Connections Newsletter Oct - Dec 2011

The Infrastructure Show

We recently exhibited at the Infrastructure Show held at the NEC in Birmingham and found the conference informative and interesting.  The show attracted civil engineers, contractors, project managers and consultants, allowing them to explore the latest innovations and discuss the challenges of delivering major infrastructure projects. 

  

 Don't Forget Your Randoms

With the end of the year fast approaching, have you met your commitment to drug & alcohol screen 5% of your workforce? We can quickly and efficiently assist you with completing the required screenings for audit.  With our random drug and alcohol screening service, only a percentage of the workforce are chosen, at random, for screening on an unannounced day. Our service includes the random selection of employees from a complete list, professional specimen collection and reporting of results. Contact us to find out more.

 

Medical Rooms

We are renowned for our ability to provide flexible screening services. Our nationwide network of medical rooms means you can find a ‘Healthcare’ location that is near to you, but did you know that we can also accommodate appointments outside of normal office hours on request? In addition, if you need us closer, we can send our nurses ‘onsite’ to your location, or in a mobile unit.

To check availability or to make a booking, please call our National Operations Centre on 08456 773002.

Seasonal 'Flu

With the ‘flu season upon us, it is important to remember that good hygiene is one of the most effective ways of preventing the spread of germs. Always make sure you wash your hands regularly with soap and water, clean surfaces like your keyboard, telephone and door handles regularly to get rid of germs. Use tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze and put used tissues in a bin as soon as possible.

Symptoms include the sudden onset of high temperature, severe aches and pains in the joints and muscles and around the eyes, general body weakness, headache, cough, sore throat and watery discharge from your nose and the appearance of warm, flushed skin and red, watery eyes. The symptoms usually peak after two to three days and you should begin to feel much better within five to eight days. However, you may have a cough and still feel very tired for a further two to three weeks.

Healthcare Connections can offer you a choice of occupational health services to fight 'flu - our Antiviral Protection Plan and our Vaccination Programme. These have been designed to protect your employees against the effects of 'flu and therefore minimise the impact of absenteeism on your business.  Call our Sales Team on 08456 773002 to discuss the right solution for you.
 

Alcohol Awareness Week

The latest NHS figures show that alcohol-related hospital admissions reached record levels last year.   Alcohol Concern are launching their "Alcohol Concern Charter" during Alcohol Awareness Week, 14-20 November 2011.  Aiming to create a world free from alcohol harm, their Charter is a four point statement based on the World Health Organisation's own charter on alcohol. 

The campaign will aim to end the irresponsible promotion of cheap alcohol and deep discounting, control the availability of alcohol locally by allowing local areas to reduce licence density, protect children from alcohol marketing and increase both identification and support for people affected by alcohol misuse.  Find out more about Alcohol Concern's work.

The Royal College of Physicians are also urging the government to improve alcohol guidelines by ensuring they do not sanction daily drinking.  A written submission to MPs on the House of Commons' Science and Technology Committee recommends that to remain within safe limits of alcohol consumption, people should have three alcohol-free days a week.  Read the BBC's report of this article.

Source: Alcohol Concern

Diabetes

World Diabetes Day is celebrated worldwide on 14 November. It brings together millions of people in over 160 countries to raise awareness of diabetes, including children and adults affected by diabetes, healthcare professionals and the media. Numerous local and national events are organised by the member associations of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and by other diabetes representative organisations.

Started by the IDF and World Health Organisation (WHO), the day is celebrated on 14 November to mark the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, was instrumental in the discovery of insulin in 1922, a life-saving treatment for diabetes patients.  The WHO estimates that more than 220 million people worldwide have diabetes. This number is likely to more than double by 2030 without intervention. The IDF website can give you more information on diabetes, including warning signs, risks and prevention.

Here in the UK, the DVLA has made some changes to its standards for drivers of Group 2 vehicles with diabetes mellitus.

Drug Driving

Many people think that if they drive under the influence of drugs a vehicle search and a potential charge of possession is all they have to be worried about. However, it is an offence to drive whilst unfit through drugs.  Drug drivers can suffer from slower reaction times, erratic and aggressive behaviour, an inability to concentrate properly, nausea, hallucinations, panic attacks, paranoia, tremors (or ‘the shakes’) dizziness and fatigue. In such a condition, it is a bad idea to be behind the wheel of a car, for the driver, their passengers and the general public.

The Department for Transport’s Drug Driving website sets out how the police spot a drug driver, what tests they can perform to determine whether someone is under the influence of drugs and what will happen if you get caught.

Time To Change?

With the end of the year fast approaching, now is a good time to review your occupational health needs for 2012. 

If we are your current healthcare provider, why not talk to us about additional services and the innovations we can offer your business.  Or, if you have yet to use our professional services and your experience of healthcare suppliers is the same, inflexible approach, we can provide you with a different track.   We are customer focused organisation dedicated to effective and high quality service.  Contact the National Operations Sales Team on 08456 773002.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The Team at Healthcare Connections