The business of survival!

COMPANIES in Liverpool are being advised to prepare for emergencies or risk going out of business!  The warning comes as winter sets in with the increase risk of disruption caused by severe weather.

"Emergencies can strike at any time and come in many forms, fires, power cuts, flu epidemics or industrial disputes, but there is no doubt that winter weather can pose a real risk to business. Floods, snow and ice can play havoc with business and it is not being alarmist to say that they can threaten the survival of some businesses; especially SMEs. We have seen the devastation severe weather can cause, whether it is through something cataclysmic like Hurricane Sandy or closer to home, the recent floods which don’t only destroy people’s homes but cost businesses millions. While, in Liverpool, we may have avoided the worst of recent bad weather we cannot guarantee that this will always be the case. We are also at the time of the year when there are more power cuts. So it is vital that firms of all sizes minimise the risk of disruption by planning for emergencies. As a businessman myself I recognise the importance of having a business continuity plan and applying it during emergencies. We want Liverpool to be a resilient City, which has an infrastructure that can cope with all situations and where we have developed networks that keep the City working when emergencies happen and where business are well prepared for all eventualities." said Councillor Gary Millar, chair of Resilient Liverpool, the City’s business continuity forum.

Information about business continuity is available via emailing:- bcm@liverpool.gov.uk.    The Cabinet Office, in partnership with the Business Continuity Institute and Emergency Planning Society have also produced a help book called:- 'Business Continuity for Dummies', an essential 'survival' guide for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). To order a copy contact Scott Smith at:- scsmith@wiley.com.

Physiotherapists urge caution to prevent Christmas being ruined!

PHYSIOTHERAPISTS are urging festive season revellers to take it easy as a new poll shows more than half of 18 to 34 year olds admit to having been injured on a night out. Some 52% of the 1,038 people in this age range surveyed for the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy said they had suffered an injury “as a result of drinking too much or partying too hard”. Nearly 1 in 10 (8%) said they had broken a bone, while 14% had suffered a head or facial injury. A 5th (21%) of those injured were admitted to A&E, and seven% needed physiotherapy. More than a quarter (27%) of the people responding to the survey had missed work or academic studies because of a mishap on a night out; 11% had missed at least a week. The most common injuries were ‘bruising or cuts’ (43%) and ‘soft tissue injuries’ (22%), which includes damage to muscles, ligaments and tendons. Respondents could tick more than one injury if applicable when answering the survey. Just 46% of 18 to 34 year olds surveyed said they had never suffered an injury on a night out. 2% chose not to say.

Chartered physiotherapist Sammy Margo believes the results are a concern as we head into the festive party season. Sammy Margo said:- “The festive season is a great time of year but it can easily be ruined in an instant. This survey shows that too many young people are waking up with problems that can’t just be slept off. There are simple, practical steps you can take to avoid becoming an injury statistic, but ultimately it’s about having fun in a responsible manner.”

Sammy’s advice to people heading out to their Christmas party includes:-

► Think about your footwear. For women, this can mean taking a pair of flat-soled shoes to switch into for the journey to and from your venue.

► Plan your journey home to avoid walking long distances (particularly in high heels) and in icy or wet conditions.

► If you do get hurt, NHS Direct can help assess what treatment may be required. The number is:- 0845 46 47.

► Also apply the PRICE principle of Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.

► If the pain persists for 24 to 48 hours, go and see your GP or self-refer to physiotherapy.

► Private patients can visit:- csp.org.uk  and use the Physio2u tool to find a local physiotherapist.