GMB UNION DOES NOT KNOW PENSION RULES

SAVOY VENTURES LTD.

NHS PATIENT TRANSPORT

PRESS RELEASE

September 29, 2010.

SAVOY VENTURES LTD. AND THE GMB UNION: SOUTH LONDON HEALTHCARE NHS TRUST PATIENT TRANSPORT.

The GMB Union has made statements, claims and allegations against Savoy Ventures Ltd., which provides ambulances and patient transport services for a number of South London hospitals:

http://www.gmb.org.uk/newsroom/latest_news/gmb_demo_savoy_patient_transp.aspx

A spokesman for Savoy Ventures Ltd. said:

"It is incredibly exasperating that the GMB has chosen to ignore or distort many facts, causing unwarranted concern to staff and patients alike. Many of the GMB’s claims and allegations are quite simply wrong, and we are advised by solicitors that allegations of a personal nature against Savoy Ventures Ltd. management are quite possibly actionable. We have met all obligations under TUPE, and the transfer of staff from the LAS is fully compliant with the procurement process.

“It is very telling that we have so far seen no evidence or intent of strike action or protest amongst our workforce. To the contrary, our staff have continued to provide a very important transport service to dialysis patients even though they have had to drive through the protest action to get patients to their appointments.

“Firstly, the GMB clearly does not know the facts – and law – with regard to pension provision. The GMB has accused Savoy Ventures Ltd. of driving a ‘dramatic’ pension cut for those staff moving from the LAS to Savoy Ventures Ltd.

“This is absolute nonsense. By law, in terms of pensions, those employees who are transferring cannot be worse off. An NHS pension is simply not available to non-NHS employees, but Savoy Ventures Ltd. will provide a Government Actuary’s Department (GAD)-approved, comparable scheme, which will match each individual’s NHS pension arrangement. This pension scheme will be managed by the Prudential, and is established as an accepted and comparable health sector alternative to NHS schemes across the UK. The pension scheme was discussed and agreed at a meeting attended by representatives of Savoy Ventures Ltd., the Government Actuaries Department, LAS and the South London Hospital Trust.

“The contracts for staff include a London weighting allowance scaled in relation to the location of their base. Strictly speaking, Savoy Ventures Ltd. has no obligation to provide any degree of London weighting because the base falls outside of London weighting territory, but once transferred to Savoy Ventures Ltd., staff will be paid the fringe London weighting, regardless. In line with its legal obligations, Savoy Ventures Ltd consulted with LAS representatives on this matter back in July 2010 before the likelihood of any dispute became apparent. Staff transferring to Savoy Ventures Ltd. will otherwise see no changes to their terms and conditions of employment.

“There will be no ‘downward harmonisation’ of salaries, and we have no plans to change shift patterns – but, having said that, it is far too early to say whether shift changes will need to occur to meet the demands of the new contract as we come to understand the requirements more clearly.

“A few staff will simply not move over from the LAS because they simply have not or do not work on the contract transferring from LAS.

“The unions have not approached us for recognition. We have invited the unions in for talks, at no point have they approached the company directly with their concerns and therefore the GMB are conducting this deplorable and potentially life-threatening campaign without consultation.

“Savoy Ventures Ltd. is a solid and decent company providing nearly 200,000 patient transfers a year across London, including blue-light movements. We have a 99.5% patient satisfaction rating. We operate the very latest vehicles and equipment, with a number of staff trained to ambulance technician standard.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.savoyventures.co.uk

Barclays report on retirement shunned by 60% of wealthy individuals. Comment from Emma Soames, Saga Magazine:

Barclays report on retirement shunned by 60% of wealthy individuals. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11416323 Comment from Emma Soames, Saga Magazine:

Emma Soames, editor-at-large of Saga Magazine said: “Working on is to do with much more than making money - it’s to do with life enhancement and fulfilment, but, as we can see from this report, it can also mean the generation of wealth not just for the individual but for business and the economy. Older people working on have a momentum that enables them to generate established and reliable income for themselves and those around them in later life that younger people simply cannot generate to anything like the same extent. This underpins our view that the Default Retirement Age must be removed, because we believe the Saga generation is not just benefitting from better mental and physical health as a result of working on, but that so too is the economy: retirement is a cost, working on is a revenue generator.”

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.saga.co.uk

SMART CELLS’ USA UNIVERSITY PARTNER MOVES ON CEREBRAL PALSY CURE RESEARCH.

SMART CELLS INTERNATIONAL

STEM CELL COLLECTION AND STORAGE

PRESS RELEASE

September 28, 2010.

SMART CELLS’ USA UNIVERSITY PARTNER MOVES ON CEREBRAL PALSY CURE RESEARCH.

SCI videos here.

London-based Smart Cells International Ltd (SCI), the UK’s longest-established stem cell banking service, has established a partnership with Duke University in North Carolina, USA, one of the world’s leading healthcare learning centres.

SCI, which operates worldwide, has already been involved with two transplants relating to cerebral palsy treatment at Duke using autologous stem cells stored by SCI clients, where there was no indicator in the family or during pregnancy that cerebral palsy would develop.

“We’ve obviously being paying a great deal of attention to developments at Duke University given the developing partnership, and we’re absolutely delighted that Duke is now running a blind clinical trial and have funding to do so.

“Members of the team at Duke believe the key to at least lessening the severity of cerebral palsy lies within cord blood stem cells, and they have begun a clinical trial to find out if that is true,” said Amanda Cool of SCI.

Duke’s Paediatric Bone Marrow and Transplant program and director of the Carolinas Cord Blood Bank, has begun a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-authorised random clinical trial to see if cord blood stem cells have the ability to cure or lessen spastic cerebral palsy in children aged between one and six years.

It is among a handful of authorised clinical trials in the USA involving stem cells.

The study is funded through a $10.2 million grant and has the potential to provide hope for people with cerebral palsy, and their families, as well as opening new doors or establish protocols for the use and gathering of stem cells.

Cerebral palsy is a disorder that affects a person’s ability to move and maintain balance. It is most often caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain before or during birth which results in damage to the portion of the brain that controls muscle tone.

Amanda Cool added: “We understand the goal of the clinical trial is as much about finding a treatment for cerebral palsy as it is about finding out what cord blood can do.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

im@pressrelations.co.uk

+44 (0)7788 978800

www.smartcells.com

Notes:

Smart Cells, formed in February 2001, collects stem cells on behalf of families worldwide and stores samples at its labs in West Drayton near London Heathrow Airport in the UK. Smart Cells’ lab provides cord blood preparation and storage in an environment designed to comply with all current and foreseeable European medical guidelines and practices.

Stem cell storage expert Smart Cells International has been named London’s Life Sciences Exporter of the Year at the London Export Awards 2010,

Smart Cells International is fully licensed by the Human Tissue Authority and holds licence no 22522.

SOUTHPORT: SEPTEMBER RECRUITMENT OPEN DAYS AT BIRCH ABBEY AS JOB CREATION IS BROUGHT FORWARD

BIRCH ABBEY

DEMENTIA CARE SERVICE

PRESS RELEASE

September 1, 2010.

SOUTHPORT: SEPTEMBER RECRUITMENT OPEN DAYS AT BIRCH ABBEY AS JOB CREATION IS BROUGHT FORWARD.

Photos here.

Southport’s Birch Abbey, hailed as one of the most advanced dementia care centres in the UK, is to bring forward recruitment plans by eight weeks after strong take up of rooms in the new £5 million centre.

Just three weeks after the “new” Birch Abbey opened in Alexandra Road, Southport, Dan Lingard, chief executive of the centre’s owner, iPersonally, gave the go-ahead to demolish the original building, which will be replaced by a further extension – and to advance recruitment plans.

“We’re so delighted with our new home that we’re going to have open days in September so that prospective team members – whether experienced in the care sector, or, like some of our team, from completely unrelated backgrounds – can see at first hand what a fabulous working environment we have.

(Watch video – team response to new working conditions).

(Watch video – team member talks about joining from non-care background).

“The beauty of ‘new’ Birch Abbey is that not only is it considered to be at least the best dementia care centre in the region from our clients’ perspective, it is also a fabulous place to work.

“In supporting and caring for our clients, the Birch Abbey team themselves are supported by cutting edge technology and at least ten features and facilities never combined together anywhere else in the dementia care sector.

“From the start we designed-in features and facilities – both big and small – that will make a tremendous difference to the lives and lifestyles of our community at Birch Abbey – and the team.

“Crucial amongst issues important for our clients and the basic facilities such as hygiene, health, diet, comfort and security – but what’s important TO our clients are the things that make them feel comfortable and relaxed, as well as the all-important opportunities to provide physical and mental exercise and stimulation.”

Facilities include a dance studio, a pub and bistro, locations for a whole series of movements and interaction between clients and families, including a unique home-style family kitchen and dining room which can be reserved for family events and occasions.

But key is in-room technology and vital-signs sensors meaning clients don’t have to be disturbed while they’re asleep, bedrooms which can be configured in a number of formats depending upon the needs and mobility of the individual, and which also help make team members far more efficient and able to spend more quality time with clients and families.

Experienced dementia care support professionals, and prospective team members from other walks of life can call 01704 410010 to get full details of the open day.

Ends

Further information;

Iain Macauley

Pressrelations.co.uk

+44(0)161 929 0446

+44(0)7788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk www.ipersonally.co.uk

http://birchabbey.blogspot.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pressrelations/sets/72157623968229359/

YOUNG DRIVERS AT NIGHT: THE TECHNOLOGY IS IN PLACE TO MONITOR AND CONTROL THEM

PRESS RELEASE

COVERBOX.CO.UK

PAY-AS-YOU-DRIVE INSURANCE

September 21, 2010.

YOUNG DRIVERS AT NIGHT: THE TECHNOLOGY IS IN PLACE TO MONITOR AND CONTROL THEM.

www.coverbox.co.uk

The technology to monitor and potentially restrict young drivers’ late-night driving is already being used by parents.

Mums and dads of under-23s are using a pay-as-you-drive car insurance pre-set cost curfew to track and control the safety of their offspring when they’re driving at night.

Coverbox pay-as-you-drive insurance uses GPS technology to monitor the distance covered and times driven, plus speed and violent braking, and charges drivers by the mile for peak and off-peak use – but under-23s are automatically charged a higher “super-peak” rate after 11pm.

“The vehicle’s speed, any violent braking or acceleration, even whether seatbelts are being worn, wipers and lights being used and any number of other parameters can be monitored, more so in more modern cars, which are basically computers on wheels,” said a spokesperson for Coverbox.

“In many instances, parents simply do not have an insight as to how their son or daughter’s car is being driven, but we log a vast array of data – this was originally intended to enable us to assess driving style for future insurance quotes, but we can also use it to analyse the frequency and detail of near-misses and accidents.

“Parents often end up paying the insurance premium for their son or daughter’s car usage – but pay-as-you-go is not just likely to be cheaper than traditional insurance, but also gives parents the opportunity to control late night car usage when the roads are at their most dangerous for younger drivers.

“If under-23s use their own car, then driving between 11pm and 5am at weekends can be very expensive – we charge a super-peak rate because younger drives are statistically far more likely to be involved in an accident during those periods, and more than twice as likely to be involved in a fatal accident at weekends.

“This is despite traffic density being around 90% lower after 11pm than during the rush hour periods when most accidents involving the general population happen.

“But if they’re driving their parents’ car, and the insurance is with Coverbox, then parents can monitor the time of day or night their son or daughter is driving and the mileage they’ve covered and ensure they make a contribution to the cost.

“Believe me, the cost of 50 miles of pointless cruising around at up to 45p a mile between 11pm and 5am – depending upon the car, the driver and the location - soon gets their attention. They may feel indestructible, but they cannot predict the potentially lethal actions of others on the road at that time.”

Coverbox pay-as-you-drive (PAYD) insurance allows drivers to take out comprehensive cover that is paid for by the mile, with the price per mile varying according to the time of the day or night: off-peak, peak or “super-peak” times.

Over-23s are charged according to rush hour (Mon to Fri 730am – 930am & 430pm to 600pm excluding public holidays) or off-peak use, but under-23s are also subject to a “super-peak” charging structure: Friday, Saturday and Sunday 1100pm to 500am, and public holidays 1100pm to 500am. However, under-23s will also receive a bonus of 200 free off-peak miles every three months if they stay claim and conviction free.

The technology behind Coverbox - provided by Cobra, one of Europe’s leading automotive security companies, and based on proven equipment specified as original equipment by several major car makers - means customers will also have the additional peace of mind of theft tracking: in virtually all cases, Coverbox can track and locate the car if it is stolen.

Ends

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk www.coverbox.co.uk

Background:

Customers log on to www.coverbox.co.uk to apply for insurance, and receive a selection of quotes and varying features from Coverbox’ insurance company partners including The Co-operative, Allianz Insurance, Equity Red Star and Groupama Insurances. Insurance will ultimately be offered by six big insurance brand names, with the remaining two insurers to be confirmed shortly.

“The customers tell us how many miles they expect to drive, based on established driving habits and what times they tend to drive them, we then forecast how much - on a per-mile basis - their insurance will cost,” said Penny Searles. 

“We then fit the ‘Coverbox’ to their car which confirms the mileage they cover and the times they drive; it should take less than an hour to fit by technicians who travel to the customer – more than 100 fitters are in place around the country.

“Some months customers may do a little more mileage than planned and other months they may not; over the year it may well even out, but if they cover fewer miles than estimated then they can have a refund or we credit their insurance bill for the following year.

“In summary, it will work very much like a monthly utility bill – the key difference, though, is that low risk drivers who use their cars little and in off-peak periods are not penalised by the actions of or accidents suffered by higher risk drivers driving at higher risk times.

“We believe a significant number of Coverbox customers will save a great deal of money compared to the cost of ‘traditional’ car insurance premiums.”

Ends

DO YOU SPEAK TOG? THE MYSTERY OF BEDDING EXPLAINED.

HOUSING UNITS

PRESS RELEASE

August 17, 2010.

DO YOU SPEAK TOG? THE MYSTERY OF BEDDING EXPLAINED.

 Watch video.

Too hot in winter, too chilled in summer? It could be down to your Togs.

Many people are mystified about how the rating system for bedding actually works and end up getting overheated or left shivering in bed because they choose the wrong type of quilt.

Housing Units, one of the UK’s leading furniture stores, has produced a short video which explains the Tog system and how it can help – or hinder, if misunderstood – a good night’s sleep.

“The Tog system basically tells you how effective – both in terms of keeping your warm and keeping you comfortably cool – your bedding is. But while many think it’s simply a case of big duvets keeping you warm and thin ones keeping you cool, that’s not necessarily so,” said Nick Fox of Housing Units

“The Tog system, for instance, also allows for people who sleep alone or with their partner, because that can also have an effect upon heat retention – and can guide on how different Tog-rated layers can be combined or removed as the seasons change.”

(Link to video here).

Housing Units – known for its top-hatted doormen - was established in 1947. It is a family-owned furnishings retailer based in Wickentree Lane, Failsworth, Manchester M35 9BA, next to Junction 22 of the M60. It stocks 30,000 high-quality lines across a range of departments in two buildings and a crescent of specialist shops, and prides itself on its unique style of customer service, the value of its goods and the shopping experience it provides.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

0161 929 0446/07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.housingunits.co.uk

Housing Units and other photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pressrelations

SAGA GENERATION STUDY: OVER 50S: TONED, TANNED AND TINTED.

EMMA SOAMES

SAGA MAGAZINE

PRESS RELEASE

September 16, 2010.

OVER 50S:  TONED, TANNED AND TINTED.

• · Saga Generation making most of cosmetic treatments to maintain their looks
• Plastic surgery doubles in popularity
• Fake tans and teeth whitening becoming more prevalent
• Over half feel the same or better about their appearance than 10 years ago 

Men and women over 50 are taking full advantage of cosmetic treatments to keep them looking young and beautiful according to a new study by Saga.

The survey of more than 10,000 people looked at changing attitudes towards personal appearance over a generation and revealed that spending on treatments such as hair tinting, fake tanning, teeth whitening, cosmetic surgery and other beauty treatments is soaring as they grab with both hands the opportunity of ‘staying sexy’.

The report discovered that people over fifty are more appearance conscious than ever, with two thirds (62%) believing they are   more likely to be judged on their appearance than previous generations.  One woman in seven (15%) said they wore padded bras.  Five times more women today would use such breast enhancers than their mothers at the same age. Cosmetic surgery has almost doubled in a generation, although fewer than one in fifty women have taken this route.  Almost two thirds of women colour their hair to disguise the grey (compared to 4% of men).  This compares to one third of women a generation ago (2% of men).

In addition to this, compared with a generation ago, today’s over 50s are:

·         Twelve times more likely to exercise to ‘tone up’

·         Ten times more likely to use ‘fake tan’ tanning lotion or sun beds than they were a generation ago

·         Seven times more likely to have had their teeth whitened

·         Fourteen times more likely to use anti-wrinkle cream (men) with 10% now using  age defying serum

Emma Soames, editor-at-large, Saga Magazine said: “Today’s over 50s are a generation that has successfully re-defined attitudes to age and ageing finding itself confronting the ‘politics of beauty’ at ever-later ages in life.  Perhaps ‘age positive’ images of the likes of Helen Mirren simply create a new ‘beauty myth’ for older people (especially older women) to have to contend with.  However they are clearly taking matters into their own hands and using every method possible to remain as young looking as possible.” she said.

The survey reveals a generation who are more fashion conscious than their parents at the same age  – completely updating their personal look regularly. Women over fifty update their appearance every four and a half years.  However, men are much less concerned about ‘keeping up with the times’, updating their appearance only every 19 years.

Men and women in the North East are the most fashion conscious, typically updating their style and personal appearance every six years on average.  But it is over-fifties in Northern Ireland who are most self-confident about their style, with almost three quarters (71%) saying they are happy with their ‘look’, and with the average length of time between ‘style make-overs’ being eight years.

How do over 50s feel about themselves?

Today’s over 50s are comfortable in their own skin.  Over half (54%) say they feel the same or better about their appearance than they did 10 years ago.  The study also shows that satisfaction with appearance becomes significantly less important to overall happiness for people as they move through their sixties and seventies.

The increased opportunity for people to fight the signs of aging has fuelled a spectacular rise in over-fifties’ spending on their appearance in the last 10 years:

§         Share of total cosmetics spending rises from £1.9bn to £2.1bn

§         Spending on beauty treatments and hairdressing rises from £2bn to £2.2bn

§         Spending on clothing and shoes also rose sharply (35%) from £4.7bn to £12.2bn

Emma Soames added: “Today’s over-fifties are embracing the opportunities available to them to keep looking as young as they feel.  It is however also heartening that as we move into our sixties and seventies, our looks become ever less important to the quality of our personal relationships and our overall happiness.”

-       Ends –

Ends

Iain Macauley

im@pressrelations.co.uk

07788 978800

www.saga.co.uk

Emma Soames, editor-at-large, was editor of Saga Magazine from 2002-2008. Previously she edited the Telegraph Magazine for seven years and before that was editor of ES Magazine, Tatler and the Literary Review. Emma is also an occasional columnist for The Daily Telegraph.

Notes to editors:

Regional table - regions who are happy with their ‘look’, and average frequency of ‘updating’ appearance, by region

	London	South East	South West	West Midlands	East Midlands	North West	North East	Yorkshire & Humber	East Anglia	Scotland	Wales	Northern Ireland
Average number of years between makeovers	7.3	6.6	7.2	5.8	7.6	6.5	6.1	7.8	8.2	8.5	6.9	8.2
% who are happy with their 'look' (appearance when fully clothed)	61%	63%	63%	63%	62%	66%	65%	67%	65%	65%	61%	71%

Methodology

Data was collected using Saga’s Populus panel, which delivered a total sample of 10,803 people aged 50+. Using quotas established by the Government Actuaries’ Department and the National Readership Survey, a nationally representative sample of over-50s was derived from the Populus panel, with an effective sample size of 3,483 (having taken design effects into account). This sample is nationally representative of UK over-50s by age, gender, social grade, and (broadly) by mobility (reported ease of walking one mile or more, and climbing stairs). Mobility measures were repeated and checked against evidence from the same questions asked in the BHPS (2007/8) – this revealed that the (weighted) Populus panel sample is not significantly different from the UK population in terms of mobility, allowing a derivation of a robust indication of the health activities and attitudes prevalent in the UK 50+ population. Unless otherwise sourced, all data presented in this report is based upon this derived nationally representative sample.

Alongside the main source of original survey data, analysis of the Family Expenditure Survey and the British Household Panel Study was used to provide broader perspective and an insight into trends in health and over the past generation.