Category Archives: Health

Health

Worst things employers have said to employees dealing with cancer, according to RedArc

It is not an unreasonable expectation for an employee diagnosed with cancer to look to their employer for support, but according to RedArc, many employers handle the situation incredibly untactfully.

Every year, RedArc speaks to over 650 people with cancer every year – from the newly diagnosed through to those who are dealing with the longer-term consequences of the disease. Despite the high prevalence of cancer in the workplace, (there are over 900,000 people of working age living with cancer in the UK), RedArc’s nursing team continue to be shocked by the comments made by employers.

During the past year, RedArc logged the following statements, as reported by their employee patients:

  • “We may have to let you go as you are no longer able to carry out your duties.”
  • “Perhaps you should retire.”
  • “We may need to replace you as we can’t wait any longer for you to return.”
  • “You have had your treatment now and so should be fine.”
  • “We are unable to look at alternative work roles.”
  • “We need you to be back at work full-time, we are unable to accommodate short-time working.”
  • “Can you not come into work around your treatment appointments?”
  • “Mandatory training was not up to date due to your sickness.”
  • “How long will you be off?”

Christine Husbands, managing director for RedArc said:

“It is employers’ rightful duty and responsibility to provide support for staff who are diagnosed with a critical illness, and that support starts with what an employer says and how they say it.

“Of course, not every employer will feel at ease having these potentially difficult conversations, and where this is the case, they may benefit from having access to specialists who can support both the individual employee as well as signpost to coaching, training and support for the line manager and HR team.”

Such support, can often be included within Private Medical Insurance, Group Risk products or Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), and can be a great benefit to employees should they need it, including offering access to second medical opinions on a diagnosis or treatment programme; help in navigating and joining up NHS services and charities; additional therapies including reiki, osteopathy, acupuncture and psychotherapy; as well as a medically trained individual who is able to provide emotional support throughout the cancer journey, including how to manage difficult conversations with their employer.

Christine Husbands concluded:

“In our experience, many people with cancer want to continue working, or get back to work as soon as they can. There can be many obstacles both physically and mentally for the employee and also limitations within the workplace. Managed well, the workplace can be a safe haven for those with, and recovering from, cancer: somewhere where they have a purpose and where they can get away from their health matters. Employers who understand this, take the time to appreciate and accommodate the issues and treat their staff with respect, understanding and support will be repaid in commitment and loyalty.

“Employers should also be aware that the opposite is also true: inappropriate treatment or failure to accommodate an employee’s needs are also noted by the wider workforce, so a badly worded comment or poorly phrased question to one individual can quickly circulate around the office and cause damage to employee relations as a whole.”

Global Trade, Health, News

Top Economist predicts the effects of the Coronavirus

The hysteria about declining global demand for oil because of the coronavirus outbreak in China will soon stop. But only because of the very strict containment measures that the Chinese government is implementing, according to leading oil economist at ESCP Business School.

Professor of Energy Economics Dr Mamdouh Salameh says

“I suspect that among those making frenzied claims about global oil demand and loss of 0.5%-1.0% of China’s GDP as a result of the outbreak are some commodities traders and investment banks who are fast buying crude at reduced prices to make a profit later when oil prices recoup all their recent losses.

“Before the outbreak, the fundamentals of the global oil market were positive pushing oil prices upward particularly in the aftermath of the signing of Phase 1 of the trade deal between the U.S. and China. The proof is that the minute de-escalation started in December 2019 China’s crude oil imports broke all previous records and hit 11.76 million barrels a day (mbd).

“The outbreak is an aberration. While it is focusing the Chinese authorities’ mind on trying to contain the virus and deal with it, the frenzy about a decline in China’s crude oil imports has gone viral without justification.”

Dr Salameh warns that it will be a huge mistake for OPEC to consider deeper oil cuts. Firstly, because these cuts will have no effect whatsoever on prices and secondly because they will only lead to a loss of market share by OPEC members. Therefore, Dr Salameh advises OPEC to keep its cool and wait for the outbreak of the virus to be contained. Oil prices will soon recoup all their losses and resume their surge.

Image: Business Insider

Health, Insurance

Coronavirus: Towergate Health Protection warns ‘seek advice from specialist sources’

International workplace insurers, Towergate Health & Protection is proactively monitoring the Coronavirus situation and has today issued advice for clients, although for the most up-to-date response to the situation, Towergate Health & Protection advises clients to refer to the World Health Organisation (WHO) for any queries they may have. The current sentiment is to be alert, not afraid.

Sarah Dennis, head of international for Towergate Health & Protection explains,

‘As with any potential health outbreak or emergency, we would urge employers to seek advice from reputable sources such as the World Health Organisation, The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), their healthcare provider or specialist adviser. Such organisations will be monitoring the situation and have the most up-to-date advice.’

If individuals are concerned about symptoms they are experiencing, such as respiratory problems (fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties) that has been linked to the virus, they are advised to seek medical advice and speak to their healthcare provider.

At present, Towergate Health & Protection understands that the novel coronavirus originated from Huanan seafood wholesale market, in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China.

There have also been cases in Japan, Thailand, the US, Australia the Republic of Korea, and a handful of cases recently confirmed in France and Australia. So far (at time of writing, 28 Jan) there have been 4,515 confirmed cases and 106 deaths. The case fatality rate is quite low so far (less than 3%) and mainly in elderly persons or those with co-morbid conditions.

Chinese authorities have imposed travel restrictions to prevent people travelling in and out of Hubei to reduce the spread of the disease, and the UK Foreign Office has advised against all travel to Hubei.

What to expect next:

• Authorities are stepping up screening of air passengers from China. Temperature screening is already taking place in Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the US, Russia and Japan. The UK is expected to begin screening passengers arriving from China too.
• The UK Government has stated it is reviewing options for the return of the 200 UK nationals currently still in Wuhan, given the travel restrictions imposed by the Chinese authorities.
• The head of the UN health agency, WHO declared on Thursday 23 January that the respiratory disease Novel Coronavirus, is not yet an official Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), but warned that is an emergency in China.

Current best advice at time of writing is:

  • Don’t travel to Hubei Province
  • The FCO has advised British citizens to leave Hubei Province after the chief medical officer issued new advice recommending vulnerable people should immediately evacuate the area at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak.
  • In Shanghai, the government has stopped businesses from returning to work until 10 February.
  • Avoid crowds and minimise public gatherings if you are in the province
  • Do not touch animals or eat game meat and avoid visiting wet markets, live poultry markets or farms, if travelling in China
  • Seek medical advice immediately if you’re concerned about cold or flu-like symptoms and have recently visited China, or have been in direct contact with someone who has recently visited China, and inform your medical practitioner of your travel or contact history
  • Basic hygiene measures such as washing hands is sensible
Benefits, Health

New Year, New Health: the dangers of symptomless conditions

Hidden or symptomless conditions, like high blood pressure, are one of the main health and wellbeing concerns employers have about their staff, according to research from Specsavers Corporate Eyecare.

The survey of 500 HR decision makers found 37% of employers were concerned about symptomless conditions. This was second only to concerns about mental health (49%), followed closely by serious illnesses like cancer (33%). Perhaps surprisingly, temporary issues like headaches, migraines and dry eyes, were also stated as one of the main health and wellbeing concerns by 30% of employers.

The full figures:

Which health conditions concern you regarding your company’s employees?
• Mental health 49%
• Hidden/symptomless like high blood pressure 37%
• Serious illness, such as cancer 33%
• Temporary issues like headaches, migraine, dry eyes 30%
• Eye health conditions 29%
• Lifestyle related like diabetes 28%
• Cardiovascular 27%

Symptomless illnesses

Symptomless illnesses are a big worry because they are often only revealed when the condition becomes more serious. Many employers may look at providing health screening to detect concerns. However, it’s important that eye tests are also considered in this mix, as they can play an important role in detection too. Opticians can identify symptoms of otherwise hidden conditions, like high blood pressure, as changes in the small blood vessels in the eyes reflect changes elsewhere in the body that cannot be viewed so easily. Early diagnosis and treatment are often the key to stopping conditions like high blood pressure from becoming a more serious problem.

While the concern over mental wellbeing cannot be addressed directly through eye care, helping to detect and manage other illnesses can help to take some of the stress and worry away from employees.

Jim Lythgow, director of strategic alliances at Specsavers Corporate Eyecare, said:

‘Symptomless conditions, by their nature, can go unnoticed; and while temporary conditions like headaches and migraines may not be life-threatening, they can be debilitating and affect productivity. As an optician may be a key person who is able to help, eye care can play an important role in supporting health and wellbeing in the workplace.’

Wider health and wellbeing benefits

43% of the HR professionals surveyed said that the reason their employees take up workplace eye care benefits is to check for wider health conditions. Although this is positive, the message about eye care detecting wider health issues would benefit from better communication.

The majority of employers still think their employees take up eye care benefits to check their eye health and vision. Half of employees take up eye care to meet with health and safety regulations. While these are all good and valid reasons, eye care take-up may be higher still if employees were fully aware of the impact for wider health.

Why do your company’s employees take up eye care as a workplace benefit?
• To check eye health 65%
• To check vision 52%
• To meet with Health & Safety regulations 50%
• To check for wider health conditions 43%

Jim Lythgow continued:

‘The new year is a good opportunity to assess existing benefits and to introduce new policies. We recommend that all employers reflect on the much wider benefits of offering eye care and consider how it could offer advantages to employees and the company alike.’

Benefits, Health

RedArc warns employers to rethink benefits priorities in 2020, or risk being left behind

A major employer healthcare provider is warning employers that focusing on purely financial benefits for staff could be detrimental to engagement, with employees expecting them to shift focus their priorities to wellbeing.

RedArc firmly believes this offers a more attractive proposition for employees and this needs to be the priority for employers looking to engage their staff in their employee benefits offering in the coming year.

Whilst the company acknowledges that more than ever before, added-value services are often included in such protection products, RedArc explains that putting added-value services at the very heart of how the benefits are chosen from the outset, and then promoted to employees, would help engage staff more.

Christine Husbands, managing director of RedArc Nurses says:

“When a financial payout is the expectation of an employee benefit, we’re already starting from the point of worst-case scenario, and for the many who don’t need to make a financial claim, the benefit can be seen as low priority for something that may never happen.

“Employees are much more engaged with an employee benefit that is a set of useful, day-to-day, health-related services aimed at keeping them well and dealing quickly with issues – such as ill health, bereavement, trauma – with the financial payout becoming the last resort.”

Lack of engagement

Lack of engagement is one of the biggest challenges for employers looking to get value from their benefits. This can be demonstrated by the employee benefits welcome pack given with the best of intentions, opened with enthusiasm on day one of joining, only to go on to collect dust. As the majority of employees don’t make a claim, they potentially won’t engage with some of their benefits throughout the year at all.

Husbands continued:

“What if the number of employees making claims was reduced, the average size of each claim was lower, but a much larger number of employees had a really positive reason to engage with their health and wellbeing benefits, perhaps on multiple occasions? That has to be a good outcome for any employer, and is an approach already being embraced by some.

“This reverse thinking, by which we mean, support for health and wellbeing first, financial payout second, is an obvious win-win for employers: added-value services will improve the health and wellbeing of their employees, and early intervention support will nip many situations and illnesses in the bud, before they reach the point of a payout.

Improved view of employer

In these days of difficulties accessing NHS health services, added-value services come to the fore giving real every-day value to employees, making life easier and allowing them to get expert help quickly. Promoting employee benefits solely based on the possibility of a payout has limitations and may not always be completely to the benefit of employer or employee. When added-value is placed at the heart of benefits, research shows that the user has a much-enhanced view of their employer: this is true in the case of 93 per cent of customers who accessed RedArc services via their insurer.

Husbands concluded:

“For some time now, those employee benefits that come with the possibility of a financial payout haven’t been widely valued enough. When they’re chosen for their added value, engagement increases exponentially.

“We need to get to the point where they’re chosen and promoted so that all employees experience the benefits, not just those who are at crisis point and therefore making a financial claim. We’re already starting to see this evolve, and employers who don’t alter their approach risk being left behind.”

Absence Management, Health

Survey warns: “Avoid sick colleagues to safeguard health at Christmas.”

Avoiding sick colleagues may be our best chance for holding the seasonal lurgy at bay.

According to research commissioned by London-based cleaning company Cleanology, 66% of us blame coughing workmates for causing our own illness, with dirty toilets and keyboards coming in second and third.

While over half of workers (53%) have caught a cold from a colleague who should have taken a day off, the survey found that today almost two-thirds of workers feel under more pressure to go to work when they are ill than they did a year ago.

The report looked into behaviour around illness and work, and at attitudes towards workplace hygiene. It found that when it comes to cleanliness, many resort to taking things into their own hands. Carrying of cleaning wipes has become commonplace, and over a third have cleaned their own desk. Almost as many are cleaning the work kitchen.

CEO at Cleanology, Dominic Ponniah, said the research gave new insight into the culture around cleanliness and illness. He said:

“While only a quarter of people blamed a dirty workplace for catching an illness, two out of five carry cleaning wipes. For us, as a cleaning company, this is a telling insight into the standard of cleaning in many workplaces.

“Our findings also raise important questions about standard work practices and whether businesses would benefit from encouraging people to work from home. More than half of those surveyed had caught a cold from a colleague, while 62 agreed that they are not able to work to the best of their abilities when they are sick. Respondents felt guilty for coming to work coughing and sneezing, and 57 per cent of FMs felt that they were likely to make mistakes.”

The survey was conducted by Sapio Research, which questioned 1,056 respondents. Of these, 51 were facilities managers.

Gender differences were highlighted, with one third of men taking sick days, compared with just under a quarter of women. Men are also more likely to work from home when they are sick.

However, the odds are not all stacked in the favour of men – 25 per cent of male workers reported having to take matters into their own hands by cleaning the workplace toilet, compared with just 17 per cent of women!

Health, Health and Safety

15 People Die Every Day Due to Accidental Falls, Official Figures Show

5,580 people in England and Wales had accidental falls mentioned as an underlying cause of death on their death certificate in 2017, according to new research by Safety Services Direct. 

The study analysed recent ONS data on mortality from accidental falls and found 15 people on average died each day in England and Wales because of these mishaps. The 75+ age group were most at risk, with 79% of these deaths falling into this age range. However, for the remaining 21%, males under 75 had more deaths associated with these fall accidents compared to females.

According to the data, the North West has the highest fatality risk from accidental falls out of all the regions, followed by West Midlands and then the South East. Misfortunate residents in the North West were 3.4 times more likely to die in relation to accidental falls than those in the North East, who were at the bottom of the regional list.

When it came to local authority level, Outer London topped the list with 220 deaths linked to accidental falls. Inner London followed, with 135 deaths. Outside of the capital, Birmingham (130 deaths), Cornwall (130 deaths) and Liverpool (75 deaths) had the highest fatality risks from accidental falls. Dudley and Leeds (both with 70 deaths) along with Bristol, County Durham and Stockport (all with 65 deaths) made up the remainder of the top 10 for highest mortality rates.

Nisha Lawrence, Operations Director at Safety Services Direct, commented:

“Our research shows that there is a need to safeguard homes for the 75+ age group as they are most at risk. However, all ages can be affected by accidental falls, so putting necessary health and safety practices in place both at home and in the workplace to avoid injuries and potential fatalities is vital.

“The irony is that fall injuries are some of the easiest to prevent in the home and workplace. There are simple measures that can be put into place to significantly reduce these risks, such as:

1. Keep walking surfaces clean and avoid cluttering

“When walkways are clear, the risk of injury greatly reduces. With a path that is unobstructed, the chance of a person falling over an object reduces, as does the potential of a spill that could create a dangerous slipping hazard.

2. Lighting

“A home or workplace with effective lighting inside and outside of the building helps reduce the chances of an accident. By illuminating areas that are commonplace for trips and falls to happen, you can shine a light on hidden dangers. This will reduce any chance of an accident.

3. Signage

“Using health and safety signs in the workplace that are clear and well-placed helps identify areas with potential problems. Placing a sign that indicates a step, gap or an uneven ground brings attention to hazards and increases their awareness and attentiveness. Reflective tape can also highlight issues.

4. Stairs/Handrails

“Stairs are one of the most common areas for falls to happen in the home and the workplace, so additional care is required here to prevent injuries. Keep all stairwells well-lit and clear of obstacles, ensure handrails are fitted where possible, use reflective tape used to mark the top and bottom of the stairs, and fix any unsecured carpets or rugs that you have had to remove from the stairs.

5. Footwear

“Make sure your workforce know clearly what attire is needed, including which safety footwear is appropriate for the conditions they are working in.

6. Step Ladders

“Providing accessible equipment such as ladders and step ladders helps employees reach heights safely. By ensuring options are available, this reduces the possibility of an employee being hurt by climbing on chairs or tables.

7. Manage Wires

“Wires that are out in the open can create obstacles for employees and the public which could cause injury. Cables should be put behind walls or under carpets, so they remain hidden. Install all power sources, servers, internet connections in places that can be easily accessed, to avoid cables appearing along walkways.

8. Check Condition of the Floor

“Cracks and holes in the pavement on the outside should be filled in. Repairing them immediately will reduce the risk of any injury happening. When an area is waiting to be fixed, warning signs should be placed to highlight the danger.

9. Keep Filing Cabinets and Drawers Closed

“Everybody has to open a filing cabinet or a drawer during the day but leaving them open can lead to injury. Staff should be encouraged to ensure all drawers and cabinets are closed when not used to avoid potential dangers.

10. Clean Up Spills Immediately

“If a spill happens at home or in a workplace, it should be cleaned up immediately. If certain liquids penetrate the surface, it can actually cause a surface to be more slippery than before after it has been cleaned up.

“When a spill takes place at work, warning signs should be placed around the hazard immediately, and whilst the clean-up of the wet floor takes place. If a floor is known to be slippery anyway, this needs to be highlighted with an appropriate sign”.

Business Software, Health, News, Technology

Advanced acquires CareWorks to extend health and care capabilities

Advanced has acquired Dublin-based CareWorks, a provider of Cloud based case management software for health and social care organisations, used by over 50,000 care professionals and clinicians and more than three million citizens. The acquisition will boost Advanced’s drive to deliver integrated health and care solutions and support the goals set out in the NHS Long Term Plan to build integrated care systems by 2021.

CareWorks is a fast-growing business with 60 employees and operates in the UK, Ireland and US, complementing Advanced’s presence in these locations. It has established relationships with government and public sector organisations in health and social care, which also adds to Advanced’s existing work with local authorities and the NHS.

The organisation will integrate directly into Advanced’s health and care division, led by its managing director, Ric Thompson, who joined from Docman when the market-leading Cloud software provider was acquired by Advanced in July 2018.

CareWorks is the first acquisition announced since Advanced received an investment from Funds advised by BC Partners, with Vista Equity Partners continuing as an investor. The investment, which closed last month, supports Advanced’s ambitious growth aspirations to become the number one provider of business software solutions in the UK, while expanding its global footprint.

“It’s exciting to be delivering on our plans so quickly,” comments Gordon Wilson, CEO of Advanced.

“CareWorks is an excellent example of an innovative Cloud-based software provider that will enhance our offering to social care customers. We have a strong track record in health and care and given the sector’s rapid changes we recognised that we had to adapt and transform quickly to meet their needs. The social care sector in particular is increasingly becoming a focus for government as our population ages and we witness a rise in mental health conditions. This acquisition will propel our ability to deliver interoperable software solutions supporting the move to integrated care systems.”

Michael Dolan, CEO of CareWorks, says:

“Being part of the Advanced family will help to spearhead the delivery of a fully integrated end-to-end health and care platform, with CareWorks an integral component. We jointly recognise the transformative benefits that bringing together health and social care will deliver – as leading software providers to that market we are ready to support the integrated plans. We quickly saw the potential that bringing together our solutions into a single system could provide and see it as an incredible opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives.”

CareWorks solutions comprise a single shared information system for community nurses, mental health, social workers and therapists to record the care they provide whilst allowing other venues of care to access these essential electronic care records. Outside of the UK, CareWorks is already a case management platform for child welfare agencies, with an established customer base in the USA for example.

As the third largest provider of business software and services in the UK, Advanced has a strong presence in the public sector, health and care markets, specifically in local authorities, out of hours, urgent and unplanned care, primary care, secondary care, community and mental health. Its solutions include document management software, referral management software and patient management software.

Benefits, Health, HR News, Insurance

Cost of healthcare treatment abroad ‘significantly higher’ than employers realise

When sending employees abroad, employers have to consider healthcare costs and availability – and an insurer warns many businesses are underestimating their provisions because the costs and treatments vary so widely between different regions.

Businesses need to be better prepared for, and protected from, unexpected medical bills which can often escalate quickly, says Towergate Health & Protection.

Potential high costs of healthcare around the world

Many businesses may be unaware that treatment costs can differ significantly in different parts of the world, and need to have a plan in place for whichever region they post employees. For instance, everyday incidents like treating a broken leg might cost €18,000 in Italy (around £15,000), versus an eye watering $41,000 in the USA (around £32,000). A hernia repair in the UK might be £5,000 but could cost HK$145,000 in Hong Kong (around £14,000).

Employers may underestimate the cost of international healthcare compared to those regions where they already have staff located. Research from The International Federation of Health Plans shows healthcare costs in the United States are far higher than in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Spain. The nature of medical care is that it can be unpredictable, and needing treatment overseas is very different from having the safety net of institutions like the NHS on the doorstep.

It’s also vital to consider that some staff might not always be stationed in one place, or could work in a number of different regions, so will need cover for multiple locations.

Have the appropriate cover in place

Another consideration employers need to look at is what cover they really need. Some cover may not be appropriate, and businesses need to look at the profile of their workforce when choosing what must be included. For example, maternity might be something to incorporate but may not be relevant for all companies – it depends on the unique makeup of each workforce. Likewise, off-the-shelf cover may not always be suitable, as it may not cover all regions where staff work or may work in the future.

Understanding the demographics of staff is key to ensure the cover a business has in place is appropriate, and crucially, is arranged before an employee travels.

The true cost of employees becoming ill abroad

For more serious accidents or illnesses, an employee might not be able to get the treatment they need locally and may require evacuation to more robust medical facilities – which can often be a flight away. Businesses need to consider including evacuation and repatriation if access to specialists and quality medical facilities is limited where staff are based.

Furthermore, it’s not just the cost of initial treatment employers need to consider, employees may require scans, diagnostics, follow-up appointments or pharmaceuticals which can all add significantly to the costs and can mount up quickly. For instance, an MRI scan could be £900 in Hong Kong, and closer to £100 in Egypt.

Kim Heath, international account manager at Towergate Health & Protection says:

“The cost of healthcare varies significantly around the globe, and there’s always the potential that employers could be faced with a huge medical bill if they don’t have appropriate cover in place. The important thing is to consider the demographics of a workforce, where they’re stationed, where they may be stationed in the future, and to put in place plans to support them appropriately before they travel.”

Health, Wales News

New conference strives to improve mental health and wellbeing in Wales

Healthcare professionals from across Wales will come together in Cardiff in October to attend the Together for Mental Health 2019 conference organized by GovConnect, which aims to improve mental health and wellbeing in Wales through partnership working.

With the overall cost of mental health issues in Wales estimated at £7.2 billion a year, the conference will consider the progress of Together for Mental Health – the Welsh Government’s cross portfolio strategic response to mental health – and examine options for future improvements and innovations.

Following a keynote address from Ken Skates AM, whose policy interests include mental health, the conference’s packed agenda includes speeches, case studies and panel debates with specialists including Sara Moseley from Mind Cymru, Dr Kate Chamberlain, Chief Executive, Healthcare Inspectorate Wales, and Hazel Powell, Nursing Officer for Mental Health and Learning Disabilities, Welsh Government.

Dr Kate Chamberlain, Chief Executive of Healthcare Inspectorate Wales said:

“Supporting positive mental health and wellbeing is of importance for all of us. I am looking forward to taking part in day of discussion on how we can improve and transform services so that they can meet people’s needs.”

Conference sponsor Ludlow Street Healthcare, a specialist provider of care for adults with complex mental health problems in Wales, is hoping the conference will provide an opportunity for everyone to share their experiences of delivering against the Welsh mental health strategy and vision for future mental health provision.

Dr Andrew Hider, Clinical Director at Ludlow Street Healthcare said:

“We are proud to be the main sponsor of this significant conference.

“If we are going to improve the mental health and wellbeing of the people of Wales, a collaborative approach is essential. This conference is important as it is bringing together senior leaders from many of the key organisations and stakeholders around mental health and well-being in Wales.

“Mental health impacts on so many people, at so many levels and in so many spheres. Addressing this growing problem in a cohesive way requires involvement from a broad-range of organisations so it is crucial to bring everyone together to create and communicate a shared vision. I’m looking forward to the day and planning what we can achieve together in Wales.”

Hazel Powell, Nursing Officer for Mental Health & Learning Disability at Welsh Government, who is one of the guest speakers said:

“I am looking forward to joining the discussions and hearing about some of the innovative approaches being taken forward to improving mental health and well-being in Wales.”

Together for Mental Health 2019 will take place on October 16th in the Radisson Blu, Cardiff.

To find out more about the conference please visit https://togetherformentalhealth.co.uk