The BHTA has welcomed the announcement of a Scottish business task force to help companies negotiate the choppy waters of spending cuts, inflation, the rising price of energy, the cost of living crisis, the impact of the previous mini-budget, and the possibility of a UK recession this winter and into 2023.
This week the Scottish Finance Secretary, John Swinney, announced £165 million in spending cuts. These reductions and reprioritisations are in addition to another £560m of cuts that were previously announced in September.
The fiscal regulations of devolution mean that the Scottish Government cannot borrow to meet any increased costs, which means that their budget is effectively fixed in cash terms.
In real terms, this means that in Scotland, for every additional spend in one area, there needs to be a decrease in spending in another area.
Ahead of the UK Government’s Autumn Statement on 17th November, the following financial announcements were made:
• £400m to be reprioritised within the health and social care portfolio to accommodate an enhanced pay offer, and to meet pressures from inflation and services.
Some social care budgets will be rephased and some spending in areas such as mental health will be reprioritised.
• £33m of resource savings.
• £180m of capital savings, including decreasing the marketing budget to pre-pandemic levels
The review sets out further assistance for those affected by the cost of living crisis while tackling budgetary pressures caused by rising inflation and the current economic situation.
Approximately £35 million of funding has been allocated for a range of initiatives to support people with the increased cost of living.
Additional measures include establishing a Joint Task Force with businesses, COSLA, local authorities, and agencies to consider the differing impacts of regulation on business, extending energy advice to businesses by investing £300,000 to expand the services of Business Energy Scotland, and doubling the value of the SME energy efficiency Loan and Cash Back Scheme for energy efficiency to £20,000.
Responding to the statement, David Stockdale, Chief Executive Officer of the BHTA commented:
“We are pleased to hear that a task force is to be established, and the BHTA would most certainly like to be involved. For some time the BHTA has called for businesses, local authorities, and government to work together, and in the current climate such a task force will be crucial in supporting businesses and consumers through some tricky months ahead.”
The full details of the financial statement can be found here and if you would to contact us with your views on the latest announcements, please email us at marketing@bhta.com
The rising costs of our bills, groceries, fuel, mortgage, and rent payments, coupled with Brexit-related import and export price increases, means that we all have to make our earnings stretch even further than usual this winter.
This means that the chance to snap up a bargain has even more appeal this year, especially with Christmas just around the corner.
Unfortunately, the pressure to save money has led to an increase in scams, counterfeit goods, unsafe products, and food fraud.
New research published by Trading Standards indicates there has been a surge in practices that are harming consumers – including a trebling in the volume of counterfeit goods seized.
Included in the research is the fact that three-quarters of UK adults are feeling more vulnerable due to the cost-of-living crisis and nearly half have seen a rise in scams.
As the report states:
“Three-quarters of UK adults are feeling more vulnerable due to the cost-of-living crisis and nearly half have seen a rise in scams.”
With that in mind, it is now more important than ever that we spend our earnings on reputable and trustworthy companies.
Unfortunately, the selling of unsafe products isn’t just restricted to online sales.
Dishonest sales techniques, often known as aggressive selling, are not new of course, but more prevalent than before and especially dangerous when they involve healthcare products.
Here at the BHTA, we have put together a list of underhand sales techniques to look out for which you can find here.
To become a member of the BHTA, companies have voluntarily signed up to our CTSI-endorsed Code of Practice.
Amongst other benefits (you can read more details about our Code of Practice here) this will give you extra consumer protection when you buy independent living solutions, for added peace of mind.
In particular, our Code provides you with:
So, when you are looking for mobility aids, assisted living technology, or other healthcare products if you see the BHTA logo you know that you are spending your money with a trustworthy and reliable company.
We also have a wealth of useful information and advice for consumers on our website, and if you do have any questions please do contact us at marketing@bhta.com.
After months of planning, healthcare professionals from all over England gathered at the picturesque Tower Hotel in London to listen to industry leaders set out their plans for the sector’s future in a series of presentations and Q&A panels.
After a quick networking breakfast, the guests took their seats for an introductory speech from the BHTA Chief Executive, David Stockdale, setting out the agenda for the day.
The day’s first presentation was from Preeya Bailie, Director of Procurement, Transformation, and Commercial Delivery for NHS England.
Preeya’s presentation was titled “NHSE Commercial and Sustainability” and explained how NHS Procurement would meet new sustainability targets, improve cost value and make the process of receiving products more straightforward and more consistent for end users.
Next up, we had presentations from Andrew New & Andy Windsor, both from NHS Supply Chain.
Andrew New is the Chief Executive of NHS Supply Chain & Andy Windsor is the Commercial Director of NHS Supply Chain.
Their presentation was “Embracing Todays Challenges – Delivering Future Value” and in it they set out how NHS Supply Chain would respond to changes in strategy within the NHS, and how they would seek to improve the relationships between the NHS and suppliers.
A Q&A panel followed these presentations, giving the audience a chance to have their thoughts heard and their questions answered.
After a networking lunch, everyone reconvened for the second half of the conference.
The afternoon’s first speaker was Francis Philipa, the Strategy Lead for Foundations UK who delivered a fascinating keynote speech entitled “How Green Is Your Programme?” in which he looked at how Foundations UK plans to help everyone to be more environmentally minded, from guidance for domestic users to advice for businesses.
The penultimate speaker of the day was the newly appointed Department of Health and Social Care MedTech Directorate Director, David Lawson.
An enthusiastic audience listened to David explaining the new Med Tech Strategy, in one if his first public speaking appointments since taking up his new role.
Kevin Hodges from the BHTA delivered the final keynote presentation of the day, looking back at his wealth of knowledge and experience in healthcare, to give the attendees his “Industry Insights.”
After a second Q&A panel featuring the afternoon’s speakers, it was time for David Stockdale to close the conference and the guests began to make their way home.
Commenting after the conference had finished, David said:
“I have received nothing but positive comments about the conference and the BHTA is proud to have given our members the opportunity to hear, and be heard, from leaders at the heart of the Healthcare sector. We look forward to hosting another conference soon!”
For more photos of the day, you can see them all here
The Chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, has this morning, announced his mini-budget, here are the main headlines on the measures and policies.
BHTA Chief Executive Office, David Stockdale commented:
“Positive announcements need result in positive actions, and some of the cuts announced today will have a positive impact. I am concerned, however, that the amount of borrowing needed for this type of economic recovery, if it doesn’t work, could cause an even bigger crisis for the economy in the coming months and years, with consequences on future health and social care investment.
We will, in the next few weeks, be launching our own plan to help businesses and consumers in these unprecedented times”
Here at the BHTA would like to hear what our members think of the latest announcements.
Will they help your business? What further measures would you like to see introduced to help us all through a cost of living crisis, Brexit, post-Covid supply issues, high-interest rates, and low value of the pound globally?
You can contact us at marketing@bhta.com with your feedback.
*** For immediate release***
[September 2022. London, UK] Ahead of the Chancellor’s announcement on Friday of the government’s ‘Growth Plan’ in Parliament, this morning the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has announced its Business Support Scheme. So, the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) has taken an early look at what the scheme actually means for businesses in the UK.
The Prime Minister, Liz Truss said:
“The package of support to protect firms would apply from 1 October and would make sure businesses are able to get through the winter”.
As is often the case, the devil is in the detail, as the Political Editor of The Mirror has noted that although the support scheme will be backdated to October 1, it won’t be introduced until mid-October at the very earliest.
This is primarily because the Business Support Scheme will need emergency legislation, and Parliament will be in recess due to the Conservative Party Conference.
The main headline on the initial reading of the support package is that the government plan to pay the costs of more than £1 in every £3 of gas consumed by businesses and households over the next six months.
On the surface, they plan to impose a cap of approximately 50% on the winter cost of electricity and 25% on gas, and for this to be reviewed after three months.
This plan will also apply to non-domestic energy users: businesses, charities, and public sector organisations.
The plan is that the government will fix the ‘Supported Wholesale Price’ to £211 per MWh for electricity and £75 per MWh for gas, “less than half the wholesale prices anticipated this winter”, lasting six months.
The government has provided a couple of examples in the press release, one of which we have included below:
“A school uses 10 MWh of electricity and 22 MWh of gas a month. They signed a fixed contract in July 2022, giving them a current monthly energy bill of about £10,000. At the time they signed their contact, wholesale prices for the next 6 months were expected to be higher than the Government Supported Price of £211/MWh for electricity, and £75/MWh for gas, meaning they can receive support under this scheme.”
And:
“The difference between expected wholesale prices when they signed their contract and the Government Supported Price is worth £240/MWh for electricity and £70/MWh for gas, meaning they receive a discount of £4,000 per month, reducing their original bill by 40%.”
Commenting on this morning’s announcement, David Stockdale, BHTA Chief Executive Officer said:
“Whilst The BHTA welcomes this announcement of a Business Support Package from the government, we hope that there will be further support measures introduced by The Chancellor on Friday, to help our members navigate their way through a challenging winter for us all.”
As the support package has only just been announced, Economic reporters and our own Policy Team are carefully looking through the details for more information and as soon as we have further news for our members, we will let you know.
***Ends***
About the BHTA: Representing over 400 companies in the healthcare and assistive technology industry, the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) supports its members to help ensure the best outcomes for the most vulnerable in society.
All BHTA members are committed to adhering to the Association’s Code of Practice – the only code in the industry approved by The Chartered Trading Standards Institute.
Media contact: Jamie McKay, Content Marketing Manager
Contact email: jamie.mckay@bhta.com
With only two days until the big event, we thought we would provide you with a preview of the speakers planned for the BHTA Integration & Sustainability Conference 2022.
Along with their presentations, the speakers will also be taking part in panel question and answer sessions, giving you the chance to have your concerns and queries answered.
Andrew New is the Chief Executive Officer for NHS Supply Chain.
NHS Supply Chain manages the sourcing, delivery and supply of healthcare products, services and food for NHS trusts and healthcare organisations across England and Wales.
Previous to his current role, Andrew was the Group Executive Director for Purchasing and Supply Chain at JCB.
He has also held senior procurement and supply chain roles for Magnox and Babcock International Group.
Andy Windsor is the Commercial Executive Director for NHS Supply Chain.
Andy is leading the strategic supplier relationship development, along with ongoing contract management of the NHS Supply Chain category tower service providers.
He has a wide range of experience in procurement, supplier relationship strategy and management.
Preeya Bailie is the Director of Procurement Transformation and Commercial Delivery for NHS England.
Responsible for leading a programme focused on category transformation, Preeya is also driving sustainable procurement to deliver on the NHS commitment to net zero by 2045 and a fair and transparent supply chain free of modern slavery.
Preeya has a vast range of public sector procurement experience, including local authorities, procurement partnerships, and setting up of joint ventures and programmes for income generation.
David was recently appointed as Chief Executive Officer for the British Healthcare Trades Association.
David has over 20 years of senior management and leadership experience, including Head of Business Crime Reduction for People United Against Crime and Director of Finance, Projects and Marketing for Young Voice.
Most recently, he led the transformation of the British Tinnitus Association, including a 575 per cent growth in revenue over his 12 years as Chief Executive.
David Lawson MCIPS – Director of Medical Technology – Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC)
From October newly appointed Med Tech Director for DHSC with responsibility for setting the direction of future UK Med Tech policy and implementation of the new Med Tech Strategy.
Previous Chief Procurement Officer for 21 years at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. Double winner of the Supply Chain Excellence Award for Supply Chain Innovation (2008) and Urban Logistics (2021).
David was an early adopter of value based procurement and a long track record of partnership working with industry.
Francis Phillipa is the Strategy Lead for Foundations UK.
Francis stated his working life as a local Care and Repair volunteer Handyperson 30 years ago. Since then, he moved on to become a project coordinator on a Hospital Discharge scheme, and a manager of two Home Improvement Agencies.
Now as Strategy the Lead for Foundations, his role includes sustaining the commitment of government departments, professional bodies and policy makers to ensure housing is an equal partner in the integration of health.
Kevin has over 25 years’ experience working in the Healthcare sector initially within OTC medicines & Pharmaceuticals but for the last 20 years in Medical Devices.
He worked for one of the leading global Stoma, Wound and Continence Care companies, set up SureCalm Healthcare, an independent Dispensing Appliance Contractor group in 2010.
His current role is now supporting the BHTA Stoma Manufacturers & Dispensing Appliance Contractors sections, the BHTA Scotland Group and with certain BHTA overall membership related stakeholders.
This really is your last chance to get tickets for the conference on Thursday 22nd September booked, and to have the chance to hear the future plans from senior NHS leaders.
The conference is also an ideal opportunity to have your voice heard at such a critical stage in the healthcare sector.
Head over to our event page for all the ticket info or email us at marketing@bhta.com
From left to right: David Ellison, BHTA Membership Engagement Manager. David Stockdale, BHTA Chief Executive Office. David Beavis, MediSmart Technologies Sales Director.
MediSmart Technologies Ltd is one of the UK’s leading developers of smart solutions to answer the needs of medical staff and patients for hybrid pressure relief systems. In August, the BHTA Chief Executive, David Stockdale, and BHTA Membership Engagement Manager, David Ellison, visited their impressive headquarters in Luton.
Launched in 2017, as a sister company of MJS Group, Medismart Technologies design and manufacture their Pneumatic Compression, Pressure Relief and Cold Therapy systems entirely in the UK, supplying clinics, physiotherapists and sports rehabilitation clinics, home carers, and hospitals.
MediSmart Technologies Sales Director, David Beavis, gave the BHTA party a tour of their offices and warehouse, and they then sat down to discuss the state of play in the UK healthcare sector, and the various issues that are hampering medical supply companies in the UK.
David Beavis, as the BHTA section Chair, discussed the challenges that many member companies, including MediSmart Technologies, are facing at the moment.
There is an issue to be addressed with regard to companies, with innovative products manufactured here in the UK, not being given a fair opportunity to assist the NHS and Social Care in favour of alternatives from elsewhere with their global and logistical challenges from abroad.
David pointed out that he had received phone calls from suppliers who were being questioned by their patients/service users questioning the amount of energy being used in some large dynamic mattresses and even considering switching off pumps at the detriment of appropriate pressure area care.
It is important that all relevant BHTA members are aware of this and possibly consider innovative systems that operate effectively by using a lot less energy and David Stockdale confirmed that the BHTA is planning a series of campaigns to help members negotiate the issues caused by brexit, cost of living, recession, and post-pandemic changes, both organisational and financial.
One campaign in the pipeline is raising awareness of Tissue Viability Nurses (TVN).
TVNs are key users of pressure relief products and it was agreed that a wound care case study would be useful, as well as a survey of TVNs, to determine how they choose mattresses, beds and cushions.
David Stockdale raised the issue of inflation on the cost of living crisis, coupled with the fact that consumers are having to buy products privately as they can’t wait for the NHS to supply, and said:
“The Department of Works and Pensions needs to increase Disability Pensions to keep up with the current galloping inflation.”
Two words you have probably read about over the last couple of years are ‘integration’ and ‘sustainability’, but why are they important to BHTA members and the healthcare sector?
On its own, sustainability will help any business to be efficient, but integration and sustainability combined will help a business to improve and potentially transform the way they operate, running through the entire company, with the involvement and input of all stakeholders.
The three main strands of sustainability are economy, society, and the environment.
If your business is sustainable it should lead to more profit, which benefits the economy, creating solutions (and therefore employment) that will benefit society and in turn, by operating in a more sustainable business model, help the environment.
There are numerous ways to improve sustainability and integrate them with your business.
For example, increasing innovation and cost savings, could lead to more customers and an increase in profit.
Sustainability doesn’t just mean being environmentally friendly, although of course, that is of utmost importance in the times we live in.
Financial sustainability is tantamount to creating and sustaining a successful business model. Legal sustainability, particularly now we are in a post-Brexit scenario, is crucial, and here at the BHTA, we are dedicated to helping you to navigate each legislative twist and turn on the rollercoaster ride as they happen.
In order for sustainability to be a long-term benefit it needs to be at the forefront of every level of your business, and to do this properly, it should involve the entire framework of your business.
For your top level integration and sustainability plan to work, you need to have the input of every stakeholder in your company.
The introduction of the Health Care Bill by the government, has meant that companies are having to assess and realign their business model and processes.
All of which led us here at the BHTA to think of the best way that we can help our members to integrate sustainability into their business model, as effectively as possible, as well as to understand the changing NHS landscape and the new organisations.
For example, our members will need to consider how they structure their businesses to interact with these new entities, who will be the key stakeholders?
Also, how will social care be included, will NHS Supply Chain be involved, how could supply and distribution be affected and who will be procuring?
There is also the new Central Commercial Function being set up with NHS England, again the questions above will need to be assessed.
Of course, we also have the prospect of a new government to contend with, led by either Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak, and how will they shape the healthcare sector and our members going forward into the next two years at least?
Indeed, as Danny Mortimer, deputy chief executive of the NHS Confederation has said:
“We need both Mr Sunak and Ms Truss to demonstrate a heavy dose of realism about the state of the NHS and the promise of an open, frank and honest conversation about what this means.”
On September 22nd at the Tower Hotel in London, we are gathering over one hundred industry leaders to discuss integration and sustainability in the NHS and healthcare sector.
We have also lined up guest speakers at the very epicentre of this movement who will discuss their vision and their plans for creating a long-lasting culture of sustainability and at the same time leading the integration agenda in partnership with Integrated Care Systems.
Senior Executives from NHS Supply Chain, NHS England & Improvement, Foundations UK, and the newly appointed director of NHS Medtech will be there as guest speakers and also answer any questions and queries you may have.
There will also be panel discussions for you to get an in-depth involvement in the decisions being made that will affect your business.
The new BHTA Chief Executive Officer, David Stockdale, will also be at the confidence to host a Q and A section.
For more information on the BHTA Integration & Sustainability Conference, you can see our event page here, with all the details for the day and how to book your tickets.
Tickets are selling fast so it will be a good idea to get your seats booked as soon as you can!
We look forward to seeing you in September and in the meantime, if you have any questions about the conference then please do get in touch with us here: marketing@bhta.com
BHTA Roundtable – Virtual assessments and assistive technologies
Parts one – five: Examining the shift to virtual assessments and the impact they have had on the provision of assistive technology products and services
Overview: Our experts consider how the world of assistive technology moves forward with video assessments.
Panel:
► William Lee, Head of Policy and Compliance at the BHTA (Roundtable chair)
► Clare Barber, Professional Services Manager at DLF
► James Bennett, Sales and Marketing Director at Care & Independence
► Julie Blake, Senior Clinical Manager at NRS Healthcare
► Matthew James, Director of Precision Rehab
► Rachel Russell, Senior Regional Advisor for Foundations
► Nash Kumar, Director of Higher Elevation
Raise your profile and share your expert insights by becoming
a BHTA member.
Join us and take part in exciting events, such as a roundtable series,
to help shape the future of health and social care.
*** For immediate release***
[August 2022. London, UK] At the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, healthcare industry professionals had to rapidly realign the way their services were provided, implementing virtual assessments to ensure that those in need of assistive technologies would continue to receive essential products and services during this turbulent period.
Recently, the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) brought together a panel of industry experts to discuss the move to virtual assessments; the challenges they overcame, the lessons learned and what the future could look like.
BHTA Chief Executive Officer, David Stockdale, said:
“During the pandemic, the healthcare industry had to make unprecedented decisions, and make them quickly, about how they could continue to provide essential products and services.
Now that we have had some time to assess the last couple of years, we thought it would be valuable for our members, and other healthcare professionals, to evaluate the changes that were made and examine what the future may hold for virtual assessments.
With the world returning to normal, it’s essential we find the balance between virtual assessments and face-to-face consultations to provide the best possible experience and outcome for the end user.”
Produced in association with AT Today, DLF & Foundations UK, and with the sponsorship of Care & Independence, you can view the roundtable discussion online now.
The panel of six experts came together from different areas of the healthcare industry at the Tower Hotel, London, to share their experiences of virtual assessments, consider the evidence and examine what the future holds.
The BHTA Roundtable Series has been split into five episodes, each one dealing with a different aspect of the virtual assessment discussion, covering subjects such as “The benefits of virtual assessments”, “The desire to move back to face-to-face assessments”, and ‘Virtual assessments during the pandemic – what could have been done differently?”.
“During the pandemic, the healthcare industry had to make unprecedented decisions, and make them quickly, about how they could continue to provide essential products and services.“
David Stockdale, Chief Executive Officer of the British Healthcare Trades Association
The episodes and full-length roundtable can be viewed on the BHTA website here.
***Ends***
About the BHTA: Representing over 400 companies in the healthcare and assistive technology industry, the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) supports its members to help ensure the best outcomes for the most vulnerable in society.
All BHTA members are committed to adhering to the Association’s Code of Practice – the only code in the industry approved by The Chartered Trading Standards Institute.
Media contact: Jamie McKay, Content Marketing Manager
Contact email: marketing@bhta.com
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed that experienced procurement executive, David Lawson, will take over from Chris Stirling as the new permanent director of the Medical Technologies (MedTech) Directorate.
The MedTech Directorate was established by DHSC in 2021 after significant supply chain disruption, caused by COVID-19 in 2020, highlighted a need for sustainable and effective procurement processes and strategies for medical devices.
Tasked with building a thriving UK medtech sector, the body’s remit covers reviewing how medical devices are regulated, commissioned and used on an ongoing basis.
In particular, the directorate has six critical priorities: ensuring resilient supply chains; delivering value for money; maintaining regulation of safe, high-quality products; meeting sustainability goals; adopting innovation for better clinical outcomes; and promoting UK interests in overseas markets.
Initially leading the MedTech Directorate was Chris Stirling as interim MedTech Directorate Director, who is now succeeded by David Lawson, a seasoned senior procurement executive.
He takes over the role having accrued over 20 years of experience working for Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (Guy’s and St Thomas’) as its Chief Procurement Officer. David has a wealth of experience in supply chain innovation and has also won the Supply Chain Excellence Award twice.
Before working for Guy’s and St Thomas’, he was the procurement advisor to the Department of Social Security and the Department of Environment.
One of David’s first engagements with the industry will be at the BHTA Integration and Sustainability Conference this 22 September 2022 at the Tower Hotel in London.
The event will provide a unique opportunity for BHTA members to find out more about the new MedTech Directorate director’s plans and discover how the directorate’s strategy will be informed by the integration and sustainability agendas.
You can find out more information about the conference, including who all the guest speakers are, and purchase tickets on our events page.
Recorded: 12 July 2022
BHTA presents… topic:
Understanding the importance of modern slavery & labour standards – tender requirements
Presenter: Sarah Joy Newton – Amethyst Connect
Synopsis: This webinar provides members with an understanding of labour standards & the tender requirements
About the speaker
Sarah is a qualified nurse in adult and paediatric care, with an additional 15 years of excelling in the medical device industry. She is known for her enthusiasm and energy, with a genuine desire to ensure that, as well as product and company success, patient outcomes are improved, and customers’ needs are met. Sarah’s nursing and medical sales experience has given her a unique understanding and knowledge of the workings of the NHS and procurement, and she has established contacts and working relationships within the sector.
A particular area of expertise is the new public procurement requirements including social value, net-zero, labour standards, and modern slavery. Sarah works proactively with clients to implement and provide solutions to ensure they are able to successfully win tender bids. She is also an experienced tender bid writer, and ISO 9001 & 14001 internal auditor.
Recorded: 12 July 2022
BHTA presents… topic:
Understanding the importance of social value for your business
Presenter: Sarah Joy Newton – Amethyst Connect
Synopsis: This webinar provides members with an understanding of social value and why it is essential to their business
About the speaker
Sarah is a qualified nurse in adult and paediatric care, with an additional 15 years of excelling in the medical device industry. She is known for her enthusiasm and energy, with a genuine desire to ensure that, as well as product and company success, patient outcomes are improved, and customers’ needs are met. Sarah’s nursing and medical sales experience has given her a unique understanding and knowledge of the workings of the NHS and procurement, and she has established contacts and working relationships within the sector.
A particular area of expertise is the new public procurement requirements including social value, net-zero, labour standards, and modern slavery. Sarah works proactively with clients to implement and provide solutions to ensure they are able to successfully win tender bids. She is also an experienced tender bid writer, and ISO 9001 & 14001 internal auditor.
Recorded: 4 May 2022
BHTA presents… topic: Understanding how employee benefits can aid talent investment.
Presenter: Lesley Attwell – Verlingues Insurance and Benefits Brokers
Synopsis: This webinar provides members with an insight into the best ways employee benefits can help talent investment
About the speaker
Lesley has over 20 years’ experience of assisting businesses with their benefit challenges, including pensions, risk, healthcare, wellbeing and HR technology. She is passionate about delivering exceptional service, and specialises in helping employers structure and implement Corporate Employee Benefits programmes.
*** For immediate release***
[July, 2022. London, UK] The British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) and its First Aid Medical Equipment (FAME) members are supporting The Circuit initiative – a campaign to connect defibrillators to emergency services across the UK.
Spearheaded by the British Heart Foundation, in partnership with St John Ambulance, Resuscitation Council UK, and Association of Ambulance Chief Execs, the project aims to create a centralised and accessible national database of registered of defibrillators.
According to St John Ambulance, there are an estimated 100,000 defibrillators across the UK, however, tens of thousands of these are unknown to ambulance and emergency services. This can result in emergency services not having access, or directing bystanders, to the life-saving device when needed.
With the recent announcement from the Department of Health, that state-funded schools across England will receive defibrillators, there is even more need for their location to be easily accessible by the emergency services.
“The Circuit is working very hard to ensure that all Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are known to 999 services in the community.”
Rob Higgie, First Aid Medical Equipment Section Lead of the British Healthcare Trades Association
Research from the National Institute for Care and Research shows when a defibrillator is utilised (in addition to CPR), a person’s survival odds can increase from approximately 6% to 74%.
To help ensure emergency services can get hold of these vital devices, the BHTA and its FAME members are urging all organisations to register their defibrillators on ‘The Circuit’.
Rob Higgie, First Aid Medical Equipment Section Lead of the British Healthcare Trades Association, commented:
“The Circuit is working very hard to ensure that all Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are known to 999 services in the community, so that they can be deployed in a cardiac arrest to save lives. In my opinion, it’s a very noble cause.”
The BHTA represents ethical and trusted suppliers of first aid medical equipment, including suppliers of AEDs, as well as a wide range of other sectors in the healthcare and assistive technology industry. A list of BHTA-approved companies can be found in the online BHTA member directory.
Organisations can register their defibrillators at https://www.thecircuit.uk/
*** ENDS ***
About the BHTA: Representing over 400 companies in the healthcare and assistive technology industry, the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) supports its members to help ensure the best outcomes for the most vulnerable in society. All BHTA members are committed to adhering to the Association’s Code of Practice – the only code in the industry approved by The Chartered Trading Standards Institute.
About the BHTA First Aid Medical Equipment Section:
Comprised of the UK’s leading manufacturers and distributors of first aid and medical products, the First Aid Medical Equipment Section works to promote best practices in the industry, for example, in the recently published new guidance on how to effectively apply a tourniquet in an emergency situation.
About ‘The Circuit’:
The Circuit is the national defibrillator network which maps defibrillators across the UK, connecting them directly and automatically to each ambulance service.
Media contact: Calvin Barnett, Head of Marketing and Communications
Contact email: marketing@bhta.com
BHTA Roundtable – Virtual assessments and assistive technologies
Part five: Striking a balance between virtual assessments and face-to-face consultations
Overview: Our experts consider how the world of assistive technology moves forward with video assessments.
Panel:
► William Lee, Head of Policy and Compliance at the BHTA (Roundtable chair)
► Clare Barber, Professional Services Manager at DLF
► James Bennett, Sales and Marketing Director at Care & Independence
► Julie Blake, Senior Clinical Manager at NRS Healthcare
► Matthew James, Director of Precision Rehab
► Rachel Russell, Senior Regional Advisor for Foundations
► Nash Kumar, Director of Higher Elevation
Raise your profile and share your expert insights by becoming
a BHTA member.
Join us and take part in exciting events, such as a roundtable series,
to help shape the future of health and social care.
“My wife developed long covid COVID and this is the first time we’ve left our village in over a year. She needs adaptive bathroom and kitchen aids but we just don’t where to begin when we look online?”
This gentleman visited the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) stand at Naidex last week, and was just one example of the different stories we heard from end users, carers and healthcare professionals.
We helped the gentleman, and many others, with all the information we could provide and signposted him to our members who he could have a chat with.
But let’s rewind a little, to the day before Naidex…
If you haven’t seen the Field of Dreams (and it’s a classic) then we’ve paraphrased a quote from it because it summed up the hope and mood of the organisers and businesses who were at Naidex.
“Will it be busy?” That was the million-dollar question on everyone’s lips.
On the one hand, the pandemic that had been the focus of all attention for the past two years was coming to the end. On the other hand, the rapidly accelerating cost of living crisis and soaring petrol prices left many wondering if an event like Naidex would be a priority for the disability community?
The answer was a resounding yes!
“It was a pleasure to attend my first Naidex and great to see such a fantastic turn out.”
BHTA BHTA Chief Executive Officer – David Stockdale
The busy crowd of delegates was a mix of consumers, healthcare professionals and businesses, keen to reconnect and discover the latest innovations and developments in the mobility, independent living and assistive technologies sectors.
From cutting-edge mobility scooter developments and daily living aids advancements to information on stoma and continence products, the event was filled with BHTA members who pulled out all the stops with impressive displays.
Inspirational guest speakers, such as Tanni Grey-Thompson and James Cracknell, delivered insightful sessions, while industry-specific panel discussions and a keynote address from the Minister for Disabilities proved thought-provoking and ensured there was a wealth of choice for everyone.
Our partnership with Naidex ensured that thousands of consumers and healthcare professionals were introduced to the BHTA and our members over the course of the two days. Attendees spotted the distinctive BHTA badge on member companies’ stands as they walked throughout the show, and every person who picked up a Naidex show bag also received a copy of our helpful consumer guide.
The BHTA team were also on hand throughout the event, providing useful information to people looking for advice, as well as communicating the importance of buying from BHTA-approved members who abide by our Chartered Trading Standards Institute-endorsed Code of Practice.
The BHTA Team at Naidex, from L-R: Charlie Lawrence, David Ellison, Samantha Lewis, Jamie McKay, Millie York, Calvin Barnett.
Naidex was also a great opportunity for our team to catch up with our existing members and every conversation the team had will be vital in how we shape the BHTA moving forward.
Be it issues within the industry that companies want help with or new ways of collaborating, Naidex proved to be the perfect platform for us to engage with members.
David Stockdale, Chief Executive Officer of the British Healthcare Trades Association, commented:
“It was a pleasure to attend my first Naidex and great to see such a fantastic turnout. Along with being able to meet our members, I also had the chance to discuss with the Minister for Disabled People our concerns around the installation of second-hand stairlifts. We also found a route to get this raised within government. I look forward to attending Naidex 2023!”
We would like to thank ROAR B2B for organising an incredible event and to every person who came to see us at the BHTA stand.
We would also like to give special thanks to all of our members who exhibited: Coloplast Ltd, Cyclone Technologies Ltd, Kymco UK Ltd, Laybrook Ltd, MK Battery Unit, Monarch Mobility, Motion Healthcare Ltd, Polymorit Ltd, Precision Rehab Ltd, Pride Mobility Ltd, Proactive Mobility, Quest88, Recare, Rollz Mobility UK, Sunrise Medical Ltd, SunTech, TGA Mobility Ltd, Wellell UK Limited, Wellspect Ltd.
Every single person that we speak to helps us to shape the BHTA and for that, we are eternally grateful and will ensure that we do all that we can to help you all.
If you didn’t have the opportunity to see us at the event and would like some useful advice and guidance to help you buy safely, click here
We look forward to the next Naidex event in March 2023 and if you do want any further information, please contact us.
