Category Archives: Health & Care

Health & Care

‘Sicknote Culture’: Why It’s up to Employers to Change the Status Quo 

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s recent speech on Britain’s sick note culture highlights how something’s ‘gone wrong’ since Covid, an expert has warned.

An estimated 850,000 more people are currently economically inactive according to reports.

But Nathan Shearman, director of therapy and training at Red Umbrella and a qualified psychotherapist and counsellor, said it is a multi-faceted and complex issue to tackle.

He says: “We have known for a while that the number of people who are economically inactive has been going up. And the language around it is interesting – economically inactive suggests that you’re not contributing to the country’s economy, which misses the fact that these people in a lot of cases genuinely want to work, but simply cannot.

“Access to services is vital. That’s where the government has a big responsibility in terms of providing the services needed. And that’s where a big part of this issue lies. For those who are off work with their mental health, the lead time to get mental health support is huge.

“In most major cities, you’re looking at a six-month lead time for counselling and therapy through your GP. That’s potentially six months you’re going to be signed off before you can even get any help or support to start to get better.

“We know that there have been a lot of budget cuts over the years and that mental health services are significantly underfunded as a result.

“This means that employers can now no longer rely on the NHS to help provide the solutions if and when employees need support to get over mental ill health.

“Employers must step up to fill some of those gaps and have plans in place to help both prevent and support.

“There are steps that workplaces should be taking to improve people’s wellbeing and reduce the number of individuals that are being signed off sick.”

Outlining what some of those steps are he continued: “Education is really important from a preventative point of view, too, because if somebody comes forward and their line manager, for instance, just doesn’t know how to respond, this could be particularly detrimental.

“Knowing how to respond and having a basic understanding of mental health is key, as there is there’s a lot of misinformation out there, as well as often, an old-school mentality surrounding mental health issues.

“That’s where mental health training becomes vital, such as Mental Health First Aid training for line managers to teach them how to support their teams.

“That’s also really crucial when people return to work after experiencing mental health issues. There’s often an expectation that someone is just going to come back and resume working as normal, but that’s not expected with physical health issues.

“Having managers trained up to support individuals within their team effectively when they come back means that they’re less likely to need to be signed off again.

“Something invaluable that comes from mental health training is knowing how to make adjustments for people who may be struggling. Sometimes it’s as simple as saying ‘if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed, just know that you can talk to me, and I’ll help you any way I can’ or just letting them know they can take a break whenever they need to.

“That means that employees are less likely to get to a point where they are feeling overwhelmed because they know they have options. It’s also about offering additional support such as employee assistance programmes or counselling and therapy services.

Employee Benefits, Health & Care, News, Wellbeing, Wellbeing News

Plane Saver Credit Union launches Vivup benefits for 26,000+

In the first of its kind move, Plane Saver, one of the largest credit unions in the UK, has introduced a range of lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits for its members and its employees. Now, in addition to savings accounts, affordable loans and financial tips, Plane Saver is providing its 26,000 members and 36 members of staff with Vivup benefits.

Plane Saver will be supporting individuals’ health and wellbeing, including social, mental, physical, spiritual and financial. In particular, the financial institution wanted to help alleviate the cost of living burden for employees and members. Now, each member and employee will be able to access over 1,150 ways to save money at popular retailers through discounted eGift cards, physical gift cards and discount codes. They’ll benefit from savings on everyday essentials such as grocery shopping as well as leisure activities like going to the cinema.

Alongside lifestyle savings, Vivup’s benefits platform also provides Your Care Wellbeing, 24/7 in the moment support and information, and an online GP focussing on proactive wellbeing and preventative services. Plane Saver members and employees can access expert advice any time of the day for issues ranging from debt advice, menopause, smoking cessation, domestic abuse to getting support with trauma, bullying or sleep.

They will receive:

  • Immediate access to employed counsellors should they need it
  • Access to secondary mental health support with clinicians at highest level of clinical accreditation (APPTS)
  • Early intervention, self-service and proactive wellness platform which includes assessments, recommendations and signposting to suitable treatment
  • Award-winning dedicated menopause support.

Rachel Downing, Head of Marketing & Business Development at Plane Saver Credit Union, explains: “Everyone in the UK is dealing with the rise in living costs. Being able to provide our members with benefits that save them an average of over £2,000 per year is over £160 a month back in their pocket that’s going to make a huge difference for them and their families. On top of this, with Vivup, we are supporting our members and employees with a full range of health and wellbeing benefits which is core to our values of decency, dignity and inclusivity”.

Simon Moyle, CEO of Vivup, adds: “This is such a groundbreaking initiative. Plane Saver is a financial institution that helps its members to think, plan and save. They’re now supporting their employees and thousands of members with their overall health and wellbeing. Normally, Vivup is in the business of helping engage employees, yet with this launch, we’re helping one of the largest credit unions in the UK to support health and wellbeing of members and employees”.

For more information visit www.vivupbenefits.co.uk.

 

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About Plane Saver

Plane Saver was founded in 1993 by a group of British Airways Engineers. They wanted to provide a range of flexible savings and affordable loans to their colleagues. Now with over 25,500 members, it is one of the largest Credit Unions in the UK.

Over the last 30 years, Plane Saver has been dedicated to assisting people in managing their finances. As we have grown, we have embraced modern technology while preserving the essence of personalised service. We firmly believe that the human touch is what matters most when handling money matters, and this principle remains unchanged.

For more information, visit Plane Saver.

 

About Vivup

For 18 + years, Vivup has been providing world-class health and wellbeing benefits to employees across the public and private sectors while arming employers with the tools to cultivate resilient workforces, retain great staff and win the war on talent. Vivup partners with over 2,000 clients and supports 2.5 million+ employees throughout the UK.

Vivup was awarded UK Employer of the Year at the Investors in People Awards in 2022 and won Best Supplier to Work for at the Employee Benefits Awards in 2023. Simon Moyle, CEO was awarded UK Leader of the Year at the Investor in People Awards in 2022 and won Scale up Entrepreneur of the Year (North East) at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards in 2023. Vivup has also just been awarded number one SME in the UK by Elite Business.

Apprenticeships in Healthcare, Health & Care

Apprentices can “reach for the sky” at award finalist health board

Building the professional capacity of its current staff whilst recruiting and training a new generation of professionals is keeping Cardiff and Vale University Health Board at the leading edge of the health sector.

The health board has been upskilling its workforce through a range of apprenticeships since 2006 but accelerated its programme through the creation of an Apprenticeship Academy in 2018. This has created nearly 900 new enrolments which includes new recruits to the sector.

This twinned approach is proving fruitful with almost two dozen apprenticeships creating opportunities for both established employees as well as newcomers to build a career, with a fresh pipeline of talent addressing the challenge to recruit and maintain staff.

Now, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board has been shortlisted for the prestigious Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2024 as a Macro Employer of the Year finalist.

Highlight of the year for apprentices, employers and work-based learning providers and practitioners, the awards are organised by the Welsh Government and supported by the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW). Headline sponsor is EAL.

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony to be held at ICC Wales, Newport on March 22, 2024. The awards highlight the outstanding achievements of employers, apprentices and work-based learning practitioners.

“Apprenticeships operate at varying levels and are matched to our banded roles to ensure suitability and ease of completion,” said Emma Bendle, apprenticeship and widening access co¬-ordinator.

“This gives individuals the chance to reach for the skies or jump off where they feel comfortable, promoting a more inclusive approach by meeting the needs of varying skills and abilities.”

The success of the apprenticeship programme is an organisational-wide effort and an integral part of the ‘Attract, Recruit and Retain’ theme of the People and Culture Plan, which is monitored and updated on a regular basis.

Partnerships have been crucial in delivering the large number of programmes available, with lead training provider ACT also joined by Talk Training, Educ8, ALS Training and Cardiff and Vale College working alongside the health board.

“The wide range of skills that the health board is investing in shows that it is not just focused on the delivery of key services but also improving the wider structure of the organisation and its people,” said Susan Edwards, business development manager at ACT.

“We have seen first-¬hand the progress achieved through this ambitious apprenticeship programme which is upskilling an existing workforce whilst encouraging new talent to such an important sector.”
Economy Minister Vaughan Gething congratulated Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and all the other finalists. “Today’s apprentices will be tomorrow’s specialists, and Apprenticeship Awards Cymru allows us to recognise apprentices, work-based learning practitioners, and employers that have gone above and beyond,” he said.
“Their tenacity, passion, and commitment to growing their own careers, the careers of others, and the larger Welsh economy is inspiring. I wish each of the finalists the best of luck at the awards and with their future endeavours.”
Congratulating the finalists, Al Parkes, managing director at EAL, said: “As the specialist awarding organisation and skills partner for the engineering and manufacturing industry, apprenticeships in Wales are especially important to us.
“Apprenticeships play an important role in supporting personal progress through career opportunities and a sense of achievement, while ensuring that employers have the right skills at the right time to keep up with evolving industry needs.
“EAL is committed to encouraging employers to take on apprentices. Marking the achievements of employers, apprentices, and work-based learning practitioners at the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru is vital to this.”
For more information about recruiting an apprentice, visit: https://gov.wales/apprenticeships-genius-decision or call 03000 603000.
Picture caption:

Emma Bendle, apprenticeship and widening access co¬-ordinator (centre) and staff and apprentices at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.

Care, Hair and Beauty, Health & Care, News, Sustainability, Swansea

Welsh innovation leads sustainable revolution in healthcare: Waterless launches world’s first biodegradable shampoo cap

Reducing plastic waste and cutting costs in healthcare, Swansea-based Waterless unveils a revolutionary, eco-friendly shampoo cap.

Waterless, a pioneer in sustainable healthcare solutions, has launched the world’s first 100% biodegradable shampoo cap. Developed in Swansea, this innovative product is poised to transform hygiene practices in the healthcare sector by providing an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional non-recyclable shampoo caps.

Shampoo caps, commonly used in healthcare settings for bed-bound or mobility-impaired people, offer a convenient, rinse-free solution for hair washing. However, the widespread use of conventional plastic-based caps poses a significant environmental challenge, contributing substantially to single-use plastic waste.

In response, Waterless has developed the Nilaqua Shampoo Wrap, a product entirely crafted from biodegradable materials. This sustainable alternative retains the convenience and effectiveness of traditional shampoo caps while addressing environmental concerns.

With the NHS estimated to use 300,000 traditional shampoo caps every year, the Nilaqua Shampoo Wrap could substantially reduce the millions of tonnes of single-use plastic waste generated annually.

 

The application of the Nilaqua Shampoo Wrap is simple and efficient. Users or caregivers wrap around the hair, massage it to activate the shampoo, and then towel off the solution to remove any residue, leaving the hair soft and clean. This process eliminates the need for additional water or rinsing, offering a practical solution in patient care. Unlike traditional plastic-based caps, which add to landfill waste, the Nilaqua Shampoo Wrap presents a pioneering eco-friendly option for a competitive retail price of £1.89 per wrap.

 

Established in 2009 as a family business, Waterless has rapidly evolved into a leader in alternative eco-wash solutions for health and personal care. Operating from a purpose-built facility in Swansea, the company’s skilled team devise and manufactures innovative products like the new Nilaqua Shampoo Wrap, ‘towel off’ cleansing foams, alcohol-free sanitisers, and even a pet range for cleaning fox mess.

Waterless is committed to UK manufacturing and serves a diverse clientele, including the NHS, care industry, commercial businesses, and the pharmaceutical and retail sectors.

 

Jess Efford, CEO of Waterless, shared her enthusiasm for the new product:

“In the UK alone, an estimated 700,000 shampoo caps go in the bin annually. When you consider the usage across Europe and the rest of the world, it’s clear to see what a blight these products are on our environment.

“Our biodegradable alternative, the Nilaqua Shampoo Wrap, presents an opportunity for healthcare providers to prevent millions of tonnes of single-use plastic waste from polluting our planet. This launch is more than a milestone for Waterless; it’s a step towards realising our vision of a sustainable future in healthcare.

“We are committed to leading this change, providing quality products that are eco-friendly and cost-effective. The overwhelming interest from customers reinforces our belief that the market is ready to embrace more sustainable practices.”

 

Developed after a year of dedicated research, the Nilaqua Shampoo Wrap is made from specially woven biodegradable bamboo viscose. It features a biodegradable heat-compatible formula encased in 100% recyclable packaging.

 

Victor Efford, Operations Director at Waterless, highlighted the challenges and triumphs in developing the shampoo wrap:

“Developing the Nilaqua Shampoo Wrap was a journey marked by numerous challenges, particularly in creating a fully biodegradable, effective, and affordable product. We faced hurdles in material selection, preserving biodegradability, and ensuring product efficacy. Yet, our determination and commitment to sustainable innovation drove us forward.

“Overcoming these obstacles has been incredibly rewarding, and we’re excited about the potential for widespread adoption in hospitals, care homes, and domiciliary care. The Nilaqua Shampoo Wrap is a testament to what is possible when innovation meets environmental consciousness.”

 

Waterless has been supported by the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP), which provided crucial assistance in business strategy and branding.

 

“The support from the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme has been instrumental in our journey, helping us bring our vision to life,” said Jess Efford.

“As we proudly introduce the Nilaqua Shampoo Wrap to the healthcare market, we’re doing more than just launching a new product; we’re championing a significant shift towards more sustainable healthcare practices.

“Our dedication to eco-friendly innovation is not just a part of our business model; it’s a call to action for the entire industry. We invite healthcare providers, partners, and customers to join us in this journey. Together, we can set a new standard in healthcare – one that prioritises the well-being of our planet and future generations.”

 

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About Waterless:

Waterless specialises in creating eco-friendly hygiene products for the healthcare and personal care sectors. Based in Swansea, Wales, the company is dedicated to reducing environmental impact through innovative solutions like the Nilaqua Shampoo Wrap, the world’s first 100% biodegradable and recyclable shampoo cap.