Health Business 14.5

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OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE

INFECTION CONTROL

WAYFINDING

PARKING

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The DH’s recently updated guidance on NHS parking principles sparks up the debate HEALTHCARE IT

TRACKING TECHNOLOGY How supermarket-style check out systems can be used in healthcare to improve safety

PATIENT SAFETY

MEASURING THE FRANCIS EFFECT A look at the NHS post-Francis Report

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OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE

INFECTION CONTROL

WAYFINDING

PARKING

TO PAY OR NOT TO PAY

The DH’s recently updated guidance on NHS parking principles sparks up the debate HEALTHCARE IT

TRACKING TECHNOLOGY How supermarket-style check out systems can be used in healthcare to improve safety

PATIENT SAFETY

MEASURING THE FRANCIS EFFECT A look at the NHS post-Francis Report

PLUS: FINANCE • LEADERSHIP • RECRUITMENT • SECURITY • FLEET MANAGEMENT

Comment

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

The NHS is no stranger to being the cornerstone of election campaigns As expected, the NHS is the prime focus of Labour’s 2015 election campaign. At the Party conference, Ed Miliband pledged to “reinstate the NHS as preferred provider of services” and ensure hospitals worked together rather than in competition with each other.

Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham’s headline soundbite – that Labour would “put the brakes on NHS privatisation” was rubbished by NHS chief executive Simon Stevens, who wrote to Burnham to dismiss the Party’s call to block all new contracts between hospitals and the private sector, arguing that it would now be impossible, and reminding Burnham that rules introduced by Labour itself in 2006 meant there must be competition over who provides services.

Meanwhile, a report by watchdog Monitor has found two Clinical Commissioning Groups, NHS Blackpool and NHS Fylde and Wyre CCG, had not ensured that GPs were offering patients adequate choice of provider for their first outpatient appointment. This followed allegations made by Spire Healthcare Limited that the CCGs had asked GPs to direct patients away from Spire Fylde Coast Hospital in favour of towards Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

Dr Amanda Doyle, chief clinical officer for NHS Blackpool CCG and co-chair of the NHS Clinical Commissioners Board, said: ‘We recognise that Monitor did not find enough evidence that we promoted choice in GP surgeries or on the home page of our website. We will be looking to implement their recommendations in this regard.”

Danny Wright

P ONLINE P IN PRINT P MOBILE P FACE TO FACE If you would like to receive all issues of Health Business magazine for £120 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 EDITOR Angela Pisanu EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Arthur Walsh EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Danny Wright PRODUCTION EDITOR Richard Gooding PRODUCTION CONTROL Jacqueline Lawford, Jo Golding WEBSITE PRODUCTION Reiss Malone ADVERTISEMENT SALES Patrick Dunne, Jeremy Cox, Tomas Lee, Ben Plummer, Lucy Rowland ADMINISTRATION Victoria Leftwich PUBLISHER Karen Hopps REPRODUCTION & PRINT Argent Media

© 2014 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 14.5 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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CONTENTS

07 NEWS

53 SECURITY: STAFF PROTECTION

NHS whistleblowers still prevented from speaking out; Labour lays out its healthcare agenda; NICE seeks greater access to data from clinical trials

09

The BSIA reports on the measures that can be taken to guarantee lone medical workers are safe from attack, including CCTV and body-worn equipment

11 FINANCE

The HFMA’s Paul Briddock reports on how Trusts can remain clinically, financially and operationally sustainable in the face of budget constraints

15 LEADERSHIP

Jan Sobieraj of the NHS Leadership Academy talks about the importance of effective leadership development in meeting Francis Report recommendations

21 PATIENT SAFETY: FRANCIS REPORT

What has been the extent of the ‘Francis effect’ on UK health services? Leading charity The Health Foundation offers our readers an in-depth analysis

21

Occupational hygienists use their expertise to prevent hospital infections from occurring, Damien Eaves writes

61 INFECTION CONTROL: COPPER

Antimicrobial copper surfaces have the potential to reduce infection rates and make savings in clinical settings

67 HEALTHCARE INFECTION CONFERENCE

The Healthcare Infection Society’s International Conference brings together a wealth of expertise this November A preview of the event that focuses on estate management in clinical buildings

As the NHS undergoes a transitional period, how can staffing agencies add value? The Recruitment and Employment Confederation’s Vicky O’Brien writes

82 WAYFINDING

31 HEALTHCARE IT

Supermarket-style tracking systems can help ensure safety of care by minimising the role of human error in ‘never events’, GS1 UK reports

43 EHI LIVE PREVIEW

Information technology is playing an ever more important role in healthcare.

EHI Live 2014 shines a light on the latest developments in this area with a number of seminars on key topics

49 ENERGY

With the use of renewables on the rise in UK hospitals, Yasir Khan of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme talks about a quality mark for energy consumers

87

59 OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE

73 HEALTHCARE ESTATES

27 RECRUITMENT

31

Contents

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

David Catanach of the BSGA sums up the importance and the principles of effective signage in public places such as hospitals

87 PARKING

The British Parking Association’s Kelvin Reynolds argues that charging for parking in hospitals is in the interest of patients, provided that concessions are made

93 FLEET MANAGEMENT Price should not be the only consideration when planning how a long-term efficient public sector fleet is to be run, the FIAG writes

97 IP EXPO

A look at what’s on offer at the industry-leading IT event

VOLUME 14.5 www.healthbusinessuk.net

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INFECTION CONTROL

WAYFINDING

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MEASURING THE FRANCIS EFFECT A look at the NHS post-Francis Report

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How supermarket-style check out systems can be used in healthcare to improve safety

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POLITICS

Labour pledges to reverse ‘dismantling’ of the NHS Shadow Health Secretary Andy Andy Burnham Burnham asserted in his speech at the Labour party conference that Labour would put “people before profit” in the NHS and work to “rescue a shattered service.”

In a wide-ranging speech, Burnham said that Labour would make the NHS “personal to you and your family” and that patients with terminal illness would receive free palliative care at home, as “it makes no sense to cut simple support in people’s homes only to spend thousands keeping them in hospital. combat the privatisation of the NHS: “We We can’t afford it. It will break the NHS.” will not only repeal the NHS privatisation He also said the party would reverse laws, we will make sure the NHS remains what he described as the coalition’s safe under a Labour government and “dismantling” of the NHS in England and will continue to provide the free care, ensure that it remained the “preferred best drugs, and the new treatments. provider”, with hospitals working together “If within the overall total of public rather than competing with one another. spending we can release money for the NHS Meanwhile, Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls that is what we will do. If we can find ways said that Labour will make safeguarding to make savings within the NHS budget that the health service a priority in the next is what we do. I want to make sure the election, promising that the party will do NHS is strong and protected in the future “whatever it takes to save the NHS.” but in 2015-16 our starting point In an interview ahead of the party will be the conference, Balls said that while Labour government’s READ MORE: would not levy additional taxes in order spending tinyurl.com/m6jwdp5 to pay for healthcare if elected, it would plans.”

NHS SCOTLAND

OBESITY

Funding gap ‘a myth’ says Alex Neil

Simon Stevens speaks out on obesity crisis

Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Alex Neil has told MSPs that the country’s NHS budget will not be subject to cuts and that a rumoured funding gap of as much as £450 million for 2015-16 is a ‘myth’. When asked about a leaked document referring to the funding gap, Neil said that the Scottish government was committed to protecting and increasing the NHS budget.

The leaked papers, which were submitted to civil servants and health board chief executives ahead of the independence referendum, included assertions that future NHS obligations were “not fully funded” and that the “status quo in terms of service and workforce planning is not an option”.

There are references to options that health boards must consider closing the alleged funding gap, including centralising hospitals and discontinuing services.

Responding to Neil’s statement, Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser requested a “cast iron guarantee” that measures like service closure would READ MORE: not be tinyurl.com/ostyd4n introduced.

NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens has spoken out on the obesity crisis facing the UK, comparing it to smoking in terms of the health risk it poses to the population and the cost to the NHS. He said that unless the issue is tackled head on, the incidence of disability and illness would increase vastly. Stevens’ statement came as it was revealed that 25 per cent of adults and 20 per cent of schoolchildren are obese.

Speaking at the Public Health England annual conference, Mr Stevens said: “Obesity is the new smoking. It represents a slow‑motion car crash in terms of avoidable illness and rising health care costs.

“If, as a nation, we keep piling on the pounds around the waistline, we’ll be piling on the pounds in terms of future taxes needed just to keep the NHS afloat.”

Stevens’ remarks came a month before the publication of his five-year plan for the health service, including proposals to direct efforts more towards lifestyle intervention than bariatric surgery, and giving employers

News

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

NICE GUIDELINES

GP Practice boundary release plans put back Pulse magazine has reported that plans to open up GP practice boundaries have been rolled back until next January after the General Practitioners Committee (GPC) warned against launching the scheme in October as scheduled in order to give practices a chance to learn more about how it works, such as payment for out‑of‑area patients and home visits for patients registered in a different practice area.

NHS England said that practices taking on patients from outside their normal jurisdiction will receive the same payment as for other patients, despite the fact they do not have to provide home visits.

A spokesperson said: “This has been an ambitious piece of work designed to increase the flexibility that patients have in choosing their GP. With such a change, we have to be completely assured that robust arrangements are in place across the country should patients who register with a GP outside their area need urgent in‑hours primary medical care at or near home.

“This has been a big undertaking and we have taken the decision that more time is needed to ensure these arrangements are fully bedded-in – a decision that has been taken in the best interests of READ MORE: GP practices tinyurl.com/oxo6t6y and patients.”

incentives to promote healthy habits among their workforces. It has been suggested that the NHS should lead on this issue by having staff serve as ‘health ambassadors’ in their local communities, and that local authorities should be given power to make decisions on issues like fast food, alcohol and tobacco.

Professor Jonathan Valabhji, national clinical director for obesity and diabetes, said: “Obesity is a significant and wide scale public health issue all age groups and an issue the NHS as a whole is dedicated to tackling.

“We are seeing huge increases in type two diabetes because of the rising rates of obesity, and we clearly need a concerted effort on the prevention, early diagnosis and management of diabetes to slow its significant impact not only on individual READ MORE: lives but also tinyurl.com/n3oj5a6 on the NHS.”

Volume 14.5 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

7

NHS WHISTLEBLOWING

Barriers to whistleblowing still in place, campaigners say The healthcare body Patients First has said that efforts to establish a culture of greater openness in the NHS have not been successful to date, and that whistleblowers continue to face a number of problems when voicing their criticisms of the health service. In a recently published dossier listing 70 cases, the organisation attacks what it sees as an ongoing “culture of fear” whereby issues like bullying and the mishandling of complaints still, in many instances, prevent perpetrators from being held to account. The document is to be submitted to an independent whistleblowing report led by Sir Robert Francis.

While half of the examples cited in the report are of ongoing problems, the organisation claims that all had experienced loss whether financially, professionally or personally. Almost 80 per cent of the whistleblowers spoken to had been bullied, and around 20 per cent had

run out of money or were unable to secure legal advice. The report concludes that there is a “real and continuing problem over the treatment of those who raise concerns.”

Recent months have seen steps taken to encourage whistleblowing such as a telephone hotline and a statutory ‘duty of candour’ imposed on the health service.

However, Patients First chairwoman Dr Kim Holt said: “There has not been any real progress. I have been shocked by the number of people who come to us who are having problems. For me, bullying is the major issue.

“We need to get employers to take this seriously and implement the policies they have to give whistleblowers proper support.

That is the READ MORE: only way of tinyurl.com/knsakvm changing this.”

CLINICAL TRIALS

NICE calls for more availability of all clinical trial data The healthcare regulatory body NICE has called on European authorities to supply clinical trial data where pharmaceutical companies fail to provide all relevant data.

This comes in the wake of the controversy surrounding Roche’s Tamiflu drug, which despite the manufacturer’s claims turned out to be no more effective than ordinary paracetamol in the treatment of flu.

Professor Carole Longson, Director for the Health Technology Evaluation Centre at NICE, said: “We strongly believe that all clinical trial data should be made available so that those with responsibility for developing guidance and making treatment decisions have all the necessary information to hand to help them do so safely and efficiently.

“Our technology appraisals process guide has been strengthened to ensure that NICE gets all the relevant clinical trial data needed to develop our

NEWS IN BRIEF Hunt announces £160 million boost to Cancer Drugs Fund The Cancer Drugs Fund will be increased form £200 million a year to £280 million, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said. The fund, which aims to help over 55,000 cancer patients access the treatment they need, will also have two new drugs added to its remit – Xtandi, a prostate cancer drug and Revlimid, used to treat the bolo disorder myelodysplastic syndrome.

Hunt said: “It’s vitally important that as many people as possible have access to these pioneering, life-enhancing drugs, and we need to continue to focus our efforts on increasing access to these innovative treatments, whilst ensuring that all patients continue to receive the effective drugs which are right for them.

“By protecting the NHS budget, we have been able to create this fund which has given hope to many thousands of people, their families and friends, and has an essential role in helping us realise our ambition to be the best place in Europe to survive cancer.”

READ MORE:

tinyurl.com/mtqs7ga

Figures show regional variation in childhood vaccination rates

recommendations.”risk assessment of pregnant women and the RCOG is in favour of alongside midwifery units (AMUs) for women who may need multidisciplinary READ MORE: care during tinyurl.com/qc2yz69 delivery.”

INSPECTIONS

Fiona Wise appointed to help UHMBT A former NHS chief executive has been drafted in to provide additional support to a Lancashire trust attempting to get out of special measures. The watchdog Monitor has appointed Fiona Wise to help improve the level of care provision in the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Trust (UHMBT), three months after inspections of its main sites in Kendal, Furness and Lancaster found significant room for improvement. Monitor’s regional director

News

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

Adam Cayley said: “This extra support will help the trust to make the improvements that are needed to ensure better care for patients in Morecambe Bay. Fiona has a wealth of NHS experience, particularly in helping organisations to improve the way they provide services to patients. She will help the trust to build on the progress that it has already made. We will continue to look closely at the trust’s progress and will take further action if necessary.”

New figures show the variation in childhood immunisation rates by age one, two and five across England. The NHS Immunisation Statistics, England - 2013-14 report, published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC), reveals that the highest rates of Measles Mumps and Rubella vaccination by age two are seen in the North East (95.5 per cent) and the lowest in London (87.5 per cent), and that English children had lower coverage for all vaccines at one, two and five years than other UK countries.

51 out of 149 local authorities were reported as having met the World Health Organisation target of 95 per cent coverage of children aged two or under, though at 92.7 per cent the latest figures for England show a rise of 0.4 per cent from 2012-13 and represent the highest level of coverage since the vaccine was introduced in 1988. HSCIC chair Kingsley Manning said: “Healthcare professionals should take note of the statistics in this report and make use of them as part of their planning.”

READ MORE:

tinyurl.com/kt6mboa

Volume 14.5 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

9

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BUDGET EFFICIENCY

Finance

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SEEING FINANCE AND QUALITY AS ONE The latest report from the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), released in June, details the opinions of 188 NHS finance directors across England about the financial challenges facing the NHS. The report, entitled the NHS Financial Temperature Check, found that despite impending pressures, over one third (39 per cent) of senior directors expect the quality of services in the NHS to improve over the next few years and more than half (53 per cent) expect quality to remain consistent in the same time period.

The news agenda is awash with speculation regarding the future of the NHS and the pessimism surrounding it is indeed warranted.

Current figures have shown that the number of organisations overspending or reporting a deficit has increased since 2012/13 and more organisations are reporting an actual deficit than planned to at the beginning of this financial year. In the last financial year, clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) and provider trusts delivered planned financial savings of 2.3 per cent and 4.5 per cent respectively, but this was not the case everywhere and

fell short of the overall planned savings (2.5 per cent and 4.8 per cent respectively).

Consequently, over a quarter of NHS providers reported being in deficit during 2013/14.

THE CURRENT PICTURE Looking to 2014/15 and 2015/16, the outlook doesn’t look much better: 36 per cent of provider trust finance directors are ‘quite’ or ‘very confident’ of achieving their financial targets in 2014/15, but 20 per cent are ‘not very’ or ‘not confident at all’, and 44 per cent said it was ‘too early to say’. In 2015/16, just over a tenth of provider trusts (12 per cent) are confident that they will achieve their financial targets. CCG finance directors are more positive, with a half (54 per cent) being ‘quite’ or ‘very confident’, one fifth (21 per cent) are either ‘not very’ or ‘not at all’, and a quarter (25 per cent) said it is ‘too early to say’. Cost

pressures cited by both groups included the rising demand for services and increasing the number of nursing staff and emergency care.

It is apparent that resources are being stretched throughout the NHS, and although many organisations are just coping for the time being, an increasing number of them report a deficit, and those organisations that have previously been financially stable are now beginning to voice concerns. If continued external pressures remain, it is clear that the outlook for the NHS will be even more challenging. However despite this, it is encouraging to see that finance directors do not expect to see quality deteriorating – in fact, many think quality will improve. 

s The newwash is a agenda eculation with spding the regar the NHS f future o pessimism and the unding it surro ranted is war

Volume 14.5 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Written by Paul Briddock, director of policy, HFMA

Paul Briddock of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) reports on the challenges NHS trusts face in meeting financial targets, and shares five key areas of focus for healthcare organisations to remain clinically, financially and operationally sustainable

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HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 14.5

BUDGET EFFICIENCY

Current figures have shown that the number of organisations overspending or reporting a deficit has increased since 2012/13 and more organisations are reporting a deficit  To ensure that NHS organisations remain clinically, financially and operationally sustainable, there are five key areas of focus that HFMA would recommend. Firstly, it is clear that we will need to redesign, and adapt, services in order for quality to not be compromised. We know many finance directors are calling for the pace of service transformation and integration to be increased to help with delivering high quality, safe care in an efficient and appropriate manner.

The future success of the NHS depends on the clinically led transformation of services, backed by managerial support, and utilising the expertise and skills of NHS finance staff to help this to happen as effectively as possible.

There will be barriers to transformation along the way, but to help, it is necessary to have strong system management in place to ensure that organisations are supported sufficiently to develop the right solution for their area. These will be based on clinical evidence with support needed across the board, from members of the public, to patients themselves, and politicians. In order for faster transformation to occur, there is also a need for finance directors to share good practice and evidence of cost savings that have arisen from new care models. In some cases, where

there is financial instability, organisations may need additional investment for change to happen, particularly where resources are being shifted from one sector to another.

AN OPEN DISCUSSION Secondly, for a ‘fit-for-future’ NHS to be made possible, it is crucial that there is an open and honest debate with politicians, the public, and most importantly patients, about the financial challenges facing the NHS, the need for change, and the quality and scope of services that is available. In April this year, the Two Sides of the Same Coin briefing, led by the HFMA and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, Faculty of Medical Management and Leaderships, and the NHS Confederation, outlined that an open public discussion is needed and levels of funding for the NHS required must be agreed.

The third key recommendation is to utilise the expertise and broad range of skills of NHS financial staff to support this much‑needed change. These skills should be shared amongst organisations to help meet financial challenges ahead. It is necessary for finance staff to continue to work closely with both clinicians and managers and to provide them with the information they need, along with support to make clinical decisions with a

Finance

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

full understanding of the related financial implications. The HFMA, through its member committees and groups, seeks to influence policy so that the payment system, costing methodology and allocation of resources works for NHS organisations across the board.

COMBINING EFFORTS The Better Care Fund, due to come into play in April 2015, has been of interest to clinicians, the public and politicians recently and therefore it is imperative to have solid foundations to ensure that the benefits are delivered, whilst minimising and managing the associated risks. There are many opportunities that the Fund, and integration more widely, present but a thorough assessment of planned costs and savings – including a sensitivity analysis – are needed to ensure these solid foundations are in place due to the significant impact on financial sustainability that the Fund could bring, and to ensure they are supported across the health economy.

And finally, with funding increases extremely unlikely and tough targets continuing to be demanded from the NHS organisations, it is clear that a united effort is required in order for the NHS to be a sustainable service going forward.

Clinicians, managers and finance staff must work together to consider finance and quality as one, to ensure there is a clear focus on obtaining the maximum value from every pound spent on the NHS.  FURTHER INFORMATION www.hfma.org.uk

Volume 14.5 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

13

Digital solutions for scanning and archiving your important documents Saving you space, time and money The Nicholson Challenge to the NHS to deliver £20 Billion in efficiency savings by 2015, has identified Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) of patient records and files, and to include NHS purchase invoices, as a major way of getting towards this efficiency saving target.

Archive & Document Scanning has over the years become an UK-wide industry leader in the transfer of paper documents to electronic format in the Health Care sector, working with both the NHS and Private sectors.

The advantages of electronic document management are numerous and we have highlighted just some:  Improved Patient Safety  Improve Patient Experience  No high external storage costs, Instant access to Patient records and files via your network, improving office efficiency by 90%  Reduce in-house storage space.

Increased data security As well as increasing efficiency generally, EDMS will reduce the chance of mistakes that might compromise patient safety and make it easier for health and social care services to work together. In January 2013 Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, added that he wanted the Health Service to be “Paperless” by 2018.

Contact us

For more information please contact ADS Ltd via our websites at www.archivedocscan.com or www.adscanning.co.uk Freephone 08081 200606 or 01992 511080

TRAINING

Leadership

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

STRONG LEADERSHIP FOR A BETTER HEALTH SERVICE

The Francis report (2013) on the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust clearly showed a need for a different type of leader in healthcare. It is widely acknowledged that what happened was not due to the failing of one person, nor was it one single group of nurses, doctors or managers.

Instead, it was a whole range of things – from a heavy focus on targets, to not listening to patients, dismissing data and allowing a culture of fear and poor leadership to take hold – all of which meant that the focus on patient safety and quality was lost.

It is recognised that we need leaders in the NHS for whom the values of the NHS are central to how they lead. This means leaders at all levels who create a culture of openness, candour and compassion with the patient or service user at the centre.

towards improving the quality of care in the light of a growing elderly population, a need to streamline and integrate services and in handling a very tough financial environment.

It is also not just something for senior leaders. There are some fantastic people working and leading in the NHS and we need to embrace their passion, commitment and expertise – supporting current and future leaders to ensure the NHS and wider healthcare system is better able to respond effectively to the many challenges we face.

It is also important to recognise that the issue of leadership development is not completely isolated to the NHS. We are currently experiencing a global search for talent – healthcare systems in both the developed and developing world are all struggling to recruit

Leadership development forms a central part of the transformation and cultural shift towards improving the quality of care in the light of a growing elderly population There is no ‘quick fix’ to the many leadership challenges that we face, though we do know that there is a lot of evidence that leadership development is crucial to improving the safety, outcomes, experience and quality of patient care.

Previously, investment in this much needed leadership development – both nationally and regionally – has fluctuated. Many leaders, particularly those working at senior levels, have been spoilt for choice in selecting development options or have had little at all. The system was lacking a co-ordinated, strategic approach and following Francis, we couldn’t afford for it to continue in this way.

The creation of the NHS Leadership Academy two years ago was intended to address this situation. Our role is in helping to transform both culture and services by professionalising healthcare leadership and by creating a more strategic approach to the development of talent across the NHS. THINKING GLOBALLY I cannot stress the importance of leadership development enough – it forms a central part of the transformation and cultural shift

leaders with the right level of skills and capabilities. The fight for talent at senior levels is acute, across all sectors.

Recent research from the internationally respected, Development Dimensions International (DDI) on global leadership showed a real problem with the perceived quality of leaders globally. It said there was no evidence that the high quality leaders we need in the NHS can be recruited from elsewhere.

The fact is, we are much more likely to be successful by deploying tactics to ensure we ‘grow our own’ more effectively and that the routine development of talented individuals, linked to career progression, becomes a core part of our business.

from expert development and training.

We need leaders to have a breadth of behaviours to draw on so they can exercise their role in the multi-agency, complex system that typifies health and social care. The success and culture of the NHS over the next decade or so will rely heavily on the behaviours adopted by leaders at all levels being able to work with their counterparts in other parts of the public and private sector – they will need the right behaviours, capabilities and skills to build relationships and alliances with a wide range of professionals across organisational boundaries, to serve the needs of increasingly diverse communities with enduringly complex needs.

And whilst there are many positives already throughout the NHS, we need to work towards eliminating the culture of fear that has previously allowed failings to happen and to do this, we need leaders who are able to engage and empower those working with them. The return gained from strong engagement is key; staff who feel fully engaged will have in return a psychological investment in the mission of their organisation – and in our case at a national level, the NHS Constitution – meaning they are more likely to go the extra mile, have greater loyalty and commitment to their purpose: patient care. 

Written by Jan Sobieraj, managing director, NHS Leadership Academy

Jan Sobieraj of the NHS Leadership Academy talks about how effective leadership development can bring about much-needed cultural changes within the NHS, resulting in better patient care

CHANGING THE CULTURE Although ambitious and innovative, the philosophy behind the leadership development principles of the Academy is relatively simple and well proven. For leaders to be at their most effective they need confidence in their role – and to secure this confidence they need the competence, skills, expertise, experience and support that comes

Volume 14.5 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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MapReferrals

Having it all: efficient and effective Having it all: efficient and effective r referral management Map Referrals allowsallows GPs to access Map Referrals GPs tocomprehensive, access comprehensiv evidence‑based local guidance at the point of care, and helps at theachieve pointtheir of care, helps CCGs achieve their q CCGs quality and and productivity targets.

MONITOR AND and STANDARDISE Monitor standardise LOCAL PERFORMANCE local perforMance

Map of Medicine ha delivering and mana efficient and effectiv decision Commissioners. Ma

Map Referrals optimises Map of Medicine’s existing Map Referrals optimises of Medicine’s existing support software byMap linking the clinical anddecision administrative support software by linking the clinical and administrative side 1. Helps clinicians side of GP referrals to standardise activity. of GP referrals to standardise activity.

Locally customised care pathways, referralcare guidance Locally customised and referral forms

practice informa

2. Embeds seamle standardised ref information

pathways, referral guidance 3. and referral Map of Medicine hasforms worked with those on the front‑line

Is supported thr team to ensure

of delivering and managing care to develop a tool that enables efficient and effective referral management for both GPs and Commissioners. Map Referrals:

To out more to care book a demonstration 1. find Helps clinicians deliveryor quality by providing local best

practice information at the point of care please contact richard@mapofmedicine.com or call 0207 492 2. Embeds seamlessly with the GP workflow and provides standardised referral forms that auto‑populate with patient information 3. Is supported through Map of Medicine’s expert deployment team to ensure uptake across a CCG.

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please contact richard@mapofmedicine.com or call 0207 492 6300

TRAINING

Leadership

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

 In order to create this engaged and positive culture where poor leadership is challenged and improved, leaders need to first be empowered themselves – and this is exactly what we aim to do.

referral management ve, evidence-based local guidance quality and productivity targets.

FUTURE CHALLENGES At the Academy, our mission is to work towards developing and embedding a common vision for health leadership by searching for examples, setting out what good leadership and development looks like, highlighting its importance and equipping our leaders to meet both current and future challenges.

Our focus is to be more strategic than the NHS has seen before – ensuring that leadership skills are abundant where and as worked with those onbeing theflexible front-line of when they are needed whilst enough to respond to changes in demand aging care to develop a tool that enables and organisational structure. Our radical approach; drawing increasing interest ve referral management for both GPs and internationally, is a system wide scheme providing exceptional, rigorous and cutting ap Referrals: edge leadership skills, knowledge, attitudes and behavioural development from entry point right to the most senior roles in healthcare. s delivery providing local best We quality are now in acare positionby where the complexity of leadership roles is more ation atunderstood the point of care and, amongst others, we work with two internationally respected consortia that help us toGP deliver high quality leadership essly with the workflow and provides development, training and skills. This is all part of ‘growing own’ – having the rightwith patient eferral forms thatourauto-populate number and quality of leaders at every level is key and as the third largest organisation in the world, the NHS needs to be at least as as any other industry. rough rigorous Map inofdevelopment Medicine’s expert deployment Our professional leadership programmes are part of the largest investment uptakeleadership across a CCG. into development that the NHS has ever seen. They ensure people are properly developed to fulfil the roles they aspire to and because of this, there is more likelihood of a consistent level of success overall. We are creating standards, and a more robust pipeline of qualifying only those talent of those who have that reach them. properly gained skills, the experience and competence ENGAGING in their roles and provide THE HEALTH SERVICE structured and assessed development The appetite for our programmes to their career progression. interventions from across the These programmes are designed to develop health and social care system has both outstanding leaders for every tier across the confirmed and supported our approach. healthcare system. Each programme has Having recently celebrated our two year been specifically designed and all have a anniversary, we are proud to say that 26,000 practical focus, insisting participants apply healthcare professionals – from all levels and their learning and review the impact of their backgrounds – have joined us on their own leadership practice on staff, colleagues and leadership development journeys. The system, especially patient care. Importantly, whilst and its staff, was clearly ready for change. every effort is made to support participants These 26,000 engaged and empowered through the programmes, not everyone staff members will now take their learning passes. In short, we are setting standards back to their own roles and organisations. for leadership capability across levels in The potential impact of this is huge – and the NHS, supporting people to attain these we hope that this is just the beginning.

n,

2 6300

Goo patient d care should be cent ral to th everyon e ethos of e within t who works h and soc e health ial c system are

To truly change culture, we need everyone to be involved and supportive of the difference that good leadership can make. Good patient care should be central to the ethos of everyone who works within the health and social care system. As well as our professional development programmes, we have a range of support systems, toolkits and programmes available for all levels of healthcare staff, including the Healthcare Leadership model, board development tools, an executive search function and a range of transformational programmes and materials – all for the benefit of our patients and local populations.

Transforming the whole system will take time and the journey to making the difference we all want to see is not just ours, it’s everyone’s.  FURTHER INFORMATION www.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk

Volume 14.5 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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Advertisement Feature

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

COMBINING INNOVATION AND CLINICAL FOCUS Sidhil, a leading supplier of hospital beds, furniture and trolleys has expanded into the acute sector with its range of ward beds and static and dynamic surfaces The Sidhil name has been synonymous with quality for many years, with the company enjoying an established reputation in the community, residential/ nursing home and GP sectors for its flexible, functional electrically operated beds, surfaces and healthcare furniture.

In recent years, however, Sidhil has been rapidly gaining market share in the acute sector too with the development of a comprehensive range of ward beds and static/dynamic surfaces now competing successfully with the global giants and winning important contracts with NHS Trusts across the UK, as well as emerging export markets. Key to this expansion has been the company’s focus on innovation, backed up by investment in clinical expertise.

THE ACUTE SOLUTION Sidhil’s Independence Innov8 range of ward beds was born in 2010, with the introduction of the first Independence Innov8, designed around key principles including ease of use, world class infection control and performance in use.

Continued research combining the use of focus groups successfully identified changing requirements, with the growing focus on falls prevention leading to the introduction of the Innov8 Low in 2011.

Featuring a minimum platform height of just 218mm, one of the lowest available on the market today, the Innov8 Low is designed to provide total flexibility in terms of bed specification for applications from utility ward beds through to high dependency environments, Electrically operated functions include auto contouring, giving simultaneous adjustment of backrest and kneebreak, with cardiac chair function and auto regression avoiding surface pinching or occupant sliding. Solid platform panels incorporate ridges for breathability, to simplify decontamination and to improve infection control.

INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW INNOV8 IQ In 2013, building on the success of the Innov8 Low, Sidhil launched the Innov8 iQ, implementing the very latest manufacturing techniques to keep costs down whilst increasing functionality and performance, resulting in an added value ward bed at an extremely competitive price.

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HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 14.5

Dubbed ‘the modern ward bed with intelligent thinking’, the Innov8 IQ is designed around optimising tissue viability, improving infection control and contributing to health and safety in terms of manual handling and falls prevention.

This level of design flexibility means the bed is suitable for a wide range of patient groups, resulting in reduced requirements for transfer from bed to bed and increased relevance for the entire patient population.

TIME SAVING Aiming to reduce the time staff spend repositioning patients, the bed also features Sidhil’s latest ‘IQ Contouring’, where the backrest and kneebreak operate in harmony to reduce shear and friction, playing an important part in the prevention of pressure ulcers. This system works intuitively to prevent patients slipping down in the bed, helping the elderly and infirm or those with limited body strength to retain a correct and comfortable position in the bed.

Also designed around a low mattress platform height, the Innov8 iQ provides a tilt function with auto regression, achieving a ‘one touch’ full chair position for optimum patient comfort, facilitating open airways, improved circulation, a good nutritional position and clear vision around the ward to enhance the patient environment.

Now the only volume manufacturers of hospital beds in the UK, Sidhil UKbased manufacturing facilities ensure fast and reliable access to technical support including parts, service and maintenance.

SIDHIL SURFACES Alongside the comprehensive range of beds for acute, community and nursing/ residential home environments, Sidhil provides the total package with a selection of static and dynamic mattresses and seating solutions. Investment in the very latest pressure mapping technology has enabled the company to focus on providing clinical solutions designed to optimise patient outcomes.

Sidhil surfaces have proved themselves over many years in healthcare settings, with a range of mattresses and seat cushions designed to redistribute the patient’s weight to increase the contact area and reduce

peak interface pressures, contributing to patient comfort and wellbeing.

Sidhil’s foam range includes mattress replacements, overlays, seat cushions, crash mats and accessories as well as engineered bariatric options, and the company also supplies mattresses compatible with competitor beds, patient trolleys and birthing beds. All are available with breathable two-way stretch vapour permeable PU covers, designed to reduce excessive heat build up and moisture and minimise the risk of shear and friction.

On most models, a special ‘Waterfall’ flap covers the zips for added hygiene.

ClimaCare inter liners to help maintain optimum skin temperature, reducing the build up of moisture or humidity, reducing the risk of patients developing pressure ulcers.

NEW FOR 2014 Later this year, Sidhil will launch a comprehensive new range of high specification dynamic therapy mattress systems, combining exacting performance and ultimate reliability with defined clinical benefits. Developed in line with current nursing procedures, the new range will deliver high to very high pressure care risk management as defined by the EPUAP and NICE guidelines, fulfilling the pressure care management needs of all healthcare environments, covering acute, community, nursing and residential care.  FURTHER INFORMATION To find out more, contact Sidhil on the details below: Tel: 01422 233 000 sales@sidhil.com www.sidhil.com

Patient Safety

FRANCIS INQUIRY

It ult i is d ffic ute b to attri ents em improv Inquiry to the shifting e given thcape of s land safety patient icy pol

MEASURING THE FRANCIS EFFECT ON THE NHS

John Illingworth of leading charity the Health Foundation examines the fallout from the 2013 Francis Report and assesses the government’s attempts to change an entrenched culture As we approach a year since the government published Hard Truths – its response to the report of the Mid Staffordshire Public Inquiry, chaired by Robert Francis QC – it is important to ask, what has been the ‘Francis Effect’ on the NHS? This isn’t an easy question to answer.

First, it is difficult to attribute improvements directly to the Inquiry, particularly given the constantly shifting landscape of patient safety policy in England. Second, any impact could be part of a secular trend; we must

THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE The Inquiry’s final report made 290 recommendations, directed at the government, national agencies and regulators, service commissioners and NHS care providers. But the single underlying aim was clear, as Stephen Dorrell, Chair of the Health Select Committee, noted: “Robert Francis made 290 recommendations in his report, but in truth they boil down to just one – that the culture of ‘doing the system’s business’ is pervasive in parts of the NHS and has to change.”

In response, the government wielded every tool at its disposal – new laws, new initiatives and new reviews – in the hope of addressing the issue of culture.

Actions included the following points.

The Secretary of State has made patient safety a personal priority, with NHS organisations being asked to ‘Sign up to Safety’ to reduce avoidable harm by half and save 6,000 lives. Initiatives running alongside this campaign include a Patient Safety Collaborative Programme and a range of new patient safety measures published at trust and ward level on the NHS Choices website.

remember that the Healthcare Commission first published its shocking findings of what happened at Mid Staffordshire back in 2009. And third, if there has been an effect, what has been the benefit to patients and unintended consequences to the NHS? A TALE OF TWO INQUIRIES When faced with the scandal at Mid Staffordshire, the government responded in a familiar way – it set up an inquiry. The

Written by John Illingworth, policy manager, The Health Foundation

first inquiry, which reported in 2010, told us in stark detail what happened to patients – family members having to intervene to maintain their relatives’ hygiene, patients being left in soiled sheets, and even a lack of food and water in some cases. But the report left one key question unanswered: how could this be allowed to happen? Under considerable pressure from local campaign groups and the public, the Government finally announced a public inquiry in 2010.

The public inquiry focused on ‘the role of the commissioning, supervisory and regulatory bodies in the monitoring’ of the trust – although many of these bodies had ceased to exist by the time the report was published. Perhaps the greatest challenge the Inquiry team faced was how could an investigation of the structural and regulatory landscape hope to address the deficiencies in culture and behaviour that lay at the heart of what happened at Mid Staffordshire?

A TOUGHER APPROACH NHS England Medical Director, Sir Bruce Keogh, investigated 14 NHS trusts that had been persistent outliers on mortality indicators. Eleven of the 14 trusts were subsequently placed into special measures. A number of further reviews were commissioned by the government, including Don Berwick’s Review of Patient Safety in England and the Ann Clwyd/Tricia Hart Review of the NHS Hospital Complaints System. 

Volume 14.5 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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Water Safety Plans What do they mean to me?

THE WATER MANAGEMENT SOCIETY

Thursday 11th December 2014 Royal College of Surgeons 35-43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE Water Safety Plans and the formation of Water Safety Groups and Teams are integral to the latest UK legislation and guidances, not only for hospitals, but throughout the entire worldwide water delivery programme.

The speakers will deliver their global viewpoints and how lessons learned from their own experience can benefit others in very different industries.

Presentations include Water Safety Plans from the WHO, cruise ship industry, FM sector and hospital perspectives.

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£650 +vat

Dr Barbara Mouchtouri, University of Thessaly Paul Nolan Dr Mike Weinbren, Chesterfield Royal Hospital George McCracken, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

THE WATER MANAGEMENT SOCIETY

For the full programme and to book delegate and trade spaces visit www.wmsoc.org.uk/conferences.php E: events@wmsoc.org.uk

T: 01827 289558

FRANCIS INQUIRY

The number of incidents reported increased 8.9 per cent on the previous year – a positive indicator for safety reporting culture  Regulators toughened their approach to inspection and reduced tolerance for poor performance. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) took 73 enforcement actions at NHS organisations in 2013/14, compared with 21 in the previous year. Monitor more than doubled the number of interventions at NHS foundation trusts in the first 10 months of 2013-14 (21) compared to the previous year (9).

The government introduced new offences for: organisations that aren’t candid with patients about their care; organisations that provide false or misleading information to regulators or commissioners; and individuals found guilty of ill-treating or wilfully neglecting their patients.

In February 2014, the government announced that an extra 2,400 hospital nurses were hired since the publication of the Francis report, with over 3,300 more nurses working on hospital wards and 6,000 more clinical staff overall since May 2010.

COSTS & UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES The cost of the public inquiry was £13.7 million, in addition to the costs of the previous independent inquiry. The Foundation Trust Network estimated that, post-Francis, the total amount that NHS foundation trusts and trusts have invested (or will invest) in care improvements in 2013/14 and 2014/15 is £1.2 billion, at least 90 per cent of which is in extra staff and recruitment. Professor Mary Dixon-Woods, member of the Berwick Advisory Group, told the Health Foundation that: “I think the most progress has been made in recognising staffing levels as a safety issue, though I don’t see any sensible consideration at the policy level of how this will be funded.”

We do not yet know the implications of the new laws introduced by the government,

although the impact assessment that accompanied the regulations on ill treatment and wilful neglect estimated that there may be 240 prosecutions per year. What might this figure – equivalent to one member of staff in every trust – do to staff morale and public confidence in an already fragile health service? The criticism that the NHS received in the wake of the Mid Staffordshire scandal seems to have impacted negatively on the spirit of staff, with The King’s Fund reporting that low staff morale is now the number one concern of finance directors.

An early evaluation of the CQC’s new inspection regime suggests that it is seen as ‘transformative in comparison to the forms of regulation it replaces’, but there are concerns about its ‘cost, pace and timing’. Inspectors are carrying out between 90-320 days of fieldwork per inspection, which has clear resource implications both for the CQC and the organisation being inspected. And in the Nuffield Trust One Year On report, which explored acute hospital trusts’ response to the Francis Inquiry, trusts surveyed reported greater pressure from external bodies seeking assurance.

BACK TO THE QUESTION OF CULTURE However, there remains an unanswered question about whether the culture of the NHS is beginning to change. NHS England cited data released by the National Reporting and Learning System (NRLS) showing that between April and September 2013, the number of incidents reported increased 8.9 per cent on the previous year – a positive indicator for safety reporting culture. However, further analysis of the data reveals that the rate of increase in the five preceding years (using the same data periods) was actually 12.5 per

Patient Safety

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

cent, so the rate of increase is now slowing.

At the Health Foundation, we have heard anecdotal stories about how the culture of parts of the NHS might have changed. For instance, one district nurse told us that the concerns he now raises about staffing levels are taken far more seriously by managers.

We have also funded a number of projects which have used safety culture assessment tools to measure the impact of an intervention on staff perceptions of safety, as well as providing a unique opportunity to open up conversations around safety issues.

One of the greatest challenges, and opportunities, for organisations to build a positive safety culture has emerged out of our flagship safety improvement programme, Safer Clinical Systems. We funded eight clinical teams to test the concept of a ‘safety case’ – common in other safety critical industries – to make the argument for the level of safety they have achieved following a period of diagnosis and intervention. However, it became clear that to successfully adopt the idea, the NHS will need a culture shift: from a health service that performance manages risk to one that is open and transparent about risk and proactively seeks it out.

So, if we accept this culture shift is what is required, what might the new culture look like at different levels of the health service? It would be where boards of NHS organisations have a genuine appetite to hear and take responsibility for the risks in their services. It would also be a culture where the government and regulators respond constructively to NHS organisations that are taking steps to address the risks they have identified in their own services.

It would be where health professionals feel able to surface, address and, where necessary, report the risks in their services.

Finally, it would be a culture where the public is willing and supported to play an active role in their care, including asking what action staff are taking to mitigate any risks.

CONCLUSION There can be little doubting the seriousness with which the government took the events at Mid Staffordshire, the scale of the response from regulators and national agencies, and the profile that safety now has on the agendas of trust boards. What is less clear at this early stage is the direct impact that the actions taken have had on staff and patients, and whether the implementation of the recommendations has come at the expense of other quality improvement activities. Finally, there is a nagging question about the suitability of legally-run public inquiries to explore issues around culture and behaviour, and the limitations of the blunt instruments at the disposal of government to address them.  FURTHER INFORMATION www.health.org.uk

Volume 14.5 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

23

Precision healthcare equipment An exclusive brand of

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Steiss Ceiling Hoists Steiss brings the best equipment to care environments worldwide Eliminating risk, Steiss hoists provide safety, security and comfort. Steiss combines intelligent design and quality manufacturing to offer track-hoist systems of the highest quality, at an affordable price. Steiss combines with the popular Suresling brand to meet every lifting need.

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When the University College of London Hospital (UCLH) opened the UK’s first dedicated Neuromuscular Complex Care Unit, the expert advice of the Medi-Rehab team was enlisted to enable the transfer of patients via hoists.

People who are admitted to this state-of-the-art, six-bed unit for an assessment and short stay suffer from neuromuscular or neuro-metabolic disorders.

These include many different syndromes and diseases that impair the function of muscles that move the limbs and trunk of the body. Here they are offered clinical advice on a wide range of disorders, with the aid of advanced analytical technologies.

During the course of their stay, patients need to be transferred easily to and from their beds by nursing staff. Medi-Rehab recommended the most suitable track system. To provide maximum coverage, X-Y room-covering systems were installed over the beds in the ward area and the single room.

These were fitted with Steiss ST2000 hoists which enable staff to lift, move and position patients via an air-operated hand control. This powerful model can carry up to 270kg and offers a feeling of security, guaranteeing safe transfers. As the most complex manoeuvres are carried out in a controlled way, fewer nurses are needed to assist.

This ceiling hoist system includes an extensive sling range and specialist accessories. A significant benefit is the continuous-charging facility which ensures that the hoists are always ready to be used.

Until they are needed, they are stored close to the track, freeing up valuable space.

The project budget had presented a challenge to Medi-Rehab and the systems installed were accordingly value-engineered to meet this requirement. Limited maintenance costs and guaranteed reliability were top concerns.

‘The main priority was to provide a system that is always 100% operational,’ says Steve Smith, Medi-Rehab Key Account Manager. ‘The build quality and continuous-charging facility mean this high-specification equipment can be relied upon to give excellent service. A one-year service and maintenance contract also provide peace of mind.’

For more information, please see the Steiss advertisement opposite.

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Recruitment

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

Written by Vicky O’Brien, the recruitment & Employment Confederation

AGENCIES

ENSURING SAFE STAFFING LEVELS

While recruitment agencies work hard to ensure continuity of care during a transitional period for the NHS, there are other ways suppliers can add value, writes the REC’s Vicky O’Brien When the Department of Health published its procurement development programme last August, it set itself the ambitious target of reducing the NHS’s non-permanent staff bill by 25 per cent by the end of 2015-16.

This summer, the regulator Monitor reported that agency and contract staff spend by NHS Foundation Trusts has actually increased by 27 per cent in the last NHS financial year; from £1.1bn in 2012-13 to £1.4bn in 2013-14.

Many REC members have partnered with NHS Trusts in recent months to make cost efficiencies. But ensuring the supply of safe and cost-effective temporary staffing for the NHS is, of course, is more than just a numbers game. It’s as much about recruiting and retaining a motivated workforce with the right skills mix as rooting out cost efficiencies.

This was acknowledged by Monitor’s Chief Executive David Bennett, who cited continuing

difficulties in recruiting to permanent positions within the sector, “exacerbated” by increasing clinical staffing ratio requirements, following the Keogh and Francis Reports of 2013.

competition for healthcare professionals. The REC/KPMG monthly Report on Jobs produced

by Markit – provides the most up-to-date insights on the UK Labour market. Alarmingly, recruiters have identified both temporary and permanent nurses as key skills shortages areas every month bar one this year.

The interviews and focus groups we conducted with agency nurses as part of our recent research report ‘Flex Appeal: Why freelancers, contractors and agency workers choose to work this way’ have raised even more questions. The resounding message was that flexibility was just as important – if not more than pay to the decision of increasing numbers of full-time NHS nurses to choose agency work. Indeed, several of the nurses we interviewed explained how they had been offered permanent roles but had opted to continue to work on a temporary basis.

One said: “I have small children and I don’t really like doing nights... I was already doing [temporary work] and I was finding that I enjoyed my shifts more because I didn’t have pressure on me. And I didn’t have the politics and it was freedom, so I thought I am going to do this all the time. I can’t imagine ever going back.”

The continuing lack of flexibility for NHS 

Agencie have pl s a crucia ayed unfortu l – but too ofte nately all n – role in denigrated e safe sta nsuring ffin levels g

THE IMPORTANCE OF FLEXIBILITY Recruitment agencies have played a crucial – but unfortunately all too often denigrated – role in ensuring safe staffing levels. But REC members are also raising concerns about the sustainability of their own supply – especially considering increasing international

Volume 14.5 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

Careers not just contracts

Dream Medical Limited is a dedicated Medical Recruitment Agency specialising solely in Primary Care positions throughout UK CCGs, NHS and Private Sector Hospitals/Clinics.

We work closely with CCGs, NHS Trusts and Private Hospital Groups alike to fill permanent and locum vacancies at all levels from Healthcare Assistants, Practice Nurses, Advanced Nurse Practitioners to Lead GPs. Choosing the right employee to meet the objectives and culture of the UK Primary Care Sector can be a challenging and demanding process but Dream Medical understands that successful recruitment involves more than simply sourcing candidates with the skills and experience to do the job. It also involves a strong level of “fit” between the Surgery/Walk-in-Centre and candidate.

At Dream Medical we realise this is of paramount importance to General Practitioners, Nurses and GP Practices alike and pride ourselves on being able to deliver the above on a consistent basis.

At Dream Medical we endeavour to support you every step of the way during the decision making process and our highly trained Consultants are always on hand to offer assistance and advice.

If you would like any more information on the above, please do not hesitate to contact one of our team who would be more than happy to assist you further.

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HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 14.5

CERTUSS (UK) Limited Unit 45 Gravelly Industrial Park Tyburn Road Birmingham B24 8TG

Tel: 0121 327 5362 Fax: 0121 328 2934 sales@certuss.co.uk www.certuss.co.uk

AGENCIES  substantive staff is evidently a key factor in why REC members continue to report increasing amounts of NHS substantive staff choosing temporary agency work. But many of the agency nurses we talked to also highlighted poor quality inductions, and outright discrimination when working on placement as agency nurses.

STAFFING SOLUTIONS It is clear that if the NHS wants to build a sustainable workforce that includes both substantive and temporary staff that feel

This is why many REC members are heavily investing in both compliance and developing the talent pipeline, adding value for their clients through taking a lead on the bigger challenges around future workforce planning and management. Take REC members ID Medical, for example, which recently launched an education and medical training facility to provide training for their medical, nursing and allied health professional candidates, as well as support to medical students, in partnership with the Royal Society of Medicine.

Introducing meaningful flexibility for the NHS

Just as many recruitment agencies have stepped up and collaborated with procurement providers and Trusts to minimise costs, they are now ready to add value to their clients in different ways valued and motivated, it is going to take more than simply introducing more in-house staff banks. As even NHS Employers acknowledges, very few organisations are able to meet all their temporary staffing requirements through a staff bank, meaning that a bank is often a part of a wider solution that includes sourcing temporary staff externally.

workforce will not only improve retention rates and productivity, but will also be crucial in realising the government’s ambitions around integration and personalisation of health and social care services. The message is slowly gathering momentum. Bringing together learning from two workshops hosted by PwC, the NHS Confederation recently released

Recruitment

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

a briefing exploring how best to develop a more flexible, integrated workforce to deliver urgent and emergency care, highlighting the importance of flexible working in address the weekly and daily variation in the quality of care in 24/7 services such as A&E. STEPPING UP With one in four trusts predicted to end 2014/15 in deficit, we evidently cannot pause efforts to make cost efficiencies where necessary. But we also cannot allow the disconnect between workforce and service planning in the NHS to continue.

NHS Employers recently distilled best practice in temporary agency staffing into ‘Five High Impact Actions’, which includes the advice “develop productive working relationships with all your agency partners in order to ensure they know how they can best meet your requirements.”

Just as many recruitment agencies have stepped up and collaborated with procurement providers and Trusts to minimise and consolidate costs, they are now ready to add value to their clients in different ways – lending their expertise to debates not only on supplying but also on shaping the future NHS workforce.  FURTHER INFORMATION www.rec.uk.com

CATCHING THE FUTURE With over 60 years experience we provide expert knowledge of fish and supply the highest quality sustainable species. Our expertise in processing is unsurpassed and we are both BRC accredited and MSC approved. All this is supported with personal, experienced, knowledgeable and efficient service by our staff. We are delighted to serve the NHS and we are now proud to be the successful sole supplier of frozen fish and seafood to NHS Wales.

Tel: 01963 828900 Email: sales@nhcase.com www.nhcase.com

8 nd a t ce ns s o feren u on tch Ca the c at Volume 14.5 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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CI N G D U IN TR O

The Nurse Call Charter

To make sure you achieve the right nurse call and communications solution that is not only HTM 08-03 compliant but also delivers outstanding patient care, think PATIENT. Follow the Nurse Call Charter detailing the seven key attributes to look for in any system purchase or upgrade:

P

Patient experience A nurse call system must deliver exeptional patient-staff communication for the highest levels of care

A

Affordability Insist on reliability, reducing downtime and costly repairs

T

Timelessness Ensure it supports the latest IP technology, future proofing integration with telecommunications and digital technology

I

IP Look for a tested and complete industry standard network for centralised features

E

Engineering excellence Choose a company that offers a complete design, manufacture and installation service to reduce costs

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Network flexibility It should be based on an adaptable IP based solution for easy modifications

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Third party integration Ensure that you have the freedom to integrate third party products

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TRACKING TECHNOLOGY

Healthcare IT

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

TECHNOLOGY TO AVERT CLINICAL ‘NEVER EVENTS’

Never events data has shown once again that errors are still occurring too commonly within the NHS. These events are defined as serious, largely preventable patient safety incidents that should not occur if the available preventative measures have been implemented.

The latest data from NHS England revealed that 33 serious incidents that occurred between 1 April and 31 May of this year were designated by their reporters as ‘never events’. On top of this Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Health, recently told the Patient Safety Congress that up to one in 20 hospital deaths in England could have been prevented.

Written by Chris Doyle, head of Healthcare Sector, GS1 UK

Clinical error continues to contribute to major patient safety incidents that could easily be avoided.

GS1 UK’s Chris Doyle explains how using supermarket checkout technology helps promote safety

Studies have at ed th suggestarcodes using bines to the ic on med nit level can on global standards, national infrastructure single u medication and local delivery. e c redu r rates by The eProcurement erro hirds Strategy sets out what trusts must do to achieve two t

However, there are solutions available, and the publication in May 2014 of the Government’s eProcurement Strategy will serve to increase the rate at which supporting systems are implemented across the NHS, helping to reduce the likelihood of avoidable errors occurring.

LINKING THE SUPPLY CHAIN It is estimated that trusts can save £1.5 billion by the end of 2015-16 through taking a cohesive approach to procurement‑based

this and one of the key pillars it identifies is the adoption of GS1 standards, which are now mandated.

According to management consulting firm McKinsey, the adoption of a single global supply chain standard across the entire healthcare supply chain could save up to 43,000 lives and avert 1.4 million patient disabilities globally. E

Volume 14.5 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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Public Access Wi-Fi is available for your Hospital now!

Hospedia has teamed up with The Cloud to deliver Hospital Public Access Wi-Fi The new solution combines Hospedia’s 15 years’ experience at the heart of Patient Media and Communications in healthcare with Europe’s leading Wi-Fi provider.

How your Patients and visitors benefit ■ The freedom to use the device of your choice for business and entertainment ■ A 24x7 support line with a fully managed 'family friendly' service ■ Simple registration and a familiar user interface ■ 15 minutes free access every day ■ Fast, reliable internet access

The Hospedia Wi-Fi solution...

Flexible charging options and revenue share opportunities make the the Hospedia Wi-Fi solution solution the ideal choice for today’s NHS, and the service can be overlaid onto existing infrastructure, which means there’s no capital expenditure requirement.

How your Hospital benefits ■ Free welcome message, picture of your hospital and link to information on your website ■ Free link to Hospital Charity webpage and option to link to an online feedback service for your FFT ■ Access to free Hospital radio ■ Flexible charging options and revenue share opportunities

“We’re absolutely delighted to be able to expand The Cloud’s leading ‘family friendly’ Wi-Fi solution through Hospedia and its customer base in the NHS” Ian Horley, Director of Hospitality, The Cloud

For more information about the exciting opportunities available, please contact wi-fi@hospedia.com

UK and International

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TRACKING TECHNOLOGY

About GS1 UK

An additional layer of safety is provided through the use of barcodes, which sees medication tracked from when it is first prescribed, through dispensing to the point at which it is administered to the patient  Achieving widespread adoption of GS1 standards throughout the NHS requires new systems and processes to be rolled out and will bring challenges for trusts, yet the barcoding and electronic tagging technologies it commonly uses are already prevalent in other industries such as retail.

Consider the grocery sector for example.

Most people are familiar with automated checkouts in supermarkets and the warning ‘unexpected item in the bagging area’.

This technology, which enables the till to know where each item is and whether it has been properly accounted for, can also be applied to theatre environments where it can help prevent many surgical and medicinal never events.

ADOPTING A NEW APPROACH The process of using instruments in operating theatres is clearly prone to human error, with 123 of the 312 never events reported

in the year 2013/14 data being instances of items wrongly left inside patients.

With thorough identification and tracking technology in place, the risk of this type of events happening can be greatly reduced.

Similarly, serious medication errors are common in hospitals and often occur during order transcription or administration of medication. An additional layer of safety is provided through the use of barcodes, which sees medication tracked from when it is first prescribed, through dispensing to the point at which it is administered to the patient. Furthermore, warnings can flag to healthcare providers when medicine is overdue, may interact with other medicines the patient is taking, or does not match the prescription.

Preliminary studies have suggested that the use of barcodes on medicines to the single unit level can help to reduce medication error rates by 41.4 per cent. E

Healthcare IT

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

GS1 UK is an independent, not‑for‑profit organisation.

It works with the NHS and Department of Health to make UK organisations more efficient by getting everybody speaking the same language when it comes to locating, transporting and trading medical supplies.

It sets standards for the healthcare industry, using unique numbers, for global use which makes the reliable identification of people, locations, products and assets possible within hospitals. GS1 UK is the selected partner of the department of health.

It sets the standards that dictate how efficient trusts should run; from scanning medicines at the pharmacy to recording medical instruments used in an operation, to locating equipment in a hospital quickly enough to save a life.

GS1 UK knows the importance of having an efficient and smooth running supply chain for hospitals and it offers impartial advice and consultancy on how you can use standards to improve your processes, save you money and improve your service.

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Case Study

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

Improve productivity with Wasp Barcode Technologies Advances in technology and increasing demands on the emergency services have led to new, and often expensive, equipment being introduced. With services operating 24 hours a day vast amounts of equipment are being used, signed in/out of stores at all times of day. Anything from vehicles, computing equipment, tools and patient records, to medical equipment and supplies, tracking of equipment and keeping up with stock levels can be problematic.

Successful tracking of all equipment may seem overwhelming, especially using manual sign/out registers and traditional spreadsheets.

Wasp Barcode Technologies has tried and tested solutions that will easily track all assets and inventory efficiently and accurately, saving time and money, and reducing human error.

Asset management solutions from Wasp Barcode Technologies make it simple to track valuable assets, which could be anything from IT equipment, testing and treatment equipment, vehicles, furniture, records and more. The Wasp MobileAsset solution allows easy tracking of assets using unique

barcode tags, managing not just where equipment is and who has it, but also the depreciation value, fund tracking, servicing schedules, unplanned maintenance records and equipment condition. Through the use of pre-installed, user configurable reports, users are able to manage, track and report on asset locations and value at all times.

Wasp Barcode Technologies can also help to

manage stock and track inventory/ stock with its InventoryControl solution. Using barcodes for items and locations this efficient and intuitive system makes it easy to eliminate stock tracking errors and reduce costly inventory errors or missing stock. The software runs on both PC and mobile PDA style devices allowing for accurate ‘real time’ scanning. Both GOSH and Hull Infirmary have the system underpinning their stock control.

Wasp’s InventoryControl solution accurately tracks stock levels, saving cost and improving productivity.

InventoryControl can also be configured to communicate with NHS stock and ordering systems and patient management systems.

The automated processes in Wasp’s MobileAsset and InventoryControl solutions reduce the risk of human error, lost equipment and running out of critical stock items, saving time and money for all concerned.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 0845 430 1971 www.waspbarcode.co.uk

Productivity Solutions for Small Businesses

YOU SAVE LIVES. WE SAVE YOU MONEY. Total Connectivity with InventoryControl Track inventory efficiently and accurately with stock control software and stock tracking systems from Wasp Barcode Technologies. Inventory Control makes it easy for your business to eliminate stock tracking errors, improve customer service, and reduce costly inventory write-offs.

Inventory Control not only tracks your stock on your site and locations but it can also track items for procedures and also items used and scanned for patients. This will then give you a cost per procedure. This solution can also be linked to your Paz and purchasing systems.

Wasp stock control software is ideal for tracking inventory in warehouses, stock and supply rooms, manufacturing and distribution centers, and retail businesses.

For Pre-Sales Support or Questions call 0845 430 1971 www.waspbarcode.co.uk Unlimited FREE tech support

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n

1 year WARRANTY (some products have 2 year warranty)

TRACKING TECHNOLOGY NHS e-procurement strategy The NHS e-procurement strategy was published on 7 May 2014.

It provides details of actions to improve NHS data and information as part of the NHS Procurement Development Programme, which aims to help the NHS save £1.5 billion by the financial year 2015 to 2016.

The actions are to: define standards to ensure NHS e-procurement systems work together require the adoption of standards by the NHS (GS1 coding and PEPPOL messaging standards) invest in technology solutions that will support e-procurement implementation by the NHS establish a single NHS spend analysis and price benchmarking service The document also sets out how e-procurement can better support the NHS procurement processes that manage transactions and pricing with suppliers.

 While GS1 standards being mandated is a new development, the use of the standards in hospitals is not. They are already in evidence to some extent in most hospitals, sometimes without that trust necessarily realising it.

As such, each trust is at a different level of adoption and some are already seeing benefit from the impact the supporting technology can have on improving patient safety.

TRACKING PRODUCTS Every hospital stocks a vast array of equipment which is stored, accessed, used, cleaned and replaced in a very busy environment. When manual processes underpin this activity, it is clear to see how mistakes and oversights can happen.

At the Southport & Omskirk Hospital NHS Trust, all medical instruments are tagged using unique, trust-specific identification numbers which are held on a database.

By linking the tags to a tracking system it is possible to capture a huge amount of data including the time and date the instrument was used, when it was washed or decontaminated and where it was moved to afterwards. This is all achieved through simple scanning at each point in the process.

Tagging or marking each item enables

Healthcare IT

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

the linking of individual instruments, medicines and implants to the patient on which they were used. All of this data makes quick tracking of products possible for incidences when the need to identify or even recall instruments becomes necessary.

TRACKING PATIENTS Since October 2013 it has been a required standard (NHS ISB 1077) for NHS hospitals in England to issue patients with printed wristbands bearing a GS1 DataMatrix bar code, which is smaller than standard bar codes but can contain far more information.

This identification wristband provides quick access to a patient’s electronic health record through a bar code scan, enabling health workers to confirm identification before drugs are dispensed and to uniquely allocate any instruments used for implants given to that patient.

Sherwood Forest NHS Foundation Trust met the requirements of the standard through the implementation of a patient identification system across all its wards.

The trust now has 100 per cent wristband coverage, including in the paediatric and maternity units, where the new solution enables the creation of smaller wristbands E

At the Southport & Omskirk Hospital NHS Trust, all medical instruments are tagged using unique, trust-specific identification numbers which are held on a database. By linking the tags to a tracking system a huge amount of data is captured

Volume 14.5 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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Keeping

your print and document strategies in

excellent health TO B E E F F E CT IV E IN T H E H EA LTH S EC TO R YO U NEED T H E R IG H T EQU IPMENT AND S PEC IALIS T U NDERS TAND I N G .

Altodigital believes this is as true for your print technology as it is for your patients.

For many years we have been working closely with trusts and authorities to develop a genuine understanding of the health sector’s unique needs and objectives.

By harnessing the power of the latest print and document technology we can help you capture, collate, store and distribute vital information electronically that improves efficiency, saving cost, time, energy and effort.

For more details please call:

0845 504 5353 email: learnmore@altodigital.com or alternatively visit: www.altodigital.com

A

P A R T N E R

Y O U

C A N

R E A L LY

T R U S T

TRACKING TECHNOLOGY

Locating a patient’s medical record can be a frustrating and time-consuming process. To solve this issue, Royal Bolton Hospital implemented Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags on its medical records. RFID uses radio waves meaning that single or multiple tags can be read almost simultaneously without the tags needing to be in the reader’s line of sight  that still contain all the required information.

From the patient’s perspective, this change has been far from disruptive with those that had used the previous wristbands not noticing any difference. Many end users however, particularly those in the paediatric unit, were impressed with how much information can now be fitted onto such a small space and how much clearer it is. The real benefit to the trust is that the solution significantly cut the risk of patients being misidentified on the wards and receiving incorrect treatment.

TRACKING MEDICAL RECORDS Locating a patient’s medical record can be a frustrating and time-consuming

process, with nurses sometimes wasting a significant portion of their shifts on such tasks as patients move between wards and clinics and their file gets misplaced.

To solve this issue, Royal Bolton Hospital implemented Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags on its medical records. RFID uses radio waves meaning that single or multiple tags can be read almost simultaneously without the tags needing to be in the reader’s line of sight.

In the year leading up to the implementation, 0.14 per cent of requested records were found to be ‘missing’ and the work required to search for them was equivalent to 2.54 FTE (full time equivalents) within the medical records department. In addition, eight per

Healthcare IT

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

cent of records that were requested were not found in the exact location (displayed on the system) and the additional time spent searching for them was equivalent to 0.64 FTE. After studying their existing processes, Royal Bolton anticipated that: the time spent looking for misfiles would be reduced by 80 per cent; the average time taken to locate a missing file would be reduced by 92 per cent; and that by decreasing the time to find misfiles and missing files, lost revenue due to coding time-outs would be decreased by 64 per cent (£230,000 per annum).

TIME FOR TECHNOLOGY The healthcare industry is, perhaps understandably, behind many other industries when it comes to embracing digital systems and solutions, but the NHS faces many challenges that have to be overcome if it is to continue in its current form and technology has a big role to play in achieving that.

As an industry we cannot afford to let never events continue when there is a simple solution available. GS1 standards are already mandated within the healthcare sector to improve procurement efficiency and reduce costs. The rollout of the same technologies in operating theatres could help to improve patient safety, so what are we waiting for? L FURTHER INFORMATION www.gs1uk.org

RFID tags can help locate medical records

Based on the Wirral, Imagen has an enviable reputation for great service and for attracting a wide range of trading partners from very different areas of business.

Their speciality is to provide professional, efficient and cost effective document management, archive storage and confidential disposal services to its many clients.

Imagen has built up an extensive list of clients in the education, financial, high street retailing and the legal profession etc and they are always keen to prove and demonstrate the many unique systems which exist in their business to all customers, both large and small. Our aim is to offer an exceptional service. The storage service is backed up by an innovative, eco-friendly and secure alternative to destroying your confidential documents.

Any documentation which is due for destruction will go through a mulching process, sometimes referred to as pulping. The documents are pulverised and within seconds reduced to liquid paper. Your unwanted documents and paper waste is 99% recycled and the’ liquid paper’ is processed into newsprint.

Environmentally-friendly guaranteed!

And to complete the package Imagen also supplies office waste paper consoles, waste paper sacks and bespoke and standard sized cardboard containers as part of our amazing deals. We look forward to your future contact and please be assured that Imagen will always treat your enquiries with courtesy, professionalism and a desire to exceed your expectations.

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Volume 14.5 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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Advertisement Feature

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

IMPROVING PATIENT SAFETY THROUGH TECHNOLOGY

UZ Leuven improves patient safety with bedside terminals and 2D scanning of medicines Founded 75 years ago, UZ Leuven is the largest hospital in Belgium with some 2,035 beds. It provides high quality medical and paramedical services to ambulant and hospitalized patients in five campuses in the Leuven area.

Every day over 8,800 employees and medical professionals provide diverse and specialised patient care. As a leading university medical centre UZ Leuven seeks to maintain and further develop its dominant position by continually improving its quality of care. The essence of the hospital’s philosophy is always to work for better and safer patient care. UZ Leuven has put this into practice by gaining accreditation from the internationally recognised Joint Commission International (JCI).

THE BUSINESS CHALLENGE Optimising patient care and patient safety are at the heart of the hospital’s mission.

Considering the scale of the operation, this requires not only advanced medical practice, but also accurate logistics and foolproof systems to ensure that the right information, resources and people are in the right place at the right time.

The hospital’s IT department deploys over 100 IT specialists, of whom 50 are developers working on its proprietary Hospital Information System. When the nurse call system needed replacing some years ago, it prompted the IT department to seek a single technology platform that would enhance patient care and safety.

After extensive investigation and evaluation, UZ Leuven decided in 2010 to equip all 2,035 beds with multifunctional bedside terminals.

These touch screen terminals give staff access to the Hospital Information System and offer communication and infotainment to each patient. The system also allows for real time tracking of medicines by using a 2D scanner. This innovative concept and the quality-driven culture of UZ Leuven were key to its attaining the internationally acknowledged JCI accreditation in July 2012.

GREATER PERSONAL CARE WITH REDUCED WORKLOAD Making sure that each patient receives care and attention is the core objective for nursing staff at the hospital. However, this can be a challenge to deliver while also having to run tight schedules and maintain correct protocols and procedures. Now more personal care can be given to each

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patient because the tracking of medicines is handled simply by scanning the barcode on the patient’s bracelet and a 2D label on their medicine. The Hospital Information System processes the data in real time and an audio alert will automatically warn if an incorrect dose or the wrong medicine is dispensed. This prevents mistakes and ensures seamless and efficient administration. With 2,000 patients receiving multiple medicines three times a day, the system handles an average of 20,000 scans every day.

SEAMLESS INTEGRATION The bedside terminal system was developed and implemented by the Belgian Telecom integrator Nextel. Together with Televic, who developed high-tech communication systems for niche markets like conference systems,

scanning. In the near future, new applications for colour scanning will also be explored at UZ Leuven. With the ability to capture colour images, the Xenon 1900h Color can also support applications such as wound management and patient identification.

Key benefits include: effective contribution to patient safety; fast and accurate scanning of 1D, 2D, image and colour for; future development; minimised risk of errors while reducing the workload of the nursing staff; easy wireless handling of 20,000 scans per day; and disinfectant-ready housing to prevent spreading of infectious diseases.

CONCLUSION “We are confident that the bedside terminals and the hand-held barcode scanners will drastically improve our patient care and

“We are confident that the bedside terminals and the hand-held barcode scanners will drastically improve our patient care and patient safety”– Reinould Reynders, IT manager infrastructure and operations, UZLeuven University Hospital nurse call systems or on-board passenger systems, and Lincor, which offers the MEDIvista bedside terminal solution, they tailored the solution to UZ Leuven’s needs. The seamless integration of the Honeywell Xenon™ 1900h into their solution made the IT department of UZ Leuven’s choice a simple one.

PATIENT SAFETY The Xenon™ 1900h used at UZ Leuven is specifically designed for healthcare environments. The dense population of hospitals and the concentration of infectious diseases, require a strict hospital cleaning policy. Therefore, the scanners come with a disinfectant-ready housing that is resistant to the harsh cleaning chemicals that are applied to it several times a day.

This ensures a prolonged product lifecycle despite the demanding environment.

These 2D bar code scanners are aimed at the point-of-care, helping healthcare professionals to reduce errors related to bedside medication administration. The limited space on the label of medicines requires 2D scanning as this technology can include much more information than 1D

patient safety. To implement this in a fully operational hospital without disrupting key processes or inconveniencing our staff and patients takes several months. By the end of 2012 we plan to have all the beds equipped with the new solution”, says Reinoud Reynders, IT-manager infrastructure and operations of UZ Leuven.

“As we have pioneered and developed the complete information system (KWS) of the electronic patient files that is now being used by a group of hospitals called Nexuz Health, this informationbased solution might spread to a total of 6,000 beds in the years to come”, concludes Andre de Deurwaarder, senior IT architect of UZ Leuven.  FURTHER INFORMATION +31 40 7110 041 HSMsalesEMEA@honeywell.com www.honeywell.com www.honeywellaidc.com

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Advertisement Feature Written by Stephen Laing, managing director ASSETtrac

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

ASSETS – THE MORE YOU HAVE, THE LESS YOU KNOW

One definition of a health centre might be “A generally friendly collision between staff, patients and stuff” says Stephen Laing, managing director of Asset management systems specialist Assettrac Stuff of course is better defined as assets, and most can be categorised into those that move and those that don’t, such as fixtures and fittings. Elsewhere in this magazine consideration is given to the latest techniques for tracking theatre instruments, patients, and their associated medication and records, the on stage delivery if you like.

This article is more concerned with back stage, examining the issues of managing the infrastructure including the wide range of physical property in the building and shows how modern but well established methods can make significant reductions in the time and cost of that administration.

MOVABLE INVENTORY Let’s deal with the movable inventory first. While reception counters give most organisations some idea of people in the building at any one time, confidence in the volume and distribution of all movable property may not be nearly as high. Catering equipment, furniture, clinical machines, gas cylinders, instruments, computers, all play their part in delivering healthcare. Lack of transparency can result in wasted time, unbudgeted purchases to compensate for mislaid or stolen inventory, late safety and maintenance activity compromising care standards, and reduced response times.

Emergency planning, disaster recovery, and business continuity systems can all be compromised without up to date asset data.

Tracking all this without computer assistance is a laborious job, and therefore often pushed to the bottom of the pile. So here in some detail is a typical two stage solution available from asset management specialists.

PHASE ONE Firstly all relevant items are tagged with barcode labels (or RFID tags if appropriate) and these can be generic or customised to the operator, any size for limiting surfaces,

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and tamper resistant too. Data capture fields and value thresholds can be specified by the client but usually extend to- category, type, make, model, serial number, location, sub location, and often replacement value.

With so many items duplicated, productivity using hand held barcode terminals with drop down lists is high,- more than 1000 items processed per day with a three person team.

PHASE 2 The asset register can be compiled almost in real time, via wi-fi or mobile phone links to the server, and then it is posted to an online platform where databases, views, and passwords can be customised by the administrator according to each user’s job responsibilities. As property is constantly purchased, moved, edited, inspected, and disposed, these changes can be made on any Internet connected device, or in volume using a dedicated scanner/terminal where a visual inspection or move will be confirmed by scanning the asset barcode. Fast paperless methods of tracking not only who has what where, but who had what where, make life a lot easier for administrators and medical staff alike. Cloud based software is ‘always on’ and scalable for multiple sites and users.

So in summary you can: Obtain all your asset details displayed electronically after a labelling exercise lasting days not months; after a day’s training, operate the program online for continuing management; download a database to a barcode terminal for a day’s work around the building; scan any barcode to display the equipment details, and move it somewhere else, or record a PAT test; see the system instantly updating to the new location, and registering who carried out that change and when, very useful for monitoring productivity; control a program which retains an audit trail of all movements of all assets; store a picture or any other file uploaded and associated with that item; filter the records to determine for

example whether you can borrow oxygen from another department, or how much equipment was bought from a particular supplier last year; put barcodes on doorways to confirm room cleaning or bin emptying.

YOU CAN’T MANAGE WHAT YOU DON’T MEASURE Modern ‘cloud’ based programs can report instantly who is doing what when, improving productivity, and enables your oversight anytime from anywhere. Apart from demonstrating best use of public funds and regulatory compliance, there are security benefits, and data migration to other software programs is usually straightforward.

The three main users of these programs are finance, IT, and premises departments for their respective responsibilities.

If the audit company can give you a replacement cost on all your assets, where over the last few years IT costs have been falling and furniture rising, then even more benefits arise. In addition to budgeting and procurement, sums insured can be optimised, vital when too high is a waste of premium and too low may result in claims being averaged. Claims handling time is

has been carried out, let alone by whom.

The new way - all the boxes on a paper form can be converted to text, date and number fields on a cloud based software program.

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CLOUD BASED SOFTWARE Cloud based software allows you to download a database of all your regular safety inspections or walk arounds to a mobile terminal scanning the barcode on any equipment you have to check and instantly display the last set of results.

The kinds of equipment or fixture can be quite extensive: Smoke and fire alarms, radiators, emergency lighting and exit doors, boilers, fire doors, boundary fences, paths, windows, trees, security cameras, fire fighting equipment, water tanks for legionella tests, etc.

The software allows you to edit the standard drop down answers for the latest inspection, or locking the ‘Pass’ field until something fails, and so all you’re doing is scanning the tag to confirm a visual inspection each scan being immediately sent back to the web based program for viewing 24/7 from anywhere on any internet connected device, each new test result replacing the previous record but keeping a history of all tests and who carried them out and when, vital for proving compliance with safety legislation and defending reputation if there’s an accident and subsequent enquiry.

The time savings from this modern method can be quite significant, one county council duty manager reduced his monthly inspections and recording time in a children’s outdoor activity centre from two days to two hours.

Cloud based software allows you to download a database of all your regular safety inspections or walk arounds to a mobile terminal scanning the barcode on any equipment you have to check and instantly display the last set of results also much reduced when the assessor can be advised immediately what was in the now flooded building and what it will cost to replace. A master database storing multiple site inventories will provide opportunities for collaborative purchasing, economies of scale, and common standards compared with multiple procurers of the same equipment.

Creating an asset register with fast accurate services and maintaining it with modern tools helps convert the process from a chore to being used as a real benefit, as it will save time and money.

FIXED ASSETS Just as the barcode label can be used to manage all an organisation’s

movable property, it can just as easily be attached to static equipment and fixed installations for automating safety inspections and maintenance recording via the unique numbering system.

The old way - take a form, put it on the clipboard and go round the estate checking things work or carrying out the regular maintenance, write down who’s done what where on the form for each item, file all the forms, or laboriously key in all the manuscript to a spreadsheet. Apart from the slow speed, and legibility often aggravated by rain, lack of backup for paper files, there is no viewable audit trail, vital for proving duty of care, and also the moral hazard,- without confirmation of the visit how do you prove an inspection

BENEFITS Modern ‘cloud’ based programs can report instantly who did what when, improving productivity, and enables your oversight anytime from anywhere. Apart from demonstrating the most efficient use of public funds and human resources, regulatory compliance, benchmarking and KPI’s can be proved. Data migration to other software programs is usually straightforward. There are security benefits too. Is access control really effective in the face of ground floor opening windows? A more agile workforce means faster audits of vulnerable assets can be conducted more often, which leads to better visibility of your operations and improved theft deterrence.

Creating a risk register alongside your asset register and maintaining it with modern tools helps convert the process from a chore to being used as a real benefit, as it will save time and therefore money. With such practical recording systems consideration might be given to bringing some of those expensive outsourced maintenance contracts back in house, generating a real return for your asset management investment.  FURTHER INFORMATION www.assettrac.co.uk

Volume 14.5 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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The power of together.

C O L L A B O R AT E AC R O SS T H E T E A M

IT powered the teamwork that helped save Sarah’s life.

Remarkably, it was an IT platform that brought the right team of healthcare professionals together for Sarah. They were able to collaborate with full access to her diagnostic data.

The result? Sarah got the life-saving care she needed in a timely, efficient and cost effective manner.

That’s the power of together.

STAND F26

Experience the power of collaboration at carestream.com/together

EVENT PREVIEW

A FOCUS ON THE DIGITAL HEALTH REVOLUTION

EHI Live 2014

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

EHI Live returns to the Birmingham NEC on 4-5 November this year, once again shining a light on the ever increasing importance of IT in healthcare. Here is a sneak peak at some of the highlights Whichever way you look at the health sector, a close link to information technology is always there. Managers seeking ways to contain costs, clinicians faced with growing numbers of patients living with long-term conditions and commissioners needing powerful tools to interrogate their data mountains all turn to IT. This is reflected in the increasing sums being spent. EHI Intelligence forecasts that NHS trusts, boards and the devolved administrations will spend 13 per cent more on IT in 2014-15 than the £1.69 billion that they spent in 2012-13, and then increase spending by a further 3.5 per cent over the two years to 2016-17, to £1.97 billion (UK Healthcare IT market forecast 2017, EHI Intelligence). The main pressures driving this trend are well known to Health Business readers; the UK’s ageing population and the growing burden of chronic disease co-exist uneasily with stagnant budgets, forcing the NHS to find smarter ways of working.

EHI Live, the event where the digital health

community meets, is the place to find out how IT can support health business. Now in its sixth year, the show, staged at the NEC on 4-5 November, will have an unrivalled line up of exhibitors bringing together software, hardware, solutions and services all focused exclusively on digital health. With over 160 stands last year and more expected this November, EHI Live offers a unique opportunity to take a look at the latest offerings of the major vendors and explore what’s new in the market.

KEYNOTES LINED UP The show also has a busy conference schedule. The highlight of any meeting is the keynote line up, and this year’s speakers will offer a range of expert views on the current state of health sector IT. Tim Kelsey, NHS England’s national director for patients and information, will deliver the opening keynote address. November should be a particularly interesting time to listen to Kelsey, who is leading the

The UK’s ageing population and growing burden of chronic disease, are, along with budget cuts, forcing the NHS to find smarter ways of working

controversial care.data programme.

Dr Ranj, the only TV medic who specialises in children, young people and families will talk about his work, including the CBeebies programme, Get Well Soon, and share his thoughts about how mainstream and social media are changing the relationship between healthcare staff and children and families.

Andy Williams, chief executive of the Health and Social Care Information Centre, will offer an overview of the HSCIC after seven months in post, while Andrew Griffiths, chief information officer (Health), Director of NHS Wales Informatics Service, will present visitors to the show with an update on e-health strategy in Wales.

NEW PROFILE FOR SOCIAL MEDIA New at the show this year is the Social Media Village. The idea behind the venture is to bring together everyone in healthcare that is making social media work for the benefit of patients and citizens. Tweeters, bloggers, LinkedIn users and others are being invited to work together to produce an informal but informative feature over the two days of the show. Whether you are a fanatic, a novice or a sceptic, there will be something new to learn and discuss and to spark interest. Topics will include: children and families; professional development and 

Volume 14.5 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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EHI Live 2014

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

EVENT PREVIEW  communication; patient interaction and care; and technology for social media.

WHAT’S IN THE PIPELINE EHI Live’s stream, The Pipeline, is developing a growing reputation as the place to go to hear some of the best industry forecasters share their thoughts on trends and technologies. This year’s offerings include: Behind the Glass – paperless innovation with Google Glass, Mark Hindle, Managing Director, Aura Healthcare; Realising the Value of the Nurse Tech Fund, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Paediatric Intensive Care Unit Case Study with Elaine Scott and Peter White of Nuance; and Using Real-Time Mobile Analytical Applications to Improve Performance and Patient Care, Hywel Moore, MicroStrategy, Field Engineering Manager (Scotland) and Health Analytics Lead.

THE BEST OF THE EHI AWARDS Record entries for the EHI Awards 2014, in association with CGI, reflect the high levels of innovation, skill and energy in the UK’s digital health scene – and we invite as many of the finalists as possible to EHI Live. Sessions confirmed for the Awards Theatre’s diverse programme include Dean Street Express, a fully automated, fast, and confidential sexual health screening service and Always Listening, a test messaging web app for people who experience high levels of anxiety.

APPS FOR HEALTH Now in its second year, HANDI Health Apps is the UK’s first national conference dedicated to health and care apps and lightweight digital tools to support health services. It is a ‘must attend’ event for app developers, health and care professionals and managers and commissioners who want to understand how this new generation of digital tools will increasingly underpin the delivery of efficient, patient-centred care.  FURTHER INFORMATION www.ehillive.co.uk

EHI Live’s stream, The Pipeline, is developing a growing reputation as the place to go to hear some of the best industry forecasters share their thoughts on trends and technologies

Opticon – the specialists in barcode scanners Opticon is one of the first companies in the world to specialise in the manufacture of barcode scanners. Since 1976 Opticon has evolved into a multi-faceted, international supplier of high-quality, automatic identification equipment to thousands of customers in diverse markets.

New ideas means finding a unique solution to unique customer problems. The H27 with the functionality of a PDA and appearance of a smartphone is particularly suitable for mobile workers who need business critical information to carry out their work in a highly efficient way. With an Android operating system the H27 can be used in Healthcare for home-based care and patient management.

The OPN-2006 is a Bluetooth memory

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HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 14.5

scanner, combining barcode data collection with multiple communication options and is suitable for the healthcare sector.

Because of the very simple 2 button wayof-working this device is the ideal registration tool for care providing staff. With the OPN2006 it is possible to create a report of the care for a patient. The bluetooth interface makes

it possible to send the report to a mobile printer and print it immediately on location.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01582 635 100 uksales@opticon.com www.opticon.com

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

PAPERLESS HEALTHCARE – MYTH OR REALITY?

The vast amount of information locked in paper records is now being transformed into actionable data – systems that can deliver it to those who need it, when and where they need it.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt wants the NHS to be paperless by 2018. In a directive, issued earlier this year, Mr Hunt wants patients to have digital records so that their information can follow them. But unlike previous large scale, top-down directives, he wants this driven bottom up and by 2018 any crucial health information should be available to staff at the touch of a button.

Most NHS sites hold patient related data on a variety of different media, for example, paper, microfilm and digital. It is currently very difficult to identify exactly what information may be held on a given patient. This has resulted in falling standards for maintaining the patient’s acute medical record; increasing risk and leaving patients and clinicians at a disadvantage.

COMMON SENSE APPROACH To address this, cost effective solutions based on established Electronic Document and Records Management (EDRM) technologies offer the chance for Trusts to embrace a culture of compliant information management practice to deliver paper lite health care if not paper less. There is no magic bullet solution – just a common sense approach which focuses the available technologies on specific processes to ensure that the solution delivers what is expected of it.

The core technology has been around for over 35 years, and is in use across many industry sectors. Lessons have been learnt through careful application of EDRM technologies. Systems have become more affordable and are delivering real and measurable benefits.

The key points to keep in mind are:

EXCHANGEABILITY It is vital to understand that simply digitising paper records is not enough – the solution must offer facilities to stop producing new paper through generation, management, and integration of electronic records.

Patient information resides on many disparate systems within Trusts. The electronic medical record cannot sit in a document management system that remains unconnected with other hospital systems and

processes – information must be exchangeable and shareable amongst all practioners.

To be optimally effective the electronic record has to be delivered to key users when and where they need it. A solution which offers a standard interface for all users will provide limited functionality to most users.

A number of Trusts took the bold step towards paperless healthcare some years

records makes it easier to control access and sharing. The Hunt directive of “… information following the patient…” is both practical and readily manageable.

Advertisement Feature

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

INNOVATION One step leads to the next – innovation is within reach instead of being unreachable.

Advances in IT and the consumerisation of IT mean that rapid progress towards the wider digital revolution can be made within the NHS IT, to help deliver timely and accurate information. Use of electronic forms, for example, to capture, store, manage, and deliver information electronically. Similarly, the vast amount of information locked in paper records is now being transformed into actionable data – systems that can understand content and deliver it to those who need it, when and where they need it.

These are no longer predictions. We have access to real data complied over the last few years – data that makes the case for going digital compelling. So, the question is: why isn’t everyone doing it?

Given the bad press about large scale IT

Cost effective solutions based on established Electronic Document and Records Management (EDRM) technologies offer the chance for Trusts to embrace a culture of compliant information management practice to deliver paper lite health care if not paper less ago. These Trusts achieved paper lite health care using EDRM, by paying great attention to the underlying processes.

So, what have they achieved?

PROCESS EFFICIENCIES Savings gained through process efficiencies achieved by minimising dependencies on paper, by delivering the electronic patient record to those who provide care, at the right time, every time, and by guaranteeing the accuracy and quality of information delivered. St Helens and Knowsley NHS Trust already has all of its patient records accessible online for doctors, nurses, GPs, and community services (http://www.sthk.nhs.uk/ pages/Departments.aspx?iPageId=4463 ) REAL ESTATE Savings gained through realisation of real estate to provide more treatment facilities and better quality of care. The recently launched e-LGs managed service (digitisation of Lloyd George records www.e-lgs.sthk.nhs.uk ) is a great example of how a very “low-tech” service is helping GP practices to release much needed space in the surgery for clinical activities without breaking the bank.

Access and Control - digitising patient

implementations, two valuable lessons must be learnt: not all Trusts are ready for the top end solutions – each must accommodate the technology and its implementation gradually to suit a number of local conditions including budgets, IT infrastructure, user training, etc.; a core application cannot be driven top-down without involving the people who will actually use it and who will be held accountable.

BOTTOM-UP APPROACH While it is good to see that the Hunt directive is accompanied by a financial commitment (a £260M fund), each Trust must make its on case for improvement and demonstrate willingness to change. Simply throwing money at a problem will lead to yet another IT failure.

The bottom-up approach means that the digital revolution in the NHS is achievable – gradually and over time rather than committing astronomical sums on large scale IT projects.  FURTHER INFORMATION www.ccubesolutions.com

Volume 14.5 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

Joined-Up Health & Care with InterSystems HealthShare

7 October, London Discover how leading UK organisations are tackling the challenge of joined-up health and care. Organisations sharing their experiences include: • Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust • NHS Lothian • South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

‘Where Digital Dictation Makes Sense’

• UK Renal Registry

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• Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Contact us on: +44 (0)20 7940 5900 or email bhhealthcare@bighand.com for more information

Find out more and register: InterSystems.co.uk/JUHC

© 2014 InterSystems Corporation. All rights reserved. InterSystems and InterSystems HealthShare are registered trademarks of InterSystems Corporation.

H-27

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Best practice in the delivery of high quality, person-centered care Time & attendance

Resource planning

Client & fee management

Real-time monitoring

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HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 14.5

Reconciliation & finance

Over six hundred care organisations, 1,300 care homes and 1,000 domiciliary care providers use Access to help them provide better care.

Access solutions look after each step of your process from recruitment of staff to invoicing of clients. It dramatically reduces back-office time spent on administration, allowing you to focus on staff training and person-centred care.

Access offers UK care providers: • Care home management • Time & attendance • Domiciliary care management • Human resources • Payroll • Finance • Expense management • Business intelligence We provide solutions for: • Domiciliary care • Residential care • Supported living • Care & nursing agencies

Our cloud-based care solutions Access PeoplePlanner and Access CareBlox help you deliver greater operational efficiencies where they matter most.

WWW.OPTICON.COM For more details please visit www.opticon.com or contact us via uksales@opticon.com / +44 (0) 1582 635 100

s

OPN-2006 The OPN-2006 is a Bluetooth memory scanner, combining barcode data collection with multiple communication options and is suitable for the Healthcare sector.

Because of the very simple 2 button way-of-working this device is the ideal registration tool for care providing staff. With the OPN-2006 it is possible to create a report of the care for a patient. The Bluetooth interface makes it possible to send the report to a mobile printer and print it immediately on location.

tellmemore@theaccessgroup.com

es

H-27 New ideas means finding a unique solution to unique customer problems. The H27 with the functionality of a PDA and appearance of a smartphone is particularly suitable for mobile workers who need business critical information to carry out their work in a highly efficient way. With an Android operating system the H27 can be used in OPN-2006 Healthcare for Home-Based Care and Patient Management.

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no

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B2B solutions from Commerce-Connections

Sitekit – innovators in digital health + care

CommerceConnections is one of the longeststanding B2B/EDI B2B solutions and services brokers in Europe. The organisations’ experience and expertise is incomparable, backed up by solid success and an impeccable reputation.

Commerce-Connections is a UKbased company with a subsidiary in Hong Kong. Through the company’s expertise and range of services, Commerce-Connections enables businesses to develop competitive supply chain strategies and comply with the electronic trading requirements of their trading partners.

The company is committed to GS1 UK, and their global standards, and the company believes that existing retail methodology, for B2B and EDI, can be successfully applied to the majority of suppliers to the NHS.

Sitekit is a healthcare technology company, working with a range of market leaders in the research, development, sale and support of digital health and lifestyle solutions and apps.

Having established a reputation as a high-quality provider of portal sites to the NHS, with over 80 organisations using the company’s CMS software, Sitekit leveraged that expertise to develop the next generation of digital health applications.

Working in partnership with Microsoft, Sitekit has developed the UK’s first electronic Personal Child Health Record (ePCHR), the eRedbook: a citizen-owned application that allows parents to effectively monitor their child’s health and development from day one, in collaboration with health professionals.

The company is also participating in three Technology Strategy Board projects: two DALLAS (Delivering Assisted Living

Commerce-Connections now offers a practical solution designed to meet strict regulatory compliance requirements for the cold chain, pharmaceutical goods, consumables plus numerous other products and environments, such as hotels, supermarkets and hospitals where temperature monitoring is essential. This service can be integrated into any existing system while adding value, saving cost, improving time efficiency and eliminating human error.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 08451279955 info@cc-ltd.com www.commerceconnections.com

EHI Live 2014

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

Lifestyles At Scale) communities: Living it Up and Mi (more independent) Liverpool, as well as the board’s second phase Collaboration Across Digital Industries (CADI2) initiative.

Sitekit recognises the benefits of working closely with leading academic institutions, and maintains strong working relationships with Universities of Edinburgh, Stirling and Edinburgh Napier University. The company is a member of the Scottish Lifesciences Association, ScotlandIS and TechUK. FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 0845 299 0900 info@sitekit.net www.sitekit.net

Advanced medical Freedom to collaborate with clinicians and patients imaging from Fujifilm

Carestream’s innovative medical imaging and healthcare information technology helps medical professionals remain at the forefront of radiology – achieving higher productivity, fostering collaboration and enabling outstanding patient care. The Carestream Vue portfolio delivers smart radiology imaging and enterprise IT systems which allow clinical collaboration between healthcare professionals, giving them complete access to diagnostic data which they can then share easily with colleagues and patients.

The Carestream Vue for radiology family includes Carestream Vue vendor neutral archive, Carestream Vue motion universal viewer and Carestream Vue cloud archive, a softwareas-a-service (SAAS) approach to

archiving. Together they create one workspace to optimise workflow, providing intuitive solutions for all end-users.

Continuing a lineage of imaging leadership and fuelled by a commitment to vanguard technology, Carestream Vue represents an advanced integration of imaging and information management.

With thousands of proven implementations worldwide, this benchmark innovation streamlines workflow, supports clinical excellence and results in superior patient outcomes and care.

Web-enabled Vue for Radiology is accessible anywhere, thus accelerating distribution of radiology results.

FURTHER INFORMATION www.carestream.com

Fujifilm is a pioneer in diagnostic imaging and information systems for healthcare; with a range of constantly evolving, clinically proven, products designed to assist medical professionals perform efficiently and effectively.

The company launched its first X-ray film product in 1936 and introduced the world’s first digital X-ray imaging and diagnostic system in 1983.

Fujifilm’s portfolio consists of advanced medical imaging solutions, including its innovative Digital Radiography range and wireless product capabilities, as well as its leading-edge Synapse solutions which provide the essential components for medical imaging practices including Synapse PACS, Synapse 3D, Synapse Mobility and Synapse MPR/Fusion.

As one of the most widely used PACS systems globally, Synapse has become synonymous with the state-

of-the-art PACS. Using a single integrated database, Synapse PACS provides web-based access to data from multiple departments and locations. XDS/ XDS-I capability is enabled as standard in Synapse PACS. Fujifilm’s focus is always on product reliability and efficiency to help both patients and equipment users experience an optimum examination in the most comfortable and ergonomically friendly way. This coupled with the company’s high quality images and user friendly units, also helps to speed up workflow to further enhance the imaging experience.

FURTHER INFORMATION Visit www.fujimed.co.uk or stand G24 at EHI Live 2014.

Volume 14.5 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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REAL VALUE GOOD INVESTMENT IS A PROFITABLE DECISION FOR DECADES

PRODUCE CLEAN ENERGY WITH SOLUTIONS FROM SOLARWORLD AND REDUCE YOUR ELECTRICITY BILL Benefit from quality modules made in Germany Protect yourself against rising energy prices Protect the environment and secure energy for the future Enjoy peace of mind with SolarWorld Certified Installers on site Visit us online at:

WWW.SOLARWORLD-UK.CO.UK

SolarWorld UK The Portway Centre 路 Old Sarum 路 SP4 6EB Salisbury Phone: + 44 1722 435610 路 www.solarworld-uk.co.uk service@solarworld-uk.co.uk

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Energy

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

CREATING A QUALITY MARK FOR RENEWABLE ENERGIES

Renewable energy has seen a recent rise in uptake – with a push by the government through various incentives, more people have adopted renewable technologies. However, it is not just limited to domestic households as the benefits can also be reaped by commercial users such as hospitals and G.P practices. Here is an explanation of the role the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) plays in the renewable energy market.

AN ENERGY STANDARD With the renewable energy market growing and developing at a rapid pace, the government took steps to encourage and maintain this growth. This ultimately led to the creation of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). Established in 2009 as a quality assurance scheme for renewable energy technologies, its main objective is to help ensure a high standard is being met by both manufacturers and installers.

Covering a range of both heat generating and electricity generating technologies, MCS works with industry experts, installers, and manufacturers, to make sure that the benchmarks we set are providing consumers with the knowledge that any technology they choose to have installed conforms to rigorous standards. MCS currently covers the following technologies: solar photovoltaic, biomass, solar thermal, wind turbines, heat pumps, and micro-CHP. Microgeneration technologies are at the smaller end of the spectrum, and are more popularly used in domestic settings or smaller scale commercial and industrial properties. MCS covers electricity generating products up to 50kw, and heat generating technologies up to 45kw. However, it should be noted

that although an individual heat product cannot not exceed 45kw, consumers could have an installation with multiple heat products up to 70kw and still be covered by the scheme. For example, a larger property could install two heat pumps; one at 30kw and one at 40kw, and this could still be commissioned by an MCS installer and access the Renewable Heat Incentive.

HOW CAN MCS HELP YOU? Knowing that a product and the installer have gone through rigorous testing should provide customers peace of mind knowing they have a well built and correctly installed product that should work to its full potential.

However, MCS recognises that as a quality assurance scheme it is important to continually monitor those certified by the scheme and to ensure 

M current CS solar ph ly covers o biomas tovoltaic, s, s therma olar l, wind tu rbines, heat pumps, a n m i c ro - C d HP

Volume 14.5 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Written by Yasir Khan, MCS administrator, Microgeneration Certification Scheme

The use of renewable energies in healthcare settings has taken off in recent years, with clinical leaders coming round to the cost and environmental benefits it can bring. Yasir Khan of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme outlines an assurance framework for energy consumers

49

Are you gearing up for a surge in patient numbers?

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Block design gives flexibility on size and bed numbers Designed with Patient care and dignity in mind Cost effective solution Off balance sheet solution

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RENEWABLE ENERGY

Energy

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

Why MCS? Consumer Protection The MCS works in partnership with the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC) which ensures that MCS installation companies are working to a Trading Standards Institute approved Code of Practice. MCS installation companies have to make sure that they sell their products and services to consumers appropriately, without miss selling or misleading a consumer.

Quality Assurance For certified products this is ensured through the products satisfying rigorous and established European and International standards. Installer certification includes assessing the supply, design, installation, set-to‑work, and commissioning of renewable microgeneration technologies.

Financial Incentives MCS is linked to the Government’s finance schemes and incentives, such as the Feed-in Tariffs, the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and the Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP).

More recently, the government launched the Renewable Heat Incentive, which is linked to heat generating products such as biomass boilers, heat pumps and solar thermal panels  they are providing a constant level of quality.

Furthermore, it is mandatory for every installer looking to join MCS to also join a Trading Standards Institute (TSI) approved consumer code. This is currently provided by the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC). RECC outlines sales and marketing practices that all installation companies must abide by, and continued adherence to this Code is a condition of a company maintaining their MCS certification.

HELPING CONSUMERS RECC have produced a number of detailed guides for consumers, which we strongly recommend reading as they will help provide a more detailed understanding of the Consumer Code and what duties the installer has towards their customers.

MCS not only provides consumers with a level of protection, but also allows them to go on to access government incentive

scheme, such as the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) and the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).

The incentive schemes allow consumers to access funding for the energy they generate.

FITs were launched in 2010, and are linked to electricity generating technologies such as solar photovoltaic and wind turbines.

More recently, the government launched the Renewable Heat Incentive, which is linked to heat generating products such as biomass boilers, heat pumps and solar thermal panels.

LOOK FOR THE MCS MARK Once you have decided to choose renewable energy you will need to visit the MCS website where you will be able to search for certified installers and products. It is very important that consumers verify the credentials of any installers, to ensure they are using someone certified by MCS. Moreover the MCS website provides a comprehensive consumer section, covering topics ranging

Planning Permission For consumers, certain renewable energy technologies have now been made a lot simpler thanks to permitted development rights introduced in England and Scotland (www.planningportal.gov.uk).

Some MCS products can be installed without planning permission when installed in accordance with the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO).

from what consumers should ask their installer, what should be included in their handover packs, insurance and finance, planning information, and much more.

Renewable technology has been installed all across the UK on a variety of domestic and commercial properties, including private homes, businesses, schools, and hospitals. MCS has developed over the years, and currently has over 3,000 installation companies certified with the scheme, and a further 17,000 different certified products.

This provides a wide range of options to meet the needs of consumers. If you are looking to improve your energy efficiency and access the government incentives, then renewable technologies and MCS may be a good choice for you – just remember to look for the MCS mark.  FURTHER INFORMATION www.microgenerationcertification.org

Volume 14.5 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

CCTV Systems

At Security Engineering, we understand how important your home or business is to you. That’s why we provide comprehensive security installation and maintenance services that meet your specific requirements. We use the latest technology in all of our Intruder Alarm Systems, Burglar Alarms, CCTV and Access Control System Installations, to ensure that you’re afforded complete security at your property.

Office furniture

Our Healthline range of fitted furniture is regularly specified for hospitals and healthcare establishments throughout the UK. We supply an expanding list of healthcare premises, including care homes, doctors’ surgeries and dental practices.

Available in a wide range of colours and finishes, our healthcare furniture includes wall and base storage units, worktops and shelving, reception desks, soft seating, lab seating, office seating and lockable medicine/ hazardous cabinets including Bio Cote protected lockers. We also supply a variety of fixtures, fittings and specialist joinery to meet your specific needs.

Reception desks Chairs

t: 0800 612 5519 e: info@officeformation.co.uk

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HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 14.5

Access Control Systems

Equipping your home or workplace with the very latest Intruder Alarm Systems, Burglar Alarms, CCTV and Access control systems is one of our aims but we also pride ourselves on delivering a great customer experience from start to finish. Not only will we provide you with a free quote beforehand to ensure that all work is carried out within your budget, but we’ll also visit your premises and conduct a free consultation to ensure that the security system we install is as effective as possible.

At Security Engineering, we have the expertise and knowledge to install a variety of advanced, cutting-edge intruder systems that provide you with the ultimate peace of mind. From conventional systems to modern, easy-to-install wireless systems, we can provide you with the ideal security solution for you and your home or business.

Tel: 0208 907 5695 Email: info@security-engineering.co.uk

LONE WORKERS

Security

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

A HEALTH CHECK FOR HOSPITAL SECURITY

Given the already pressured day-to-day environment hospital workers are asked to undertake duties in on a daily basis, personal security should be the least of their concern. Unfortunately trends show that physical assaults on such workers pose a very real and tangible threat.

Hospital Security has been thrown into the forefront of public discussion recently, with a report from the Greater London Authority Conservatives (GLAC) indicating that a chilling 12,386 physical assaults have been reported on staff working in acute services such as hospital emergency departments, maternity wards and medical imaging units.

PROTECTING LONE WORKERS Hospital personnel often fall into the category of ‘lone workers’, whether working the night shift, managing a ward alone due to stretched resources, or travelling within the wider community. According to the UK Health and Safety Executive, a lone worker is: “Someone who works by themselves or without close or direct supervision.” Figures from the BSIA suggest that “over 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.”

In accordance with the Health and Safety at work act (1974), employers should provide support through equipment and procedures to control the risks of working alone. A key suggestion from the GLAC report was that emergency services staff should wear body-worn cameras and panic buttons.

According to the author of the report, Roger Evans such technology is essential: “Affordable wearable technology, such as wearable panic buttons and body worn cameras, will help bolster the security and protection of these essential workers.”

As well as body-worn equipment, there are a number of measures hospitals can take to optimise security health, such as implementing effective access control measures and CCTV systems.

ACCESS CONTROL MEASURES Despite hospitals being a busy environment – often open 24 hours a day – it is important to monitor who is entering and leaving the hospital in an efficient and intelligent way.

Access control provides the ability to control, monitor and restrict the movement of people or assets in, out and around a hospital.

Mike Sussman, chairman of the BSIA’s Access Control Section, comments: “Having access control technology in place will not only deter criminals, but can physically prevent them from entering the site, whilst offering a versatile and cost-effective way to regulate entry to premises.”

Despite the inherently busy and unpredictable nature of hospitals wherein members of the public often come and go freely, restricting access to specific areas is vitally important. Access control cards that use radio frequency identification (RFID) chips provide a convenient tool for proximity reading of card details and the activation of gates, turnstiles and vehicle barriers. The system has a wide range of applications from controlling a single entrance door to a large integrated security network,

In addition, systems such as Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) can prove valuable in limiting access and identifying unwanted intruders. ANPR monitors the entry of vehicles on-site using CCTV-style cameras and computer software which identify number plates. Some systems will also store photographs of the driver and vehicle for subsequent analysis. This can prove useful by drawing the attention of hospital security staff to suspicious individuals. Indeed often ANPR can enable the identification of returning criminals.

Written by Judith Denny, BSIA

Assault against healthcare staff is a growing problem, writes the British Security Industry Association’s Judith Denny, who discusses the measures hospitals can take to ensure safety

CCTV SYSTEMS Access control software can also integrate beneficially with CCTV systems for an even more comprehensive security plan. One major benefit of this type of integration is pre and

“Having access control technology in place will not only deter criminals, but can physically prevent them from entering the site, whilst offering a versatile and cost-effective way to regulate entry to premises” Mike Sussman, Chairman of the BSIA’s Access Control Section and can prove invaluable when protecting restricted areas. Other identification devices, which can be used to identify users before granting access include; smart cards and readers; swipe cards and readers; PIN pads; and finally biometric equipment such as fingerprint and iris scanning.

DOOR CONTROLLER SOFTWARE Door controller software is another important tool in an access control system. Such systems can be used to differentially grant access at specific times during the day to particular people. This is especially useful when areas shift from being ‘restricted’ to ‘open’ to the public – i.e. during visiting hours. There are several options when it comes to installing this technology including: a standalone door controller linked to a single door with no software; a number of door controllers all linked to a single PC to control one network; or a number of sites all interlinked together over a wide network area.

post-event video recordings initiated by the access control system. Video recordings can be linked with event information, which makes searching for a particular event on the recording much more efficient. For example, if an intruder has entered the building and attempted to breach an access controlled area by forcing a door, operators can search for ‘Door forced – laboratory 4’ allowing them to easily look at images of the intruder and react accordingly.

One particular element of CCTV that is being increasingly employed in a number of sectors is that of Video Content Analysis (VCA). VCA is the name given to the automatic analysis of CCTV images, which is then used to create meaningful information regarding the content.

For example, VCA can be used to automatically detect an intruder, or to count the number of people entering or leaving an area – beneficial, for instance, for keeping track of how many people have entered or left an emergency room during a given period of time. 

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LONE WORKERS  Another element of CCTV that can prove invaluable for the health sector is BS8418, the British Standard for remotely monitored, detector-activated CCTV systems. When deployed, BS8418 compliant solutions consist of cameras and detectors placed strategically around a site, linked together by specialised transmission equipment to a Remote Video Response Centre (RVRC).

Here, operators can visually confirm what is happening; call up on‑screen plans of the hospital and even issue verbal warnings to intruders via on-site speakers. If necessary, the RVRC operators can also alert the police. As the incident is confirmed visually and is associated with a URN (Unique Reference Number), should provide a rapid response. The ability to provide a prompt response when incidents occur is a priceless feature within the health sector, allowing situations to be managed effectively and for hospital staff to continue their own vital tasks without being called away.

on hospital security health. Indeed Craig Swallow, Managing Director of BSIA member company Connexion2 which specialises in lone worker protection equipment comments: “Unfortunately, attacks on lone workers within the NHS are on the rise. Community and health workers often find themselves in situations where they are subjected to violent and verbal abuse. At times it seems that uniforms alone can act as a trigger for anti‑social behaviour.”

“Companies and organisations in both the public and private sector are becoming more astute to the fact that although devices such as body-worn alarms come at an initial cost, long term, they are vital to mitigate security risks posed to staff members.”

One major benefit of body-worn equipment, such as alarms or automatic audio recorders is that they enable employers to compile evidence discreetly which can be used to ensure criminal convictions.

Another benefit is that unlike alarms placed inconspicuously under desks, body-worn

One enefit major b ‑worn of body t is that en equipm le employers ab they en pile evidence to com ure criminal to ens victions con

BODY-WORN SAFETY EQUIPMENT As suggested by the GLAC report, body-worn safety equipment can have a positive impact

Security

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

alarm systems move along with human assets meaning proximity is never an issue.

As well as providing valuable footage to be used in court, body-worn video cameras can be connected back to the overall security management platform. This means that a time and date stamp can be associated with the video so that it can be logged as an incident in the same way as footage caught on a CCTV camera would be.

While body-worn cameras have been employed by police officers within the UK Craig Swallow comments on their use in the hospitals: “Body-worn video devices produce better quality evidence; however their use in a hospital environment poses certain interesting questions relating to data protection, patient privacy and the use cameras in public spaces.”

NEXT GENERATION Whilst historically having the right infrastructure and bandwidth has been an issue for the widespread adoption of these systems, the good news is that this is now being overcome as models are being brought to market that are able to stream video and audio content over advanced next generation IP radio networks.  FURTHER INFORMATION www.bsia.co.uk

Badge manufacturer Badgemaster announces takeover Name badge manufacturer Badgemaster, has announced the acquisition of principal competitor, Akorn Badge Company Ltd. Badgemaster is already the UK’s largest name badge manufacturer, and adds this as the most significant event yet to its ever growing list of achievements.

Key milestones in the company’s history since its humble beginnings in the back of a porta-cabin in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire in 1992 include in 2006 being granted the Royal Warrant by Her Majesty the Queen for supply of name badges to the staff of the royal households; gaining the British Standards Institute ISO 9001 accreditation for quality management in 2010; the ISO 14001, the highest level of environmental accreditation possible in 2013; and most recently, Badgemaster’s founder and managing director, John Bancroft, being granted an MBE for services to business in Nottinghamshire.

The ever growing success of Badgemaster has been achieved through continual growth and reinvestment of profits into cutting edge technologies, staff training, best practice processes and environmental sustainability.

John Bancroft MBE explains “it has always been our vision to be not just a name badge company, but the name badge company and I am proud that we have achieved that. We

have many millions of people now going to work every day wearing their Badgemaster custom made name badges and we are now processingover 1,000 orders every day.”

Through Badgemaster’s acquisition of Akorn Badge Company Ltd, which in itself has achieved great success during its 30 years, being one of the most established name badge manufacturers in the world, customers will benefit from even more competitive prices achieved through our greatly increased buying power, wider choices and the combined technologies and expertise of two specialist namebadge companies who share the ambition to deliver unbeatable customer service. Badgemaster will now have over 27,000 accounts from organisations with just one employee, to

those with hundreds of thousands of wearers.

John outlines the reasons behind this major acquisition by explaining that most leading companies with customer facing staff do already recognise the value of staff name badges: “Badgemaster’s recent growth has been largely achieved by taking market share from our competitors. We have been able to do this by providing better quality, faster efficient service levels and more competitive prices. In combining Akorn with Badgemaster we have a marriage made in heaven that will bring significant and long term benefits to both Akorn and Badgemaster’s extensive combined customer base.”

Jim Kent, Akorn Badge Company Ltd’s well known, highly respected former managing director, has joined John and Vicky Bancroft on the board of directors. Jim McNiven, the former general manager of Akorn Badge Company Ltd will also be joining Badgemaster’s senior management team.

Badgemaster’s now 90 strong workforce and their global suppliers are thrilled to be part of this exciting new organisation and are looking forward to bringing unparalleled levels of service and quality to all of its customers.

FURTHER INFORMATION www.badgemaster.co.uk

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Focus on your job, not your fears...

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Employee wellbeing is of the utmost importance and staff who work in potentially hazardous or challenging environments need to be able to call for assistance at any time – wherever they are Ensuring the wellbeing of employees is not new to employers. The legislation that ensures that all senior management within an organisation create, develop and maintain a ‘relevant duty of care’ is the Corporate Manslaughter Act 2007 and it must be adhered to, without exception. This act is changing, though the essence of it remains the same – that is, the duty of care all employers have for their employees.

POTENTIAL RISKS The NHS, as a very complex organisation, has won awards for the types of employee protection it offers. For many personal protection schemes mobile technology has been utilised to assist many of those workers who work out in the field. However, there are many areas inside a hospital where staff are possibly exposed to areas of potential danger, eg a nurse monitoring a ward at night, staff working with controlled drugs, and staff working within the A&E departments.

For many of these instances the need to call for assistance is immediate yet the ability to make a call is minimised. For these times of potential flash points, there are a number of things to consider, ie the environment in which staff are working and if an audible alarm will exacerbate an already tense situation, what level of support is really needed, what dangers are apparent, ie falling masonry, what information can be gleaned from the support system and can the person raising the alarm be given confirmation that help is on hand, so they can act accordingly.

COMPLETE PROTECTION Personal security works at its optimum when if offers a fuller picture, of not just the situation, but the level of severity and the precise location. Such information can be garnered from integrating existing internal systems to create a more powerful and visually rich staff protection system.

Examples of this could be differing systems to support different groups of workers.

Alarms can be sent from these devices to other users of phones, PCs, mobile etc, or routed to a dedicated team who can link the emergency call with live CCTV footage and receive visual confirmation of the situation.

This helps to ascertain the real level of support required, so support teams only utilise the right level of support, or can call for more formal support from the emergency services if required. In addition a discreet message can be sent to the person in distress notifying them that help is on its

way. Support teams can identify where the problem has occurred and can therefore reduce the time spent getting to any incident.

Where this level of personal protection system is in situ, organisations have reported the following benefits; staff become very confident that they can get the right level of assistance when needed and are therefore less distracted and focus on the job in hand.

This confidence reduces the level of anxiety and therefore absenteeism, which also reduces the need for expensive “bank staff”. Groups work in unison, enhancing the feeling of teamwork and reporting of such incidents is easy to complete, so data becomes more reliable.

RESPONSE A key factor for any personal protection system is how alarms are received and reacted to by those who are expected to respond.

The right processes and training need to be in place so dedicated responders understand their full remit and are able to assist in the most appropriate manner, without putting themselves in danger. If needed, an escalation of an alarm with an auditable reporting mechanism can ensure that all requests for assistance are highlighted and the outcomes are easily recorded for internal and external reports.

For the end user and the support teams it is vital that any personal protections system is simple to use and the organisation can monitor the movements of specific

personnel at all times. However, the most important aspect of any personal protection system is the employee feels that that they have a system that they can depend upon and ensure they can raise the right level of support should they need to.

For the employer the best method is to have a range of options in place designed to protect all employees, and for these differing systems to be as simple as possible to use and administer. For most organisations a range of products and services, all designed to protect the employee, irrespective of where they work, is a sensible way forward.

THE WAY FORWARD The best method of staff protection is to offer a combination of known and understood processes and solutions. All staff need to assume a level of responsibility for their own safety, this is normally based around ensuing that they have taken adequate steps to understand their own environment.

Employers need to have created and supplied systems and equipment that allow staff to continually update their whereabouts and to make contact in a variety of ways.

FURTHER INFORMATION www.multitone.com

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Health & Safety Written by Damien Eaves, chartered occupational hygienist

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

HYGIENE

GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND HAND WASHING

Occupational hygienists offer value far beyond ensuring good hand hygiene; they evaluate and control hazards in the workplace that represent a real risk to employees. Damien Eaves, occupational hygienist and member of the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) reports on this vital role When meeting new people, I’m often asked what I do for a living. When I say I’m a chartered occupational hygienist I’m usually met with two reactions either the person’s eyes glaze over or they say, ‘oh isn’t that making sure people wash their hands properly?’

Occupational Hygienists are specialists in the ‘Health’ in Health and Safety. We have a broad background, often in the sciences and engineering. We recognise, evaluate and control hazards in the workplace that represent a risk to the health of employees. We help companies comply with their legal duties to asses and control exposures to chemicals, biological agents, physical agents (noise and vibration), radiation, and so on – basically anywhere exposure at work could potentially develop into a disease. These diseases could be anything from cancer through to occupational asthma, musculoskeletal disorders or noise induced hearing loss.

As the UK’s largest employer, the NHS is ideally placed to benefit from the expertise of occupational hygienists to identify workplace hazards. I am one of these occupational hygienists and here is my story.

interesting environment to work in.

The second important point as to why the NHS is different to other organisations is that the staff are not the only people in the building we need to be mindful of. We also have a duty of care to the patients who in many respects, need to have a greater level of protection.

Occupational hygienists also ensure the risks to patients are controlled. Some issues of particular relevance to patients are infection control, indoor air quality and legionella.

OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS IN THE NHS Within the NHS, some occupational hazards are quite obvious, for example nurses lifting and moving patients are prone to suffering from musculoskeletal disorders, radiographers and orthopaedic surgical teams can be exposed to radiation. However, there are other hazards we encounter that are less so.

I have seen a porter asked to drive the laundry cart to the laundry but in taking the most direct route had to drive over numerous speed bumps. This hazard was not recognised. Those of you who have seen a porter’s electric vehicle will know that it often will not have any suspension,

The NHS is different to other organisations in that the staff are not the only people in the building we have to be mindful of HYGIENE IN THE NHS Working in the NHS is very different from working with other organisations. The main difference is the sheer size and scale of the NHS and the many different people employed within it. There is significant diversity in the type of people employed: midwives, nurses, consultants, GPs, surgeons and porters to name but a few, all of whom carry out work every day that has the potential to damage their health if not controlled properly.

Communicating this information and providing advice is often a challenge for the NHS due to the many different backgrounds and cultures interwoven. This makes it a particularly

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probably a solid seat and maybe even solid rubber tyres. Whole body vibration issues have the potential to be significant.

Expectant mothers and those patients in recovery after surgery often have lungs full of anaesthetic gases which they exhale and the midwives and recovery staff then need to work in an environment with potentially high levels of waste anaesthetic gases.

An occupational hygienist will recognise that there may be a problem, evaluate that problem, for example measure the intensity of the vibration or the inhaled exposure of the nurse, and control the problem to stop any further potential health damage occurring.

This ‘control’ may simply be identifying a flat route for the operator to drive on or could include recommendations for complex gas scavenging systems, efficient ventilation and air change rates and understanding cumulative exposure effects over a whole shifts exposure.

EXPERTISE AND BEST PRACTICE As occupational hygienists, we have a wide and often broad range of background experiences we can rely upon in microbiology, ventilation, legionella, air quality, acoustics and measurement techniques to enable control at all levels of the hospital to help ensure both patients and staff are protected.

Some examples include: air quality investigations including microbiological sampling to ensure appropriate air quantity; air distribution and air quality in aseptic suites; mortuaries and operating theatres; ensuring infection control standards are met; acoustic noise surveys across the hospital; and legionella risk assessments and sampling of hot and cold water systems.

We operate under several best practice guidelines that can be honed into two basic principles, the first is the Hierarchy of Control, which we use once we have identified and quantified the hazard. The second is the eight principles of control which are mainly used for control of chemicals but can be applied to other aspects of occupational hygiene.

Protecting and looking after the health and

Occupational hygienists play a valuable role in the NHS as they work with all parts from the chief executive down, and help improve the working environment for staff and patients. One good example is the operating theatre as there are many stages in a single operation where both staff and patient are exposed to potentially hazardous components where an occupational hygienist can help:

Health & Safety

The value of occupational hygiene

Moving the patients – ergonomics Anaesthetic gas supply – COSHH Sufficient air quality and air movement - Ventilation HTM-03 Undertaking the operation – risk of blood borne pathogens Exposure to diathermy fume / chemicals during the operation – COSHH Sufficient light supplied – lighting Recovery nurses exposed to waste anaesthetic gases – COSHH and ventilation

About BOHS Occupational hygiene is the scientific discipline that protects people against the wide range of health risks that can arise from exposures to hazardous substances or conditions at work. The British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) was formed in 1953 and was awarded the Royal Charter in 2012. With members from across industry, health, education, government and research, BOHS brings together those involved in the science and practical application of occupational hygiene.

An n that o i t a s i n ng orga wellbei usly e h t s e o tak taff seri ional s r i e h t of es additand e s n e t f o over benefits the lost above gure time fi

wellbeing of a workforce has to be taken seriously and it is often something that does not get reported on the news. The most recent HSE statistics for 2013/14 show there were 133 deaths due to accidents at work – but over the same 12 months there were 141,000 new cases of musculoskeletal disorders, 35,000 cases of breathing/ lung problems caused or made worse by work, 35,000 new cases of skin conditions, 20,000 new cases of noise induced hearing loss and around 13,500 new cases of occupational cancers diagnosed.

The economic cost of £13.8 Billion is only part of the story.

SEEING THE BENEFITS An organisation that takes the health and wellbeing of their staff seriously often sees additional benefits over and above the lost time figure. Additional benefits include improved loyalty throughout the workforce, better retention rates and an improved culture and ethos in the organisation. Staff can also have an improved the level of perceived worth and this can bring an improvement to the working environment.

There is a fundamental difference between occupational hygienists and most other health professionals; most of the latter try to control and cure an existing condition, whereas the occupational hygienist tries through scientific knowledge and testing to ensure the person does not get ill in the first place.  FURTHER INFORMATION www.bohs.org

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ANTIMICROBIAL SURFACES

The medical community is waking up to the benefits of using antimicrobial copper surfaces in healthcare settings as an additional measure to prevent infection from spreading. Bryony Samuel of the Copper Alliance makes the business and clinical case While hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfection remain the pillars of infection prevention, in a busy clinical environment it is almost impossible to wash hands and surfaces often enough. Upgrading selected touch surfaces to antimicrobial copper is a simple but effective measure, shown to reduce costly infections, freeing up beds and clinical resources and improving patient care.

After a very short initial payback period, significant long-term savings are possible.

THE COST OF STANDARD SURFACES Harmful pathogens can survive and multiply on standard clinical touch surfaces, creating reservoirs of infection that pose a risk to everyone using a healthcare facility – patients,

staff and visitors. Even regular disinfection cannot prevent recontamination between cleans. Combined with often sub-optimal compliance with hand washing regimen, these surfaces are a major challenge in preventing the spread of infection.

Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are very common and have a huge cost, both financially and in terms of human lives and suffering.

Approximately 20 per cent of intensive care unit patients in European hospitals contract an HCAI. In 2011, HCAIs affected 4.1 million

WHAT IS ANTIMICROBIAL COPPER? Copper is inherently antimicrobial – with proven efficacy against bacteria such as MRSA and C. difficile and viruses such as Influenza A and Norovirus – killing pathogens that settle on its surface rapidly and continuously. It shares this benefit with many commonly‑used copper alloys, such as brass and bronze, and this family of solid metals is collectively called ‘antimicrobial copper’.

Surfaces such as bed rails, IV poles, chair arms, door handles and taps that are made from antimicrobial copper – in combination with good hand hygiene and regular cleaning – help lower the spread of infection and make a strong contribution to improving patient safety.

Written by Bryony Samuel of the Copper Alliance

LOWER INFECTION RATES THROUGH COPPER SURFACES

patients Europe-wide, requiring 16 million extra days in hospital for treatment, with direct clinical cost exceeding €7 billion.

37,000 deaths were recorded as being caused by an HCAI and 110,000 deaths had HCAIs as a contributory factor.

Infection Control

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

CLINICAL EVIDENCE Laboratory work proving antimicrobial copper’s efficacy against many headline-making pathogens led to clinical trials around the world to explore its potential in real healthcare E

ing Upgraded select aces urf touch s irobial to antimsimple but is a copper tive measure, effec to reduce shown ctions infe

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ANTIMICROBIAL SURFACES

Surfaces such as bed rails, IV poles, chair arms, door handles and taps made from antimicrobial copper lower the spread of infection and make a strong contribution to improving patient safety  environments. These trials – including one at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham – have found that surfaces made from antimicrobial copper harbour >80 per cent fewer pathogens than non-copper equivalents.

In 2013, a multi-site US clinical trial – funded by the Department of Defense – demonstrated that replacing just six frequently touched surfaces around an intensive care unit patient reduced their risk of acquiring an HCAI by 58 per cent.

This resulted in healthcare watchdog organisations reviewing the considerable evidence base surrounding the characteristics and application of antimicrobial copper (more than 200 published papers) as an adjunct to existing infection control measures, flagging it as a key technology for healthcare decision‑makers to consider in the coming year.

ECRI Institute – a world-leader in researching the best approaches to patient care – included antimicrobial copper in their ‘Top 10 Hospital C-Suite Watch List 2014’, targeting senior decision-makers within healthcare systems, providing them with summaries of emerging

technologies that can help improve capital planning efforts throughout the year.

Similarly, the Canadian Network for Environmental Scanning in Health (CNESH) – leaders in healthcare horizon scanning – features copper in their ‘Top 10 New & Emerging Health Technology Watch List: 2014’.

In the UK, our ‘epic3: National Evidence-Based Guidelines for Preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections in NHS Hospitals in England’ also includes copper, following a recent review of published research commissioned by the Department of Health. Studies reporting significant reductions in microbial burden of between 80 and 90 per cent on high-touch surfaces made from copper alloys are described under ‘Emerging Technologies’.

THE BUSINESS CASE The unique benefit offered by antimicrobial copper is its continuous nature. Once installed, a surface will reduce bioburden non-stop, in between cleans and without further intervention from staff. No special cleaning or training is needed, and antimicrobial

Infection Control

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

copper alloys such as brass, bronze and copper-nickel are known for being hard wearing and resilient, making them ideal for a long life in a challenging healthcare environment. Being solid, there is also no surface coating that could wear away and result in reduced efficiency over time. Any dents or scratches in an antimicrobial copper surface will still continuously kill pathogens.

The question, then, is one of economy: how much does it cost to augment existing infection control practices with antimicrobial copper, and what long‑term financial benefits does it offer?

Health economics evaluations are typically applied to medication or surgery costs, but a unique study by York Health Economics Consortium (YHEC) – part of the University of York – investigated the economic benefits of antimicrobial copper as an engineering and design approach to infection control.

The study compared expenditure on copper and standard components with improvements in patient outcomes (fewer infections, shorter stays, cost savings) and other tangible benefits drawn from the US clinical trial. This investigation allowed the derivation of a spreadsheet‑based model using the best current published information, which was presented at the WHO International Conference on Prevention and Infection Control in Geneva last year.

Using UK data, and a conservative infection rate reduction of 20 per cent (where the US E

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Infection Control

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

ANTIMICROBIAL SURFACES  trial reported a 58 per cent reduction), the model considers a planned refurbishment or new build. It predicts that the cost of replacing the six key touch surfaces in a 20-bed ICU with antimicrobial copper equivalents will be recouped in less than two months, based on fewer infections and the resulting shorter lengths of stay. It also calculates a positive impact on bed days and quality-adjusted life years offered by antimicrobial copper.

Dr Matthew Taylor, YHEC’s Director and one of the model’s authors, explains: “After the initial two months, ongoing cost savings will accrue from the reduction in blocked beds and better-directed staff resources.”

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS Beyond practical considerations, copper alloys also provide a palette of attractive colours from the yellow of brasses to the dark browns of bronzes and silver/white shades of nickel silvers. Alloys with higher copper content kill organisms faster but, as a general rule, alloys with >60 per cent copper have sufficient efficacy for a clinical environment. Consequently, there are hundreds of antimicrobial copper products on the market – in different alloys and designs – so, how do you get started with selecting and installing the most beneficial antimicrobial copper surfaces

for a particular healthcare environment?

Support with procuring efficacious products is offered in the form of an industry stewardship scheme. The Antimicrobial Copper brand and Cu+ mark are used by leading manufacturers of hospital equipment, furniture and fittings to indicate that their products are made from antimicrobial copper in a stewardship scheme established by the Copper Alliance, a global network of non-profit organisations.

The use of the Antimicrobial Copper brand and Cu+ mark by an organisation indicates they have been granted permission to do so based upon adherence to strict usage rules. These rules guide that organisation’s understanding of the underlying technology and the way they promote, advise on and deploy it in line with existing research, regulatory and legislative requirements.

WHO SHOULD BE INVOLVED? Installations have already taken place in more than 25 countries, and in these hospitals the importance of taking a multi‑disciplinary approach has become clear.

Finance managers can download the YHEC model, enter their own data and see how the cost of an installation – paid out of the estates or capital budget – is more than outweighed by the significant clinical savings earned against a care budget.

The infection control team can review the scientific evidence and liaise with nursing staff to identify touch surface items of particular concern for different clinical areas.

Surfaces in closest proximity to patients are typically the most contaminated.

Estates managers can be reassured that products are available from a wide range of companies in the UK and overseas. They are affordable, durable, proven to work and compatible with standard cleaning and disinfecting agents. Managers can be confident that products certified as Cu+ approved are backed by an international stewardship scheme.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE? Download and explore the business case on our website, direct the infection control team to the Scientific References section and visit the Product Directory to browse Cu+ approved items currently on the market.

Antimicrobial copper surfaces are completely safe to use, and it is important to note they are a supplement to, not a substitute for, standard infection control practices. Users should continue to follow all current infection control practices, including those related to cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.antimicrobialcopper.org

Year results model A worked example of a planned refurbishment of a 20-bed ICU, changing six near-patient items to copper, showing payback of <2 months and 360 bed days freed per year. This results in a cost per infection averted of £102. The model calculates additional benefits including bed days freed and Quality-Adjusted Life Years. To download the model visit http://tinyurl.com/mmgp3xq or email info@copperalliance.org.uk.

Total cost (excluding cost of infections)* Number of infections

Copper

Baseline

Incremental

£105,000 1,200

£74,400 1,500

£30,600 300

Cost per infection averted (excluding cost of infections) Total QALYS gained

£102.00 107.40

Cost per QALY

£284.92

Cost of infections*

£7,200,000

£9,000,000

-£1,800,00

Total cost of intervention

£7,305,000

£9,074,400

-£1,769,400

Cost per infection averted

Dominant±

*These are direct costs to the hospital (no GP costs or societal costs have been included in the model). ± Dominant means that antimicrobial copper is both the cheaper and the more effective option.

Number of bed days saved per year Cost per bed day saved per year

360 £86.00

The number of bed days saved per year is 360, which would allow an increased capacity in the ICU of 63 beds with a typical length of stay of 5.7 days.

Return on investment

<2 months

The cost of the copper upgrade is £105,000 compared to £74,000 for installation of non-copper items. There were 1,200 infections in the copper group over the period and 1,600 in the baseline. This results in a cost per infection averted of £102.00.

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HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 14.5

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EVENT PREVIEW

The Healthcare Infection Society’s 9th International Conference takes place in Lyon on 16-18 November. The Society’s executive director Sandra Smith walks us through this year’s major topics

The nce confere e will b by an inned underp t three-day conference excellenc programme first-rate facilities situated on the banks of the river Rhône. scientifit takes full y tha ce of ke A GLOBAL n a s i n g co HEALTH ISSUE sues HCAI is The conference will be

Healthcare associated infections (HCAI) are acquired via the provision of healthcare in either a hospital or community setting. A national survey conducted in 2011 showed that the prevalence of HCAI was 6.4 per cent. The most frequently detected were respiratory tract, urinary tract and surgical site infections.

Vulnerable groups such as the very young, the very old, those with co‑morbidities and those with a compromised immune system are particularly susceptible to infection. However, it is widely recognised that good clinical care and infection prevention control practice can minimise the risk of patients acquiring an HCAI. This year, the Healthcare Infection Society (HIS) is delighted to be joined by the French Society for Hospital Hygiene as co-host of our ninth International Conference (HIS 2014).

HIS 2014 takes place at the Lyon Convention Centre, an innovatively designed building with

underpinned by an excellent threeday scientific programme that takes full cognisance of key HCAI issues that concern the healthcare profession. Antimicrobial resistance is a recognised worldwide clinical and public health issue and is seen as a threat to the future of healthcare by WHO, the European Union and UK government.

The prevention and control of infections is a corner stone in minimising the development of antimicrobial resistance, as preventing an infection from occurring negates the need for antibiotics. A recent report from the Science and Technology Committee recognised that “now is the time to design a more sophisticated approach to infection prevention and control that avoids undue reliance on particular antibiotics, thus exacerbating

PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS The conference will open with a keynote lecture given by Professor Stephan Harbarth, epidemiologist at the University of Geneva Hospital. He will be talking about the Health-economic evaluation and cost-effectiveness of infection control.

Antimicrobial resistance is a topic prominent in the news and on the first day there will be two lectures given from an international perspective: Antimicrobial resistance – near, far, wherever you are by Professor Martin Cormican, consultant microbiologist at Galway University Hospital, Ireland, and Controlling multidrug resistant gram negative bacilli in your hospital: We can do it so can you by Dr Sylvia Munoz-Price, medical director of the Department of Infection Control, Jackson Memorial Hospital, USA. Multidrug resistance is one of the biggest challenges faced by infection prevention and control professionals, and our session on this subject is bound to attract considerable interest. It will include lectures on Lessons from recent ICU interventional studies and MRSA: An overview of successful stories and what works.

The theme of antibiotic resistance continues on the final day, with a plenary session entitled Past and future initiatives of the European Antibiotic Awareness Day by Professor Herman Goossens, head of the Laboratory of Medical Microbiology at the University Hospital Antwerp. European Antibiotic Awareness Day is an annual public health initiative that takes place on 18 November to raise awareness about the threat to public health of antibiotic resistance and the need for prudent antibiotic use. The second plenary session of the day will look at antimicrobial Stewardship and interventions that work, comprising lectures on Bridging the gap in knowledge – can education make a difference in changing antimicrobial prescribing behaviours?

by Esmita Charani, academic research pharmacist at Imperial College London; and The role and evidence for restriction as an antimicrobial stewardship tool by Professor Inge Gyssens, professor of infectious diseases at Radboud University, the Netherlands.

There are a number of themed sessions focussing on particular outbreaks of infection.

A plenary session will take place centred around Norovirus with talks on: Understanding diversity in relation to detection, healthcare impact, control and prevention by Professor Marion Koopmans, head of the Virology Laboratory for Infectious Diseases and Screening at the National Institute for Public E

Volume 14.5 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Written by Sandra Smith, executive director, Healthcare Infection Society

INFECTION CONTROL UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

the problem of antibiotic resistance.”

Other key topics at the conference include epidemiology, surveillance, IT in infection prevention and control, decontamination, blood-borne viruses and rapid diagnostic methods. Delegates will have the opportunity to discuss these issues and network informally with their international colleagues.

Infection Control

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BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

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HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 14.5

EVENT PREVIEW  Health and the Environment (RIVM), the Netherlands; and International burden of norovirus in healthcare facilities and strategies for outbreak control by Dr Ben Lopman, epidemiologist at the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, USA. There will also be themed sessions on MRSA and Clostridium difficile.

BOOSTING COMPLIANCE With a number of advances in the use of surveillance data by infection prevention specialists, one fascinating talk will be on Healthcare epidemiology/surveillance and infection technology in infection prevention and control. One of the most popular sessions is sure to be Challenges in decontamination, while other topics include Challenges in infection control with blood-borne viruses and Quality improvement and infection prevention – it’s more than guidelines and bundles.

Despite there being a good awareness of infection prevention practices, compliance is still a major issue so a session will take place on Behavioural strategies in infection prevention and control, looking at the human factors that need to be addressed to improve practice. Other lectures include Socio-cultural aspects of infection prevention and control, Hand hygiene, beyond technical problems and Impact of organisations on healthcare-associated infection.

A highlight of the final morning’s themed

sessions will focus on the rapidly expanding topic of Whole genome sequencing. There will also be talks on infection prevention and control in particular areas, in long-term care and in specialised settings. Lecture topics will include Infection control in burns units and Healthcare-associated infection in long-term care facilities.

In the afternoon, delegates will have the opportunity to hear a debate on [High-tech decontamination of the environment] and to learn more about Controversies in prevention and diagnosis of infection in cystic fibrosis.

One of the highlights of HIS 2014 is the Society’s annual Lowbury Lecture, which was established to honour Professor Edward Lowbury. Professor Lowbury was the doyen of modern infection control and his work on fundamental matters such as the disinfection of hands and cleaning hospital floors is known across the world and is still pertinent today.

Each year, HIS invites a distinguished international speaker to give this eponymous lecture and we are delighted that Professor Wing-Hong Seto will be 2014’s Lowbury lecturer, speaking on[Airborne transmission and precaution – facts and myths. Professor Seto played a key role in initiating infection control in Hong Kong and established the local training course for infection control practitioners in 1985. He is also a founding fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine

and Hong Kong College of Pathologists, and director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Research, Training and Outbreak Response in Infection Control in Hong Kong.

HIS believes in promoting and developing the science of infection prevention and control.

To this end, we award a number of research grants each year and on the final day of the conference there will be an opportunity to learn about the research done by recent recipients.

Infection Control

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

THE EXHIBITION HIS 2014 will feature a large exhibition of cutting-edge technology, and a wide range of infection prevention products and services. Many of the companies exhibiting are new to HIS conferences, which will add an extra dimension of interest. Continuing professional development Our international conference is always a notable event in the HIS calendar but it is also an important part of our objective to deliver a range of educational activities and disseminate information to help equip healthcare professionals in the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections.

Once again, the conference has achieved accreditation from the Royal College of Pathologists and the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.his.org.uk/conference

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Volume 14.5 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

69

Everything you need To create high-quality patient environments, you need the right products, services and equipment. You will find them in the Healthcare Estates exhibition, which features around 200 exhibiting companies who supply the UK healthcare sector.

You also need the right information, ideas, answers and attitudes. That’s what the Healthcare Estates Exhibition and Conference is all about – two days of authoritative content, giving you the complete technical, practical, professional and political framework in which to make effective decisions.

You want to know you’re doing things right. This is the right place to be.

Healthcare Estates is the unrivalled platform for Heads of Estates, Operations and Facilities Estate Managers, Engineers, Project Managers, Architects, Contractors – Anyone involved with running, building or maintaining the estates.

Key speakers include:

Julian Hartley

Mick Taylor

Kathryn Dapré

Paul Chandler

Kim Ormsby

Barry Trindall

Prof. Kevin Kerr

Chief Executive, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust

Head of Estates and Deputy Director of Estates & Facilities, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Energy & Climate Change Team Manager, Health Facilities Scotland

Executive Vice President, Skanska UK

National Head of CSR and Sustainability, NHS Property Services

Project Director, Hertfordshire Partnership University Foundation NHS Trust

Director of Infection Prevention & Control, Harrogate District Hospital

Malcolm Aiston

Dr Gavin Dunn

Prof. Jill Maben

Chief Executive, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust

Director of Estates and Facilities, Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

Director of the National Nursing Research Unit, Kings’ College London

EVENT SPONSORS

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Latest Exhibitor List: Hear over 100 leading speakers over 2 days at Healthcare Estates.

7 reasons to attend Take advantage of a 20% discount on all London to Manchester Virgin Trains for those travelling to Healthcare Estates

Join other high-level decision makers from across the healthcare sector

Make key contacts and meet the people and companies supplying your sector VIP discounts and networking area for NHS and healthcare professionals Sponsor:

Network with over 500 dinner guests at the IHEEM Awards Dinner 7 October. Speaker confirmed: Fabrice Muamba

Intastop Interfurn Medical Systems Ltd Johnstoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Trade Kemper UK & Ireland Ltd KiWi Power Ltd KwickScreen LASER Energy Buying Group Local Authority Building & Maintenance Lorne Stewart LPA Excil Electronics Mach-Aire Ltd Manhattan Atrium Medstor: Stamford Products Ltd MGPS Services Ltd Millennium Medical Products Ltd New Vision Nora Flooring Systems UK Ltd NQA Pall Life Sciences Pegler Yorkshire Pick Everard Planetsaver LED Lighting Pod Living Ltd Polar (N.E.) Ltd Portakabin Ltd PPL Training Prestige Fire Door Services Primera Ltd ProCure21+ ProEconomy Ltd Rada Raybloc Ltd Reliance Water Controls Ltd Rentavent SAACKE Combustion Services Ltd Sabien Technology Ltd Safetytread Salto Systems Sentinel Performance Solutions Ltd Shire Controls Siemens plc Sika Flooring Sika Roofing Sleeve It Ltd Spidex Software Ltd SPIE UK Spirax Sarco Ltd Stanburys Ltd Stantec Static Systems Group Steven A Hunt & Associates Surelock McGill Ltd. Swissphone Wireless AG Talisman Security Products Tarkett Flooring Taurus Fitted Bedrooms Tesseract Institute of Occupational Medicine The Oakleaf Group Thorlux Lighting TMI Lighting Total Laminate Systems Trend Control Systems Ltd Tristel Solutions Ltd Turner & Townsend UK Designa UK Parking Control Ltd Vernacare UK VINCI Park Services UK Ltd Vistamatic Ltd Vizcall Uk Ltd Wandsworth Group Water Management Society Whitecroft Lighting Whittle Programmed Painting Ltd WT Partnership

List correct at time of going to press.

Meet over 200 exhibitors and source the latest information for products and services.

A.L.Challis Ltd ABB Ltd Addmaster (UK) Ltd Aerocom UK Ltd AFL Architects Aid Call Ltd Allgood PLC ALS Environmental Ltd Altro Anti-Ligature-Shop Ltd Antimicrobial Copper APCOA Parking Apollo Fire Detectors Architects Datafile Architects Design Partnership LLP Architects for Health ARM Ltd Armitage Shanks artinsite ASSA ABLOY Austco Avensys UK Ltd BELIMO Automation UK Ltd Bender UK Ltd Betts Envirometal BOC Healthcare Botanical Group Services Boulting Environmental Services Ltd Brass Age BRE Britplas Capita Clarke Energy Contiquip Ltd Courtney-Thorne Credit Card Keys Ltd Cynergin d+b facades UK Ltd Dalkia plc danfloor UK Ltd Dart Valley Systems Ltd Deister Electronic (UK) Ltd Delabie Ltd Delta Telecom Sound and Security Ltd Devon Medical Turnkey Solutions digitalenergy Ltd Discrete Heat Company Ltd Dunwoody Group Eastwood Park Training ENER-G Combined Power Ltd Enviropharm Eplus Global Ltd Eric Wright Group Essentia Trading Ltd Eurobond Laminates Ltd Exled Fendor Ltd Finegreen Associates GE GI Energy Gilling Dod Architects Gleeds Gritting.com Guardian Staff Safety Systems Ltd Guldmann UK GVS Filter Technology UK Ltd Haigh Engineering Ltd HASSELL Health Estate Journal Healthcare Design & Management Hilditch Group Ltd Honeywell Control Systems Ltd Hospital Bulletin Horne Engineering Ltd IBI Group IDEXX Water IHEEM Innova

Register Now For Your Complimentary Exhibition Visitor Pass

For registration and a complete event programme visit www.healthcare-estates.com

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A look at the Healthcare Estates show on 7-8 October at Manchester Central, higlighting new solutions for hospital buildings Healthcare Estates offers a wealth of ideas, new innovations and leading edge products, bringing together many of the leading personalities in the healthcare industry. The exhibition, conference, dinner and awards has developed into the foremost event of its kind and 2014 promises to give visitors and delegates a whole host of ideas to take home with them.

The theme of this year’s programme is ‘quality in the patient environment’ and the conference has been framed around four key aspects – Energy, Estates & Facilities, Planning Design & Construction and Engineering, with a range of subjects being delivered by respected and knowledgeable experts. Supporting the conference, the exhibition features more than 200 companies featuring new products and services, many highlighted in this preview.

NEW RESEARCH PROJECTS Energy features heavily at Healthcare Estates with a dedicated stream on both days in the main conference and a theatre providing complimentary content on the exhibition floor. Against a world backdrop

Healthcare Estates 2014

QUALITY ESTATES FOR CUTTING EDGE HEALTHCARE

are Healthc ffers to create better energy o strategies and behaviours Estates of ideas in public buildings, h t a weal innovations, including hospitals and health centres. and newing together Non‑domestic buildings g brin leading currently account the n for approximately i s e i lit 18 per cent of persona lthcare UK carbon emissions a e h the and 13 per cent of y industr final energy consumption,

of increased concerns about energy security, price fluctuations and, of course, the need to address climate change, the organisers are working closely with the Carbon Energy Fund (CEF) and BRE and key speakers to address the issue. Peter Sellars will be delivering an opening address on ‘How can Estates and Facilities Contribute towards a sustainable NHS – assuring compliance whilst managing emerging priorities and improving efficiency’. On the back of the announcement of six new projects aimed at gaining a fuller understanding of how energy is managed in the country’s non‑domestic buildings, Healthcare Estates delivers nine hours of content in this important area.

Funded with £3 million from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and carried out on behalf of the Research Councils UK Energy Programme (RCUKEP), the research will address how to use technology, data and information, mathematics, law and sociology

with the NHS being the biggest contributor overall.

Professor Philip Nelson, EPSRC’s chief executive, said: “Improving energy efficiency is an important piece of the energy puzzle.

Worldwide energy demand is rising, as are global temperatures and sea levels. We need to find smart solutions to how we use energy while improving the environment in which people have to work, rest or play.

“These projects will go a long way to help improve our understanding of what goes on in non-domestic buildings and add to the armoury at the disposal of those managing these facilities.”

The new projects will be run at Imperial College London, University of Cambridge, University of Edinburgh, University of Oxford, University of Southampton and the University of Strathclyde. E

Volume 14.5 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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Pick Everard is a multi-professional consultancy, serving clients across the built environment.

Offering a range of advisory, design, cost and project management services, we will develop your project from initial ideas to completion by the quickest and most efficient route.

We have designated healthcare teams with specialist knowledge and skills that are harnessed through creative thinking to produce high quality healthcare environments serving patients, medical staff and visitors.

Our healthcare buildings meet clinical briefs, providing high quality environments to support safer and more technologically advanced treatments. By improving the patient experience while delivering best value, our integrated approach achieves this progressive model of care.

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EVENT PREVIEW  ENERGY SUPPLIERS General Hospital that will achieve more Examples of companies working in healthcare than double the efficiency of its existing include ENER-G, with a project by East energy supplies. We are experienced in Cheshire NHS Trust to transform its energy delivering complex energy management infrastructure across two hospitals which will projects in the healthcare sector, having shrink its carbon footprint by approximately partnered with more than 50 hospitals.”

30 per cent while delivering guaranteed ENER-G has also partnered with cost savings of £2.5 million over 15 years.

Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust to supply East Cheshire has appointed UK specialist, a combined heat and power (CHP) and ENER-G, to undertake the project, utilising district heating system at the hospital. This the Carbon and Energy Fund framework, technology is generating the majority of funding, process and contract. Robert Few, the hospital’s heating and low-temperature head of estates operations for East Cheshire hot water requirements and a third of its NHS Trust, said: “By generating our own electricity needs. In addition, the district energy supply onsite at Macclesfield District heating scheme is feeding hot water and General Hospital via CHP we will dramatically heating to its spinal treatment centre reduce our dependence on higher-cost power and day surgery unit, located in separate sourced from the grid while boosting our buildings. Other companies in the Energy environmental performance. The modern zone include; Sabien Technology, Dalkia, new energy infrastructure will be paid for Enviropharm Climate Energy and Sentinel. via the cost savings we make, with any surplus savings retained by the trust.”

PUBLIC INVESTMENT Alan Barlow, managing director of ENER-G The Government has unveiled its latest Combined Power, added: “We are construction forecast, with the delighted to work with East healthcare sector expected to Cheshire NHS Trust to help it benefit to the tune of nearly y g r Ene reduce its carbon footprint £3.2 billion. Against this s and save money on energy. climate of investment, feature are c As specialists in CHP, Planning, Design & h t l at Hea with a we are developing a Construction is proving s e t bespoke system for to be one of the most a t n s i E am Macclesfield District popular streams in the ted stre

dedica n conference the maicontent on and hibition the ex or flo

conference and this year sees a host of areas covered including an update on the new procurement regulations, new collaborative opportunities and how design teams and NHS clients can work together, including real examples of smarter ways to procure services.

The organisers have also announced that David Whiteley, chief engineer and programme lead for the Department of Health has confirmed he will present the new version of the NHS Premises Assurance Model (PAM).

David hopes to bring along some NHS users to present their experience of using PAM. PAM is a management tool that provides NHS organisations with a way of assessing how safely and efficiently they run their estate and facilities services. It provides a nationally consistent approach to evaluating NHS estates and facilities performance against a common set of questions and metrics. It is a basis for providing assurance on the safety and suitability of healthcare premises.

Healthcare Estates 2014

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

SHOW AREAS There is also a new area, the Construction Industry Council & BIM Area. This area will have workshops, software demonstrations, networking events, case studies, and BIM specific sessions. Companies involved include ADP Architects and Architects for Health.

Supporting the area, the Contractors & Architects Theatre will feature leading E

Volume 14.5 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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EVENT PREVIEW  architectural firms, including Stantec and ADP plus contractors who will showcase recent and current projects.

Exhibitors in the Contractors & Architects area include Sika Roofing alongside the Sika Flooring stand. Other exhibitors in the area include POD Living, Dunwoody Group, D&B Facades, Polar NE, Mach-Aire, and Rentavent.

Mark Bushell, national sales manager for flooring and refurbishment at Sika, said: “The introduction of our seamless flooring ranges signals an exciting new era in commercial flooring design and installation. We’ve listened to the needs of our customers and have developed an impressive alternative to traditional sheet vinyl, lino, tile and timber flooring solutions. The Decorative and Comfort Floor ranges are simple to apply, and leave nothing to desire from a technical, practical or aesthetic regard. They can even be refreshed to further extend the lifecycle”.

The three dedicated theatres on the exhibition floor at Healthcare Estates provide complimentary presentations to visitors, which were described last year by an NHS Estates Manager as “compelling stuff – my whole team should be here to listen to how the industry is changing and at a rapid pace”.

Estates & Facilities Management and Engineering complete the streams, while on the exhibition floor Static Systems help solve issues around bed spaces in hospitals, which traditionally are a complicated maze of wires, cables and other high-tech equipment, which is vital to the smooth running of services, as well as to the wellbeing and recovery of patients. Without trunking solutions, however, this vital technology would be on show, with the risk of it being damaged; or, worse still, staff, visitors or patients being injured. Static Systems are one of a number of companies offering new solutions. A spokesman commented: “It is interesting to look back just a few years when we were encouraged by our product design teams to include design lines on our trunking extrusions. Nowadays it is all about smooth profiles and close-fitting plates.”

The two day exhibition and conference is complimented with the IHEEM annual

Nearly 200 companies will be displaying a fantastic array of products and services this year.

The event promises to be a fascinating two days for visitors with so many changes impacting on all areas of healthcare awards dinner which this year takes place at the stunning Mercure Hotel which seats 600 guests. This year the after dinner speaker is, Fabrice Muamba, who famously suffered a heart attack playing for Bolton at White Hart Lane against Spurs. His heart stopped beating for 78 minutes, but remarkably he recovered to tell his tale – Fabrice was a refugee from Congo who despite coming to the country with no English at seven, went on to gain 10 GCSEs and three A Levels before embarking on his football career.

FREE TO ATTEND Nearly 200 companies will be displaying a fantastic array of products and services this year. The event promises to be a fascinating two days for visitors with so many changes impacting on all areas of healthcare. Hospitals will be able to see where they are lagging behind and could do better, with advice from many of the leading companies in the sector helping healthcare providers learn from the best hospitals and suppliers, with a number of the sessions focused on real examples of successes in the sector.

Tickets are widely available for the exhibition and are free to visitors. Healthcare Estates organisers Step Exhibitions have made thousands of complimentary tickets available to potential visitors to the exhibition. With a range of benefits for pre-registered visitors, complimentary sessions, VIP status to key people in the sector and the ability to book appointments with key companies once registered the organisers have once again upped the importance of this crucial annual event for those working in the sector.

The exhibition provides visitors with an

Healthcare Estates 2014

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

opportunity to find out about the latest changes and implications for you and your teams. For estates and facilities departments, architects, consulting engineers, construction companies, suppliers and others directly involved in managing estates and facilities the exhibition, features and conference is critical to helping you run your organisation.

MORE PRODUCTS, GREATER CHOICE The range of products on offer at Healthcare Estates ensures you make the right decision, providing visitors with every opportunity to see products demonstrated – essential in an industry where actually touching or using the product is a necessary part of the buying process.

Bringing the whole industry together, the exhibition gives customers and suppliers an invaluable chance to rub shoulders with their peers, competitors and future suppliers and employers. Visitors will also benefit from discussions around the hottest topics of the moment and you can learn the latest methods to deal with specific issues you encounter in your job. Lots of companies invest in training on a regular basis, but there is nothing better than learning from experts and highly experience speakers.

Healthcare Estates features over 200 leading companies, showcasing the latest technologies, equipment and services specifically designed to improve healthcare environments and the patient experience. So make Healthcare Estates a date in your diary, we look forward to seeing you there. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.healthcare-estates.com

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After the site survey has been carried out, Devon Medical’s skilled and experienced staff provide electrical and mechanical designs with architectural and structural services.

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Security that saves time and money

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Unified platform does more than just Nurse Call

Abloy system saves time on the wards

Austco is a leading global provider of nursing communication technology and software solutions for environments where communication is critical.

Founded in 1986, Austco serves over 8,500 sites across 60 countries. With solutions designed to comply with global healthcare standards, Austco aims to maintain the highest level of integrity and dedication. Reliable hardware and forward thinking software solutions help Austco’s customers improve efficiency, cut costs and successfully exceed duty of care requirements.

The company’s flagship solution Tacera helps facilities provide the highest level of care and service, through the advanced use of technology, real-time conversational interactions and the introduction of intelligent operational processes. This is made possible by combining advanced nurse call with our complimentary technologies like RTLS and patient engagement

Abloy UK supplies high security CLIQ cylinders and keys to Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, upgrading the security of drug cabinets, resulting in substantial cost and time savings.

The hospital uses mechanical locks to secure drug cabinets with most wards having several cupboards and fridges each with a key; consequently, a lot of nurses’ time is spent searching for who has the keys, and trying to find out which key fits which lock.

Scunthorpe Hospital trialled Abloy’s CLIQ system, fitting high-security cylinders and keys to drug cabinets, cupboards as well as padlocks on fridges with nurses given their own key, individually programmed to allow them access to the cupboards they needed to use, plus amending and deleting access rights, downloading audit trails and deleting lost or stolen keys.

systems which add greater value to the care infrastructure and its associated application data.

The flexibility of Austco’s solutions allows the company to integrate into other technologies enabling its customers to benefit from a truly complete communication and management solution.

Headquartered in Melbourne, Austco has offices in New Zealand, Singapore, UK, North America and Canada, with manufacturing facilities in Perth and Dallas USA.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01527 877 778 Email: sales.uk@austco.com www.austco.co.uk

Contiquip – maintaining the standard Contiquip is a young yet highly experienced family run Kitchen maintenance company based in Salford which offers an efficient and reliable service to the commercial catering industry, including maintenance, repair and installation of all commercial catering equipment.

Contiquip provides the majority of its services and maintenance work throughout the North West of England and is also involved in the repair and installation of catering equipment on a national level.

Contiquip’s commercial catering engineers have many years experience and comprehensive knowledge of the catering industry. They are fully trained and Gas Safe registered,

informed, reliable and committed to providing every client with an outstanding service.

Contiquip understands the urgency of your repair and along with its suppliers provide the best service to make sure you are back up and running in the quickest time possible. Its engineers have access to some of the largest companies in the industry to collect materials immediately should the need arise. Whether it is a breakdown, maintenance work, repair, Contiquip offers a business solution to suit your needs FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 0161 925 9170 greg@theacsgroup.co

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Mike Urwin, director of Pharmacy at Scunthorpe Hospital, comments: “Typically a nurse will spend an average of 40 minutes per shift looking for keys – the time saved is equivalent to having 24 additional nurses on duty every day across the whole Trust. We are implementing Abloy CLIQ Remote to improve medicine security and increase nursing care, and would recommend other Trusts trial this system and see for themselves the benefits it can have.”

FURTHER INFORMATION www.abloycliq.co.uk

Truly flexible space management solutions from KwickScreen KwickScreen is the world’s most portable and versatile room divider, providing a truly flexible space management solution for healthcare settings.

Functioning as a temporary, retractable wall, KwickScreen solves several hospital specific problems, from preventing the spread of droplet-transmitted infections to providing an adaptable solution for mixed sex accommodation issues. Use them to create adjustable spaces – whether cordoning off crash situations or creating private spaces for patients’ visitors.

KwickScreens eliminate the need for costly building work and enable rooms, corridors and open spaces to be efficiently utilised and reconfigured in seconds. They are easy to use, transport and keep clean, and are in use in over 100 NHS Trusts.

With large, printable panels, KwickScreens can also be customised with any image –

promoting the inclusion of art in more healthcare environments.

Research shows that patient wellbeing is greatly improved in hospitals where peaceful images of nature are displayed.

KwickScreen has an extensive prints catalogue to choose artwork from, ranging from vibrant, animated scenes for young people, to calming landscapes for post-operative patients. Add a printed design to your KwickScreen, to lift the mood of any space.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 07842 232 090 www.kwickscreen.com

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Danfloor to showcase its new product range at the Healthcare Estates show At this year’s Healthcare Estates show danfloor, leading manufacturer and supplier of healthcare carpets will be showcasing its brand new ECONOMIX range. The range aims to offer a practical yet stylish flooring solution for healthcare environments.

Combining innovative performance features including an anti-microbial coating and an impervious membrane with the latest trend colours, ensures the range provides a flooring solution that is fit for the demands of the healthcare sector whilst also facilitating the creation of stunning interior design schemes.

In addition to outstanding performance characteristics and the latest trend colours, the range also offers excellent environmental credentials. The ECONYL solution dyed nylon yarn that goes into the manufacture

of ECONOMIX is made from post-consumer waste, including items like abandoned fishing nets, making the range 100 per cent sustainable and fully recyclable, whilst helping to reduce the amount of waste materials in the ocean. For more information on ECONOMIX or any other of the danfloor ranges visit stand E6 at the Healthcare Estates show.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 0844 915 1000 info@danfloor.co.uk www.danfloor.co.uk

The specialists in healthcare buildings Pick Everard is a multiprofessional consultancy, serving clients across the built environment. Offering a range of advisory, design, cost and project management services, the company will develop your project from initial ideas to completion by the quickest and most efficient route.

Pick Everard has designated healthcare teams with specialist knowledge and skills, harnessed through creative thinking to produce high quality healthcare environments serving patients, medical staff and visitors.

Pick Everard’s healthcare buildings meet clinical briefs, providing high quality environments to support safer and more technologically advanced treatments. By improving the patient experience while delivering best value, the company’s integrated approach achieves this progressive model of care.

Pick Everard’s proven track record spans a wide spectrum of

the healthcare sector, including urgent and primary care; mental health facilities; and care accommodation for the elderly.

To maximise use of healthcare buildings and estates the company offers a comprehensive rationalisation service, along with providing expert procurement advice to achieve required services while obtaining best value for money.

Pick Everard’s experience speaks for itself – with around 600 healthcare projects delivered successfully within the last five years.

FURTHER INFORMATION healthcare@pickeverard.co.uk www.pickeverard.co.uk

Whitecroft – the health care lighting experts Whitecroft is at the forefront of the latest developments in both lighting and lighting controls, bringing you the most cost effective, energy saving lighting available today.

The company is particularly proud to be part of some of the most prestigious healthcare developments in the UK in recent years, such as the Royal London and St Bartholomew’s hospitals.

The modern healthcare environment must cater for a multitude of needs and it is no longer a case of providing the best lit environment in accordance with regulations.

The varying needs of patient, clinician and visitor must be balanced with infection control via the lowest possible energy package. Whitecroft can assess the varying needs of these clinical spaces by four key criteria: User experience – its proven ambience and environment has a direct effect on patient

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recovery times. Whitecroft creates a comfortable environment that the patient can control.

Infection control has been considered in the development of all our products, therefore all surfaces are easy to clean.

Lighting criteria – CIBSE LG2 and BS EN12464-1: 2011 set the standards for lighting levels in all applications.

Energy and sustainability – Whitecroft provides significant LED energy efficient solutions and have saved an NHS development up to 60 per cent.

FURTHER INFORMATION www.whitecroftlighting.com

WMSoc – a leading water management membership organisation Water Management Society members come from a wide range of disciplines including water suppliers, scientists, engineers, manufacturers, consultants and facilities managers.

WMSoc provides training to individuals and companies within the water management industry. Courses cover all aspects of water management including legionella risk assessment, cleaning and disinfection, and temperature monitoring, sampling and inspection. The society’s expertise in legionella awareness and prevention means it can provide the most up-to-date training on the prevention and control of Legionnaires’ disease within various water systems, including cooling towers, closed systems and hot and cold water systems.

WMSoc’s unique Practical Training Area (PTA) enables

course attendees to gain hands-on experience. It houses two cooling towers, which are utilised on a number of the courses. The PTA is used to assess the competence of delegates during practical exercises and to certify that a person has the ability to perform his/her duties in a competent manner.

The Water Management Society is a non-profit and noncommercial organisation run for the benefit of its members.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01827 289558 admin@wmsoc.org.uk www.wmsoc.org.uk

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WAYFINDING

LOSING YOUR WAY? Written by David Catanach, director at the British Sign and Graphics Association

David Catanach, director at the British Sign and Graphics Association, takes a look at wayfinding signage in hospital buildings

When you need something to work and you find out at exactly the time you need it most that it’s not designed at all for what you had in mind, it can become infuriating – especially when the deficient subject is a wayfinding signage scheme, which should guide you effortlessly to your destination, but often doesn’t because it’s been badly designed, poorly located or is just plain wrong.

There’s nothing worse than wandering round a building looking for a particular location, only to miss it because the sign that tells you that you’ve arrived had been sited on a door, and somebody has left the door wide open, or to save money, the sign was made out of a thin rigid material that has now snapped away from its fixings.

You will want the signing to be of a robust material, probably tamperproof, durable, definitely graffiti‑proof and vandal resistant, but easy to change when needed, easily read, complies with DDA legislation, incorporates the ‘corporate colours’ and won’t deteriorate or look cheap and tatty after a while.

ing Wayfind is a sation i l a i c e p – s ignage ny s n i h t i w a re so m there a he front end t factors uct needs prod tisfy to sa

THE RIGHT PATH Wayfinding is a specialisation within the scope of signing overall. It’s a specialisation that’s really dangerous to dabble in whether you’re the manufacturer of the components comprising a wayfinding system, or the practitioner who installs them. There are so many factors the end product needs to satisfy – letting any one of them dominate at the expense of another leaves you with the ruin of a wayfinding scheme to deal with.

Signs that relate to generally static chunks of infrastructure, such as Inverness or Penzance, have a life span that’s largely a function of the materials they’re made from. When the weather has done its work, the sign will be replaced, in all likelihood with something pretty much identical.

That’s because unless something really unusual happens, Inverness and Penzance will always be where they are now.

Most wayfinding schemes though usually point the way to something that is anything but static. People get promoted. Radiology gets a new machine and moves to a bigger room three floors down. A new chief executive is installed and he’s a medical practice driven animal, so management consultancy is consigned to a new home in a temporary building by the bins. A wayfinding scheme has to be ‘updatable’ to reflect these changes.

SHADES OF GREY Seriously, just how many shades of grey are there? Try telling that to whoever was responsible for the directory in a London

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There’s nothing worse than wandering round a building looking for a particular location, only to miss it because the sign that tells you that you’ve arrived had been sited on a door, and somebody has left the door wide open.

Or to save money, the sign was made out of a thin rigid material that has now snapped away from its fixings department store I visited. Every little component in the system has been stove enamelled, or painted, in a shade of grey close, but not close enough, to its neighbour.

Every time a change was made, a new shade of grey would find its way into the directory.

Eventually, it lost its way completely. As a template for colour variation it worked well.

As a wayfinding directory it resembled a thick layer of the Earth’s crust that had been stuck up on the wall. It was further made to look as if the seagulls had been at work as the white text ran into half a dozen typefaces and letter heights. Reading it took twice as long as your eyes had to adjust at every level.

How about the provincial theatre that signed

up for wayfinding ‘in character’? No room here for the crisply rendered, get‑it‑at‑a-glance quality of a sharply contrasting sans-serif face and unmistakeable din-standard arrows. Try brown lettering on gold anodised aluminium and, as if that’s not enough, make sure the letter is Olde English and forget that it has a lower case too. Oh and by the way, let’s put the signs next to the doors to the auditorium so that when the door is open you can only ‘see’ half the sign. Old scheme NHS – acres of brown Darvic but at least you could read the text quickly.

Thankfully, wayfinding done well is an absolute joy to behold and there’s quite a bit of it around. Airports and railway

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stations, on the whole, get it right.

They spend a small fortune on signing because they’re in the business of herding people from one place to another and – their system would simply grind to an excruciating halt if they didn’t do it well.

The British road traffic signing scheme is just about the best in the world and, let’s face it, we get plenty of time to admire it at close quarters.

Wayfinding done well is a deep design specialisation. It draws upon knowledge of how type works and how things distilled to the barest essence actually function. The very fact that it’s not a discretionary involvement of the user with the sign, but something closer to necessity confers upon it a responsibility to do its job and to do it well.

No one goal in wayfinding is seconded to another. Whether the scheme sets out to counterpoint the architecture that is its host, or to work with it, it must do so in a manner that sits comfortably with its need to direct and inform.

Give legibility its head though, and you may have won in the functional stakes, but you’ll also have blighted the venue with the aesthetics of a car crash.L FURTHER INFORMATION www.bsga.co.uk

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

PROTECTING NHS STAFF FROM VIOLENCE AT WORK With the present threat of indiscriminate violence in healthcare environments, the need for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is greater than ever It is an unfortunate fact that in the early 21st century the need for PPE amongst police and security forces is greater than ever.

Indiscriminate acts of violence can break out at any time, which is why police and security forces worldwide are choosing lightweight and easily deployed personal protective and light trauma equipment for speed and safety.

This is where the developments carried out by DMS Plastics make vital contributions toward officer safety and comfort. In addition to Blunt trauma protectors, shields and batons, the ever-expanding Scorpion range of equipment now includes special armour for mounted officers and their horses.

SAFETY AND COMFORT The type of situation where PPE is likely to be deployed demands strength, durability, comfort and flexibility of equipment to cope with the fast pace and constantly changing nature of the work. DMS Plastics has ensured that the Scorpion range has been designed with weight savings, improved performance and flexibility, with a range of sizes to ensure both male and female officers have access to equally high standards of equipment they can use with confidence.

No one can foresee the amount of time the officer (or the horse) will be wearing the PPE, or the amount of punishment they will be required to withstand, which is why every component is exhaustively tested in the development stage to cope with almost any eventuality. All items are tested on site at the company’s fully equipped design and development facilities prior to undergoing independent tests.

THE RANGE Scorpion Blunt Trauma Protectors are strong yet lightweight limb and body protectors that provide a high degree of protection against impacts from strikes and thrown objects. They are available in a wide range of standard sizes, and have been ergonomically designed to give the wearer maximum comfort and freedom of movement. This means that in the field, Scorpion Protectors will give both male and female officers, the confidence and manoeuvrability they require when faced with violent conflict and public order situation’s.

As an aid to controlling large crowds, such as football supporters or demonstrators, the horse has no rival. However, equines

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are as vulnerable to attack as humans and their size makes them an easy target for missiles and knives. This is why DMS Plastics has introduced the Scorpion range of equine protective equipment. Currently this comprises of front and rear leg protectors, horse visor (clear) and a horse nose guard.

The rider is also catered for with specially designed leg protectors for use when mounted in addition to the standard upper body PPE. Scorpion Lightweight Personal Protective Shields come in three types for every tactical requirement. They are all manufactured

standard lengths from 530mm to 850mm but other lengths can be produced on request. They all feature a braided cord wrist strap and retaining ring to ensure retention in the belt-mounted holder.

RESEARCH All Scorpion PPE products are researched and developed in full consultation with agencies involved in public order and crowd control.

They are manufactured at the DMS Plastics’ plant that has in-house design, development and prototyping facilities. Scorpion products

DMS Plastics has ensured that the Scorpion range has been designed with weight savings, improved performance and flexibility, with a range of sizes to ensure both male and female officers have access to equally high standards of equipment they can use with confidence from makralon polycarbonate which gives them immense strength but minimal weight and allows the user an excellent field of vision. DMS Plastics offers a variety of handle configurations including its unique folding design where the handles can be folded flat to save space in storage/vehicles but locked-out and deployed in seconds.

All shields feature vibration resistant handle mountings to prevent the shock of impacts being transmitted to the user.

HEAD TO TOE PROTECTION The Scorpion Long Shield is a 1650mm high personal barrier shield that offers the user head to toe protection while allowing them unrestricted movement and manoeuvrability.

The interlocking shields offer long (1800mm), intermediate (1200mm) and short (1000mm) lengths and can be used separately or linked together to form a continuous barrier.

The Solo Shields are clear circular shields available in a range of sizes of configurations including an optional map/document holder.

Scorpion Public Order Batons are traditional, straight public order batons. Manufactured from 31mm diameter durable nylon 6 material they are available in a range of

are tested exhaustively during all of these processes and then subject to independent testing before being certified to the highest standards available. The manufacturing facility has a quality management system audited and accredited to ISO9001:2008.

Scorpion PPE is part of the DMS Plastics Group. Broader activities includes the manufacture of precision plastic components for automotive, aerospace and general industrial use.

All manufacturing takes place in the UK, in a state of the art facility in Ludlow.

Scorpion blunt trauma equipment has been independently tested to BS 7971‑4: 2002 Level 2 or the latest UK Home Office Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) standard 20/07. L FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01584 874679 www.dmsplastics.co.uk

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CAR PARK FEES

The Department of Health’s recently updated guidance on NHS parking principles has sparked up the debate on whether hospitals should charge for parking. Kelvin Reynolds, policy director at the British Parking Association, reports The Department of Health has recently published updated guidance on NHS patient, visitor and staff car parking principles.

This announcement pre-empted a planned back bench debate on Hospital car park charges and the Hospital Car Parking Charges (abolition) Bill is now due for a second reading on 6 March 2015.

So why isn’t it free to park at a Hospital in England already? After all, it’s free in Wales and Scotland, isn’t it? Well, in reality, there’s no such thing as a free parking place – somebody is paying for it. This is true everywhere, whether in town centres, at the beach, in the countryside or at the hospital. Like most NHS medical services, some car parks may be free at the point of use but someone, somewhere is paying for their upkeep and maintenance. If they are patrolled to keep them safe someone is paying for that too. Your so-called free parking is always paid for by someone else – is that fair?

When parking charges were abolished in hospitals in Scotland and Wales, patient accessibility didn’t improve; instead, nearly all the spaces were taken up by commuters and staff to the detriment of visitors and patients.

And because demand isn’t managed properly it spilled onto yellow lines, grass verges and nearby residential streets. In some cases bus companies actually refused to offer a service because they couldn’t get through. So, it seemed like a good idea, but those that relied on public

transport, those very people that MPs champion for, ended up the hardest hit (see panel).

THE MORAL QUESTION When the Trust or healthcare facility decides that it is best to employ contractors to manage parking on their site, the BPA advocates that the operator should belong to an Accredited Trade Association (ATA). The BPA launched the very first ATA, the Approved Operator Scheme (AOS), in 2007 and it currently has over 150 members. The Scheme is designed specifically for those BPA members that are providing parking management and enforcement services on private land or in unregulated public car parks. The AOS is supported by the BPA Code of Practice for Parking Enforcement on Private Land and Unregulated Car Parks.

With over 34 million cars on UK roads, it is unlikely that there will ever be enough parking space to meet demand. The Government expects this number to increase by more than 40 per cent by 2050, meaning that car parking will need to be shared fairly and properly managed even if it is free. How do we pay for that?

The moral question is, should healthcare budgets be used to provide parking facilities? And who for – staff, visitors or patients? At the BPA

we strongly believe that healthcare budgets, which are under all kinds of pressures, should be used only to provide healthcare services.

Many bus users don’t get free travel, so why should car users get free parking? And can the Trust afford to allocate so much land and resources simply to park cars? How much NHS resource should be used for parking?

THE BPA CHARTER There is nothing new in the government’s recent announcement; there already existed guidance for those who need to manage parking, published by the BPA, with support from the NHS Confederation and Healthcare Facilities Consortium (HFC). Our Healthcare Parking Charter aims to strike the right balance between being fair to patients, visitors and staff, ensuring facilities are managed effectively for the good of everyone – which includes rationing space and developing priorities when demand outweighs supply.

The Charter, first published in 2010, and fully revised in 2012 is for everyone involved in the provision and management of parking in the NHS. It identifies the importance of car parking policy in terms of the wider transport strategy, the need to properly manage traffic and parking for the benefit of everyone who attends hospital or healthcare facilities, as well as being a good neighbour too.

24 NHS Trusts have currently signed up to the Charter, confirming that they agree to abide by the principles set out within. In addition 55 BPA members including car park operators, suppliers and service providers have also added their signatures. A full list is available from the BPA’s website. The Charter covers areas such as: high standards of management and customer service; clear and easy-to-understand signs and information; appropriate access control and payment systems; and crime reduction. It also speaks of dispute resolution and appeals, as well as engaging contractors and third-party service providers.

Written by Kelvin Reynolds, policy director, BPA

MAKING THE CALL ON CHARGES FOR HOSPITAL PARKING

Parking

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When l hospita rges cha parkingients were CONCESSIONS FOR for pat in Scotland THOSE IN NEED So, what about ed abolish ales, spaces concessions and priorities for the long and W ken up by term sick or those who were tauters and visit frequently? Surely m com nstead exceptions should be made for these groups. In its staff i

announcement, the government line is that concessions, including free or reduced charges or caps, should be available for a number of specific groups including disabled motorists, frequent outpatient attendees and visitors with relatives who are gravely ill or with relatives who have an extended stay in hospital. The BPA agrees and also advocates concessions being properly explained and advertised too.

Who is best placed to do this? Is it the role of the Trust to communicate E

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CAR PARK FEES Some examples of poor parking management Changes to how hospital parking is managed have often meant that the people who are most in need of help are most badly affected. Here are a few examples.

Cardiff & Vale University Health Board – September 2013 Outside help is being brought in to tackle long-standing parking problems at University Hospital Llandough.

The busy hospital site has suffered from chronic parking problems causing patients to be late for their appointments, bus operators refusing to service the site and emergency vehicles being delayed.

BBC Scotland (2009) It’s nearly a year since hospital car parking charges were abolished in Scotland. Last December, the [Government] made it free to park your car in any Scottish hospital, except the Royal Infirmaries of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Ninewells hospital in Dundee, where car parks were built under private finance.

However, is there a downside to this popular policy?

Residents near Edinburgh’s Western General are certainly unhappy. Since charges were abolished at the hospital, the car park has been constantly full and staff have resorted to parking in nearby residential streets.

One report in a local newspaper said an angry local had poured acid on several vehicles, including a doctor’s car, although Lothian police told me no official complaint had been made.

There were over 70 complaints in the first three months of the free car parking being brought into the Western General site, whereas before they had no complaints at all.

The Sunday Post – Scotland (2013) Parking chaos is forcing patients and visitors to leave their cars huge distances from hospitals.

Our reporters visited hospitals across Scotland and the north of England during busy visiting hours to see how easy it is to park after a survey of patients and visitors commissioned by The Sunday Post.

At St John’s in Livingston we joined a queue of cars searching for a space. We could not find an empty space but counted 25 cars dumped outside official bays.

Things were no better at the Western General in Edinburgh. When we arrived we found all the car parks crammed full.

The patient and visitor car park at the Victoria in Kirkcaldy was also full when we arrived with several cars parked on grass verges.

Our reporter visited Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) and the city’s Freeman Hospital and discovered plenty of spaces. But the number of free bays is explained by the cost. Parking charges at both are £1.30 an hour, even on Sundays.

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 this information to patients or the parking operator or both?

The Healthcare Facilities Consortium (HFC), and the BPA (who have worked for a number of years), very much agree there should be concessions for certain groups (and many of our members already do this), provided these can be managed in a cost effective way: at present, the administration of schemes can be costly which of course depletes the amount of money available for reinvestment.

Additionally the BPA’s Health Care Parking special interest group allows the sharing of knowledge and best practice, as well as allowing campaigning for better recognition of the services provided and the need for them to be properly funded. Its next meeting is on 25 November.

MAKING PARKING WORK We welcome the public debate and clear national statements about car parking at healthcare facilities. Healthcare parking will also feature in the forthcoming annual conference programme on 15 October. NHS Trusts and those who operate on their sites are encouraged to attend this high profile event and participate in the discussions with key stakeholders.

BPA members are clear that parking management is about keeping our streets and car parks safe, free from obstruction caused by indiscriminately parked cars, helping buses and cyclists and improving road safety, keeping children safe when they come out of school, protecting spaces for residents or particular groups of users such as disabled people, and enabling servicing and deliveries to take place in our communities and high streets that would become congested if parking wasn’t properly and effectively managed. That costs money. Who pays for it? We all do if it’s not done properly. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.britishparking.co.uk

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BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

The Wiper Specialists!

Isla Components specialises in the manufacture of wiper arms & linkages.

Isla have a large range of wiper blades. It also offers conventional blades, upgrade blades, commercial blades, rear arms and blades for cars and the new type of flat blades for both car and LCV. This range incorporates a “Multi‑Fit Adapter” system, that covers 86% of the market place.

The commercial blades include a range of heavy duty hook blades (9x4 & 12x4 adapters), spray jet blades, with the jet fixed to the blade frame, also a range of saddle fitting blades, from 20” (500mm) to 48” (1200mm).

Isla manufacturer a variety of wiper arms for all types of PSV vehicles and CCTV cameras used in different industries & environments.

Isla have an extensive range of replacement wiper motor & washer pumps for PSV vehicles.

Isla also supplies an extensive range of replacement wiper arms, blades,wiper motors & washer bottles for the Plant & Agricultural sectors.

Isla are able to offer “own branding solutions”.

Our knowledge is extensive, our range is forever increasing! We are an accredited company to ISO9001.

Tel: 01885 485950 www.islacomponents.co.uk Email: sales@islacomponents.co.uk

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Are you concerned about profits?

While you look after your patients, Carpenter Box will look after your business…

Together with our national association, MHA, we act for more than 200 medical practices – providing great business and tax advice to GPs, consultants and surgeons. Our team have experience in helping practices deal with the current financial pressures and challenges facing the sector.

If you need specific advice or simply a chat, please get in touch on 01903 234094 or email alan.edwards@carpenterbox.com www.carpenterbox.com

PROCUREMENT

FLEET PURCHASING EXPLAINED

I have spent more than 50 years in the fleet industry and during the last decade or more have become increasingly concerned at the decision of many organisations to axe the post of fleet manager. The traditional fleet manager is now rare and with their passing, employers have lost the knowledge and skill necessary to deliver a cost effective fleet operation. Consequently, there is a real need to reintroduce into the fleet management process individuals with a clear understanding and the necessary skill and knowledge to deliver a professional approach.

I accept that the fleet industry, just like any business sector, must continue to evolve and change. However, for those employees now taking on fleet management responsibility it is important that all aspects of running the operation are properly understood and standards maintained. The goal for every professional fleet manager should be to implement a sustainable performance programme in all areas of managing the driver, vehicle and journey.

The costs involved with running fleets are enormous, second only to staffing costs in most organisations. However, understanding the intricacies of fleet management is a discipline which, sadly, very few organisations properly grasp. That became increasingly apparent when I was running Fleet Support Group. Discussing the issue with colleagues who are all highly experienced, full-time professional fleet managers it became

apparent that they were also concerned at the demise of the role across all business sectors.

The outcome is the launch of the Fleet Industry Advisory Group (FIAG), which is aimed at developing and sharing best practice among fleet decision-makers while

BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP Making sure that the customer-supplier relationship that develops following a tender process works well throughout the duration of the contract is not just about getting right the words and numbers in the agreement.

The costs involved with running fleets are enormous, second only to staffing costs in most organisations. However, understanding the intricacies of fleet management is a discipline which, sadly, few organisations properly grasp simultaneously raising money for Hope for Tomorrow, a national charity dedicated to bringing cancer treatment closer to patients’ homes by providing a mobile chemotherapy unit to every oncology unit within the UK. CAREFUL DECISION-MAKING There is no single formula to tackling a fleet issue, but through networking, communication and a hugely knowledgeable base of founder members our intention is to ensure best practice is shared and adopted more widely.

One area of concern in terms of fleet decision-makers getting it right is the purchasing of vehicles, fleet services and related products. That is why FIAG’s first workshop, held recently, focused on

Written by Geoffrey Bray, chairmna, Fleet Industry Advisory Group

Too frequently, price is the dominating issue when purchasing new vehicles and fleet services. But there are many other aspects that should be considered if a long-term efficient fleet is to be run. Geoffrey Bray, chairman of the newly formed Fleet Industry Advisory Group, shares some procurement best practice

procurement best practice. Too often the purchasing process conducted via a tendering exercise can be totally inappropriate, ineffective and almost a charade.

However, when undertaken carefully and involving all key stakeholders in the tendering process it then becomes the cornerstone of the subsequent contract that will define the long‑term efficiency and effectiveness of the fleet operation. Indeed, partnering efficiently with a range of fleet suppliers is the secret to keeping operating costs in check, while continuing to drive through efficiencies that will make the business as a whole function more effectively.

Fleet Management

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It is also about developing a strong working relationship and genuine rapport with each and every supplier necessary to achieve strategic corporate objectives.

The key to a successful fleet purchasing process is to define what is required, commercially and functionally, from potential suppliers while ensuring that very best value for money is obtained. However, do not confuse value for money with price.

When making procurement decisions too many people focus on price when greater consideration should be given to intangibles such as value added service delivery, account management and product innovation if a successful long‑term business relationship is to be formed. A tender E

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PROCUREMENT  process undertaken properly will guard against incumbent supplier complacency and provide all stakeholders of the company going out to the market with firm reassurance that the process is taking their particular interests into account.

TENDER DOCUMENTS Typically tender documents when issued to potential suppliers fall into four categories: documents that are concise, to the point and generally first class; those that are vague having probably been written by people with little or no fleet knowledge; those that are written by external consultants engaged for the specific exercise, which are so often unnecessarily complicated; and those that are simplistic generic documents that are used for general purchasing that are totally inadequate for the job in hand.

Therefore, it is vital that fleet decision-makers clearly identify their requirements and establish the criteria.

However, in ensuring compliance and value is achieved, it is critical to involve other key internal stakeholders in the procurement process. Depending on the size of the organisation this could include input from departments such as: procurement, finance, HR, legal, health and safety and environment.

Such an approach ensures the procurement process is both well-run and has a clearly defined and auditable tendering objective.

But too often, particularly, if the fleet decision-maker is inexperienced or fleet is not their full-time job role, the purchasing decision‑making is unduly influenced by colleagues from other departments.

This can result in a lack of clarity in terms of what is required from suppliers because those making the purchasing decisions do not necessarily understand the complexities of fleet.

CLARITY Specification clarity within the tender document is therefore essential, but too often, challenges have to be made by suppliers. Ultimately this can mean that the specification has to be rewritten so that those on the supply side can deliver what it is that companies actually want – once that has been determined.

In short, if bidders come back with numerous questions it clearly highlights poor tender drafting and a failure to understand the needs of potential suppliers. However, where fleet expertise and knowledge is thin on the ground, businesses should beware of simply setting out the status quo in service specification terms and asking tenderers to price against it. Using the ‘it’s always been done that way’ approach can be very costly in today’s fast moving world.

A better tactic in such situations would be to fully explain the existing

Purchasing do’s and don’ts fleet arrangements and the desired outcomes of the exercise and to request detailed proposals from tenderers for delivering an effective solution or range of solutions. This will test the listening skills of tenderers and their ability to bring targeted added value to the business in terms of service and/or cost.

All too often tender documents contain a little bit about the fleet and the fleet policy and a lot about a company’s purchasing strategy, which appears to be the same whether those making the decisions are sourcing for fleet or any other corporate requirement such as office stationery.

However, it is vital that a company’s procurement department provides technical support and ensure that the purchasing process from start to finish is managed against corporate compliance procedures.

To ensure that ultimately the right purchasing decision is made and the right supplier appointed it is important that: the organisation issuing the tender has a high level of market place knowledge so the right suppliers are asked to tender; potential suppliers tendering for fleet business have knowledge of the organisation; an understanding of the fleet set-up and the objectives of the exercise; and that there is a cultural fit between the parties.

This soft aspect is so often overlooked, but it is so important that a good fit exists from day one of what will often be a long term relationship.

VALUE Too frequently, price is the dominating issue in tenders when the real focus should be on how a potential supplier can add value to a fleet through service delivery and innovation against a continually evolving transport and travel operation managed in a constantly changing tax and legislative environment. It is also clear that tenders are not a defined area and can result in a long drawn out and convoluted process involving too many people – and sometimes the wrong people leading the way and making the critical decisions.

In reality fleet managers should write the purchasing specification/ operational requirement; procurement should then focus on ensuring value and compliance with the specification/ requirement; and finally fleet managers should implement and be responsible once the decision is made.

While the product or service must be right for the fleet and the business, people ultimately buy from people because there is trust between them. If a relationship cannot be built on trust in the first instance then this could result in a recipe for operational disaster. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.fiag.co.uk

Do review the supplier marketplace from time to time

Fleet Management

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

Do guard against incumbent supplier complacency Do reassure all in-house stakeholders that their specific interests are being taken into account Do involve the procurement department (and other departments) but the fleet team should specify requirements Do focus on asking clear and concise questions designed to generate specific fleet-relevant answers from suppliers Do seek a partnership and not a ‘them and us’ approach Do seek supplier references and follow them up Do visit potential suppliers with a list of questions that address your own operational requirements Do talk to other fleet professionals Don’t outsource the process to purchasing specialists that have no fleet knowledge Don’t use a generic purchasing template as it is irrelevant to the fleet product or service required Don’t generalise – focus on fleet specifics in compiling tender questions Don’t request one-sided non‑disclosure agreements – these must be two-way and must apply mutually Don’t prescribe contractual documentation within the tender document Don’t ignore the importance of building relationships with suppliers Don’t be embarrassed to ask other fleet managers for advice and help Don’t pretend to know all the answers Don’t think the lowest price is the ‘Holy Grail’ Don’t be surprised if a contract goes bad if you haven’t carried out all the necessary checks and balances

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Medica+ a comprehensive, scalable, flexible and modular EPR solution Proven Clinical & EPR Solutions Since its establishment in 2000 Health Insights has worked with hospitals, healthcare professionals and administrators to deliver an enterprise wide and cost effective stage 6 Electronic Patient Record - MEDiCAPLUS.

MEDiCAPLUS has enabled healthcare organisations, both public and private, to streamline services while, at the same time, realising significant costs savings and demonstrating tangible benefits to their ultimate customer, the patient.

CARE CENTRE centralises administrative, financial and clinical functionality that is common to all systems and navigable from a central portal.

Now, with successful implementations in over fifty hospitals across the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Malaysia, Health Insights and their very experienced UK team can share their success with healthcare providers in the UK and Europe. A key to this success is their unique suite of Rapid Development and Business Intelligence Tools that allows the Company to quickly design, configure and implement solutions that reflect local practices and mirror the way practitioners work rather than impose a rigid solution – “one size fits all” approach.

CLINICAL SUPPORT SYSTEMS are an integral part of MEDiCAPLUS but, alternatively, third party solutions and bedside monitors can be incorporated using our integration engine.

Mobile devices including tablets and smart phones are supported allowing access from any location.

The comprehensive and functionally rich central EPR is supplemented by an extensive library of “plug in” user definable clinical applications which can be customised and enhanced by both Health Insights and clients themselves using the development tools. Information only needs to be entered once into the system – whatever the speciality. It is then displayed in other relevant parts of the system, clinical portal or future episode. Rules can be assigned to highlight risks, allergies and alerts.

Our vision is to deliver a “world class” and comprehensive healthcare solution. One that works across care boundaries, delivers real benefits for healthcare providers and patient’s alike, streamlines services, saves money and, one which is, immediately, responsive to ever changing business and clinical drivers.

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CLINICAL SPECIALITY SYSTEMS provide all workflow, data collection, eforms, rules, alerts, images and video capture required for each discipline and share all the additional functionality within Care Centre.

CLINICAL AND STATISTICAL REPORTING Any data stored within MEDiCAPLUS is searchable and reportable using either MEDiCAPLUS reporting tools or a 3rd party reporting tool.

Telephone: 01932 565890 Web: www.health-insights.com Email: sales@health-insights.co.uk

EVENT PREVIEW

IP Expo

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

SHOWCASING ADVANCES IN IT INFRASTRUCTURE

IP EXPO Europe 2014 on 8-9 October at London’s ExCel brings together some of the leading minds in cloud and IT. Health Business takes a look at some of this year’s main attractions IP EXPO Europe, held on 8-9 October 2014, is Europe’s leading cloud and IT infrastructure event. Designed for professionals across the whole spectrum of IT roles, it is the definitive event to view brand new technologies, and through exclusive keynote presentations, gain fresh insights from the leading thinkers in IT. With cloud, mobility, security, analytics, infrastructure and datacentre technologies all under one roof, IP EXPO Europe covers everything needed to run IT for a successful enterprise.

Each year, IP EXPO Europe has seen an increase in attendees, with a large percentage of 2013 attendees coming from Government and public sector, a figure that is expected to rise dramatically for 2014. The show provides an opportunity to join visionary thinkers from Government and the public sector to identify key issues and trends in the market.

Located at the ExCel centre, London, for 2014, IP EXPO Europe will this year feature two brand new co-located events, Cyber Security EXPO and Data Centre EXPO, designed to address the new developments and trends in these critical areas. With over 300 exhibitors from the likes of Microsoft,

VMware, IBM and Schneider Electric, the show will feature demonstrations and presentations which cover every facet of IT infrastructure, including the cloud, data centres and the latest solutions to combat cyber-crime. IP EXPO Europe is this year’s must visit event for all IT specialists.

The opening keynote speech will be delivered

by Sir Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web, who TIME magazine included in its ‘Top 100 Most Important People of the 20th Century’. Sir Tim will outline his vision for the 2050 Web and how organisations

will use it to gain competitive advantage in future. Berners-Lee will also offer his insight into business strategies for innovation and the creation of markets through digital channels.

CLOUD PROOF INFRASTRUCTURE Cloud provision for the public sector, particularly ‘digital by default’, has become a central theme for discussion. Since the G-Cloud framework was deployed, there has been a commitment from the Government to build competitive digital services which fit public sector business needs. E

As demonstrated by earlier adoption, e-invoicing leads to faster payments as it reduces the amount of time wasted whilst the invoice is in the post, it shrinks the likelihood of customers claiming they have not received the invoice or that it must be lost in the post while speeding up potential complaints Volume 14.5 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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EVENT PREVIEW

www.ipexpo.co.uk

ning The opewill be If we take Denmark keynoteby Sir Tim alone, each minute d e E r saved in invoice e M v I i T l e o d h w , e processing of the e L Berners zine included public sector’s 15 million invoices maga p 100 Most equals to €12 million in its ‘Totant People in savings. If 10 Impor e 20th minutes are saved for h t of each invoice, Denmark ’ Century could attain savings in

 In a time of expanding cloud service options and growing citizen expectations of instant mobile access to information and services, it has never been more important for the public sector to ensure all public sector services are available online.

Not only will IP EXPO Europe provide the latest information from leading thinkers, system integrator and service providers, it will also bring into play insight from the Government. In particular, Government’s chief technology officer (CTO) Liam Maxwell who is well known for his commitment to IT reform within the public sector and most notably the driving force behind ‘digital by default’ will be speaking at IP EXPO Europe.

GOING ELECTRONIC The benefits of back-office efficiencies have been recognised and increasingly promoted since the Gershon Efficiency Review. Major efficiencies could be achieved as a result of electronic procurement and specifically electronic invoicing. It is not surprising then that the UK government has been aligned with the deadlines set up by the European Commission which make e-invoicing in procurement mandatory from 2016 with the aim of making it the predominant method by 2020.

Compared to the rest of Europe, the UK is slightly behind with the Nordics leading the way. Since 1 February 2005, for example, all government institutions in Denmark can only accept invoices in electronic format. Ultimately, e-invoicing could save taxpayers billions of pounds, enable the government to tap into new markets and help secure payments more quickly.

the region of €120 million per year. Advocates of e-invoicing point at clear examples of best practice and have estimated that the complete roll out by the UK government could result in economic benefits of £22-£28 billion a year in comparison with modest levels of investment.

With such solid figures and bad debt losses incurred by European companies at an unprecedented high of €350 billion, it is no surprise that the UK public sector is under mounting pressure to embrace e-invoicing.

With late payment of bills remaining a serious concern for SMEs despite the improving economy, governments in Europe are enlisting the adoption of e-invoicing as one of the solutions. This is in conjunction with major and widespread legislative changes.

E-INVOICING As demonstrated by earlier adoption, e-invoicing leads to faster payments as it reduces the amount of time wasted whilst the invoice is in the post, it shrinks the likelihood of customers claiming they have not received the invoice or that it must be lost in the post while speeding up potential complaints.

The programme at IP EXPO Europe 2014 will explore the issues surrounding ‘digital by default’ in the public and private sector, giving insight into the options available to public sector organisations, in addition to examining the benefits and barriers of G-Cloud.

Cyber threats have shot to the top of the

IP Expo

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UK government and international agenda.

In particular, in recent years due to high profile leaks cyber security has become a thorny issue for governments and businesses worldwide. There is no doubting that all this connectivity delivers overwhelming benefits to society, yet the cyber threat represents a very real and tangible danger to all of us on a daily basis.

Unfortunately, there is no quick fix and we cannot eliminate the threat completely as cyber criminals will always be keen to exploit the system for their own gain – whether that be politically, economically or personally motivated. However, the most worrying of these concerns, from both a government and citizen perspective which often receives much media speculation, is that of state or privately sponsored terrorism.

From criminal gangs to ethnic extremists many believe these groups with the right technical knowledge could pose a huge risk to our critical infrastructure and cause major damage to society. Enterprises, particularly those within the government’s critical infrastructure supply chain must be clear on their security protocol and understand how to best protect themselves from potential attack.

The issues of cyber security will be discussed in depth at Cyber Security Expo, which is co‑located with IP Expo at London’s ExCeL. In addition, Data Centre EXPO is a new event for anyone involved in the design, creation and operation of data centres which explores the hottest news, views, insights, ideas and technologies that fuel the data centre. Offering a complete “Bricks to Bytes” view of the data centre, the event, co-located with IP EXPO Europe will examine the core areas of hosting, co-location, networks & connectivity, cloud, storage, facilities, infrastructure, design and build, DCIM, convergence and more.  FURTHER INFORMATION www.ipexpo.co.uk

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Products & Services

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

ENERGY MANAGEMENT

ENERGY

Low Carbon Europe (LCE) offers a wide range of services that cater directly to the individual needs of its clients. Supporting both strategic and operational energy management requirements, LCE has become the ‘preferred supplier’ in helping organisations reduce their carbon footprint, use less energy and spend less money.

The company provides a range of services that are tailored to meet your individual needs and requirements; ranging from retained energy management, sustainable environmental management, water audits, EcoHealth, ESOS, CRC reporting, air conditioning inspections, Display Energy Certificates (DECs) and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).

LCE is pleased to announce the launch of its new environmental management toolkit, EcoHealth, which provides a stepped approach to formal ISO14001 accreditation. EcoHealth takes the

PCMG is the leading provider of energy cost recovery services for NHS Trusts. The company can help you to meet your savings targets, or generate revenue to re-invest into energy efficiency initiatives.

PCMG works with you to identify and secure cost recoveries and savings within your historical electricity, gas and water expenditure. The company operates on a contingency fee basis, which means that working with PCMG is without any risk or initial financial outlay.

In addition to being cost recovery experts, the company has some of the UK’s leading expertise in non-commodity electricity and gas costs, such as network charges and environmental taxes.

PCMG is the only cost consultant actively involved in energy network policy, and in recent years its unique regulatory policy work has resulted in millions of pounds being returned to its clients.

In the past three years,

Reduce your carbon Energy cost recovery foorprint and save money services for the NHS

organisation on a journey that underpins the environmental and sustainability agenda and requires input and board level support, alongside trust-wide engagement.

LCE prides itself on ensuring it gains full client understanding in the importance of continued staff engagement.

This ensures any future and ongoing energy management commitments are taken into account when developing the wider sustainability agenda.

To support this, LCE has a help desk for any issues its clients face in achieving their goals.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01273 862582 info@lowCO2.eu www.lowCO2.eu

OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE

WASHROOM FACILITIES

There are many types of workplace within the NHS and related health services. Workshops, laboratories, pharmacies, surgeries, mortuaries, laundries and construction sites all harbour potential hazards that threaten the health of workers. Workplaces are constantly changing, driven by technology and ever-increasing demands and expectations. It is essential to regularly monitor and review the risks posed to employees.

Many workplace pollutants cause asthma, dermatitis, cancer and other serious diseases.

There is still an need for expert guidance to employers on how to implement the COSHH regulations. Doing nothing results in industrial diseases, staff dissatisfaction, legal penalties and, quite often, expensive litigation.

Since 1991, Brian Milligan Associates has been identifying hazards in the workplace,

Ward and visitor washrooms in hospitals and health centres should be both welcoming and user focused.

High levels of hygiene are required to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. This makes hand dryers a perfect option as they are a hygienic alternative to paper or roller towels.

They also eliminate the possibility of soiled paper towels being strewn across floors as bins overflow or even being thrown down the toilet, causing expensive blockages and mess.

Patients need a calm, quiet environment. Noisy appliances are not only a nuisance, but according to the World Health Organisation, they are bad for our health and stress levels. Noise reduction is built into the design of all of Airdri’s products, four of which, including two new models, the Quest™ and the Quazar™, have been awarded the Quiet

Protecting staff from hazards in the workplace

100

monitoring exposure of workers to noise and airborne pollutants, such as dusts, fumes and solvent vapours, and advising employers on effective control measures. Based in the north of England, the company has extensive experience in all kinds of workplaces.

Brian Milligan holds the Diploma of Professional Competence in Occupational Hygiene and is a Fellow of the Faculty of Occupational Hygiene, as well as having a chemistry degree from the University of Oxford.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 0161 792 2269 brian@brian-milligan.co.uk www.brian-milligan.co.uk

HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 14.5

PCMG has recovered £9.7 million for 129 NHS Trusts with success stories including: East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust: £400,000; Royal United Bath NHS Trust: £202,000; Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: £262,000; Dartford & Gravesham NHS Trust: £54,000.

Services can be accessed via public sector frameworks including NHS Shared Business Services [ref SBS/12/ SG/ZMF/8296/08] and NHS Commercial Alliance [ref 2012004NC].

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01253 361 600 www.pcmg.co.uk

Reduce cross-infection with air dryers from Airdri Mark – an international mark of excellence awarded by the UK Noise Abatement Society.

Airdri has a quiet dryer with a totally flat surface – the Quad™ – which lends itself to the application of bespoke adhesive covers, on which a hospital or surgery could promote a hand hygiene message.

Investing in effective, long-lasting energy efficient washroom equipment can help health trusts use less energy, avoid unnecessary waste and importantly, save costs. All Airdri’s hand drying models have been carefully designed to be reliable, energy efficient and to have low noise levels, making them an ideal choice for washrooms in the healthcare sector.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01865 882330 sales@airdri.com www.airdri.com

Advertisers Index

FINANCE

RECRUITMENT

Moneta Healthcare offers a ‘one-stop shop’ for healthcare professionals, providing a full practice management service or options to ‘cherry pick’ individual services to compliment the current administration set up.

Moneta Healthcare offers clients a friendly, dedicated practice manager which allows a single point of contact, looking after all your practice needs on a day-to-day basis.

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Moneta Healthcare offers everything that today’s healthcare professional requires: logo, website set up

1st Stop Recruitment, founded by Lesley Whiting in 2002, has 27 years’ experience in the industry. After receiving formal training with a national agency, the company has become a leading recruiter in the Haverhill area.

1st Stop Recruitment is proud to offer a unique concept in recruitment and the company’s unrivalled experience and recruitment knowledge, teamed with its membership to the UK’s largest recruitment network makes 1st Stop Recruitment the obvious choice for local and national recruitment.

The company works extremely closely with clients in all aspects of the recruitment process often reducing the time and cost. The company’s aim is to make recruitment as seamless

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and design, finance options of up to £150,000 unsecured, IT solutions and much more.

The Management team has over 15 years’ experience in the healthcare sector – both private and NHS. GPs, consultants, surgeons, locums, and private clinics have all benefited from Moneta Healthcare’s services.

Concentrate on what you do best and let Moneta do the rest.

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Products & Services

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – www.healthbusinessuk.net

as possible, leaving you to get on with what you do best.

1st Stop Recruitment’s mobile‑friendly website gives clients the opportunity to keep in touch any time and offers a scanner for mobile link to the web page.

In November 2013, 1st Stop Recruitment was approved a GLA Licence enabling the company to further develop its business in a new sector.

Licence no: STST00002.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01440-763021 info@1ststoprecruitment.co.uk www.1ststoprecruitment.co.uk

Careers not just contracts

Dream Medical Limited is a dedicated Medical Recruitment Agency specialising solely in Primary Care positions throughout UK CCGs, NHS and Private Sector Hospitals/Clinics.

We work closely with CCGs, NHS Trusts and Private Hospital Groups alike to fill permanent and locum vacancies at all levels from Healthcare Assistants, Practice Nurses, Advanced Nurse Practitioners to Lead GPs. Choosing the right employee to meet the objectives and culture of the UK Primary Care Sector can be a challenging and demanding process but Dream Medical understands that successful recruitment involves more than simply sourcing candidates with the skills and experience to do the job. It also involves a strong level of “fit” between the Surgery/Walk-in-Centre and candidate.

At Dream Medical we realise this is of paramount importance to General Practitioners, Nurses and GP Practices alike and pride ourselves on being able to deliver the above on a consistent basis.

At Dream Medical we endeavour to support you every step of the way during the decision making process and our highly trained Consultants are always on hand to offer assistance and advice.

If you would like any more information on the above, please do not hesitate to contact one of our team who would be more than happy to assist you further.

Website: www.dream-medical.net // Twitter: @DreamMedicalJob // Email: enquiries@dream-medical.net // Tel: 01189-006743 / 01189-006744

Volume 14.5 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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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 1st Stop recruitment 101 Addressing & Mailing Solutions 4 Advanced Machining Products 96 Alto Digital 36 Apsiz Services 102 Archive & Document Scanning 14 Asckey Data Services 12 Assa Abloy 78, 79 Asset Trac 40, 41 Austco 79, 80 BA Systems 62 Badge Master 55 Big Hand 46 Boilingtap.com IFC Brian Milligan Associates 100 Carestream Health UK 47 Carpenter Box 92 Ccube Solutions BC Centerprise International 8 Certuss (UK) 28 Citroen UK 18, 19 Clear Trace 68 Commerce Connections 47 Contiquip 79 Creative Consulting & Training 88 Danfloor 80 Devon Medical 77 DMS Protective Equipment 84, 85

Dream Medical 28 Easy Fairs UK 94 Eco Dek 86 EHealth Media 43, 44 Elliott UK 50 Enviropharm 72 FDB 16 FMIS 39 Fuel Card Services 92 Fujifilm UK 47 Health Insights 96 Honeywell Scanning and Mobility 38 Hospedia 32 Ideal Standards (UK) 60 Imagen Archive Systems 37 Imago Techmedia 98 Innovation RCA 79 Intersystems 46 Isla Components 92 Kimal 68 Leisure Technique 68 Location Maps 83 Low Carbon Europe 100 Mode Medical Recruitment 26 Moneta Healthcare IBC Multitone 56 NH Case 29 Nursing Hygiene 24, 25

Nymas 62 Office Formation 52 Olympus Medical 12 Opticon 46 PCMG 100 Pentland Medical 66 PHS Group 10 Pick Everard 74 Polyflor 65 Reliance Water Controls 78 Reval Continuing Care 6 Security Engineering 52 Sidhil 20 Sitekit 47 Solarworld UK 48 Spa Training (UK) 59 Step Exhibitions and Step Place 70, 71 SW Locums 28 The Access Group 12 The Airdri Group 100 The Parking Shop 89 UK Parking Control 90, 91 Wandsworth Group 30 Wasp Barcode Technologies 34 Water Management Society 22 Whitecroft Lighting 76

A unique procurement consultancy supporting NHS providers We work flexibly with organisations helping them find the right path to improve procurement performance. Working together we can:

 Ensure your clinical staff have the goods and services they need, when they need it, at the best quality and value for money.

 Use integrated eProcurement tools to provide visibility of risks within your supply chain.

 Make efficiencies in commercial activity through process and technology improvement and generate financial savings to put back into frontline care.

Take the next step to better procurement Call us on 0800 917 7884 or email enquiries@apsiz.co.uk

102

HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 14.5

Outsourcing for Healthcare Professionals

Practice Management We offer our clients a friendly individual Practice Manager which allows a single point of contact, looking after all your Practice’s needs on a day-to-day basis. Our Practice Management Service will not only save you money as compared with a salaried Medical Secretary, it will make issues with sickness and holiday a thing of the past.

Accountancy & Tax Solutions Moneta’s management team has over 15 years’ experience in accounting for healthcare professionals.

From a single GP or Consultant to large Private practices. We have saved Healthcare professionals thousands of pounds in tax through efficient tax strategies. We can do the same for you.

Funding Solutions Moneta Healthcare can provide access to a number of lenders who favour healthcare professionals.

1 Funding can be for any reasonable purpose – equipment purchase, HMRC payments, IT upgrade, cashflow finance, re-finance of existing hardware, car leasing, bridging loans, commercial mortgages to name but a few.

Company Formations & Corporate Identity Moneta Healthcare provides a complete solution for your Practice set up from incorporating a Limited Company within 24 hours, to a hosted website which showcases your talents. We can also advise and arrange bookings via your website or your Facebook page.

Locum Solutions Moneta Healthcare helps Locums set up efficient ways to be paid from the NHS or their Locum Agency. We can also arrange for funds to be transferred directly to an international account if the Locum so wishes. 2

For more information please visit www.monetahealthcare.co.uk or contact Moneta Healthcare on 0203 137 1842 or info@monetahealthcare.co.uk.

1 Terms & Conditions apply. Please contact us for further information.

2 Additional charges apply.

Delivering paperless health care Do you want compliance?

Do you want process efficiencies?

“The right file for the right patient at the right time – 100% guaranteed”

“Patient care and clinical effectiveness enchanced”

“Annual savings of “The system architecture £1.4m with the CCube enables easy integration with scan‑on‑demand solution” patient information systems”

Call us now on 01908 677752 or email us info@ccubesolutions.com Visit www.ccubesolutions.com Enterprise Software 2013 Winner

Advisory Trade Member