Association News

Highly rated training now tailored for more effective delivery

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The highly rated BTEC in Healthcare and Assistive Technology course has received a good deal of highly positive feedback from a number of high profile companies in the industry such as BES, Handicare, Mangar, Totally Active, NRS, Mountway, Special Orthotic Services and Theraposture.

The course covers a host of topics including the principles of a holistic person-centred assessment, the physiology and anatomy of a well-functioning person and, of course, commonly occurring degenerative neurological and arthritic conditions, as well as infection control and standard precautions, to name a few.

The course has now been reduced in length by a day, meaning that it can be delivered while maintaining the high levels of quality information in just two days. To ensure that delegates get as much from the course as possible, the programme now combines some pre-course reading and project work prior to attending the two days' on-site training.

The first of the new style courses will run on 19th and 20th October

For more details on the new course, go HERE

Voting now open

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Do you know of a company that is doing a great job for its customers? Have you been impressed with the products, customer service, after sales service or simply the total professionalism of a company that you have dealt with or worked with recently?

If the answer is yes, then we are looking for you to show your support for a company that is worthy of winning one of the most annual prestigious awards.

The winners will receive their trophies at the BHTA Annual Awards Dinner in London in December. The five awards, for companies supplying mobility, rehabilitation, orthotic and prosthetic equipment, along with an award that singles out a retailer that is doing a great job are highly prized. Now you can vote for the company that you think deserves special recognition by going to the Voting Booth.

You can vote for whatever company you wish, large or small, local or national and you can also leave a short message of support too if you wish.

It takes less than a minute to vote, but you could make someone's year!

To vote, go HERE

Pressure Care call to save millions

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

MILLIONS COULD BE SAVED BY TACKLING PRESSURE ULCERS

The Government are missing an opportunity to save millions by failing to target prevention of pressure ulcers in NHS provided care. Although the recent NHS White Paper highlights the need to tackle venous thromboembolism (VTE) on wards, it makes no mention of ulcers which cost the NHS over £3 billion a year and create longer than necessary hospital stays.

Now the British Healthcare Trades Association is calling on the government to make pressure ulcer prevention a priority alongside VTE. Tackling the issue could save up to £600 million a year - which in turn would help the government to make £3 billion of savings towards their budget cuts by 2015.

The Association has shown that pressure ulcers are a huge problem not only to individuals who develop them but also to clinicians who work with them. Research shows that between 4% and 10% of all patients admitted to hospital will develop at least one pressure ulcer. In extreme cases this can lead to unnecessary death and in as many as 95% of cases the ulcers could be avoided by the assessment of patients and the provision of appropriate pressure relieving surfaces or regular turning where there is a risk of ulceration.

Now the Association are calling on the government to make it a requirement that incidents of pressure ulcers are reported in line with NICE guidance of 2005 and that additional funds are made available in the short term for education and additional pressure relieving surfaces.

Director General of the BHTA, Ray Hodgkinson MBE, said “Pressure sores are costing the NHS billions so we are disappointed the government have not made their reduction a priority. Targeting this area will help save money, free up beds, prevent deaths and reduce unnecessary misery for thousands of people each year.“

New orthotics conference announced

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

LESS PAIN, MORE GAIN

A conference on the importance of orthotics in society

Friday 1 October 2010. 10.00 am – 2.00 pm

BMA House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9JP

The aim of this important conference is to raise awareness of othotics and tell the story of the “ Orthotics opportunity” to a wide range of provider groups. Some member companies may want to consider inviting guests or buying places to distribute to relevant customers.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Karen Middleton

Chief Health Professions Officer, Department of Health

Professor John Hutton

Project Director, YHEC Ltd, University of York

Professor Michael Edmonds

Diabetic Consultant at Kings College Hospital, London

Prof. Sarah F Tyson

Professor of Rehabilitation. School of Health, Sport and Rehabilitation, University of Salford

Adrian Stenson

Clinical Services Director, Chas A Blatchford and Sons Ltd

TOPICS INCLUDE

Health Professional Council – The future: example of service provision changes
Orthotic service in the NHS: Improving service provision (Overall view of paper)
Pioneering holistic approach to diabetic treatments and the importance of orthotics in achieving successful patient outcomes
Orthotic Devices After Stroke
Northamptonshire Directly Commissioned Orthotics Service

Fee:

BHTA members £20 plus VAT (total: £23.50)

Non – members: £40 plus VAT (total: £47.00)

Price includes refreshments and lunch

For more information and to book places contact email bhta@bhta.com or call 020 7702 2141