

To sign up to the BPA’s Charter for Hospital Parking visit www.britishparking. co.uk/Charter-for-Hospital-Parking. L FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 07974 576087 fax: 01444 454 105 alison.t@britishparking.co.uk www.britishparking.co.uk

The BPA has launched an updated Model Contract, designed for organisations that appoint service providers to manage their parking and associated services.

The contract helps by making public procurement more straightforward and better value for money. The benefits of using the contract include: • Helping improve the level of service by providing a standard template for the procurement of services • Encouraging best practice by ensuring that performance is measured on the quality of service provided • Easing negotiations for both supplier and service provider • Easing the workload of organisations and time spent designing and preparing contracts The BPA, government, local contractors and service providers have worked together to produce the Model Contract. The final version has been endorsed by the Transport Select Committee and is also included in the Statutory Guidance.

The Model Contract is available to both members and non-members.

If you are interested in using the contract please email abdul.t@ britishparking.co.uk quoting Model Contract or call 01444 447 310.

Volume 11.11 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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PROCUREMENT

EQUIPPING THE NHS FOR FUTURE HEALTHCARE

Medical Equipment

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

At a time when healthcare providers are tasked with improving the quality of services whilst also reducing costs, providing medical equipment that is working efficiently and effectively is more important than ever – and more challenging than ever Medical equipment is at the heart of a hospital’s operational environment. It plays a critical role in ensuring that patients are treated safely, appropriately and in good time.

If equipment is not available or working to full capacity it will have a direct impact on patient experience and clinical outcomes.

It is therefore essential that the medical equipment estate is working efficiently and effectively. Yet at a time when healthcare providers are tasked with improving the quality of services, while also reducing costs, this has never been harder.

Meanwhile, the National Audit Office report earlier this year outlined the sheer volume of ageing assets that need to be replaced.

But despite calls from the Audit Commission

flexible and scalable services that meet the current needs of the NHS in England.

BESPOKE SOLUTIONS For equipment management programmes to be effective, they must be centred on the individual requirements of the Trust. This includes the available finance, clinical services, equipment specification, required length of engagement, age and performance of existing assets, patient demographics, planned and projected service developments, the list goes on. No two Trusts requirements are the same, which is why despite many calls for Trusts to collectively procure equipment and the clear associated benefits, there has been little progress.

Too often procurement decisions for high value equipment are made on the list price alone. However it is critical to view the cost of equipment across its life, as opposed to just the initial price of acquisition. to increase equipment spend, scarce capital resources means that acquiring new, high value technology – such as CTs, MRIs and linear accelerators – is increasingly difficult.

SMARTER STRATEGIES The Public Accounts Committee report ‘Managing high value capital equipment in the NHS in England’, published on 25 October, provided a number of recommendations about how and where the NHS in England should work harder and smarter to drive down procurement costs and maximise value.

To achieve this, healthcare providers need to define and deliver smarter equipment strategies that enable them to identify cost savings, whilst enhancing the quality of services they provide.

Although not a new concept, engagement with an independent service provider is growing in popularity in the acute healthcare sector as an effective way to replace ageing equipment, maintain existing assets and extend services to meet patient demand.

This is partly as a consequence of reduced capital availability. It is also due to vendorindependent organisations moving away from long term and complex contracts to provide

Engaging with a vendor independent provider can enable a Trust to benefit from purchasing at scale – whether it is a new CT scanner, or Ultrasound maintenance services – and not be tied to one manufacturer’s equipment specifications or pre-defined service contracts.

Healthcare providers are now also able to fully define the scale, scope and length of the arrangement. This ensures that the solution not only meets the immediate brief but can be adapted to meet changing requirements.

WHOLE-LIFE COSTS Too often procurement decisions for high value equipment are made on the list price alone.

However it is critical to view the cost of equipment across its life, as opposed to just the initial price of acquisition. Factoring in the cost of consumables, training, decommissioning as well as maintenance – especially when informed by real world performance data – presents a very different perspective.

In addition, options for servicing and financial risk management that go beyond basic manufacturer packages will mitigate unexpected costs arising from equipment failure. These allow providers to plan more

accurately, safe in the knowledge that equipment will be replaced at the end of its recommended life. What’s more, the healthcare provider can share the risk associated with equipment procurement and ownership, allowing them to focus on the promotion and delivery of services.

REAL-WORLD INTELLIGENCE It is almost impossible to deliver more efficient services and increase productivity of equipment without accurate and reliable performance data.

However, there are many barriers to collecting this information, including numerous suppliers managing and maintaining their own equipment and a lack of joined up thinking between departments and Trusts.

Despite the complexity, gaining a clear understanding of how the existing equipment portfolio is performing – including uptime and utilisation rates – is critical to defining an effective equipment strategy.

Going forward, the ongoing review and assessment of equipment performance will be vital in identifying underperforming assets before it impacts service levels and clinical outcomes.

With an extended install base – including equipment from a range of manufacturers, running across multiple sites – an independent partner can benchmark performance and ensure that future procurement and service redesign decisions are based on patient need and real-world reliability.

THINK DIFFERENTLY In a sector that is becomingly increasingly competitive, healthcare providers need to think differently about the procurement, management and delivery of all assets.

The high cost of medical equipment, and its critical role in ensuring patient safety and delivering positive clinical outcomes, means that it’s important that healthcare providers evaluate the range of options available to them. This will ensure that they can define and deliver an effective equipment strategy that not only provides measurable efficiency savings but also allows them to take advantage of the new revenue-generating opportunities that a changing and more competitive environment presents. L FOR MORE INFORMATION www.asteral.com

Volume 11.11 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

Antimicrobial version of rugged XM Series handhelds improve healthcare solutions Varlink, the specialist distributor of mobile computing and data capture products, is delighted to be supplying the Janam XM Series antimicrobial rugged handheld.

The introduction of the antimicrobial line of its popular XM Series extends Janam’s product line and creates a unique mobile healthcare solution.

The antimicrobial versions of the XM66 and XM60+ rugged handhelds will provide the healthcare sector with rugged antimicrobial devices that support mobility solutions aimed at improving patient safety, streamlining complicated processes and reducing medical errors.

The Janam XM Series rugged antimicrobial mobile computers are the only handhelds in their category that offer ‘whole device’ antimicrobial coverage. Unlike competitive rugged mobiles, Janam’s antimicrobial products have a continuous protective layer encompassing the scan window, display surface, stylus and screws. The entire unit, not just the plastic housing, is protected by an antimicrobial coating that effectively kills micro-organisms.

“Healthcare, an inherently mobile industry, is increasingly adopting mobile technologies to improve efficiency, support point-of-care excellence and increase safety,” commented

Harry B. Lerner, CEO of Janam. “The antimicrobial XM Series is not only optimised for the industry’s mobility requirements, it delivers antimicrobial characteristics in a manner that is superior to that of its

competition. Once again, Janam delivers the right features at the right price.”

The XM66AM and XM60+AM are the only rugged antimicrobial mobile computers that deliver a full 3.5” display yet only weigh 279g. They are small and light enough to carry comfortably throughout a working day, making them the perfect tool when positively identifying patients or administering blood tests. Like all Janam PDA products, the antimicrobial XM66AM and XM60+AM are built to withstand rigorous use in tough environments, surviving repeated 1.2m drops to concrete and sealed to IP54 standards.

Fast, reliable, omnidirectional 1D and 2D upgradeable barcode scanning helps clinicians, pharmacists and lab technicians improve accuracy and increase patient safety.

Flexible, secure Cisco CCX certified WiFi enables healthcare workers to automatically update data and synchronise information with centralised systems, saving precious time and maintaining patient confidentiality.

The Janam XM66 and XM60+ antimicrobial are available now at Varlink.

FOR MORE INFORMATION For more details please contact 01904 717180 or visit www.varlink.co.uk/janamrange

Together the complete bedside solution

The Janam XM66AM Series mobile device and Zebra QLn 320 mobile label printer can together streamline healthcare operations, with key features to allow medical staff to: • Positively identify patients • Print specimen labels at a patient’s bedside • Access medical records in real time For details of our outstanding product range please visit our website: www.varlink.co.uk or call us today on 01904 717180

Varlink Ltd, Unit 1, Osbaldwick Industrial Estate, Outgang Lane, York, YO19 5UX

Tel: 01904 717180 Fax: 01904 438999

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HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 11.11

Outstanding g. reseller pricin y da Call us to to open an account!

Healthcare IT

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

MOBILE WORKING

GOING MOBILE Mobile deployment is not just about the technology. Finding and supporting the users is critical to ensuring success and full benefits realisation. Health Business summarises the recent National Mobile Health Worker Project Progress Report – a project led by Kathy Drayton, National Clinical Lead for mobile solutions The use of mobile devices in clinical care has long been touted as a cost-saving, productivity-enhancing solution for clinicians, and in particular for community clinicians who provide daily care in patients’ homes, at clinics, schools, nursing homes and other such disparate locations. However, very little in the way of quantifiable evidence has yet been recorded, making it more difficult for service managers to put forward the case for investment.

The National Mobile Health Worker (NMHW) project set out to capture quantifiable evidence to support the case for investment in the use of mobile devices in clinical care.

The overall aim was to better understand the requirements for mobile working, and to demonstrate increased productivity and efficiency by reducing clinician travel time to and from community bases, and

by making changes to working processes.

Led by Kathy Drayton, a team of technical and clinical specialists supported by BT and Panasonic selected 11 pilot sites to examine the technical and business change aspects of mobile working deployment.

The initial capital cost of devices was funded by the DoH, with an understanding that the sites involved would take on the associated revenue costs of the devices in their project with the BT Managed Health Service Contract.

Capital costs included the device with a smart card reader, N3 token set up costs and Microsoft office licence, with both the project and business management and the training associated with deployment, and any changes required to the standard Gold Build on the device. The revenue costs included encryption, SIM Rental, BT Helpdesk, Mobile express connection and N3 Token rental. E

Volume 11.11 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

35

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MOBILE WORKING

E EXTENSIVE DATA In total, the MHWP team collected more than 11,500 days’ worth of data from 311 clinicians in 16 different clinical services.

Over 50,000 contacts and 49,000 journeys were recorded in this manner with over 800 comments from clinicians and more than 150 comments were received from patients.

Clinicians using the mobile devices were asked to record some simple metrics around their daily activities, both before and after the deployment of the equipment. These metrics were collected and collated by the MHWP team in the hope that they would provide an insight into the difference the devices could make to the daily working practices of the many different kinds of clinicians taking part in the pilot. Data was collected in such a way that it was possible to analyse it not only by site, but also by service, allowing study into the ways that mobile working affected clinical working within different clinical practices.

VARIED RESULTS Results varied significantly across the pilot sites and services, but the majority of sites demonstrated increased productivity after mobile devices were implemented. More time was spent with patients following deployment of mobile devices, and journeys

and total journey time were increased, although to a lesser degree than activity, indicating improved efficiency. Clinicians across the eleven pilot sites estimated that the devices allowed them to save 507 referrals, equating to a saving of nearly nine per cent across the pilot period.

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implementing mobile solutions. Frustrations with connectivity and session persistence are the major barriers to smooth adoption of mobile devices. Therefore projects must be willing to experiment with different network providers to find the best levels of coverage for users, and to centrally coordinate the

Whilst there are some clear financial benefits associated with the adoption of mobile working, it is stressed that just as the solutions are not ‘one size fits all’, neither are the benefits.

Financial savings will vary greatly across different sites and the different services within them.

They also estimated that the devices allowed them to avoid 49 admissions.

Whilst there are some clear financial benefits associated with the adoption of mobile working, it is stressed that just as the solutions are not ‘one size fits all’, neither are the benefits. Financial savings will vary greatly across different sites and the different services within them.

The MHWP pilot study highlighted several key points for consideration when

development of robust connections.

In addition to improving the connectivity of devices, the applications that run on them must be developed further to support mobile services through use of approaches such as ‘store and forward’.

This would allow clinicians to work seamlessly, even during periods of time when they are out of range of network signal, with data being temporarily held locally and securely on the device and E

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Healthcare IT

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

MOBILE WORKING

The NMHW team is working with six of the pilot sites from within the existing cohort to implement whole-service transformation; identifying full teams that would benefit from the deployment of mobile devices to all clinicians.

E uploaded to central servers when an internet connection becomes available.

LESSONS LEARNED The differing results achieved across the MHWP pilot sites illustrate the range of possible changes that can be effected through the adoption of mobile working.

The disciplines that fall under the umbrella of Community Services are necessarily diverse, and the adoption of one single type of device or one way of working with that device will not necessarily prove to be the most effective for all service types.

Analysis of the metrics returned from each site begins to provide an insight into the possible benefits to be unlocked for the different service types, and further work through the MHWP – the transformation of full teams of clinicians – promises to reveal further possibilities for the identification of savings

and efficiencies through mobile working.

Although the Transforming Community Services (TCS) programme, which ended in March 2011, has now drawn to its conclusion, the Mobile Health Worker Project will run into 2012. The team is continuing to work with the 11 sites to evaluate the use of the devices over a longer period of time, to build up a long term picture of the effects of the devices understanding how the benefits may change and whether the process changes become embedded. They are also working with six of the pilot sites from within the existing cohort to implement whole-service transformation; identifying full teams that would benefit from the deployment of mobile devices to all clinicians. They are NHS South West Essex, NHS Tower Hamlets, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Calderdale, John Taylor Hospice and the Avon IM&T Consortium.

Mobile devices are key to ensuring that

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Behind the project Kathy Drayton, National Clinical Lead for mobile solutions, has spoken at numerous events throughout the course of the year, explaining the strategy and execution of the mobile health worker pilot project.

The full National Mobile Health Worker Project Progress Report is available on the DoH website, and contains data analysed by the NHS Information Centre for Health and Social Care. Report collated by Ruki Tech Ltd.

community services don’t get left behind as the NHS undergoes changes in the way care is commissioned and provided. Mobile devices will bridge the information gap that currently exists around community care, making the forthcoming Community Information Data Set (CIDS) far easier for organisations to collect and submit.

Measurements will continue over a longer period of time. A follow-up report detailing this work is expected to be published by the DoH in 2012. L

NICE Guidance

supports the case to adopt Inditherm patient warming systems in the NHS • Clinical evidence supports Inditherm’s effectiveness at preventing hypothermia • Annual cost savings of £9800 per Operating Theatre • Additional savings from reductions in post-operative infections, energy usage and clinical waste

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HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 11.11

RESEARCH

HEALTHCARE IT

Jason Hess and Jared Peterson of KLAS discuss how reciprocal relationships with healthcare providers pave the way toward informed healthcare IT purchasing decisions The localisation of healthcare IT system purchasing is enough to intimidate even the most seasoned director of information management and technology. That is precisely why the healthcare research firm KLAS exists: to help providers make informed technology buying decisions through product ratings based upon the feedback of thousands of trusted healthcare technology users.

SOURCE OF INFORMATION Founded in 1996 in the United States, KLAS has developed a global reputation for honest, impartial, and accurate reporting of the performance of software, equipment, infrastructure, professional services, and consulting firms within the healthcare realm.

What began as a cottage business has become a respected source of information for those tasked with ensuring that optimum purchases are made for leading hospitals, clinics, and institutions. Through a reciprocal relationship with healthcare workers, that voice is empowered by means of feedback provided throughout the lifecycle of purchased equipment and solutions.

KLAS also serves as a vendor monitor through unbiased reporting from the vendors’ own customers. Along with specialised results released on an ongoing basis, annual Best in

KLAS reports feature the top performers in major areas of healthcare IT, such as medical imaging, equipment, pharmacy and lab technologies, software and infrastructure.

Associated Best in KLAS Awards are presented to accomplished vendors based solely on data from customer surveys of hospital and clinic executives, administrators, physicians, nurses, clinicians, and other directors and managers that interact with each report division’s products and services.

Regarding the research firm’s emergence into the UK healthcare market, KLAS executive vice president of sales and strategy Jason Hess said: “We are extremely pleased to be moving into markets beyond US borders. As part of this globalisation, KLAS is currently conducting a study to assess international market share of core electronic patient record (EPR) vendors with an international presence.

Meanwhile, new UK provider subscribers to KLAS reports and services have access to all of the US-based performance data as a starting point for their purchasing decisions.”

TRENDS Jared Peterson, KLAS executive vice president of operations, added, “KLAS will approach the UK healthcare IT market very similarly to how our native market is approached. But our

Healthcare IT

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

research methodology will likely vary in the number of questions presented to providers regarding their usage as providers grow into the localisation of IT purchasing and the lifecycle of their buys. Of course, language subtleties and terminologies utilised in our reports will vary slightly across the Atlantic.”

According to Hess, “Decisions being made in the US toward healthcare IT buys are largely core or ‘suite’ purchases. In the UK at present, healthcare IT software is being purchased in more of a best-of-breed, pieceby-piece fashion. That trend does seem to be shifting according to what we are seeing from the UK around core EPR solutions, so KLAS is poised to provide insight toward educated decision-making in Britain, for either core or pieced, best-of-breed purchases.”

PEER-TO-PEER INTERACTION Peer-to-peer interaction is a key benefit of KLAS’ offerings to healthcare professionals, including KLAS Connect, a social network of sorts for open dialogue between providers.

One of KLAS’ beneficial offerings, MyKLAS, is an informational dashboard for providers featuring custom alerts, available reports for download, and other critical information about vendor performance. Together, these informational services will help British providers navigate through the new, more competitive healthcare IT vendor landscape.

Peterson understands how UK directors of information management and technology will be quickly and fully immersed in the buying process while vendors learn how to approach the new market. Of this competitive sales environment he said: “Providers are likely to find the purchasing process – and the bombardment by vendors – a little overwhelming at times.

KLAS exists to make sense of the many offerings on the market and to guide purchasing executives around vendor performance toward an effective spend.”

LAUNCH KLAS will first publish the UK-oriented Core EPR Market Share report by February 2012. This is to be followed by its UK EPR Perception report in April, which will indicate which vendors are being considered by purchasing officials, motivations for that consideration, and which brands are being avoided. In May, an International PACS report is scheduled for release. Meanwhile, providers may access all of KLAS’ existing reports and data through KLASresearch. com and an associated customisable user experience through a MyKLAS subscription. L FOR MORE INFORMATION More information about membership in KLAS and the trusted organisation’s research may be gained by contacting Jason Hess at Jason@KLASresearch.com or Jared Peterson at Jared@KLASresearch.com

Volume 11.11 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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Conferences & Events

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

ACADEMIC VENUES

UNLOCKING EVENT RESOURCES INSIDE OUR UNIVERSITIES

This country is home to some of the best universities in the world and for the event organiser, they are increasingly providing some of the highest quality conference and events venues available With state-of-the art audio visual support, a mix of old and new facilities and first-rate on-site accommodation, academic venues provide a one-stop-shop approach to modern conferencing.

Complementing their great facilities, universities are also a great source of speakers and support material, therefore enabling a link with research and development that is being undertaken by the students.

But it is not only the organiser and venue that benefits. Profits that are generated from playing host to meetings and events are reinvested directly into the universities.

This revenue means buildings can be updated, whilst research programmes and other learning facilities benefit from a boost in resources, helping to pave the way for the country’s next generation of business and thought leaders.

It is because of this benefit that the meetings and events sector is today recognised as a core revenue stream for the academic venue, with its importance placed almost equally as high as the income received from students.

As such, most operate under a dedicated brand with a specialist team of managers, and continually invest in the upkeep and improvement of their facilities. Where others may have ceased, this investment has continued right throughout the difficult economic climate, with the academic venue

being seen as a safe investment, supported heavily by the stable and regular income brought in by students which has been largely unaffected by the economic downturn.

REFURBISHMENT In September, the doors of Scarman, the largest of Warwick Conferences’ three training and conference centres, reopened following an extensive £2 million renovation and refurbishment programme.

As part of this, six syndicate rooms have been upgraded to incorporate built-in

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HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 11.11

FLEXIBLE OFFERING With large scale facilities that have been built specifically to create the optimum learning environment, the academic venue is a popular choice for hosting associations and for other

As well as great facilities, universities are a great source of speakers and support material, therefore enabling a link with research and development that is being undertaken.

AV equipment and low energy lighting has been introduced in line with Warwick Conferences’ ongoing commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its venues. The investment forms part of a multi-million refurbishment programme announced in the latter part of 2010.

In addition, earlier this summer, a new £20 million sports centre opened its doors

Keele Conferences & Events

Liverpool John Moores University

at Lancaster University, which was also awarded the BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating.

This sets the standard for best practice in sustainable design. As well as university members, the state-of-the-art centre is available for conference delegates use, and features an eight-lane swimming pool, eightcourt sports hall, climbing wall, gym spread across two levels, four squash courts and a studio for dance, martial arts and fencing.

Despite the continued investment seen widely across the sector, academic venues have still been able to maintain a competitive offering for delegates.

“For academic venues, it is just about making the most of the facilities that we already have in place when they are not being used by the students,” explains Janette Foster-Hyde, Liverpool John Moores University. These range from meeting and conference rooms, to IT suites and full catering services. It is because of this we can often offer a competitive price over a purpose-built conference centre.”

large scale conferences and conventions. But with the addition of some of the more unique sections of the university being opened up for use, away from the traditional lecture theatres, they have also become a popular choice for gala events, awards dinners and Christmas parties. Sports facilities are also another great asset, playing host to tournaments and team building for many different groups. E

ACADEMIC VENUES E ACCOMMODATION All of the venues are supported by a vast amount of modern accommodation on site. Where much of this is only available outside of term time, many now have purpose built accommodation or hotels on site, which are useable all year round. In addition, many work closely with neighbouring accommodation providers to offer low-cost options to delegates.

At The University of Nottingham, construction is currently underway as part of the creation of a new £20 million eco-friendly 200-bed upmarket hotel. Built to the highest environmental standards, the hotel will feature state-of-the-art technology to reduce carbon emissions, as part of the university’s strategy to become an ever more environmentally-friendly institution.

It will feature executive-style rooms, meeting and conferencing rooms and a gym, as well as a restaurant and bar. Work is due to be completed for opening by the end of 2012.

Conferences & Events

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LEADING THE WAY In 2011, Keele Conferences and Events launched ‘Keele Event Services,’ providing event support and management to its association clients, as their annual conferences and events travel around the country. This serves as an extension to Keele Conference Management, the event management and delegate booking support that is currently provided at Keele University.

Sam Booth, head of Keele Conferences & Events, says: “Keele Event Services is something that we evolved into offering, as a result of reacting to client feedback and also from understanding the needs of transient business. It reflects the importance we place on helping our clients to grow and develop their events, regardless of where they are located.”

With advances like this and the investment continuing, academic venues have continued to flourish, with many predicting a positive outlook for the sector.

Looking forward, Kirstie Danzey, marketing manager for Nottingham Conferences at the University of Nottingham, says: “We predict growth for 2012 based on a number of factors. firstly, lead times are starting to extend, helping us to forecast and plan further out. Secondly, August 2011 was the best August for several years, which is usually a quiet month. Thirdly, key new clients are looking to place repeat business for the next two to three years on the basis of successful conferences held this year.”

Danzey continues: “For 2013, the new hotel, sited adjacent to the East Midlands Conference Centre will enhance the existing range of conference facilities provided by Nottingham Conferences further. Whilst being a revenue stream in its own right, the new development will have a positive impact on events that can utilise both the East Midlands Conference Centre and hotel.” L

Nottingham Conferences

Volume 11.11 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

41

Give your best Christmas card yet!

Thank your staff for their loyalty with a Debenhams giftcard…

Make your staff feel really valued this Christmas by treating them to a Debenhams Shopping Spree giftcard. With free benefits such as a beauty makeover, Personal Shopper advice, refreshments and alterations, they can enjoy some truly quality ‘me-time’.

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Selectaglaze secondary glazing – clean rooms and sterile environments Royal Warrant holder Selectaglaze is the UK’s leading designer, manufacturer and installer of secondary glazing systems, with more than 40 years’ experience working within hospitals and healthcare establishments.

The products are used to treat windows in laboratories, clean rooms and general areas, including wards. Effective design of frames and seals markedly reduces the flow of airborne dirt and dust. The wide choice of glazing materials will provide significant levels of thermal insulation and security protection.

Selectaglaze is a Secured

by Design licensed company.

Products submitted to attack tests at the Loss Prevention Certification Board have achieved the demanding SR2 and SR3 levels of standard LPS1175 that are now required in some facilities.

Selectaglaze’s systems have been assessed for thermal efficiency through the Centre for

Window Cladding and Technology and for sound insulation at the Taywood laboratories.

Selectaglaze’s units are purpose made with a wide choice of styles and finishes. Factory assembly allows rapid installation with minimal disruption to the day to day running of the hospital.

Selectaglaze has produced an extensive range of literature, including test results, data sheets and a brochure entitled: ‘Secondary Glazing for Comfortable, Peaceful, Sterile and Secure Healthcare Environments’.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01727 837271 enquiries@selectaglaze.co.uk www.selectaglaze.co.uk

90 per cent energy and cost savings with Silent Cubes from GID-Quantor Silent Cubes are already in daily use at over 60 hospitals/ medical centres in Europe for archiving PACS, patient medical records and both incoming and outgoing e-mail messages.

Other uses are with ECM and HSM systems, and telephone call recording systems. Silent Cubes are designed to provide the very highest possible security for data storage. It is disk based and offers IT management a very different but non-proprietary solution with which to tackle the challenge of ever-increasing volumes and extending data retention periods.

A single cube of less than a cubic foot can store up to 16 terabytes and the system is scaleable from just two terabytes to thousands (i.e. petabytes).

Compared with other data archiving options, Silent Cubes are lower in cost and delivers up to 93 per cent savings in energy costs and associated carbon footprint. GID-Quantor’s

other business solutions include OnBase from Hyland Software Inc. which, using its Application Enabler facility, can deliver ECM and document workflow to users by ‘image-enabling’ their existing LOB applications.

OnBase is used extensively within healthcare in North America and already by healthcare providers in the UK. GID-Quantor is part of the GID Group with offices also in Europe and North America.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01444 882258 Fax: 01444 882282 info@gid-quantor.co.uk www.gid-quantor.co.uk

Stop managing stress – the power of here and now If your house was so full of clutter you could hardly move, would you want to bring in more? Would it help to pretend it is not real?

Does your life really need more information, regulation, advice, paperwork, procedures, guidelines and things to remember and worry about?

As Albert Einstein pointed out: “We cannot solve the problems we have created with the same thinking that created them.”

When did you last draw on your personal DNA heritage of 200 million years of success in coping with, and adapting to, potentially fatal pressures and demands?

When did you last have a really good scream, rage, trash, cry or collapse – in good company and in a safe, confidential and supportive environment?

When did you last move through a ‘stress release’ phase and into a supported

Products & Services

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‘replenishment’ phase of re-connecting to your suffocated personal resources of empowerment, good humour, value, competence, ingenuity, initiative, creativity, intuition, inner beauty and personal magic?

Are you ready to let go of your ‘stress hero’, ‘poor me’ or ‘hard done by’ merit badge?

Are you ready to clear out, re-connect and replenish?

FOR MORE INFORMATION www.stress-counselling.co.uk www.sunflower-health.com

ALOKA – the innovator in ultrasound technology ALOKA Holding Europe AG, the innovator in ultrasound, has been at the forefront of ultrasound innovation for over 60-years and continues to work with the World’s leading specialists (such as Prof Faletti, Dr Resch, Prof Nicolaides and Prof Torzilli amongst others) to help them discover new ways to diagnose and treat patients.

In fact, ALOKA introduced the first commercially available ultrasound system in 1960, developed the first electronic linear array scanning system in 1971, and introduced the world to colour Doppler in 1983 – revolutionising cardiovascular ultrasound imaging.

All products can be programmed to the unique requirements of the clinician – with bespoke probes – in specialised therapy areas as diverse as obstetrics/ gynaecology, cardiovascular, surgical and endoscopic, in addition to general imaging.

One recent innovation involved working with leading international obstetrics and gynaecology surgeons to introduce universal pre-sets

on all ALOKA machines for routine examinations like first trimester screening – vastly improving the detection of chromosomal disorders like CHD (congenital heart disease).

ALOKA systems has a range of unique functions (such as e-flow and e-tracking) that provide more detailed insights into the causes of illness and have vast clinical advantages over traditional imaging modalities like MRI and CT – in addition to significant cost advantages which will become increasingly important as we endeavour to keep healthcare expenditure sustainable as the population ages.

Systems include the widely used general imaging system, the Prosound Alpha 7, and the latest multi-purpose diagnostic ultrasound system, with unprecedented performance, the Prosound F75.

FOR MORE INFORMATION www.aloka-europe.com

Volume 11.11 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

Quality Healthcare Training Solutions

We have a wide range of specialist healthcare training solutions designed to ensure Estates and Facilities personnel are well equipped to carry out their daily duties in a safe and competent manner.

All our Training Courses include: Legionella to new HTM’s High and Low Voltage Electrical to HTM 06-02/06-03 Pressure Systems and Confined Spaces Disinfection and Sterilisation Processes

Health and Safety Renewable Energy Technologies F-Gas Refrigeration Handling Medical Gases

0800 876 6708

For more information please call or visit www.developtraining.co.uk/healthestates training that transforms

Phoenix Private Ambulance Service Ltd

Electrolux Professional

Specialised Passenger Transport Based in Warwickshire we provide a uniformed and specialised private ambulance service to meet the needs of those with impaired mobility for whom safe and comfortable travel is difficult. This includes stretcher and wheelchair passengers.

For example: n Transfers to and from hospital outpatient appointments

Don’t expect to see your enemies

n Transfers to or discharges from hospitals n Moves to and from care, retirement or nursing homes n Local and long distance disabled and patient transport nationwide Our CRB checked team pride themselves on providing a careful, understanding, prompt and comfortable service and we have gained a reputation for providing consistently high standards.

We are registered with the Care Quality Commission, our vehicles are regularly inspected and are maintained to a high standard. Our stretchers and lock systems are tested to meet BS EN 1789:2000 standards and wheelchair restraints conform to the dynamic test requirements of ISO 10542.

Our fleet is based in Leamington Spa and although most of our work is centred around the Midlands we are able to provide transport anywhere in the UK.

For more information go to www.phoenix-ambulance.co.uk or call 01788 816192.

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HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 11.11

When hygiene is critical, put yourself in the hands of the experts.

Electrolux Barrier Washers provide the best defence against the spread of germs bacteria, dust particles and cross contamination.

Electrolux Professional is a worldwide expert in linen hygiene. www.electrolux.co.uk/laundrysystems www.elsinfo@electrolux.co.uk Telephone: 08444 631 261

Ensure compliance with lab services from Latis

Cost-effective label and signage systems

Latis Scientific is a specialist in the provision of laboratory and technical services within the healthcare industry.

The company has over 20 years’ experience in various aspects of infection control, such as sterile services, operating theatres, hydrotherapy, dialysis and Legionella control.

Latis’s team of chemists, microbiologists and consultants provide both investigative site work, whilst ensuring compliance with all of the latest guidance, and regulation, including the soon to be published new Health and Technical Memorandums.

The company’s UKAS accredited laboratories are based in central London and it works in conjunction with three partner laboratories across the UK. In

MLPS was established in 1988, and though based in Grantham, Lincolnshire, covers the whole of the UK – from John O’Groats to Land’s End. Its success is built on an ability to listen to its customers’ requirements and then recommend the correct solution to satisfy their needs.

MLPS provides labelling and identification solutions to a diverse range of industries including, electrical, electronics, warehousing, distribution, automotive, aviation and manufacturing to name but a few.

Whether it’s barcode labels, asset labels, rating plates, health and safety signs you require, the company has the solution to produce professional

order to ensure that samples arrive at the laboratories in a fast, efficient and controlled manner, Latis operates a fleet of temperature controlled vehicles.

Its laboratories are modern, state-of-the-art facilities with the latest technology, using the most innovative methodology.

Capabilities include the provision of chemical purity assays and the isolation of microbiological contaminants that cause concern within the healthcare industry such as Mycobacterium, Clostridium, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas and emerging pathogens such as Ralstonia pickettii.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 020 88533900 www.latisscientific.co.uk

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labels and signs on demand.

It supplies the latest range of equipment and software for all applications, from entry level through to high volume industrial models. It is an authorised dealer and partner for Lighthouse, Zebra and Kroy label printers.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01476 590400 Fax: 01476 590400 sales@mlps.co.uk www.mlps.co.uk

Eaton Williams – the future of climate control

A sustainable flooring solution for the NHS Building up the surface of the floor – from substrate to finish – Flowcrete UK’s revolutionary green Floorzone concept is a single-source flooring package, which sets out to be the most sustainable and complete flooring solution for the healthcare sector.

The company offers a number of environmentally friendly flooring systems under a single-source manufacturer’s warranty, including seamless resin floor finishes with up to 60 per cent recycled content, Isocrete sub-floor screeds that are free from Ordinary Portland Cement, energy saving underfloor heating, and acoustic insulation.

Choosing fit-for-purpose, quality fixtures and fittings is key to complying with rigorous hygiene standards – particularly when it comes to floors and walls – both of which can act as a vital line of defence in the fight against harmful contaminants.

A hygienic flooring system is the

latest tool in a hospital’s armoury to help fight illness at ground level and ensure a clean, germ free and healthy environment for staff and patients.

Flowcrete has built up over 35 years of experience delivering first class medical grade flooring solutions to a number of the world’s leading hospitals, healthcare institutes, research and development centres and pharmaceutical production facilities. Flowcrete is recognised as the leading performance flooring manufacturer.

Eaton-Williams Service (EWS) has been designing and sustaining artificially-created indoor environments for over 70 years. Committed to quality of service, reliability and technical excellence, it provides climate controlled solutions for almost any environment, backed up with 24/7 service and maintenance.

Acknowledged as one of the leading specialists in close control systems for areas such as test laboratories, clean rooms, operating theatres, computer rooms, data centres and document archives, EWS provides design, installation and maintenance of a full range of humidification, heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment which is manufactured by its sister companies Vapac, Edenair, ServerCool and Moducel.

As part of its commitment to its clients, EWS also undertakes a comprehensive diagnostic optimisation check (DOC) on existing equipment. Typically, energy savings of 12-20 per cent are realised when equipment is adjusted to operate at maximum efficiency.

The latest EU directive for energy efficient buildings calls for performance inspections of all air conditioning equipment with a duty of 12kW or more. EWS is able to maximise the efficiency of clients’ plants to enable them to meet their legislative obligations and ensure they are prepared for any energy audit.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Carol Price, sales and marketing manager Mob: 07773 807310 carol.price@eaton-willams.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01270 753 000 uk@flowcrete.com

Volume 11.11 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

45

Advertisers Index

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

ADVERTISERS INDEX

The publishers accept no responsibility for errors or omissions in this free service Accuro FM

24

KLAS

Advanced Computer Software Group

38

Kyocera

Advanced Power Technology Ltd

36

Latisscientific Ltd

Aloka Holding Europe AG

43

Ashdown Energy Ltd Associated Security Solutions Ltd Augean Landfill

39

30

45

Special EFX

41

LCP Parking Services Ltd

28

Spirax-Sarco Limited

18

14

Matrica

18

Sunflower Health

43

20

MLPS

45

Systematic Energy

National Security Inspectorate

22

Time & Data Systems International Ltd

20

OBC

Car Park Select Services Ltd

28

Norris Contracting

24

Upsolar

16

Car Parking Enforcement Company Ltd

30

Parking & Enforcement Agency Ltd

28

Varlink

34

Company Cards Ltd

22

Pass Training Consultancy Ltd

Vectair Systems

13

Dart Valley Systems Ltd

10

Patrick McCaul Environmental Consulting

19

Vernacare

12

Debenhams

42

Phoenix Private Ambulance Services

44

Volvo

IFC

Develop Training

44

PHS Waste Management

13

Ward Security Ltd

22

Eaton Williams

45

Principle Global

26

Western Power Distribution

19

Gerflor

24

Reflex UK

18

Williams Medical Supplies Ltd

32

GID-Quantor Ltd

43

Reliance High-Tech Ltd

23

ICS Ltd

22

Selectaglaze

43

6

P ONLINE P IN PRINT P MOBILE P FACE TO FACE

www.healthbusinessuk.net 46

4

SIP Car Parks Ltd

8

IBC

Singers Healthcare Finance

HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 11.11

fOR hEAlthiER figuRES: thE pREScRiptiOn-REAdy

hEAlthcARE pRintER

With budgets constantly under pressure, small costs soon add up. Reducing the cost of routine activities like printing can release funds to protect vital healthcare services.

So next time you buy a printer, consider Kyocera. Our long-life consumables system means fewer components to replace, so every page costs less to print.

Our unique Ecosys technology increases reliability whilst reducing energy use and waste. And because our healthcare model is shipped prescription-ready, switching couldn’t be easier.

Call us on 08457 103 104 to find out more.

KYOCERA. COUNT ON US.

KYOCERA MITA UK Ltd – www.kyoceramita.co.uk/healthcare

Cut Energy Cost with Systematic Energy We help you to...

Use less which means you spend less

Minimise energy waste

Shrink your utility bills Climb towards the top of the energy rating stairway Our skills and knowledge will help you to focus on the systems that are wasting your time and money.

Energy waste lurks in all buildings. We help you find it and cut it back.

Together we will set up action plans to minimise cost and waste.

We can provide cost effective procurement for energy, broadband, telecoms and mobiles, with best value and best service.

Energy efficiency is a resource and using more of this resource is the easiest way to shrink your bills.

Gerald J Goldner, Office: 01268 456162 Mobile: 07908 205023 cut.costs@systematic-energy.org.uk