Tag Archives: health

Appointments, News, South East England News, Wellbeing, Wellbeing News

Bridge Health & Wellbeing Boosts Clinical Team with New Sports Massage Therapist

Family-run clinic Bridge Health & Wellbeing in Christchurch, Dorset, is delighted to welcome another experienced sports massage therapist to its growing clinical team.

Alice Loveridge (SM, MA, CPT) is a Level 3 Sport Massage Therapist, trained in Deep Tissue, Pregnancy and Post Natal Massage and a Medical Acupuncturist. She qualified in 2017 and completed her acupuncture training in 2018. She is also a Certified Personal Trainer.

Alice has worked with numerous sporting teams, including the Netherlands cricket team, helping to manage injuries and providing deep tissue relaxation treatments. She relocated to the New Forest from the Channel Islands in 2023 after working in a busy Sports Clinic in St Peter Port and setting up her own Sports Massage and Medical Acupuncture clinic.

A keen sportswoman herself, Alice is an active member of Lymington Cross Fit + Hyrox and will compete in the European circuit later this year. An accomplished table tennis player, Alice represented Great Britain at the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics and Guernsey at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Paul O’Connell, co-founder and lead physiotherapist at Bridge Health & Wellbeing, said, “We are delighted to welcome Alice to our team. With three massage therapists, we are able to offer a variety of sports massage and remedial massage services, as well as specialist services in pregnancy massage, post-natal massage and acupuncture. Discomfort, aches and pains are warning signs that something is not quite right in our bodies. Massage therapy can unlock soft tissue, decrease muscle tightness and provide welcome relief.”

Bridge Health & Wellbeing is a friendly, family-run clinic in the heart of Christchurch in Dorset, with high quality physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment, sports massage and rehabilitation services,  expert Pilates, yoga classes and other wellbeing classes, and state-of-the-art gym facilities all under one roof.

Whether you need help with pain or an injury or just want to stay fit and healthy, come and join them for the journey. Book your appointment now at www.bridgehw.com or call 01202 473800 to speak to their friendly team of wellbeing experts.

News

150+ staff at booming care agency benefit from cost of living and mental health support

A CARING business is supporting its 150-strong workforce with a series of events and activities to combat the cost-of-living crisis and health and wellbeing challenges post-Covid.

Since launching in the pandemic, Enhanced Healthcare has grown to become one of the leading names in the sector.

The Colwyn Bay-based organisation is blazing a trail for others in the industry and has done so by prioritising its own team of nurses and health and social care staff.

Delivering temporary staffing solutions to a range of health and social care services across North Wales and beyond, the award-winning company was launched by Chanel Williams in 2021, as she herself was seven months pregnant in hospital recovering from a life-threatening condition.

That same year, Chanel was joined by friend and former colleague Natalie O’Brien, who took up the role of Director of Operations, and together they have overseen a period of expansion while doing all they can to help agency employees cope with the social, economic, and mental health challenges facing many people today.

“The last few years have been difficult in so many ways, with the Covid pandemic and cost-of-living crisis in particular having a huge impact nationwide,” said Chanel, from Colwyn Bay.

“Working within health and social care our team and the services we support were at the forefront of one of the most critical and demanding times we’ve ever faced, so it’s crucial as a responsible business we do all we can to create a supportive, open environment.

“We’ve organised events with financial advisers, health and wellbeing experts and more, tackling issues such as debt, mortgages, rising childcare costs, energy bills and the compounded remnants of the pandemic.

“I have been humbled by the response and proud our team feel they able to talk to us; they are the beating heart of Enhanced Healthcare and that will never change.”

Staff also enjoyed a free day of activities during the Easter break – alleviating some of the financial pressures the school holidays can bring – and held ‘drop-in’ days on a wide range of other topics including nutrition, budgeting, and money saving tips, with yoga, managing stress and physical wellbeing sessions planned for the near future.

“We will hold regular, accessible events for the team,” said Natalie, from Anglesey.

“Not only does this give us peace of mind, that we are doing all we can to help them through these challenging economic times, but it’s also good for morale.

“This is an investment in forward-thinking change which will in turn create positive working environments, improve staff retention, and reduce stress-related conditions.

“We have already seen the results, that by adopting this approach we can in turn make a greater difference and improve the quality of service for our clients and other stakeholders.

“Ultimately, a happy and supported workforce is far more proactive and productive than one which feels undervalued and overburdened. That’s huge for us, and for them in meeting our high standards – we encourage other organisations to consider taking the same steps.”

For more news and information and job opportunities with Enhanced Healthcare, visit the website www.enhancedhealthcare.co.uk and follow them on social media @enhancedagency.

Alternatively, call 01492 459896 or email info@enhancedhealthcare.co.uk.

Healthcare, News

Colchester is home to new eye hospital

New SpaMedica hospital will help reduce waiting times for local NHS cataract and YAG laser capsulotomy patients

Residents of North East Essex and Suffolk can now access NHS cataract surgery and YAG laser capsulotomy closer to home, thanks to a new, state-of-the-art eye hospital opened by SpaMedica in Colchester.

The newest addition to the SpaMedica family – the country’s leading independent provider of NHS eye services – is located at Colchester Business Park.

It will help cut waiting times for NHS patients requiring treatment to improve their vision by offering appointments in just four to eight weeks, compared to a national target of 18 weeks.

SpaMedica’s hospitals number more than 50 nationwide and have successfully treated thousands of NHS patients. A total of 35 inspections by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) have resulted in 13 hospitals being rated as ‘Outstanding’ and 22 rated as ‘Good’, with SpaMedica’s hospitals in Poole and Gloucester described as “an exemplar of best practice which others can, and should, learn from”.

Over 15,000 patients have awarded SpaMedica a 5-star rating on NHS.UK.

In addition to offering access to high quality healthcare in a comfortable, welcoming environment, SpaMedica Colchester also provides a free transport service for those who may struggle to travel.

Hospital manager Natalie Gregory said: “Cataracts can make day-to-day activities like reading, driving and watching television more difficult, and some patients find themselves struggling to get out and about too. That’s why we’re delighted to be working in partnership with the NHS to ensure patients in our region receive rapid access to high quality treatment, so they can get back to life as usual as quickly as possible. We can’t wait to welcome our first patients.”

NHS patients who have been diagnosed with cataracts or posterior capsule opacification can ask for a referral to SpaMedica Colchester through their local optician or GP.

Cataracts Symptoms

 You may experience one or more of the following symptoms if you have cataracts:

  • Blurred vision
  • Difficulty driving at night
  • Difficulty watching television and reading
  • Being dazzled by sunlight and/or bright lights such as the headlights of an oncoming car
  • Fading of colours
  • Frequent changes to your spectacle or contact lens prescription

It’s best to see an optician if you think you have cataracts. They will perform a thorough eye check and will be able to refer you for treatment if needed. In England patients can choose which provider they have cataract surgery with.

To find out more visit www.spamedica.co.uk

Appointments, News

Cambridge health technology consultancy gears for growth with new hires

Health Tech Enterprise (HTE), a Cambridge-based health technology consultancy, has expanded its team with two strategic new hires, marking a period of ongoing growth for the company. Joining HTE are Max Bardwell, Head of Business Development, and Ema Douksaite, Health Economist.

Max, formerly of the Medical Technologies Innovation Facility, has significant experience in technology development for both public and private sector organisations. Max will oversee domestic and international business development for HTE, focusing particularly on building new strategic partnerships with industry, academic and governmental organisations in the health technology space.

Ema has been appointed to further develop HTE’s Health Economics service offering. She will be delivering cost benefit impact models, costing tools and health economic evaluation reports to enable innovators to identify market opportunities, secure funding, and gain access to healthcare markets such as the NHS. Prior to joining HTE, Ema contributed to the OECD Strategic Public Health Planning COVID-19 model by analysing multi-country economic responsiveness to teleworking practices.

Commenting on the company’s continued expansion, Dr Anne Blackwood, HTE’s CEO said: “We offer a full-range of services to support medical technology innovators throughout the product development journey, from concept to commercialisation and final roll-out. The appointment of Max and Ema reflects our ability to connect more organisations than ever with the tools they need to provide future-ready innovations to international healthcare markets and our own NHS partners here in the UK.”

Medical innovators and the health technology community will have the opportunity to meet Max and Ema at the HTE MedTech FUTURES conference. The conference returns to Cambridge on 1 March 2023 with a stellar line up of speakers, which includes some of the biggest names in health and technology; Dr Pegah Salashouri Consultant Cardiologist, Royal Papworth NHS Foundation Trust, and Dr Louise Jopling, Eastern Academic Health Science Network, Dr Robert Tansley from Cambridge Innovation Capital and representatives from the University of Cambridge, Age UK and BIVDA.

This year’s conference, sponsored by Venner Shipley, will be held at Wellcome Genome Campus, and offers delegates a unique opportunity to hear from some of the leading experts in the fastest-growing areas of health and medical technology, alongside the perspective of clinicians on where the opportunities are for technology growth and adoption within the NHS.

To secure tickets to the conference please visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/medtech-futures-conference-tickets-398794724757?aff=HTEwebsite

News

Bridge Health & Wellbeing extends sponsorship at Christchurch Rugby Club for third successive season

Bridge Health & Wellbeing in Christchurch, Dorset, is delighted to have renewed its sponsorship of Christchurch Rugby Club for a third consecutive year. Situated by the East Christchurch Sports & Social Club on Grange Road, the club re-launched in 2019 and welcomes rugby players of all abilities.

Opening its doors in 2019, Bridge Health & Wellbeing began providing physiotherapy services for club players, including injury support and rehabilitation. When the 2020/2021 season began, Bridge Health & Wellbeing increased its involvement with the club by becoming a key sponsor. As the club enters the 2022/2023 season, the clinic has extended its sponsorship into a third year.

Paul O’Connell, physiotherapist and co-founder of Bridge Health & Wellbeing said: “It has been great to see the rugby club develop over the past three years. Alongside the men, we now regularly see several women’s players coming in for physiotherapy and sports massage. As a family-run clinic, being part of our local community and working with the town’s rugby club is really important. We look forward to supporting them through the 2022/23 season.”

Christchurch Saxons men’s team finished last season in an impressive second place, only losing one home game. During the year, they welcomed ten new players to the club. This expansion promises an exciting lineup for the 2022/2023 season, in which the men’s team will compete in the Hampshire Merit Leagues.

Club Chair Don Lynaghan commented: “We are really proud of how the club has progressed over the past three years. The men’s team has played some excellent rugby, and the women’s side has formed, grown and flourished. It has been a great side to watch and be around, and I know there are exciting things to come from them this season. Partners like Bridge Health & Wellbeing are vital to helping players perform at their best on the pitch, and we are very grateful for their continued support.”

Bridge Health & Wellbeing provides physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment, sports massage, rehabilitation services, Pilates and yoga classes from their state-of-the-art fitness space on Bridge Street in Christchurch, Dorset. Their team of experts can help you get better, build strength and feel happy and healthy in your mind and body.

News

Bedfont’s excellent Work/Life balance acknowledged with 3 awards by Kent County Council (KCC)

In 2022, Bedfont joined the Healthy Workplace Programme, which involves building new initiatives and putting the wellbeing of employees at the forefront of the business. Bedfont is pleased to announce it has received 3 awards for their efforts to create a positive workplace environment.

The programme funded by the KCC and Medway Council, helps to support health and wellbeing at work with relevant policies, training and guidance. Recent studies have shown that those with a healthy work/life balance have more motivation and are more productive at work.

Jason Smith, Managing Director at Bedfont, comments, “As a second-generation family business, Bedfont has implemented workplace policies that focus on creating a friendly and positive workplace atmosphere with the Bedfont Family at its heart. We have been working hard to achieve a healthy work/life balance for our employees for some time now, and it’s really rewarding for us as an employer to know this has been recognised with the Healthy Workplace Awards. We look forward to continuing and improving upon these efforts, and we have our sights set on the Platinum award next.”

The Kent and Medway awards team, comments, “From the great evidence submitted and interviews conducted, it is evident Bedfont Scientific has created a very social and inclusive organisation which always looks at ways to introduce new initiatives and equally cares for the wellbeing of its customers as much as its staff. Well done to you and all your hard work in making Bedfont Scientific a lovely place to work”

News

Liverpool City Region Wins Government Status For Vaccine Discovery, Development and Manufacturing

The Department for International Trade and Growth Platform to showcase the Liverpool City Region’s life sciences expertise at this year’s World Vaccine Congress in Barcelona
Growth Platform, Liverpool City Regions Growth Company and the Department for International Trade (DIT) have launched a new Vaccines Discovery, Development and Manufacture High Potential Opportunity (HPO) in recognition of the Liverpool City Region’s internationally significant expertise in the discovery, development and manufacture of vaccines.
The HPO programme aims to help accelerate the growth of business and industry, boost local job creation and prosperity, and strengthen the UK’s sectorial advantage. The Liverpool City Region’s vaccines capabilities will be promoted to targeted DIT teams located in British Embassies and Consulates across the world to highlight the compelling reasons why overseas vaccines companies should choose the City Region as they expand their international activities.
DIT and Growth Platform, will jointly promote the City Region’s world class assets and opportunities for investment in Vaccine discovery, development and manufacture at the World Vaccine Congress in Barcelona on October 11-14.
The Liverpool City Region is already one of the world’s fastest-growing centres of excellence in infectious diseases research and development, with expertise from vaccine discovery and clinical trials to manufacturing and logistics. As one of Europe’s largest and longest established concentrations of bio-manufacturing, it boasts the long-term presence of global life sciences leaders including Astra Zeneca, Seqirus, Bristol Myers Squibb, Pharmaron, TriRx, and Teva.
This private sector activity is complemented by world class academic and research institutions including the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and the University of Liverpool (UoL), which together constitute the UK’s largest concentration of expertise in translational-focused R&D in infectious diseases.
In September 2020, the Infection Innovation Consortium (iiCON) was founded by a number of leading health, science and innovation organisations including LSTM, the NHS, and Unilever to name just a few. The major public-private collaboration was created to fast-track the discovery, development, evaluation and impact assessment of potential new products and treatments for infectious diseases and to strengthen the global supply chain. iiCON is currently collaborating with 64 local companies, with a further 120 businesses within its network, and has helped secure £200 million of funding for innovation related to infection control.
The High Potential Opportunity status was secured through a competitive bidding process led by Growth Platform, which provides business with one point of access to dedicated support and guidance on growth, investment and collaboration opportunities in the area.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “I’m incredibly proud of our area’s contribution to global health – few places can claim to have made a bigger impact on infection control as we can.
“But as we look to the future, I want to go even further, putting our region at the vanguard of UK – and global – innovation. We start that journey at a significant advantage: our existing, world-leading industry strengths in infectious disease control to materials chemistry innovation, and artificial intelligence.
“I want to harness those strengths – and potential – and turn them into profitable businesses, creating better, greener jobs and bringing greater prosperity to local people. To make that happen, we will be investing 5% of our GVA in research and development over the next few years – nearly double the government’s national targets.
“The new HPO is recognition of that enviable position as a global leader and I’m sure will help us to continue driving growth and innovation in the region’s R&D by attracting more jobs, investment and opportunities into the region.”
Anika Neill, Sector Lead for Health & Life Sciences at Growth Platform said: “This recognition really puts the Liverpool City Region on the map as an area with huge potential for investment in the discovery, development and manufacture of vaccines. An example being the recent £500k investment from the Pandemic Institute to help Liverpool researchers tackle the growing threat of Monkeypox.
“The Liverpool City Region provides access to the people, skills and supply chains needed to ensure it’s the ideal base for vaccine discovery, development and manufacturing of vaccines and being identified as an area of high potential growth is a true testament to that.”
Professor Janet Hemingway CBE, founding director of iiCON and professor of tropical medicine at LSTM, said: “There is a world-leading infectious disease R&D ecosystem within the Liverpool City Region that has offered iiCON access to all the tools we’ve needed to support the journey of new therapies and products from early-stage discovery through to manufacturing and deployment.
“Working collaboratively with like-minded organisations within the Liverpool City Region has been crucial in driving forward infection innovation which is ultimately improving and saving lives, which is at the heart of iiCON’s purpose.”
DIT’s High Potential Opportunities programme, launched in 2018, selects investment opportunities to promote to foreign investors, driving investment into the UK’s regions and nations. The HPO digital summary is now available via DIT’s Investment Atlas and can be found here.
News

Palatine Announces Significant Investment In Redmoor Health

Palatine has today announced a significant investment in rapidly-growing, digital healthcare services partner Redmoor Health. 

 

Founded in 2017, Chorley-based Redmoor Health is a trusted partner of the NHS for all things digital technology. It provides a range of digital transformation expertise from design and project management to implementation and analytics. 

 

As a family-run business with a mission to improve patient outcomes and improve service delivery Redmoor has secured investment from Palatine’s Impact Fund, which backs commercially driven businesses with a mission to positively impact society or the environment.  

 

Redmoor represents the final investment from Palatine’s first Impact Fund, which was the UK’s first dedicated returns-focused Impact Fund raised by a mid-market private equity house and was created to invest in companies that are tackling some of the biggest issues we face in society today, such as inequalities in education and jobs across UK regions, access to healthcare and climate change. 

 

Redmoor Health founder and CEO Marc Schmid co-owns the business with his wife Alison and said: “We’ve grown the business to 30 staff over five years without investment but believe Palatine will take us to the next stage of our growth journey. 

 

“We were approached by 13 different investors but found that Palatine best matched our values, culture and commitment to improve healthcare and the environment. 

“The pandemic highlighted the value that technology can make to healthcare and we look forward to accelerating our growth with Palatine as our partner.” 

 

Impact Fund Investment Manager Greg Holmes led the deal for Palatine alongside Partner Beth Houghton, the head of Palatine’s Impact Fund. Both will join Redmoor Health’s board. 

Greg Holmes, said: “Marc, Alison and the team have done an outstanding job of driving rapid growth in the business already. Far from taking their feet off the gas, they have a compelling growth strategy which we are excited to develop, through a focus on value enhancement, magnifying their impact and investing in the team and infrastructure. 

 

“We have a huge amount of experience in both the healthcare and technology sectors across our Impact and Buyout Funds, and we look forward to seeing the partnership blossom.” 

 

The deal builds on the leading mid-market investor’s strong track record in the healthcare and digital sectors, which includes successful investments in Routes Healthcare, tranScrip, Veincentre, FourNet and Acora. 

  

Palatine was advised by Cortus (financial), Candesic (commercial), Hill Dickinson (legal), Panamoure (technology), RSM (tax) and The Quinn Partnership (management). Redmoor Health was advised by Freeths (legal) and Shorts. 

News

Christchurch Derma Spa celebrates first anniversary at BizSpace, Christchurch

Dorset businesses and residents celebrated skin clinic Christchurch Derma Spa’s first BizSpace birthday in style last week, with cake and bubbles galore.

Founded by Kirsty Campbell in 2017, Christchurch Derma Spa is a specialist skin clinic treating clients with a range of skin concerns, including acne, rosacea, pigmentation and ageing through non-surgical treatments including laser, microdermabrasion, skin tightening and chemical peels.

After four years of running the clinic from home, Kirsty made the big decision in 2021 to move into premises. “Running the clinic from my dedicated treatment room at home worked well for years. But with the clinic getting busier and my children getting older, it felt like the right time to move somewhere new.”

Kirsty searched for local premises and decided to move into BizSpace in Christchurch, Dorset. “I knew that wherever I moved to had to be close to home and have plenty of free parking to make it as easy as possible for my clients. I looked at various options, and BizSpace seemed to offer the best solution. This first year has flown by, and I’m loving being in my new space. Everyone has been so welcoming.”

Guests at the VIP party included Rachael Penny from Coastal Garden Buildings, Rus Ritchie-Haydn from RH Sports Massage, Christina Stone from Goldfinch Marketing, Nadina Robson from Baby Squids New Forest, Tineka Lo from Koru Body Massage, Sam Gurner from Sam Gurner Pilates, Maria Day from Dorset Local Wine School, Sian Kemp from ST Sports & Wellbeing and Caroline Saunders from 4 C Marketing. Jane Squires Photography captured images from the night.

Kirsty added, “I am so grateful to everyone who came along to celebrate my first birthday at BizSpace. It means so much to know I am surrounded by such a supportive local community. I’m so glad I made the leap from my home studio to premises and am looking forward to many busy years here to come.”

More info: https://christchurchdermaspa.co.uk/

Appointments, Healthcare, News, South West

Bridge Health & Wellbeing welcomes a new sports massage therapist to their growing clinical team

Family-run clinic Bridge Health & Wellbeing in Christchurch, Dorset, is delighted to welcome experienced sports massage therapist Nathan Nobel to their team.

Trained in Bournemouth, Nathan is a Level 4 Sports Massage Therapist. Having worked within clinical settings, Nathan has also gained valuable experience assisting the Reading Rockets Basketball team and the Swindon Marine Football team.

Nathan has a passion for helping people. Having had some of his own obstacles in earlier years, he is keen to prove that anything is possible. He particularly enjoys treating ankle injuries, knee injuries, and headaches.

Paul O’Connell, co-founder and physiotherapist at Bridge Health & Wellbeing, said, “We are delighted to welcome Nathan to our team. Alongside sports massage therapy, Nathan is trained in Kinesio taping and immobilisation strapping, bringing a wide range of skills to complement our existing team. With three physiotherapists, three sports massage therapists and our chiropractor Aaron, we are well-equipped to offer a comprehensive range of clinical services for health and wellbeing.”

Bridge Health & Wellbeing is a friendly, family-run clinic in the heart of Christchurch in Dorset, with high quality physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment, sports massage and rehabilitation services,  expert Pilates and yoga classes and state-of-the-art gym facilities all under one roof.