2023 June

As a proud Menopause Specialist (Completed the British Menopause Society Foundation Certificate for nurses), I am excited to share the launch of BSI (British Standards Institute).

You can read their full statement here. In summary …

How can BS 30416 help support menstrual and menopausal health in the workplace?
BS 30416 is a free, practical toolkit for businesses of all sizes and sectors.

Developed by experts in the field of menstruation, menopause, HR and occupational health and academics, this document aims to help organizations identify the misconceptions around menstruation and menopause. It also identifies the impact of stigma surrounding these topics on workplace cultures and support.

This standard helps businesses to take action to make their workplace more inclusive. BS 30416 contains examples of actions and adjustments that can be taken to improve employees’ wellbeing. Examples of these include:

• Physical aspects of work
• Policy guidance and practices
• Supportive workplace cultures
• Work design
• Inclusivity
• Evaluation and metrics

There are also practical annexes with checklists and tools to use such as:

• Tips for having confidential conversations
• Conversation topics and potential workplace adjustments based on symptoms
• Team management considerations
• Ideas for facilitating culture change
• Training considerations
• Further reading

The guidance will be especially useful to individuals within businesses who are responsible for managing employee workload, well-being, or the work environment.

I’ve previously written a blog post on this topic here. If you would like support for your workspace, please reach out and contact Su Chantry here and we can start a conversation.

2023 March

YES work alongside healthcare professionals around the world to support the intimate health challenges of women. YES actively seeks to educate and normalise the conversation around vaginal dryness, whether it’s due to breastfeeding, menopause, medication, or because that is normal for your body.

Susi and Sarah the founders, set out to bring solutions to address the underserved intimate health and well-being sector. Made for people who want effective intimate products without the compromise of introducing harsh chemicals.

Here at the hub, we have a range of YES samples for my clients to try to help keep your vaginas happy, YES VM and WB are both registered medical devices and are available on the NHS drug tariff.
All the products are certified organic, designed to be side-effect free, and do not contain hormones, parabens, glycerine, silicone, or known skin irritants making them uniquely safe to use before, during, and after menopause as well as after cancer treatment

The samples available at the clinic are …

YES WB water-based personal lubricant works as an excellent lubricant and moisturiser. It is made from plant polymers that hold water and carry it to the dry vaginal tissue it can be used freely & frequently to rehydrate dry vaginal tissues. YES WB is available on prescription from the NHS in the UK.

YES VM vaginal moisturiser is a safe long-term solution to Vaginal Dryness (Atrophic Vaginitis often reported in peri and post-menopause) . It offers instant relief from itching and soreness. It is designed to release water to rehydrate dry vaginal tissues as needed, over extended periods, such as 1-3 days. YES VM is a slow-release moisturiser . YES VM is available on prescription from the NHS and is compatible with latex and Polyisoprene condoms.

YES OB plant-oil-based personal lubricant is a stronger more long-lasting lubricant than YES WB. YES OB contains oils, cocoa, and shea butter that feed the dry tissues and also can coat the lining of the vagina helping to soothe and calm sore and thinning tissue and can help to heal damaged, inflamed and broken skin. YES OB also helps to relieve the discomfort caused by various skin conditions like Lichen Sclerosis, vulval eczema, and psoriasis. Additionally, YES OB is used extensively by Women’s Health Physiotherapists for internal massage and trigger release work in patients with Pelvic Floor Dysfunction. Many women also use this product to act as a protective barrier for mild incontinence or if sensitive to chlorine or salt water when swimming. It can be applied externally as often as necessary.

More information is here https://www.yesyesyes.org/pages/well-being-hub
Contact Su Chantry here if you’d like to know more

15th March 2023

Occupational Health at the centre of the Budget’s workplace health reforms

Occupational health (OH) specialists welcome the spring Budget announcement stating OH should be at the heart of helping employees with health issues at work, avoiding their drop out of work. This is a positive ‘first step’ – 600,000 people have become economically inactive since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic at an estimated cost of £150bn to the economy.

OH professionals are qualified doctors, nurses or other health professionals who have undergone additional training on health in the workplace. OH targets those most at risk of dropping out of work, such as people with ongoing health issues, offering specialist support and guidance.

The Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM) and Commercial Occupational Health Providers Association (COHPA) say that businesses are now better placed to invest in proven evidenced-based ways to support the health of their workforce. Placing OH as leading in this area reflects the need for an evidence-based and targeted approach to improving health at work, which OH provides.

Most large businesses offer OH, but small businesses have been five times less likely to offer OH so less than half of all UK employees have access. SOM and COHPA welcome the plan to expand a subsidy pilot scheme, so small businesses in particular can better able to seek professional expertise from OH specialists, but access needs to be universal to all.

Dr Shriti Pattani, President of SOM, said: “The Occupational Health sector welcomes the Budget announcement to help improve workplace health. Occupational health expertise at the heart of workplace health is a game-changer in that it helps avoid health-related inactivity. Specialist OH providers are ready to deliver what is needed. However, what would really move the dial to tackle economic inactivity is universal access to OH and we would like to see the Government state its aim to achieve this ambition”

SKC OH Ltd is a member of COHPA which today launched its Introduction to Occupational Health for SMEs to help steer employers in the right direction, building on SOM’s document on mental health support in the workplace, which it produced with the Federation of Small Business.

Alan Ballard, Chair of COHPA, said: “Without occupational health guidance, businesses may unintentionally waste their investment on “wellness programmes” and “general health checks”, which have little impact on workforce drop-outs. We are launching an introductory guide to help inform businesses. OH can significantly boost productivity and bottom lines as OH expertise is at the centre of preventing workforce drop-outs.”

Su Chantry at the OH Hub welcomes enquiries from those who need information. Links to OH
providers are on the SOM and COHPA websites. Please feel free to contact Su Chantry here.

2022 December

Did you know the HSE has issued some updated guidance in relation to an employer’s duty of safety? Here is the quick download – HSE inspectors will visit construction sites across England, Scotland, and Wales to check that workers’ health is being protected from the risks associated with moving and handling materials. They will look for evidence of employers and workers:

• Knowing the risks

• Planning their work

• Using sensible control measures

YOUR LEGAL DUTIES
As an employer, you must protect your workers and others affected by their work activity from getting hurt or ill through work. If you don’t, you could get verbal or written advice, an improvement or prohibition notice, or be prosecuted by HSE or your local authority.

Get in touch with us here if you need Occupational Health to assist you in controlling and managing the risks.

The evolution of Occupational Health

2022 November

SKC OH Ltd recognises the importance of innovation in Occupational Health in ensuring that quality health at work is delivered. Check out this latest article.

2022 November

First For Safety Oxfordshire

2022 June

2022 June

2022 June

Covid testing partnership

2021 october

Su Chantry is thrilled to announce a Covid testing service partnership with the  Effect Dr team. Su and the Effect Drs group have partnered to offer you a streamlined Covid -19 rapid test service.  As we move into Government authorised rapid tests for travel we are able to offer you a user-friendly streamlined app-based service to meet your travel testing requirements. at half the cost of the Lab PCR tests.

+RAPID TEST KIT POSTED TO YOU AT NO CHARGE

+PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND EVALUATED

+PROVIDERS ON GOVERNMENTS LIST

+INCLUDES DOCTORS CERTIFICATE ISSUED 12 HOURS FROM TEST

+UKAS ACCREDITED

+CE MARKED TEST

+FOREIGN TRAVEL

+CQC CERTIFIED

+PRE TRAVEL AND DAY 2 RAPID TESTS ALL VERIFIED BY A USER-FRIENDLY APP

Video Feature

2021 August