Woodbank Provide Secure Managed Print Solution for Southport & Formby NHS Provider

WOODBANK Office Solutions Ltd, Stockport, has successfully implemented a comprehensive managed print solution for NHS provider, Southport and Formby Primary Care Network (PCN).

The network, which is comprised of 17 GP practices, contacted Woodbank looking for a printer and scanner for their new office. Following a print review by Woodbank Managing Director, Janet Bowden, it became apparent that they also needed a secure print management system.

Janet. commented:- "The inquiry came through our website in November as they were moving to their new office in the new year, After a conversation with their Support Officer, it was clear that as well as a new printer, they wanted to be able to handle sensitive and confidential information. After a fact find, the ideal solution was a combination of the Konica Minolta C250i printer integrated with print management software PaperCut MF. This would allow them to track and control all their print, copying, and scanning activity securely."

Both Janet and Woodbank's in-house Solutions Consultant, Lee Cowin worked closely with their IT Department to tailor that solution in alignment with their print and scanning security needs. Installation was arranged to fit their February move in date and was completed by Lee. The solution was up and running in their new office before they even had furniture. Hands-on training and support for both the hardware and software were provided, giving the team to give them peace of mind.

Lee said:- "Part of our process when introducing new software to any customer is training the team who will be using it so they're up and running quickly. I want to make sure customers know how the system works and that if there is ever a change they want to make, or help they need, we're always a phone call away."

Merseyrail network to benefit from toilet investment

LIVERPOOL City Council is celebrating an exciting project involving some of our autistic young people from across the City. We've come together with partners, the:- Liverpool Parent Carer Forum and Alder Hey as part of the National 'Autism in Schools' Project.

Liverpool City Council is encouraging School pupils with autism to share their views and experiences with their teachers. This new initiative has been designed to improve knowledge and understanding of autism.

This person centred approach is not only improving inclusion within the City's Schools, but is also helping teachers to better understand the challenges faced by students, so that reasonable adjustments can be put in place.

As part of the project, the Council has been working with an amazing group of autistic young people from several Schools across the City to produce a video, which shows their lived experiences of being an autistic young person in a mainstream Secondary School. The video will be used as a resource to educate staff and peers across Schools and health services across Merseyside.

Jenny Turnross, Director of Children and Young People's Services said:- "I am delighted Liverpool City Council has joined with partners to lead on such an important project. Listening to the lived experience of pupils and their families is crucial when increasing awareness and understanding of autism. Work like this allows professionals to gain invaluable insight to support all students more effectively and promote inclusive classrooms where every child can thrive."

UKHSA North West urges overseas travellers and pilgrims to ensure vaccinations are up to date to protect against serious health risks

THE UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) North West is reminding summer holidaymakers plus Hajj and Umrah pilgrims of the importance of ensuring they and any children, are fully up-to-date with all routine NHS vaccinations before travelling overseas.

Overseas travellers should check well before their trip, to ensure they have enough time to get any necessary vaccinations - being mindful that it can take a few weeks following vaccination for the immunity to take effect. It is vital that anyone travelling, particularly young children who are more vulnerable to severe illness, are up to date with their routine NHS vaccinations - including MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), polio, hepatitis, meningitis, and tetanus. This is because these infections can be more common in some countries.

Some Regions and countries will also have specific vaccine requirements or entry restrictions, so it's important to have any additional necessary vaccinations to protect against serious health risks and avoid travel complications or disruptions.

The Travel Health Pro website; supported by the UK Health Security Agency; has up to date information on health risks in countries across the world and is a 1 stop shop for information to help people plan their trip abroad. Ideally, travellers should consult their GP, practice nurse, pharmacist, or travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks before their trip for individual advice, travel vaccines and malaria prevention tablets, if relevant to their destination. Foreign travel advice is also available on GOV.UK.

The World Health Organization recently repeated their warning on the growing measles threat due to sub-optimal vaccination rates around the world, highlighting that more than half the world faces high measles risk, including parts of Europe, where the Agency warned of a sharp increase in measles cases in the European Region, putting millions at risk.

There is also a real concern about unvaccinated travellers bringing diseases like measles back into the UK from other countries experiencing high circulation, putting other unprotected family members, friends and those in their community at risk.

The UKHSA's current childhood vaccinations campaign reminds parents of the importance of ensuring their children are vaccinated on time. Parents should check their child's Red Book now to ensure that children have had their MMR and other routine vaccines. If you're unsure, get in touch with your GP practice and, if needed, they will bring you or your child up to date. Anyone, including adults, can get the MMR vaccines for free on the NHS if they have missed out.

Dr Merav Kliner, Regional Deputy Director at UKHSA North West, said:- "Nobody wants to get stricken down with sickness on their holidays or when travelling far away from home and it can be especially stressful and worrying if your child gets ill - sadly this does happen, but for many serious illnesses it is preventable. That's why it's so important if you're going on holidays overseas to be sure that you and all your family, especially young children, are up to date with all routine NHS vaccines well before you travel, in particular, both MMR vaccines. Measles is 1 of the most highly infectious diseases and some countries are currently seeing very large outbreaks. There is also the risk of returning home and spreading measles to unvaccinated family and friends, with infants and pregnant women at high risk of serious illness or life long complications."

Tricia Spedding, Regional Deputy Head of Public Health for NHS England - North West, said:- "We are already seeing rising cases of measles and whooping cough due to declining vaccination uptake and travelling abroad increases the risk of exposure to these diseases. People who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated are vulnerable to catching illnesses that could make them seriously unwell, as well as potentially spreading them to unvaccinated loved ones when they return home. I'd encourage people to take up NHS vaccines when they're offered and if your children have missed doses, or you're unsure if they're protected, check with their GP practice and book an appointment for any vaccines that are due."

Large gatherings such as Hajj and Umrah are associated with unique health risks. Those travelling to the Middle East are urged to be mindful of good general health practices that can help protect against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and meningitis. TravelHealthPro provides travel health advice for pilgrims attending these events.

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It is most common in young children but can affect persons of any age.

The MenACWY vaccine is routinely given to teenagers in school at around 14 years of age but is available free up to 25 years of age if it's been missed. It provides high protection against 4 common types of meningococcal disease (that causes meningitis and septicaemia) MenA, MenC, MenW and MenY. Babies are given the MenB vaccine to help protect against another common form of meningococcal disease.

Due to previous meningitis outbreaks in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, all visitors aged over 1 year arriving for Umrah and Hajj or adults coming into the country for seasonal work are required to submit a valid vaccination certificate with proof of the MenACWY vaccine received at least 10 days before their arrival to Hajj and Umrah areas.

Dr Naveed Syed, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control at UKHSA, said:- "Being healthy while travelling and attending Hajj and Umrah allows us to focus fully on our worship and rituals. That is why we encourage everyone going on these pilgrims to ensure they are up to date with their vaccinations and to be mindful of good hand and respiratory hygiene to reduce the risk of infection and spreading to other people. If you experience symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath within 14 days of leaving the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or the Middle East, please contact your GP or NHS 111 without delay and inform them about your recent travel history."

Dr Dipti Patel, Director of the National Travel Health Network and Centre, said:- "If you're making plans to travel abroad this year, it's well worth prioritising your health and plan ahead. Check the relevant country information pages on our website, TravelHealthPro, and ideally speak to your GP or a travel health clinic 4 to 6 weeks ahead of travelling to ensure you have had all the necessary vaccinations and advice you need to help make your trip a memorable 1 for all the right reasons. When you return to the UK, if you feel unwell, get medical attention promptly and be sure to tell those treating you that you have been travelling recently." 

For further information visit Routine NHS vaccination programme information page on:- NHS.UK.