The NHS, which celebrated its 69th birthday on 5th July, is currently experiencing serious understaffing, disruption, and a long serving budget squeeze, yet it has clung onto the top spot and has been named the best, safest, and most affordable healthcare system out of 11 countries. It is the second time in a row that the UK has finished top, in the recent US think tank research by the Commonwealth Fund, which is undertaken every three years. Each nation’s healthcare provision was revealed through questionnaires completed by doctors and patients, and ranked through five different quality measures – ease of healthcare, equality of access, administrative efficiency, results, and the quality of the care process for patients. The rankings UK Australia Netherlands Norway New Zealand Sweden Switzerland Germany Canada France United States The UK came first in four out of 11 categories, being judged to deliver the safest care, be the best at care processes, provide the most affordable care, and offer the most equity. In the US, 44 per cent of people on low incomes were found to have difficulty accessing healthcare, compared to just seven per cent in the UK. Jeremy Hunt, England’s Health Secretary, said: “These outstanding results are a testament to the dedication of NHS staff, who despite pressure on the front line are delivering safer, more compassionate care than ever.” The experts however did conclude that the UK does poorly in healthcare outcomes – in which the UK came tenth. This covers general health of the population, early deaths and cancer survival among other measures. An NHS England spokesperson said: “This international research is a welcome reminder of the fundamental strengths of the NHS, and a call to arms in support of the NHS Forward View practical plan to improve cancer, mental health and other outcomes of care.” PM Theresa May has told the chief executive of NHS England, Simon Stevens, to ensure that the service uses its £120bn annual budget more efficiently.

Hospitals are set to receive guidance about using animal therapy in hospitals in a move that aims to encourage healthcare settings to enable patients to see their pets, after research shows how animals can improve patient care. University Hospital in Southampton have already been offering animal therapy for five years, and Amanda Cheesley, who is leading the new initiative with the RCN, says that it is about more than just having a pet to stroke. The NHS Foundation Trust is helping to shape the future of animal assisted intervention, by running the pilot project with Pets as Therapy and The Humanimal Trust, finding out first-hand about the effects of animals on patients’ health and wellbeing. The study has been led by dog handlers with their therapy dogs, one of whom is golden retriever Leo. “Leo has worked with young people who are terrified of needles; he’s there until the child goes to sleep, and is there when they wake up. “It should be more of the norm rather than the exception. In particular settings, like mental health and children’s settings, it can be really, really beneficial,” said Cheesley. The RCN recently carried out a study of 750 nurses, and 60% of participants in the study thought that the presence of animals could help speed up physical recovery. Although the attitude towards the initiative appears positive, currently 60% also said that animals were not allowed in their workplace, signalling risk-averse hospital staff. Nine out of 10 nurses who took part in the study believed that animals can improve the wellbeing of patients with mental health problems such as depression. Animals can have a profound effect on the health and wellbeing of the people who care for them, so every nurse should consider this when compiling patients’ care plans, according to mental health training team leader Bronwen Williams, for 2gether Foundation Trust. As animals are often a great support in helping their owners feel secure, happy and relaxed, Williams feels that nurses should do their best to understand what has meaning in patients’ lives, including their animals. Lyndsey Uglow, who has been visiting patients at Southampton Children’s Hospital, said: “We know from the constant anecdotal feedback we receive from patients, families, staff and members of the public just what a positive impact our visits have on patients and their families, and that in itself provides an immense feeling of satisfaction.” The RCN organisation is in the process of drawing up guidelines for medical institutions regarding how to use animal therapy safely and efficiently. It will require animals and their handlers to be properly trained, covering basic protocols such as health check-ups and inoculation. New guidelines are set to be published in September/October this year, and according to Cheesley it doesn’t need to be unique to dogs, and there are other animals who could be appropriately trained. For hospitals who already have protocols in place for guide dogs, the new guidelines should be easy to follow.

We are currently in destabilising times, and things such as Brexit, PM Theresa May announcing a shock snap election, and the triggering of article 50 have certainly made it worth reflecting on how the digital sector may be impacted. A 2017 Tech Nation report revealed that digital tech industries contribute £97bn to the UK economy, and the UK’s tech sector grew 50% faster than the whole economy in 2015. Figures from a 2017 Department for Culture, Media and Sport policy paper, revealed that around 1.4 million people are currently employed by digital companies in the UK, with figures set to rise. Digital employment is estimated to grow by 5% by 2020, and contribute £200 billion to the UK economy by 2025. We can see that the IT & Tech sector is of course growing constantly, and with that comes an evident skills gap with a surge of job opportunities, but what is being done to control the dearth of qualified IT specialists? Hiring from overseas is going to become increasingly difficult post Brexit, therefore it will be vital to foster home-grown talent. Many employers and recruiting specialists are experiencing a skills gap when attempting to fill tech roles, and it could be time to take the focus back to school and on encouraging the young. Thanks to a 2014 government initiative, coding replaced ITC in schools, giving new generations the opportunity to develop complex digital skills from a young age. The government has the potential to make a positive step forward when it comes to the digital skills gap, by placing investment in teacher training, introduction of new courses, bursaries and training loans – all of which could help create a nation full of digital expertise.  It is important to also promote and encourage STEM careers to school aged children, who may be unsure of what jobs are available and have had little exposure. Accenture’s Emma McGuigan said, “Currently, a significant proportion of young people, especially girls, are put off by Stem [science, technology, engineering, mathematics] subjects because they are unclear about what careers they support, while the perception that these subjects are just for boys persists.” The problem can often lie in a lack of qualified teachers, therefore better training is crucial. The Science and Technology Committee in a 2016 report revealed that only 35% of computer teachers in UK schools have a relevant degree, and 30% of required computer science teachers have not yet been recruited. The Google Expeditions team began visiting primary schools in 2016, introducing Virtual Reality to the classroom. VR is predicted to drastically change many parts of our lives, and is being anticipated to play an important role in education. In November, Google’s chief executive Sundar Pichai UK visited a London school to see students using Google’s Cardboard VR headsets, to experience virtual reality as part of their education. “Today we are taking a class through one of our new career Expeditions, which inspires students to think about their future professions by taking a virtual trip to work environments like a hospital operating theatre or behind the scenes at Aston Martin” said Pichai. Learning to code and being exposed to developing technology is vital for young people in order to become equipped with the necessary digital skills to fuel our economy. Technology is advancing rapidly, and employers can benefit from up to date in-house training, and keeping digital sector employees proficient in all skill areas. Offering a high level of staff development will make it easier to retain quality staff members, and ensure the company’s IT services are up to date. IT and Tech is now a candidate dominated field, with skilled personnel now able to be selective and demanding when pursuing a role in the digital sector. For businesses, this means healthy competition to gain the edge and attract the kind of talent they desire. From offering enticing packages with flexible working prospects, the promise of consistent training, detailed salary progression, to positive development opportunities, businesses must decide what their unique selling points are to a perspective recruit. A Nimbus Ninety and Ensono report highlighted the need for new skills in digital transformation, with two thirds of decision makers claiming that they do not have the skills to service new IT models. 47% of companies are rethinking their business models and drawing up a digital transformation strategy, with more than a third of these working with a consultancy or design agency to help plug the skills gap. Government initiatives, collaborations between business and education sectors, and businesses tailoring packages, could be the key drive in helping Britain reduce and potentially clear the wide digital skills gap, providing us with a talented new generation of tech professionals.

The EU have been negotiating mobile surcharges when roaming abroad, for over a decade – so when it was announced that these charges will be eliminated mid-June, many saw it as a success worth celebrating. Plans to end the surcharges began as far back as 2004, and for the previous two years operators have been actively preparing for the changes, drawing out negotiations over roaming rates that operators will charge each other for mobile data. European mobile phone contracts are now required to charge domestic rates for calls, texts and data when users travel in the EU, raising pressures on operators in a tight market. Some telecoms companies, mostly smaller ones, have applied for extensions to the rule, and seek to continue charging minimal roaming charges, fearing it will be bad for their bottom line. Roaming data usage is likely to show significant increases, as customers gradually begin to use data roaming more often without fear of heavy surcharges – and this could lead to significant losses for smaller operators. Although great for the consumer, some Southern European countries main concern is that they will lose a form of income from tourists’ home telecoms providers, and are finding that the new plan comes at their expense. Telecoms business varies from country to country, and it will be hard to tell how much of the move will affect each operator, yet the European Commission revealed estimates that the end of roaming fees will cost operators 1.2 billion euros. However, as consumers begin to use their mobiles more sparingly, the European Commission hopes that consumption rises faster than the pace of dropping prices. “There are positive aspects that are being underestimated, particularly how the public sees the operators” said Roland Berger’s Victor Marcais, highlighting that the changes could serve to improve the reputation of telecoms operators. The Commission has vowed to review the wholesale rates at the end of 2019, and assess the existing market conditions and how well the operators have adapted to the new business model.   How are some teleco’s trying to bend the rules? Some operators may have to hike up their domestic rates to cover their loss from roaming. If consumers use more data when they travel, they might buy more expensive packages with higher data allowances. Some may charge limited fees with a cap, if a user spends more time roaming than in the country where they pay their bill. Some firms could stop offering roaming altogether on their tariffs, meaning users would have no service when they cross an EU border. Some operators will simply request to be exempt from the rules, if they can prove their business would suffer.

Construction workers are known for handing out tough, dreaded initiations, especially for apprentices, yet workplace banter like this is what makes 76% happy to get up on a Monday morning, according to A HR News survey of 1,220 workers. In a 2015 report aimed at discovering in which job sector workers are happiest, construction and facility service workers came out on top, out of 30,000 employees across more than 500 organisations in 12 industries. TINYpulse’s Best Industry Report which gathered anonymous information from one-question feedback surveys, highlighted a steady growth in construction job satisfaction. One of the biggest boosts in satisfied workers was rooted in good relationships with colleagues. The survey found that 34% of the happiest employees say that positive relationships with peers and colleagues are what fuel their workplace harmony. In the report, Jay Walter, general manager of JWH Group, summed up the overall effect on happiness the industry has on its workers. “This is an industry that has many walks of life with people working in an office to people out on site,” he says. “One thing that unites everybody at the end of the day is kicking back for a little bit with a few beers and talking stuff out–the good and the bad. If people have an issue, they will come see a manager during office hours, but sometimes the best environment is when people can relax a bit and just have a drink alongside a manager.” A survey conducted by Simply Business of 17,000 tradespeople, revealed that 54% find workplace banter the most enjoyable aspect of their job. Tragically, it was recently reported that a teenage apprentice working in a car dealership committed suicide after pranks from co-workers started to cross the line. While valuing banter and having a laugh is good news for morale and mental health, there is often a fine line between banter and bullying, and construction workers must make sure their sense of humour is shared by all involved.

As Theresa May’s snap election backfired and we are faced with a hung parliament, and Brexit negotiations even more unclear, businesses are left still concerned about the future of the food and farming sector. Politicians have been urged to protect Britain’s food manufacturing sector, worth £109bn, and believe that industry and economy need to be at the top of the table. Ian Wright, Director of FDF, said: “Food is a matter of national security. Food and farming is the sector most impacted by Brexit and the EU. It is imperative that the new government recognises this, and the importance of the food and drink industry in relation to the success of the wider UK economy.” A recent survey of 400 recruitment agencies conducted by the REC, revealed that demand for staff is the highest in 21 months, and the amount of people available for those jobs has plummeted. Tom Hadley, REC Director of Policy, revealed that unemployment has dropped to the lowest level since 1975, and the EU citizens are leaving the UK in droves. Employers seeking to fill vacancies are running out of options. RSM head of manufacturing Mike Thornton, said that the number of EU workers able to work in the UK after we leave the EU would cause massive disruption to the entire food supply chain. In a recent paper by the Food Research Collaboration, it was revealed that there will be a potential labour shortage if the supply of EU migrants decreases after Brexit, and the UK food manufacturing workforce is roughly 117,000, made up of EU migrants. There is an ageing workforce, and a need, according to the study, to recruit up to 140,000 new workers by 2024. The report is attempting to force the food industry to rethink its approach to recruitment, careers, and how food is produced. What could be done? Attract young talent using marketing strategies. Ensure that those who teach are fully qualified experts. Career progression – regular reviews and action plans. Pay increases when warranted and appropriate. Job security – permanent contracts. Better working conditions – benefits, flexibility. Introduction of new technologies that make the job easier and ensure the food manufacturing sector is keeping up with the modern times. The government to develop home grown talent. The FDF believe the next government must commit to long-term investment in skills and apprenticeships so that UK remains the destination of choice for multinational food and drink manufacturers. Dr Adrian Morley, a Researcher at Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “We need to decide as a society what type of food system we want – one that provides good quality jobs and long-term careers for the majority of its workers, or one that is subject to the vagaries of world markets which are often dependent on low-skill, low paid work.”

Manufacturing trends evolve from year to year, with the introduction of revolutionary new technology, security measures and government changes, and manufacturers must adapt to the changing demands in the sector in order to flourish. With this in mind, let’s take a look at the key manufacturing trends that are prevalent in 2017 so far:   1) The rise of green manufacturing Many manufacturers were initially sceptical about embracing green processes and materials, with focus being put on environmental benefits and not cost savings. Now companies are realising the cost-saving potential, 2017 is set to see the use of renewable energy and lean production more and more. Manufacturers are taking steps towards achieving a green production environment, by implementing lean manufacturing practices and reducing waste. A significant reduction in costs is provided by the use of renewable energy sources, and manufacturing products with recyclable or renewable resources can also lead to lower material costs. Now being viewed as cheaper and accessible, using green manufacturing practices could become commonplace as it drives long-term savings. Green manufacturing will continue to rise as more technology becomes available and companies realise the environmental benefits and cost savings.   2) Growth in Manufacturing Recruitment sector: The number of job openings in manufacturing is continuing to outpace the number of available hires, and this skills gap looks to be not slowing down in the foreseeable future. There are 4,872 job roles within the manufacturing industry, so aggressive hiring is needed. The industry looks set to benefit well into 2017. CV Library released some data from analysis of the average number of jobs in the UK’s key sectors in 2016, and manufacturing was up 26%, with applications rising by 30% and figures expected to pick up substantially. According to statistics from The Manufacturer, manufacturing is strong with the UK currently the world’s ninth largest industrial nation. Manufacturing makes up 10 percent of GVA and 45% of UK exports, directly employing 2.7 million people.  Manufacturers must detail to potential candidates what the company’s strategy is, and how it plans to achieve its targets. Skilled, available candidates will be looking for a package with lots of benefits, and can be selective with their choice of workplace.   3) Brexit good for business: New technology, models and investments, and company owners aim to reverse the depressing decline we have seen since the recession in 2008. Over two thirds of manufacturing firms expect to grow in 2017 despite the impact of Brexit, according to the findings of the annual Business Census 2017 report. One major impact of the referendum has been the sterling’s rapid depreciation against other currencies, making exports cheaper, which in turn makes buying British goods more attractive. The pound has declined by about 15% against the dollar and the euro since Britain’s referendum on EU membership. It is estimated that profits in manufacturing could increase on average by about 16% of value added, mostly due to the fall in sterling. Many exporters have been enjoying the weaker value of the pound, though exporting success largely depends on what happens to the value of the pound, yet currently it makes goods more affordable for businesses importing from Britain.   4) Smart Technology prominent Products are becoming smarter in 2017, and as things and trends come and go, phones, companies, and the workforce must keep up with this as well as coming up with innovative ideas. Manufacturers often have a lack of technological knowledge and experience, yet the digital infrastructure is required to create innovative products and concepts. Smarter products are capable of collating, managing and storing data relating to usage, consumer behaviour and prominent design flaws. Manufacturers are becoming inspired by a new generation of deep machine learning, AI, and natural language tools, and are applying them to product testing and field performance data to quickly fix causes of quality issues. Companies will reap the benefits of this life cycle of data by starting to manufacture products in new ways. Over time, these techniques should bring product improvements as well as cost effective products for both the company and the customers.   5) Attention is on Manufacturing Cybersecurity There has been a surge in demand for cyber security as virtual and augmented reality have become a big part of our digital lives already. Manufacturers of all sizes need to rethink, redesign, and potentially radically improve their cybersecurity strategies. As technology advances, there is unfortunately a larger attack surface that cyber criminals can invade. From using cloud, data analytics and mobile to improve their connectivity and infrastructure, manufacturers must also ensure security is part of the product design. Manufacturers can reduce the risk of these social engineering attacks by educating their employees on basic cybersecurity principles, and must aim to hire cybersecurity savvy professionals.   Processes such as additive manufacturing and the internet of things as well as newly created materials all bring substantial benefits to end users, and will bring further opportunities for the manufacturing industry. As manufacturing changing trends present emerging opportunities, they also bring some challenges, such as the need for precision, speed, and profitability. Time will tell which of 2017’s opportunities will be taken advantage of and which challenges will be overcome.

According to a recent study published in the British Journal of Cancer, construction work has been revealed as the most at risk occupation for developing skin cancer. Construction workers accounted for 21 deaths (44%) and 101 cases of malignant melanoma. The sun is a health hazard for all outdoor workers, and exposure to the sun’s UV rays whilst working leads to one death and five new cases of malignant melanoma each week. Dr Lesley Rushton, lead researcher, said: “We’ve shown previously that people often don’t understand the risks of damage caused by the sun in the UK. But this research shows you don’t have to work in the Mediterranean or a traditionally sunny country for the sun to damage your skin.” People often do not think of the sun in the UK as damaging, and reserve sun screen application for holidays abroad. With the findings revealing such shocking statistics, we uncover what needs to be done to help prevent skin damage: How can construction workers prevent sun damage? Sarah Williams, health information manager at Cancer Research UK, said: “We all need some sun for healthy bones, but too much can increase the risk of skin cancer, and the risk can be higher for some people." It is important to get to know your body, including any moles, and to consult a doctor if you notice any changes to how your skin looks or feels. "Generally, the best ways for people to protect their skin is to spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm, and cover up with clothing. Also use sunscreen with at least SPF15 and four or more stars on the parts of the body you can’t cover, like face and hands,” said Williams. Over the counter sunscreen is effective, but an industrial strength sunscreen will be even more effective for a full day of sun exposure.  Industrial sunscreen covers a broad spectrum and contains zinc oxide, and is strong enough to last all day. Construction workers already have many safety precautions to consider before starting any job, such as falling debris or machine malfunctions, yet the dangers of the sun are sometimes overlooked. If construction workers do not take appropriate precautions, being out in the sun too much creates working conditions that pose a risk of serious harm.

National recruitment company Integra People recently celebrated another successful year for the business, with significant increase in turnover and gross profit, and are looking forward to giving something back by creating new jobs for talented recruiters, administration and accounts staff. Compared with the first quarter of 2016, the first quarter of 2017 saw a 77% increase in turnover, and a 62.5% increase in gross profit, which the company attributes to company expansion and rebranding, as well as hiring skilled recruitment consultants. Since Integra People launched during the 2008 recession, the company has grown from strength to strength, most recently introducing two new sectors, education and healthcare. The permanent revenue has surpassed expectations, and has had a huge impact on the company’s bottom line. They have recently undergone a major rebrand in conjunction with taking the company to the next level, and reflecting the fluid evolution of the company. David Lewis, Managing Director at Integra People, said: “The companys success is down to our team’s innovation, drive and dedication to our clients and candidates. We want to now focus on expanding our already expert teams, and we are excited at the prospect of establishing connections with other likeminded and passionate companies.” Due to company success and client demand, since January 2017, Integra People have expanded its workforce and hired fifteen employees, twelve of whom are recruitment consultants, and three who work in finance and resourcing. The main goal now is to employ 15 more members of staff in 2017, to cater for its various locations around the country, and to specialise in its seven sectors: construction, engineering, IT and telecoms, manufacturing and industrial, commercial and business support, education, and healthcare. The company vision is to ensure the new recruits, divisions and rebrand efforts help Integra People meet the goal of becoming a £20 million recruitment group over the next few years.