The latest guidance on swine flu vaccination for healthcare professionals is now available. It will be published as a learning module on BMJ Learning and as a downloadable audio file on the BMJ's pandemic flu microsite (www.pandemicflu.bmj.com).   The 30 minute podcast contains advice on vaccination for healthcare staff including information on where to inject the vaccine and how best to store it. The podcast also covers safety issues and concerns about vaccination and pregnancy.   On the podcast a distinguished panel of experts answers questions sent in to BMJ Learning (the medical education arm of the BMJ Group) by doctors, nurses and pharmacists.   On the panel are Professor Lyndsey Davies, National Director for pandemic flu preparedness, Dr Jane Zuckerman Director WHO Collaborating Centre for Travel Medicine and Professor Vivienne Nathanson, Director of Professional Activities at the BMA. 

- Number of registered beds at period end 1338  (2008: 1250) - Average occupancy during the period remained high despite the addition of 88 new beds, which are included within the average overall occupancy of 96% (2007/8: 98%) - Staffing costs ratio as a percentage of Revenue reduced to 43% (2008: 44%) - Average weekly fee for 2009 is up 5% to £457 (2008: £435)  - Revenue increased by 7.9% to £28.5m (2008: £26.4m) - EBITDA is up £500k (+6%) - PBIT up by £200k (+3%) - PBT up £400k (+13%) - Service quality: 96% (all but one) of Meridian care centres have attained a 3 or 2 star rating by CQC.

Core Facts Meet Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen, CEO of Vestergaard Frandsen S.A., as he accepts his award at The Economist’s Innovation Awards Ceremony in London on October 29th.

- Half a century ago, Vestergaard Frandsen produced uniforms for hotel and supermarket workers. Today, he is recognised for turning social responsibility into his company’s core business by focusing its resources on solving some of the developing world’s greatest health problems. The Economist is delighted to announce Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen as the winner of this year’s Social and Economic Innovation Award. - The Global Malaria Action Plan estimates that 730m mosquito nets must be delivered worldwide to achieve its goal of near-zero deaths by 2015. European-based Vestergaard Frandsen S.A. has to date delivered 175m of its PermaNet 2.0, one of only two long-lasting mosquito nets worldwide that have a World Health Organisation Pesticide Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES) full recommendation.

The number of personal injury claims filed against employers as a result of slips, trips and falls may decline as a result of the passing of a new motion stating that women should be allowed to wear comfortable shoes at work, Claims Helpline has announced.

The UK based claims firm has stated today, that it agrees with the move as not only has wearing high heels on a regular basis been proven to be a health risk, but it also increases the likeliness of suffering injuries from a fall.

According to Director, James Blackmore of Claims Helpline, the move, introduced by The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, may reduce the number of work accident claims made as a result.