Williams Medical Supplies News and Views
Last Updated: 27/07/2010
Streamline Now to Protect Resources
Posted 27/07/2010
As GP practices start to join forces in consortia to deliver the Government agenda, experts are predicting a new age for buying groups and renewed demand for tools to streamline supply management.
Steve Dunn, CEO of William Medical Supplies (WMS) is warning GP practices to ditch antiquated purchasing patterns to ease the acute time and resource pressures expected from the NHS White Pa...
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Streamline Now to Protect Resources
Posted 27/07/2010
As GP practices start to join forces in consortia to deliver the Government agenda, experts are predicting a new age for buying groups and renewed demand for tools to streamline supply management.
Steve Dunn, CEO of William Medical Supplies (WMS) is warning GP practices to ditch antiquated purchasing patterns to ease the acute time and resource pressures expected from the NHS White Paper.
"With shadow consortia already forming, practices are going to find themselves spread too thinly and that is when things can start to fail," he said.
"Efficient use of time is essential for the new commissioning responsibilities to deliver better patient outcomes, and the focus needs to be on exceptionalprofessional standards and managing budgets properly."
He says that unplanned buying patterns, where practices continue to order medical goods and services from up to 16 separate sources, are burdening them with overstocks, multiple delivery costs, disruption and extra paperwork when time is in short supply - and it is preventing them achieving consistent value.
"Have no doubt, practice managers will soon have too much to do without worrying about how to save on medical and office supplies,telephone costsor coping with hundreds of invoices. Now is a good time to review this."
He also says the White Paper will create an impetus for collaboration and the new consortia will revive the principles of the buying group to help GPs enjoy real purchasing power.
"Progressive practices have always realised the benefits of buying groups and of working with one-stop shop buying services like ours, so we have already helped many groups of GPs to slash duplication, waste and costs and to focus on their professional standards.
"Practices who want to flourish in the new environment need to be thinking about what they must do now to structure their work, by researching who they will partner with to deliver good service – and at Williams we have positioned ourselves to satisfy this need."
John Baldaro, of purchasing experts PracticeProfit, works exclusively with practices to reduce costs. He says more must embrace smarter buying methods to offset climbing practice costs. And he says medical supplies are the single biggest expense in any practice after staff costs.
"We have worked well with collaborative groups in the past, but their efforts to save money were often met with indifference at PCT level.
"Individual practices have different methods of dealing with all manner of things, different payment and invoicing, different stationary and telephone suppliers, different pharmaceutical and medical suppliers.
"This means duplication of costs and trammels collective working. Now practices will have to commission together they will be more likely to embrace collaboration in other areas."
Practice Managers can scoop a £1,000 holiday
Posted 01/07/2010
A £1,000 holiday is up for grabs for the winner of this year's Williams Medical Supplies Practice Manager of the Year Award.
Practice Managers have until August 20 to enter the competition, with the winner announced at the National Association of Primary Care (NAPC) annual conference gala dinner at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on October 20.
The prestigious award, sponsored b...
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Practice Managers can scoop a £1,000 holiday
Posted 01/07/2010
A £1,000 holiday is up for grabs for the winner of this year's Williams Medical Supplies Practice Manager of the Year Award.
Practice Managers have until August 20 to enter the competition, with the winner announced at the National Association of Primary Care (NAPC) annual conference gala dinner at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on October 20.
The prestigious award, sponsored by Williams Medical Supplies, is seeking regional entries for the North, Midlands, South-East, Wales and South-West and Greater London. The winner in each region will then go forward to the final, competing for a £1,000 holiday voucher.
Steve Dunn, CEO of Williams Medical Supplies, said: "So often practice managers are the unsung heroes, so this is a great opportunity to be recognised for the valuable work they do in their communities."
The closing date for entries has now been extended until Friday August 20. To enter or for more information visit www.wms.co.uk/awards.
A team of independent judges carefully appraises all entries, considering each Practice Manager's skills in terms of practice development, communication, business planning, clinical excellence, facilities management and innovation.
What would you be able to do differently at work if you were three times stronger?
Posted 28/06/2010
That is one of the questions Williams Medical Supplies' Comfirange team will be putting to nurses attending this year's RCN Practice Nurse Association Annual Conference and Exhibition, at Eastbourne, as its researches how important the strength of a speculum is to nurses carrying out cervical smears and other gynaecological procedures.
The team will also be demonstrating the force neede...
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What would you be able to do differently at work if you were three times stronger?
Posted 28/06/2010
That is one of the questions Williams Medical Supplies' Comfirange team will be putting to nurses attending this year's RCN Practice Nurse Association Annual Conference and Exhibition, at Eastbourne, as its researches how important the strength of a speculum is to nurses carrying out cervical smears and other gynaecological procedures.
The team will also be demonstrating the force needed to break the ComfiSpec® specula in a light-hearted experiment involving a strong man and walnuts!
Williams Medical Supplies' CEO Steve Dunn said, "We expect the odd ‘I'd throttle the boss' answers as well as some serious ones. We have recently strengthened our specula, making the ComfiSpec®three times stronger than other products on the market. We hope this will provide greater confidence to nurses; there have been instances in the past involving less robust products that have resulted in failures, both inside and outside the body, this is clearly traumatic for the patient and nurse alike.
"We want to find out if there are any other issues that concern nurses and what they think of our product. Independent testing of leading disposable vaginal specula has shown ComfiSpec®is the clear winner in terms of strength."
Nurses at the conference will also be invited to test themselves at the ComfiSpec®stand and will be entered into the ComfiSpec® Strength Challenge. One lucky winner will receive a iPod touch and all others a Strength and Energy pack to help them through the show and de-stress at work.
For more details on the ComfiRange™ visit www.ComfiRange.co.uk
Patient data loss is not an option, says Williams Medical Supplies
Posted 08/06/2010
The loss of electronic data was an embarrassing feature of the last government's administration and possibly contributed to its election defeat.
So protecting sensitive patient information should to be a top NHS priority, according to experts at Williams Medical Supplies who have turned to military technology for inspiration.
Despite manifesto pledges to reduce databases, in a r...
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Patient data loss is not an option, says Williams Medical Supplies
Posted 08/06/2010
The loss of electronic data was an embarrassing feature of the last government's administration and possibly contributed to its election defeat.
So protecting sensitive patient information should to be a top NHS priority, according to experts at Williams Medical Supplies who have turned to military technology for inspiration.
Despite manifesto pledges to reduce databases, in a recent written answer the health minister Simon Burns said: "Uploading of information to the Summary Care Record will continue to take place, where the relevant general practitioner practices and primary care trusts (PCTs) agree that patients have been adequately informed about the process, and properly enabled to opt out should they wish, and where GP practices and PCTs are satisfied that data are of an appropriate quality for sharing."
In response, Williams Medical Supplies' CEO Steve Dunn said patients were entitled to complete confidence in the system when sensitive data is being transferred.
"This means the eyes of the public, civil liberties bodies and media will be trained on those responsible for taking care of data. If you are one of them, data loss is not an option if you wish to preserve your reputation,” he said.
"It can cause damage both financially and professionally if the appropriate measures to safeguard sensitive information have not been used.”
Williams Medical Supplies has developed SafeStick – an encrypted USB memory stick to help GPs, Practice Nurses, Practice Managers and others to address these concerns.
They use military grade AES 256 bit encryption and password protection to stop unauthorised access. They can be programmed to lock after a period of inactivity controlled by the stick's owner, or if an incorrect password is entered too many times. They can also be set to self wipe in these circumstances.
Steve Dunn added: "We know that protecting highly sensitive patient information is very important and these memory sticks are already ensuring this is the case at practices across the UK."
Reducing the hidden health costs of undiagnosed Osteoporosis should be a top NHS priority, say experts
Posted 19/04/2010
Early detection of Osteoporosis at GP surgeries can change the lives of patients and save the NHS millions of pounds - according to specialist suppliers.
Providing a simple ultrasound to scan patients means early diagnosis and treatment, which with lifestyle changes could make a huge difference in the UK.
That's the view of Williams Medical Supplies, the UK's leading provider of...
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Reducing the hidden health costs of undiagnosed Osteoporosis should be a top NHS priority, say experts
Posted 19/04/2010
Early detection of Osteoporosis at GP surgeries can change the lives of patients and save the NHS millions of pounds - according to specialist suppliers.
Providing a simple ultrasound to scan patients means early diagnosis and treatment, which with lifestyle changes could make a huge difference in the UK.
That's the view of Williams Medical Supplies, the UK's leading provider of medical supplies and services to the UK healthcare market, and Stephen Dodd, director of Doddmed, which specialises in early identification bone densitometry diagnostic and screening products for general practice and primary care.
According to the National Osteoporosis Society, one in two women and one in five men over the age of 50 will break a bone, mainly because of poor bone health. And Osteoporosis costs the NHS and government £2.3 billion a year - that's £6 million a day.
Stephen Dodd said: "A simple 15 second scan can screen and assist in identifying Osteoporosis and Osteopenia for the many people who may suffer from this silent disease.
"Providing immediate results gives patients added confidence, but more importantly it allows early treatment which can help to minimise the effects - including the risk of fracture associated with these conditions."
According to the National Osteoporosis Society, there are almost three million people in the UK with Osteoporosis; about 230,000 osteoporotic fractures every year and 1,150 deaths every month as a result of hip fractures.
Steve Dunn, CEO of Williams Medical Supplies, said: "There is much evidence that more can and should be done to provide patients with early diagnosis, in primary care, of these conditions - and that it will make a huge difference to patients' lives.
"We want more GP surgeries to take up early identification bone densitometry diagnostic and screening product, it is for the good of the nation in the long run."
WMS scoops ECMOD award for fifth year in a row
Posted 19/04/2010
WMS scoops ECMOD award for fifth year in a row
Williams Medical Supplies has won a prestigious national award for outstanding business performance - for the fifth time in succession.
The company scooped the ECMOD Award in the Medical, Dental, Laboratory and Scientific category, for its outstanding catalogue and the positive outcomes it helped to deliver to the business.
...
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WMS scoops ECMOD award for fifth year in a row
Posted 19/04/2010
WMS scoops ECMOD award for fifth year in a row
Williams Medical Supplies has won a prestigious national award for outstanding business performance - for the fifth time in succession.
The company scooped the ECMOD Award in the Medical, Dental, Laboratory and Scientific category, for its outstanding catalogue and the positive outcomes it helped to deliver to the business.
Tim Jarrett of WMS collected the award at a glitzy ceremony hosted by newsreader Dermot Murnaghan, at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London recently. (April 14)
WMS is the UK’s leading provider of medical supplies and services to the UK healthcare market, with a catalogue boasting an unrivalled range of medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, everyday consumables and family planning products.
Steve Dunn, CEO at WMS, said he was delighted to win.
"I think five wins in a row might be a record but more importantly, it is recognition of the hard work and dedication of the whole company at WMS," he said.
"All of our teams have all played their part in the catalogue – from the look and design achieved by the graphics team to the results that it delivers through the product and vendor management team, so we were thrilled to collect this award."
The ECMOD Award recognises excellence for businesses involved in direct selling, such as in the catalogue, home shopping and multi-channel sectors.
It is judged by a carefully selected panel of independent experts from the UK and USA, not only in the design and content of the catalogue, but also the outcomes it helps deliver in turnover, contribution and market penetration.
The performance is judged retrospectively, and the award is for the 2009 catalogue.
WMS celebrates its 10,000th test and calibration visit
Posted 13/04/2010
Williams Medical Supplies has now completed its 10,000th test and calibration visit in primary care, with almost 400,000 pieces of equipment given the seal of approval.
Practice Nurse Wendy King, of the Staunton & Corse surgery in Gloucestershire, was presented with a luxury hamper to celebrate the milestone.
The practice has 6,500 patients and has been in the village for 100 ye...
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WMS celebrates its 10,000th test and calibration visit
Posted 13/04/2010
Williams Medical Supplies has now completed its 10,000th test and calibration visit in primary care, with almost 400,000 pieces of equipment given the seal of approval.
Practice Nurse Wendy King, of the Staunton & Corse surgery in Gloucestershire, was presented with a luxury hamper to celebrate the milestone.
The practice has 6,500 patients and has been in the village for 100 years, covering a wide rural area of the surrounding population. It has been using WMS's test and calibration service since 2007, when they realised technicians can test every piece of equipment on site in just one day.
Previously, practices had to send away medical equipment for its annual calibration and they were keen to reduce disruption to their daily routine. So the WMS service was set up in response to that demand in 2006.
"We used to have to send our equipment away individually to be calibrated which caused lots of disruption," said Practice Nurse Wendy King. "We're a busy practice so it's great to have all our equipment tested on site in one go and the WMS technicians are very good at working alongside us.
"It's reassuring for the staff to know we are accurate in all our readings and also for patients to know we're using exact measurements. It just gives us the confidence that our recordings are accurate. The WMS team provides an excellent service."
WMS has developed a unique calibration system that removes the possibility of human error taking place. The system knows the individual calibration points for each piece of equipment and records it in a database, which the customer gets as a printed certificate pack, which is legible (not hand-written) and fully traceable by serial number for each piece of equipment.
The most commonly tested equipment are blood pressure monitors, medical scales and nebulisers, ECG monitors, pharmaceutical fridges and thermometers.
Practice Manager Iain Collinson said: "We always ensure test and calibration is done professionally because it is so important, we've got a great relationship with WMS over many years and we are very happy with the service they provide."
Technician Andrew Jones has been with WMS for 10 years and is one of a growing team of 18 field engineers involved in test and calibration. They have all completed six weeks of intensive training and stay up-to-date with manufacturers' updates.
He said: "It is important we are here to check the equipment, it has to be calibrated correctly and we use the most up-to-date digital pressure monitoring device to do this.
"We get a good reaction from practices because we keep them informed every step of the way and provide instant certificates for individual pieces of equipment before we leave that day, which gives them great peace of mind."
Steve Dunn, CEO at WMS, said a number of test and calibration companies are operating without the necessary training, knowledge or specialised test equipment.
"We have found numerous instances of bad practice that are endangering lives and the practice managers, practice nurses and GPs can be held accountable, should incorrect calibration lead to a patient problem," he said.
"Practices should carefully consider how they select their equipment calibration company, looking into its history, track record and, most importantly, accountability for its working standards on the annual safety checks."
Practice Nurses urged to enter national awards
Posted 09/04/2010
Reducing the hidden health costs of undiagnosed Osteoporosis should be a top NHS priority, say experts
Practice Nurses can become "community inspirations" and national champions by entering the Williams Medical Supplies Practice Nurse of the Year Awards.
The prestigious prize, sponsored by Williams Medical Supplies, is seeking entries in the following categories:
Practice Nurses urged to enter national awards
Posted 09/04/2010
Reducing the hidden health costs of undiagnosed Osteoporosis should be a top NHS priority, say experts
Practice Nurses can become "community inspirations" and national champions by entering the Williams Medical Supplies Practice Nurse of the Year Awards.
The prestigious prize, sponsored by Williams Medical Supplies, is seeking entries in the following categories:
- Travel Health Nursing Award
- Long Term Conditions Management Award
- Sexual Health Award
- Making A Difference Award
The national winners will be named at the National Association of Primary Care (NAPC) annual conference gala dinner at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on October 20.
WMS is also sponsoring the Practice Manager of the Year Award and last year's winner was Wendy Collett, of the Tiptree Medical Centre in Essex, who urged practice nurses and practice managers to enter the competition, as it made a big difference to her work.
"The award has given me a lot of recognition, not only within my PCT area but from practices across the country who read the articles on the improvement programme I devised that won the award," Wendy said. "As a result I have been commissioned to help them resolve their own issues.
"I have also been asked to present on access at several events around the country and have thoroughly enjoyed inspiring others with my message of ‘if we can change, you can change'. This is something I was not involved with before winning the award, but I've now come to love it."
Wendy added: "I would urge everyone to enter the awards, there is so much good work occurring in primary care and this is a great opportunity for us to share best practices, learn from others and enjoy some much deserved recognition."
Steve Dunn, CEO of Williams Medical Supplies, said: "This is a great opportunity for those dedicated to practice nursing to be recognised for the valuable work they do in their communities.
"They are so often the unsung heroes, so we want to hear about - and reward - their inspiring stories, to help continue the delivery of world-class general practice in the UK."
Mike Ramsden, CEO of the NAPC, said: "These awards are a wonderful opportunity for those Trojans of primary care to receive the recognition they deserve.
"They are part of the backbone of primary care and sustain it with dedication and a spirit of service second to none. We encourage our practice nurses to submit applications and to join with us in October in celebrating their successes."
The closing date for entries is Friday July 9. To enter or for more information visit http://www.wms.co.uk/awards. Unfortunately the awards are not open for Practice Nurses working in Scotland or Ireland.
The team of independent judges carefully appraises all entries, considering each Practice Nurse's skills in terms of practice development, communication, business planning, clinical excellence, facilities management and innovation.
'Cowboy calibrators' put lives at risk, claim WMS
Posted 11/03/2010
GP practices are risking patient safety by using 'calibration cowboys' who don't always test equipment correctly before putting a safety sticker on. In extreme cases it is believed equipment has not been tested at all due to a lack of proper equipment.
A number of test and calibration companies are operating without the necessary training, knowledge or specialised test equipment, say ex...
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'Cowboy calibrators' put lives at risk, claim WMS
Posted 11/03/2010
GP practices are risking patient safety by using 'calibration cowboys' who don't always test equipment correctly before putting a safety sticker on. In extreme cases it is believed equipment has not been tested at all due to a lack of proper equipment.
A number of test and calibration companies are operating without the necessary training, knowledge or specialised test equipment, say experts at Williams Medical Supplies (WMS). They fear GP practices will shoulder the responsibility if caught putting patient safety at risk.
The WMS team of highly trained engineers has seen ECG monitors with certification stickers on that were believed not to have been tested, and defibrillators that did not work at a number of practices.
At one surgery up to 80 per cent of equipment was incorrectly calibrated and at another a nurse spent the whole morning re-doing tests on patients because her equipment had been wrongly calibrated.
Hugh Hamer, head of medical services at WMS, said practices should carefully consider carefully how they select their equipment calibration company, looking into its history, track record and, most importantly, accountability for its working standards on the annual safety checks.
He said: "We have found numerous instances of bad practice that are endangering lives and the practice managers, practice nurses and GPs can be held accountable, should incorrect calibration lead to a patient problem.
"We don't blame the practices for this – we understand budgets are tight and cost-cutting is inevitable, but patient safety is not the place to do it and we always advise those responsible for test and calibration to use reputable suppliers to get the right results.
"You have to ask the question: 'Would your practice be happy to stand by their work in a court case?'"
WMS has carried out almost 400,000 calibration tests on equipment used in primary care, since setting up the service four years ago in response to customer demand. It now has a team of 18 fully qualified technicians, who serviced almost 3,000 GP surgeries last year.
It has developed a unique calibration system that removes the possibility of human error taking place. The system knows the individual calibration points for each piece of equipment and records it in a database, which the customer gets as a printed certificate pack, which is legible (not hand-written) and fully traceable by serial number for each piece of equipment.
Hugh Hamer says practices should not confuse low cost with value for money, as it is the quality of testing that is really important.
"It doesn't matter how cheap something is, if it doesn't do the job properly it isn't worth a penny. You need to have the right equipment for the job," he added.
"Our technicians are highly trained, knowledgeable and can look after up to 60 pieces of equipment per day - anything from medically approved weighing scales to blood pressure monitors and ECGs to defibrillators.
"QOF points are given for having equipment regularly tested and doing this ensures it works. But more important than that, it gives practices peace of mind that they are not putting patients at risk."
WMS has found that 85% of customers rebook that day for the next annual test & calibration visit.
It also tests pharmaceutical refrigerators and provides advice to ensure that nurses are operating them correctly.
Williams Medical Supplies Supplier Conference 2010
Posted 09/03/2010
More than 80 of our key suppliers joined us at Newport's prestigious Celtic Manor Resort for the 2010 Williams Medical Supplies Supplier Conference.
Designed to inform our supply partners about our plans for continued growth, the conference featured presentations from the WMS senior management team including our CEO, Steve Dunn.
Leading healthcare commentator Roy Lilley spoke at...
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Williams Medical Supplies Supplier Conference 2010
Posted 09/03/2010
More than 80 of our key suppliers joined us at Newport's prestigious Celtic Manor Resort for the 2010 Williams Medical Supplies Supplier Conference.
Designed to inform our supply partners about our plans for continued growth, the conference featured presentations from the WMS senior management team including our CEO, Steve Dunn.
Leading healthcare commentator Roy Lilley spoke at length about the future of Primary Care, and renowned business speaker Geoff Burch, star of the BBC2 series 'All Over the Shop', delivered a wide-ranging and inspirational keynote presentation.
The invaluable day offered our suppliers and the WMS team the opportunity to network widely and share ideas and information about the changing face of Primary Care.
A black-tie, gala dinner and entertaining casino evening offered an environment conducive to further networking.
Initial feedback from our partners is that the day and evening was highly informative, engaging and worthwhile, offering three-dimensional view of our business.
Photographs of the evening are available via media.wms.co.uk/wms_events.
Tackling Infection Control Head On
Posted 13/01/2010
A surprise spot check gave practice manager Michael Search the perfect opportunity to tackle infection control issues head on.
The Spitalfields Practice, based in the heart of east London, is relatively large with 13,000 patients on its books, so it is not easy to protect patients and staff from cross infection. But when practice manager Michael Search earmarked infection control as...
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Tackling Infection Control Head On
Posted 13/01/2010
A surprise spot check gave practice manager Michael Search the perfect opportunity to tackle infection control issues head on.
The Spitalfields Practice, based in the heart of east London, is relatively large with 13,000 patients on its books, so it is not easy to protect patients and staff from cross infection. But when practice manager Michael Search earmarked infection control as one of his top priorities for improvement, he wanted to ensure issues at every level were looked into.
Yet he deliberately didn't tell anyone about his specific plans to target infection control. In fact, when the spot check was carried out by experts at Williams Medical Supplies, many colleagues thought it was the proper PCT audit.
This gave him a true understanding of how the practice was really performing against infection control standards, so he could then implement a strategy that would really work.
"Infection control is a top priority and I wanted us to be in tip top condition for when the official PCT audit takes place – and this service was so professional that all the doctors and nurses thought it was the real thing," Michael says.
"That's exactly the reaction I wanted, so that they will strengthen their resolve to keep infection control high on the agenda."
Williams Medical Supplies, the UK's leading provider of medical supplies and services to the primary care sector, set up the new infection control audit service in response to a growing number of requests from primary care providers.
Its health and safety officers, who already help surgeries meet H&S legal requirements, have now been specially trained in all aspects of infection control. They perform detailed checks covering hygiene analysis and risk management for the entire office environment - including walls and floors, furniture, equipment, cleaning wares, hand-washing and hand-washing materials and the training of cleaners.
Areas that fall short of standards are highlighted and practice managers advised on how to improve and monitor. It was this 'personal service' that was really useful to Michael, who is now keen to implement all the recommendations over the coming weeks and months.
He added: "The aim is to freshen up our thinking on all manner of issues - and when I got Scott Hollis from WMS in he did a fantastic job. The assessment showed me exactly what needed to be done, I was very impressed – and I don't say that very often.
"The advantages are that he opens your eyes to everything, especially the small things you're likely to miss. He is impartial and purely there to help, but best of all he took the time to sit down with me to make sure I was fully aware of everything that needed to be improved."
The service will be benchmarked against QOF and nGMS requirements and will ensure surgeries are fit to meet PCT inspections and demands for proper policies and procedures.
Michael has been tasked with "a big revamp" to improve all aspects of the service for patients.
"There are lots of little things we can improve," he says, "but there are also a few major changes that need to take place."
Hugh Hamer, head of medical services at Williams Medical Supplies, said: "In this particular case the practice manager didn't let anyone know we were going in, so it was effectively a 'spot check' infection control audit'.
"The alternative is for our expert team to do this as a planned review, to help practices identify any areas for improvement based on existing arrangements and in consultation with practice managers."
Demo show launch offers glimpse into the future
Posted 07/01/2010
A new show for primary care is bringing together all of the major manufacturers and service providers of the latest medical equipment, pioneering products and services.
GPs, practice nurses and practice managers are invited to get hands on to try out the full ranges of the UK's leading brands.
The free-to-attend WMS Demo Show takes place at Newbury racecourse on 9th February 201...
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Demo show launch offers glimpse into the future
Posted 07/01/2010
A new show for primary care is bringing together all of the major manufacturers and service providers of the latest medical equipment, pioneering products and services.
GPs, practice nurses and practice managers are invited to get hands on to try out the full ranges of the UK's leading brands.
The free-to-attend WMS Demo Show takes place at Newbury racecourse on 9th February 2010, from 10am to 4pm.
There is also a seminar programme of expert speakers and the chance to meet and network with colleagues.
The event is organised by Williams Medical Supplies, the leading provider of medical supplies and services to the UK healthcare market.
Among the exhibitors is 3M, the brains behind the pioneering Bluetooth stethoscope that made national newspaper headlines recently. Others include SECA, Omron, Welch Allyn and Doherty.
The seminar programme includes medical speakers explaining how new technology will revolutionise patient monitoring, as well as two members of the UK200 Healthcare Group, a national network of quality assured independent accountants and lawyers who understand the challenges facing doctors.
The first is pensions expert Anne Tudor from Whittingham Ridell, offering expert analysis on protecting pensions - a key topic in the current economic climate. The second is Neal Carter from Hillier Hopkins, whose will examine the need for surgeries to increase services, diversify or redevelop to meet future needs.
Nick Tait, commercial director at WMS, said the show promised to be an exciting event for everyone working in primary care.
"It is a chance to see the latest equipment and products in one place, rather than wait months for individual manufacturer appointments which surgeries currently have to do," he said.
"We're aware that GPs will have fears of budget cuts given the current climate, so it makes the Demo Show the best place to review a range of products and decide what to spend available funds on."
WMS operates a price beat promise on medical equipment and consumables but has added an extra incentive - for any order placed at the show above £200, it will provide £100 of vouchers for medical disposable products.
For more information about the show or to register, visit www.wmsdemoshow.com.
ENDS
Editors Notes
Williams Medical Supplies Ltd is the leading provider of medical supplies and services to the UK healthcare market.
Around 9,000 GP surgeries and other Primary Care Organisations trust WMS to supply their medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, everyday consumables and family planning products.
WMS also provides a range of added-value services including Health & Safety consultations, utilities supply, infection control advice and a testing and calibration service, which is uniquely endorsed by all major medical equipment manufacturers.
Wendy Collett named Practice Manager of the Year
Posted 04/12/2009 09:00:00
Wendy Collett of Tiptree Medical Centre in Essex has been named the Williams Medical Supplies Practice Manager of the Year for 2009 at a prestigious awards ceremony where she was hailed as a 'hero of primary care'.
The 49-year-old mother of three, of Colchester, took the national title after being unveiled as one of five regional winners at the glitzy National Association of Primary Car...
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Wendy Collett named Practice Manager of the Year
Posted 04/12/2009 09:00:00
Wendy Collett of Tiptree Medical Centre in Essex has been named the Williams Medical Supplies Practice Manager of the Year for 2009 at a prestigious awards ceremony where she was hailed as a 'hero of primary care'.
The 49-year-old mother of three, of Colchester, took the national title after being unveiled as one of five regional winners at the glitzy National Association of Primary Care (NAPC) conference dinner in Birmingham.
Wendy has worked for Tiptree Medical Centre in Colchester for six years and was nominated by Dr Shane Gordon for her part in redesigning the practice to improve access for patients.
She said it was a tremendous honour but a great surprise to win.
"It was very exciting and I am very proud, I was so pleased for everyone at Tiptree," she said. "We have all worked very hard to improve patient access and when we started to look at patients as our customers, we were able to put them first and meet their needs better."
The project included a bespoke website for the practice's 11,000 patients to book or check an appointment online and even order medicines.
Wendy, who picked up a trophy and £500 of John Lewis vouchers, added: "Every practice manager in the country works really hard and there is so much that goes on in the background that doesn't get recognised, so I was shocked to win and we had a brilliant night."
The Williams Medical Supplies Practice Manager of the Year Awards recognise the achievements of the very best people working in primary care today.
Other regional winners were Philippa White (Midlands, nominated by Dr Catherine Evans); Isobel Chetwood (North, nominated by Dr Chris Ratcliffe); Lynne Lloyd (Wales and south-west, nominated by Mrs Sharon Steadman); and Linda Bradley (Greater London, nominated by Elizabeth Bradley).
Steve Dunn, CEO of Williams Medical Supplies, said "We were delighted to see so many entries for this year's Practice Manager of the Year awards and to be able to celebrate the efforts of our five regional winners, who are shining examples for the industry.
"I would like to pay tribute to the outstanding efforts being made by practice managers across the UK, who consistently help to make a real difference to the patients they are supporting."
ENDS
Editors Notes
Williams Medical Supplies Ltd is the leading provider of medical supplies and services to the UK healthcare market.
Around 9,000 GP surgeries and other Primary Care Organisations trust WMS to supply their medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, everyday consumables and family planning products.
WMS also provides a range of added-value services including Health & Safety consultations, utilities supply, infection control advice and a testing and calibration service, which is uniquely endorsed by all major medical equipment manufacturers.
For more information about Williams Medical Supplies Ltd visit www.wms.co.uk.
For further press information, please contact:
Andy Rea
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Williams Medical Supplies and the National Association of Primary Care
Practice Manager of the Year Award 2009
Posted 09/10/2009 09:00:00
Williams Medical Supplies (WMS) and the National Association of Primary Care (NAPC) today announce the regional winners of the 2009 Williams Medical Supplies Practice Manager of the Year Award.
Now in its fourth year, the Williams Medical Supplies Practice Manager of the Year Award recognises the tremendous achievements, hard work and commitment demonstrated by practice managers throu...
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Williams Medical Supplies and the National Association of Primary Care
Practice Manager of the Year Award 2009
Posted 09/10/2009 09:00:00
Williams Medical Supplies (WMS) and the National Association of Primary Care (NAPC) today announce the regional winners of the 2009 Williams Medical Supplies Practice Manager of the Year Award.
Now in its fourth year, the Williams Medical Supplies Practice Manager of the Year Award recognises the tremendous achievements, hard work and commitment demonstrated by practice managers throughout the UK.
Nominations were once again of an extremely high standard. Of the many entries received, the judging panel are delighted to confirm the following five candidates who – as regional winners – are shortlisted for the prestigious national award:
Williams Medical Supplies Practice Manager of the Year – North
Isobel Chetwood, Park Green Surgery, Macclesfield
Williams Medical Supplies Practice Manager of the Year – Midlands
Philippa White, Upton Surgery, Upton-upon-Severn
Williams Medical Supplies Practice Manager of the Year – South East
Wendy Collett, Colchester PBC Group, Tiptree
Williams Medical Supplies Practice Manager of the Year – Wales & South West
Lynne Lloyd, Cwmllynfell Surgery, Cwmllynfell, Swansea
Williams Medical Supplies Practice Manager of the Year – Greater London
Linda Bradley, Pepys Road Surgery, Raynes Park, London
Mike Ramsden, CEO of the NAPC commented: "We were thrilled with the quality of nominations received this year. It is indeed inspirational to see so many unsung heroes and heroines playing their role in ensuring we continue to deliver world-class General Practice in the UK."
On behalf of Williams Medical Supplies, Steve Dunn (CEO) added: "We look forward to meeting the finalists who have all demonstrated exceptional ability and dedication in the tremendous work they perform on a daily basis. We are proud to join with them in celebrating their outstanding achievements."
The deserving national winner of the Williams Medical Supplies Practice Manager of the Year Award will be announced at the gala dinner of the NAPC’s annual conference held at the Hilton Metropole Hotel, Birmingham, on the evening of 17th November 2009.
For further information, please contact:
Zoe Barnett at Williams Medical Supplies:
01685 846616 (zoe.barnett@wms.co.uk)
Mike Ramsden, CEO, National Association of Primary Care:
020 7636 7228 (mike@napc.co.uk)
Hazel Miller at UBM Conferences
020 7955 3913 (hazel.miller@ubm.com)
Williams Medical Supplies named to distribute Bayer Schering Pharma's Mirena to non-dispensing doctors
Posted 01/07/2009 10:00:00
Williams Medical Supplies (WMS), the UK's leading supplier of equipment, pharmaceuticals and disposable medical supplies to the primary care sector, is delighted to announce that it has been appointed to distribute the hormonal contraceptive Mirena® to non-dispensing doctors by Bayer Schering Pharma.
This appointment is effective as of July 1, 2009.
Bayer Schering Pharm...
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Williams Medical Supplies named to distribute Bayer Schering Pharma's Mirena to non-dispensing doctors
Posted 01/07/2009 10:00:00
Williams Medical Supplies (WMS), the UK's leading supplier of equipment, pharmaceuticals and disposable medical supplies to the primary care sector, is delighted to announce that it has been appointed to distribute the hormonal contraceptive Mirena® to non-dispensing doctors by Bayer Schering Pharma.
This appointment is effective as of July 1, 2009.
Bayer Schering Pharma is the prescription medicines arm of Bayer HealthCare in the UK.
"By simplifying our supply chain, we will see improvements in continuity of supply for UK patients. WMS have been a supplier of Bayer Schering Pharma products for some time and will continue to offer a good all round service to their customers," said Martin Vesty, Head of Commercial Business Management, Bayer Schering Pharma.
"WMS is very pleased to have been selected by Bayer Schering Pharma to distribute Mirena® to the non-dispensing doctor sector," said WMS CEO Steve Dunn.
"Our agreement with Bayer Schering Pharma reflects our strong company-wide commitment to customer care and to providing effective, innovative distribution solutions to our key supply partners," Mr. Dunn added.
ENDS
For further information please contact Polly Stewart via email at polly.stewart@wms.co.uk or by calling 01685 846603.
Fred. Olsen selects Williams Medical Supplies to test on board medical equipment
Posted 10/06/2009 14:00:00
Williams Medical Supplies' (WMS) Test & Calibration Team is pleased to announce that Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has selected the team to test and calibrate all the medical equipment on board four of its five ships until the end of 2010.
The Test & Calibration Team is the only medical equipment test and calibration service to be approved by all leading manufacturers of medical equipment ...
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Fred. Olsen selects Williams Medical Supplies to test on board medical equipment
Posted 10/06/2009 14:00:00
Williams Medical Supplies' (WMS) Test & Calibration Team is pleased to announce that Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has selected the team to test and calibrate all the medical equipment on board four of its five ships until the end of 2010.
The Test & Calibration Team is the only medical equipment test and calibration service to be approved by all leading manufacturers of medical equipment in the UK. WMS is the UK's leading supplier of equipment, disposable medical supplies and pharmaceuticals to the primary health care sector.
"Williams Medical Supplies' Test & Calibration Team is very pleased to have been appointed by leading cruise line company Fred. Olsen to test and calibrate the medical equipment it has on board its ships,” said Head of Medical Services Hugh Hamer.
"Cruise lines such as Fred. Olsen have fully equipped doctor's surgeries with highly specialised equipment including defibrillators and ECGs, and basic items such as thermometers.
"If a passenger is on a cruise ship out at sea and his or her life depends on the treatment received on board, it's vital medical equipment functions as it should," Mr Hamer added.
Dr Richard Gill, Fleet Medical Officer for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: "Williams Medical Supplies is a recognised leader in this area of equipment testing, and we are pleased to be working with the company". He continued: "Some of our cruise itineraries are very long and the ships can be at sea for many days, and so it is imperative that all our medical equipment is in tip top condition at all times."
Steve Dunn appointed as CEO of Williams Medical Supplies
Posted 20/05/2009 13:15:00
Williams Medical Supplies Ltd (WMS), the UK's leading supplier of disposable medical supplies, pharmaceuticals and equipment to the primary health care sector, is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Dunn to the new position of chief executive officer.
Mr Dunn, 56, has 25 years board level experience in a range of industries, both in the UK and abroad. An experienced business ...
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Steve Dunn appointed as CEO of Williams Medical Supplies
Posted 20/05/2009 13:15:00
Williams Medical Supplies Ltd (WMS), the UK's leading supplier of disposable medical supplies, pharmaceuticals and equipment to the primary health care sector, is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Dunn to the new position of chief executive officer.
Mr Dunn, 56, has 25 years board level experience in a range of industries, both in the UK and abroad. An experienced business leader, his most recent role was as group managing director of the UK's largest pharmaceutical wholesaler.
"Williams Medical Supplies is a highly successful company with a strong focus on customer care," said Mr Dunn. "My role will be to lead WMS to even greater successes and ensure the significant opportunities that exist for us to achieve even stronger growth and serve our customers even better are realised."
WMS Executive Chairman Bernard Hewitt welcomed Mr Dunn's appointment, saying: "The board is very pleased to welcome Steve Dunn, an individual of outstanding calibre, to lead Williams Medical Supplies at a time when the primary health care sector in the United Kingdom is experiencing redefining change.
"We have ambitious growth plans and the board is confident that Steve will be able to drive these forward at a pace," Mr Hewitt said.
Mr Dunn replaces former managing director Vince Kerr, who will remain on the board as a non-executive director and who will keep his shareholding in the company.
WMS is backed by leading City of London-based private equity investor ISIS Equity Partners.
ENDS
For further information please contact Polly Stewart via email at polly.stewart@wms.co.uk or by calling 01685 846603.
