This unique event takes place on July 17th 2010.

For more information visit www.kpevents.net.

The Aston-based firm has just invested £500,000 in Techstep – a “foot clinic” boasting state-of-the-art sensory treadmills, running strip with the latest movement monitoring software as used at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, teaching facilities, R&D offices and secure indoor parking. All managed by a team of specialists to advance the knowledge of podiatrists and orthotists.

Whilst most companies are watchful of spending, Techstep is just another launch for a firm which last year developed the Dermacol stoma collar – a world first – in Australia, Japan, across Europe and is set to conquer the US this summer. It also keeping tight lipped about new product launches and other growth plans for 2010.

Philip Salt, Managing Director said “We have always been innovators. Our early history shows we were originally metal workers who progressed to surgical instruments attaining Royal Warrants. We were also amongst the first with our ostomy products during the 1940’s.”

“The same principles apply now, especially in a global economy with pressures for cheaper products coming from across the world. Our links with local universities, employing the best people with the desire for pushing the boundaries, and the culture of re-investing in research and development is a simple, but effective formula for our success so far. We are now innovating with Techstep using technology never seen before in the UK.”

Techstep aims to be the UK’s leading training centre for student podiatrists, R&D facility, treatment hub for professional sportsmen and women, and ‘walk-in’ centre for people with foot problems. Techstep is a giant stride in pushing the boundaries of knowledge and product development available to healthcare professionals involved in the study, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle and lower leg.

Student podiatrists and orthotists will be able to visit the clinic and see the latest technology in action. Indeed, Techstep welcome educational visits as this will fuel its desire for further research and development in the field. 

For more information visit www.saltstechstep.co.uk/education-and-research-centre.aspx

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The Aston- based facility boasts a £500,000 investment with state-of-the-art sensory treadmills, running strip with the latest movement monitoring software as used at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, teaching facilities, R&D offices and secure indoor parking. All managed by a team of specialists to advance the knowledge of podiatrists and orthotists.

Techstep aims to be the UK’s leading training centre for student podiatrists, R&D facility, treatment hub for professional sportsmen and women, and ‘walk-in’ centre for people with foot problems. Techstep is a giant stride in pushing the boundaries of knowledge and product development available to healthcare professionals involved in the study, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle and lower leg.
Student podiatrists and orthotists will be able to visit the clinic and see the latest technology in action. Indeed, Techstep welcome educational visits as this will fuel its desire for further research and development in the field. 

Paul Robinson is no stranger to Salts having had a pair of insoles specially designed for his boots and training shoes. Robinson, like many professional sportsmen understands the need to keep the feet in the best of health. He said “As a footballer most people expect players to tend to their feet but it doesn’t always happen and you hear of some horror stories. Taking care of your feet is a must for everybody no matter what standard you play at and it’s even more important for the youngsters whose bodies are still developing. Regarding feet, prevention is definitely better than cure.”

Adrian Priest, Techstep Senior Product Manager said “75% of the population has a problem with their feet, most of whom don’t know anything about it. Feet problems affect virtually every other part of your body…there are literally the ‘sole’ of your body and can affect people’s ability to balance, walk or run properly and could cause pain, fatigue or even damage to other parts of their body. The UK is behind many countries like the USA, Germany and Sweden in the treatment of the feet. Professional sportspeople, and we treat many, take care of their feet but now the benefits are there for all. “

Indeed, Priest wants people’s feet to become a priority. He said “The term ‘feet first’ couldn’t be more wrong in the UK. The development of shoes, especially sports footwear hasn’t been matched by the knowledge and treatment of the foot. We have all paid, including myself, paid a fortune for the latest footwear, as worn by our heroes, without thinking whether they are actually the best thing to buy”.

For more information visit www.saltstechstep.co.uk/education-and-research-centre.aspx

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If you would like to attend please call Freephone 0800 626 388 to request a place.

Thursday February 25th 2010, 10.30am - 12pm

Chaucer Hotel
63 Ivy Lane, Canterbury, CT1 1TU

• 11am - Update on new products plus talk on dietary advice for ostomists
• Community Stoma Nurse in attendance
• Free prize draw
• Free parking at the hotel
• Refreshments will be available

Tuesday March 9th 2010, 10am - 12pm

Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Stoma Care Department, Sherriff Hill, Gateshead, NE9 6SX

• 10.30am - Presentation on new product Confidence Natural - one-piece closed pouch featuring Flexifit wafer with aloe vera extracts
• Meet your local Stoma Care Nurses
• Disabled access
• Refreshments will be available

Thursday March 18th 2010, 10am - 12pm

Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens
Burdon Road, Sunderland, SR1 1PP

• Coffee from 10am
• 10.30am - Presentation on new product Confidence Natural - one-piece closed pouch featuring Flexifit wafer with aloe vera extracts
• Stoma Care Nurses in attendance
• Quiz with prizes
• Disabled access

Friday March 19th 2010, 1pm - 3pm

Darlington Memorial Hospital
Stoma Care Department, Hollyhurst Road, Darlington, DL3 6HX

• Coffee from 1pm
• 1.30pm - Presentation on new product Confidence Natural - one-piece closed pouch featuring Flexifit wafer with aloe vera extracts
• Samples will be available
• Stoma Care Nurses in attendance

Breakaway are the UK’s only weekend activity breaks designed for young people from 4-18 with bowel and/or bladder dysfunctions and their families.

Weekends are devised and organised by people with a full knowledge of living with a bowel or bladder dysfunction.

Breakaway weekends and events offer a unique opportunity for families and young people in similar situations to meet, talk about and share their experiences, take part in confidence building action adventure activities in a relaxed and friendly environment.

To find out more information about future events visit www.breakaway-visit.co.uk

Have a look at the list below of upcoming Dermacol demonstration meetings in your area. Please call your local Care Centre on Freephone 0800 626388 to reserve a place and to check times.

29th October 2009

10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm
James Allen Room, Thackray Museum, Beckett Street, Leeds, LS9 7LN

3rd November 2009

11am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3.00pm
The business, Norwich City FC, Carrow road, Norwich NR1 1JE

11am to 2.30pm
The Royal Oak Hotel, The Cross, Welshpool, SY21 7DG

4th November 2009

11am to 2.30pm
Leckwith room, Cardiff City Stadium, Leckwith Road, Cardiff, CF11 8AZ

5th November 2009

11am to 2.30pm
The Restaurant, Aberystwyth Park Lodge Hotel, Parc Y Lyn, Aberystwyth, SY3 3TL

10th November 2009

11am to 2.30pm
Carwyn James Suite, Llanelli Scarlets Rugby club, Parc Y Scarlets, Pemberton Retail Park, Llanelli, SA14 9UZ

12th November 2009

11am to 2.30pm
St Georges Hotel, The promenade, Llandudno, LL30 2LG

Confidence^® has always been the ideal choice for closed pouch users who want the comfort, convenience and flexibility of a one-piece pouch. But now, Salts' most popular pouch comes with a range of natural benefits. Find out more about Confidence^® Natural.

There will be Stoma products and clothing exhibition with advice available on the day.

Free entrance and car park plus refreshments will be provided.

Location:

Premier Suite
Bristol City Football Club,
Ashton Gate Stadium,
Bristol,
BS3 2EJ

10am to 2pm

For further information please contact:

Maurice Cox on 0117 935 8949 or
Christina Hammond on 01179 075 326

Also a volunteer with the Remote Area Medical organisation (RAM), Jacqui travels twice yearly to Guyana in South America as part of their women's health team, travelling into remote mountainous, savannah and jungle villages to offer gynaecological screening.

Jacqui said: “Earlier this year, we saw a lady with a huge abdomen mass. We operated on her and removed a 23lb ovarian tumour as well as a secondary tumour that was attached to her colon which had to be completely removed. Our surgeons successfully created an ileostomy and although we performed her surgery for free, she now has to foot the bill for her ileostomy bags. In a country where the average annual salary is less than £800, this is not easy and there was only one ileostomy bag in the country that fitted!

“Unfortunately, her one and only bag burst shortly before we left and her family had simply covered her stoma with a towel, which had left her skin blistered and weeping. On her return to England, Jacqui set out to try and find suitable pouches for the patient and contacted a number of manufacturers to see if they could donate any.
Senior Product Manager, Maria Clifton said: “This story really tugged at our heart strings and we were delighted to have the opportunity to try and make this patient's life a little easier. We are happy to send a regular supply of pouches, scissors so that she can cut the hydrocolloid to fit correctly, and some instructions on how to care for her stoma and we hope that soon she will be able to start enjoying life again.”

Jacqui added: “I am so impressed with Salts for their donation. They were the only company to respond to my request and they well surpassed it by supplying hundreds of bags for our patient. I have email contact from our patient's nephew and she is overjoyed at having the ileostomy bags and has no problems using them at all.”

The range, manufactured by Salts Techstep - our orthotics division - has relaunched the popular range, the linings of which are now being coated with particles of silver to help in the fight against the spread of infections such as MRSA in the hospital environment.

Salts' Senior Product Manager, Adrian Priest explained: “Silver has been known for its antibacterial properties for thousands of years and even at low concentrations it has been shown to be capable of killing off more than 650 disease-causing organisms. While much is already being done in hospitals to combat so-called super-bugs, this is another important step forward in that battle. Patients wearing Shuform footwear during hospital stays will not only experience total foot comfort, they will also be helping to protect themselves and others against infection.”

The Shuform range includes a slipper that is designed for use following surgery when the foot is bandaged or swollen or where a condition prevents the use of normal footwear. Also in the range is a lightweight shoe which provides a firm sole and heel to aid mobility and is ideal for patients with painful foot conditions, an orthotic felt boot which has a wide steel shank in the base which allows for the use of additional appliances, and the unisex, multi-fit mediboot. In addition, Shuform offers a Comfort Shoe for outdoor as well as indoor use.