May262017

Direct Healthcare Services to establish Europe’s first specialist research and testing facility to meet new worldwide standards

Welsh Government
image_pdfimage_print

The investment at its Caerphilly facility is supported by £50,000 from the Welsh Government’s Growth and Prosperity Fund and will create ten jobs and safeguard a further 56. The project costs to fit out the facility with machinery and equipment are part of a wider £600K cap ex investment the company is making. 

The new ISO standards for the testing of mattresses and overlays used in treatment encompass all mattresses used in hospitals including trolley and theatre mattresses as well as mattresses used in patients’ homes.

The global standards are expected to come into operation this year with the only testing facility currently available based in the USA.

Direct Healthcare Services (DHS) will work closely with the Welsh Wound Innovation Centre to create the new facility to ensure all its products comply with the new standards and ensure it retains its market leading position. The independent European testing facility will be available for use by other companies.

Economy Secretary Ken Skates said: 

“DHS is a Welsh success story, founded in 2009 with just three members of staff it now employs more than 100 people and is the largest volume supplier of mattresses to the NHS and rapidly growing their international exports with an office in Australia.

“Innovation is at the heart of DHS’ success and this is a key expansion project that will ensure its continued growth. DHS is a valued member of the growing Welsh cluster of wound care companies – a priority sub sector for life sciences and I am delighted the Welsh Government is supporting this investment.”

Skills and Science Minister, Julie James, added: 

“Wales’ life sciences sector has gone from strength to strength over recent years, punching well above its weight on a global stage, and this success would not be possible without companies such as Direct Healthcare Services continuing to innovate.

“We are committed to supporting growth of this economically important sector in Wales and today’s expansion announcement from DHS is further evidence of this.”

Graham Ewart, Managing Director at DHS said, 

“DHS have consistently been an early adopter of regulatory and compliance directives so it makes good sense that we open and operate an independent testing facility to assure compliance to the new global ISO standard. As a Welsh business we are delighted to have the support of the Welsh Government and the commitment and expertise of WWIC as an operating partner.”

DHS is the fastest growing manufacturer in its field in the UK with a comprehensive range of products and an extensive intellectual property portfolio winning the Queen’s Award for Innovation in 2016 and 2017. In collaboration with the Welsh Wound Innovation Centre (WWIC), it has developed a number of revolutionary new products. 

The Welsh Wound Innovation Centre is based near DHS’s facility, which will enable customers from around the world that visit WWIC to view the research and test facility at the same time.

It would promote Wales as a world leader, not only in pressure ulcer research at WWIC, but also in the associated product testing at DHS.

May262017

Press release: More than 300 miles of roadworks will be lifted this Bank Holiday

HM Government
image_pdfimage_print

Almost 98 per cent of motorways and strategic A roads will be roadworks-free over the bank holiday.

Highways England is completing 184 and suspending 162 miles of roadworks by 6am on 26 May until 12.01am on 30 May.

And before they set off, to help ensure safe journeys, drivers are reminded to:

  • check fuel: make sure you have enough to get to your destination
  • check tyres: prior to setting off on a long/significant journey, check your tyre pressure and the condition of your tyres, including the spare – look out for cuts or wear and make sure the tyres have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm, which is the legal limit
  • check engine oil: use your dipstick to check oil before any long journey, and top up if needed – take your car back to the garage if you’re topping up more than usual
  • check water: to ensure you have good visibility, always keep your screenwash topped up so you can clear debris or dirt off your windscreen
  • check your lights: if your indicators, hazard lights, headlights, fog lights, reverse lights or brake lights are not functioning properly, you are putting yourself at risk. In addition, light malfunctions can be a reason for your vehicle to fail its MOT

See a map showing the locations of lifted and completed schemes.

Suspension or completion of roadworks means that more lanes will be open and many speed restrictions will be lifted.

Find out more about driving on smart motorways.

Drivers planning to use the Dartford Crossing are reminded to pay Dart Charge in advance or by midnight the day after crossing, and you can find us online at Dartcharge.

More information about conditions on our roads can be found on our website or by calling our information line (0300 123 5000).

For more detailed information on how to carry out your vehicle checks, search Think!

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

May262017

5 dead, 1 injured after house on fire in east China

East Asia
image_pdfimage_print

Five people died and another person was injured after a fire broke out in a residential house in Hangzhou, capital of east China’s Zhejiang Province, early Friday morning.

The fire began at around 2:50 a.m. in the house located in an industrial cluster area. The fire has been put out. An investigation is under way to probe the cause of the fire.