24th March is World TB Day – an occasion specifically created to help increase understanding of tuberculosis (TB) and the devastating health, social and economic consequences of this disease that are still being seen around the globe. Each year, World TB Day encourages people to spread information, donate funds and better understand the disease, so that as a global community we can all take a step forward in putting an end to the TB epidemic. What is TB? Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection. Pulmonary TB, which affects the lungs, is the most contagious strain of the disease, but there are oth ..read more

We tend to spend large periods of time in indoor environments, such as in office buildings and schools, as well as in restaurants and other leisure facilities, particularly during the colder months of the year. Spending a large proportion of time indoors can potentially expose us to indoor air that has been polluted by a wide range of particulates such as VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds), bacteria and viruses. What is the current guidance for improving air quality in schools? Schools have undoubtedly suffered immensely throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, with full school closures, partial c ..read more

The 4th March is International HPV Awareness Day (IHAD). As such, now is the perfect opportunity for people to better understand this infection and the serious consequences that it can have on human health. There are more than 100 different strains of HPV in the world. 14 of these have been identified as serious, potentially cancer-causing viruses.1 But how is this virus spread and what are the main risks? How HPV is spread HPV is primarily spread through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal and oral sex. It can also spread through close skin-to-skin contact between individuals. As there ar ..read more

Over the last two years Coronavirus has taken over the entire world. Everyone’s lives have been affected by the virus in one way or another. The pandemic has raised the importance of infection control for communities everywhere. Measures were put in place such as social distancing, mask-wearing, and hand sanitising in public spaces. However, despite everyone’s efforts, a new strain of Coronavirus, Omicron, has raised the importance of continuous infection control. What You Can’t See on the Surface It’s general knowledge in this day and age that sneezing into your hand and immediately touching ..read more

In public washrooms, a long-lasting toilet roll solution is a must, so if you are struggling to keep your washroom toilet roll dispensers clean and stocked up, this guide is for you. This guide will also help you decide which is the best long-lasting toilet roll solution for your washroom and help you create a welcoming environment for your visitors and staff. Three things to consider when choosing a toilet roll dispenser 1. Surface and design To help keep toilet rolls clean and hygienic, they should ideally be housed in a dispenser. Both of our Signature Jumbo and Signature Twin toilet roll d ..read more

A dental practice will naturally generate many different types of waste throughout the day. In order to remain compliant, protect people and safeguard the planet, correct waste disposal is paramount. As such, it’s time to go back to basics and take a closer look at the Department of Health’s best practice colour coding guide. Following the colour code The Department of Health’s HTM 07-01 Safe Management of Healthcare Waste Memorandum is a best practice guide for efficient, safe waste categorisation. Here is an overview of each category: Clinical Waste (Yellow and Orange) Clinical Waste is spli ..read more

Disposal of medical waste is an important aspect to consider in healthcare settings. Improper disposal of medical waste can have far-reaching consequences, so it pays for professionals to not only be aware of what medical waste is, but also understand the consequences of their actions through not correctly disposing of medical waste. What is medical waste? Medical waste is any waste generated inside healthcare settings such as dental practices, hospitals, pharmacies and aesthetic clinics. There are different types of medical waste that are split into various categories, depending on the items ..read more

Waste management in healthcare is crucial. Not only does the correct disposal of healthcare waste help keep people safe, but it is also more beneficial for the environment. So, how is healthcare waste categorised and why is proper waste management in healthcare so vital? Safeguarding staff, patients and the planet! Effective waste disposal in hospitals and other healthcare environments is paramount in order to help protect individuals against the spread of disease, and keep our natural environment safe. Clinical and hazardous waste can impact the environment in many ways. For example, medicati ..read more

In 2018, 14.7% of the UK population smoked – in 2019, it dropped to 14.1%.1 Although fewer people are now smoking compared to previous years, smoking is still a significant healthcare concern. Smoking can trigger many health issues, both internally and externally. It can increase the risk of erectile dysfunction,2 bronchitis3 and poor mental health.4 Research5 has also shown that those who smoke have less collagen and elastin fibres. This can cause skin to become loose and dry. Those with concerns for their skin may consider cosmetic treatment, and options such as fillers or botulinum toxin in ..read more

In the space of the last 30 years, the UK has become 0.9°C warmer and experienced 6% more rainfall.[1] While these changes may not seem drastic, even minor climate change is a serious problem. Indeed, we are already experiencing higher incidences of flash flooding and heatwaves that have melted roads and caused rail lines to buckle.[2] November saw the UK host the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) which put the sharp reality of the growing climate change problem into perspective. Some of the key goals of the conference included how to secure global net-zero before the mid-c ..read more