Latest News

When in the Gym


Health Matters actively encourages a positive lifestyle including healthy eating and keeping fit. Many people excerise from time to time, whether hopping on an exercise bike at home or going for a jog around the block. However joining a gym for health benefits takes your workout to a new level.

New 'fit note' to replace Doctor's sick note


Statement of Fitness for Work (Fit Note)

Health Matters sponsors local schools 'super 8' Biathlon


It is not every day that you have the chance to meet a UK Olympic medalist. For over 90 girls from Bablake Senior and Junior School, Solihull, Holy Trinity Primary (Kidderminster) and Allesley Park Primary, that dream has just come true.

Health Matters Attend the Leaders' Forum and Exhibition 2010 London


The 2010 Leaders` Forum and Exhibition was held at the Lancaster London Hotel, London on 11th - 12th March.  Health Matters was delighted to have had the opportunity to be at event hosting an exhibition-stand over the two days.

Health & Wellbeing at Work Exhibition, NEC 2010


Health & Wellbeing at Work is the UK`s leading event for HR and occupational health professional, rehabilitation and therapy specialists, disability employment advisors, ergonomists and other professionals responsible for the environment, health and wellbeing of work-aged people.

AXA PPP Healthcare Cancer Cover Policy


What is AXA PPP Healthcare cancer cover policy? Please see the document below for details:

Groupama Cancer Cover Policy


Whats is Groupama`s cancer cover policy? Please see the document below for details:

PRU Health Cancer Cover Policy


What is PRU Health`s cancer cover policy? Please see the document below for details:

Simplyhealth Cancer Cover Policy


What is Simplyhealth`s cancer cover policy? please see the document below for details:

Aviva Cancer Cover Policy


What is Aviva`s cancer cover policy? Please see the document below for details:

Health Matters Community Outreach Programme


Welcome to the Health Matters Community Outreach Programme (COP). At Health Matters we recognise the need to make a positive contribution to the community. The concept of thinking globally and acting locally is not lost on us – this is our corporate social responsibility.

Boosting morale in the workplace


Getting the best out of your workforce

EAP - Industry News Update


PPC Worldwide and OptumHealth confirm merger

James Henson appointed as Sales Director to Health Matters (UK) Limited


Health Matters (UK) LTD, has announced the appointment of James Henson to their Senior Management Team as Sales Director.

Employee Benefits Live 2009 Health Matters Prize-Draw winner


Congratulations! to Becky Garroch, the HR Specialist at the Hannover Services (UK) Ltd. Becky was the lucky winner of a bottle of Champagne from the Health Matters Prize-Draw at the recent Employee Benefits Live 2009 Exhibition in London.

EAP-Counselling in Block


EAP-Counselling in Block

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)


This News Article is for people that have Seasonal Affective (or mood) Disorder (SAD), or who would like information about it.

Chickenpox


This factsheet is for people who have chickenpox, parents of children with chickenpox and for people who would like information about it.

Take a chance on me


Have you ever shaken a magic eight ball or tossed a coin to help you come to a decision?

Stress Busting Tips


Most people tend to only associate stress with major life issues such as financial hardship or divorce, but a huge amount of our anxiety comes from minor day to day annoyances. When these build up they undermine our natural ability to cope, leaving us feeling tired, irritable and making stress more infectious.

Withdrawal symptoms of smoking


Physical withdrawal from nicotine is temporary, but it can be uncomfortable while it lasts. The following list contains commonly reported symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Most people experience some of these, but rarely all of them. Each person goes through this phase of recovery from nicotine addiction a little differently.

Danger signs for people with Influenza A (H1N1) Swine flu


Clinicians, patients, and those providing home-based care need to be alert to danger signs that can signal progression to more sever disease.

Pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccine manufacturing process and timeline


Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 briefing 6 August 2009 Geneva

Influenza A (H1N1) swine flu what can i do?


What can I do to protect myself from catching influenza A (H1N1)?

Height To Weight Ratio


Are you the right weight for your height? Use this link to see the height to weight ratio chart.

Why tackling stress in your business is important


The cost of neglecting stress in your business can be high. Stress is sometimes overlooked as a health and safety issue by small businesses. The unexpected absence of just one member of staff can affect productivity, and efforts to secure cover can be costly and time-consuming.

Influenza A (H1N1) effected areas


Countries with confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1) 2009 in the European Region (46):

Many employers still unprepared for managing HR issues related to H1N1


Approximately two in five employers (41 percent) do not have a human resources (HR) policy in place for health-related emergencies, yet many acknowledge they have employees in areas where cases of influenza A (H1N1) or "swine flu" have been confirmed, according to a new Mercer snapshot survey.

WHO declares pandemic, but severity is moderate


On 11 June 2009, the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 was declared.

Influenza A (H1N1) advice for the public


This article is intended to give advice for people caring for someone with influenza A (H1N1) symptoms or themeselves have symptoms.

Instant quote engine for Bupa's ClientChoice products


Bupa`s ClientChoice product quotes can now be quickly and easily obtained with our new instant quote engine.

Employees who smoke are costing employers £2.1 billion a year


Commissioned by the NHS smokefree, The London School of Economics report includes a new formula giving employers a snapshot of the costs they actually bear when smokers are absent due to illness, or take a cigarette break. In Yorkshire alone the cost to businesses in the region is £160.

Good sickness-absence practice will keep companies healthy through pandemic


Employers who manage sickness absence consistently "have nothing to fear" from emergency plans to allow staff to self-certify sick leave for up to two weeks in response to the swine flu pandemic, according to the CIPD.

Influenza A (H1N1) update


Latest influenza A (H1N1) information

Group life cover and swine flu - Your questions answered


In relation to recent events concerning swine flu and following a number of queries we can confirm the following questions:

Should I ice or heat my injury


Icing and heating both do similar things, they both stimulate blood flow to the area. When heating the blood is sent to the area to cool it down. That brings more oxygen and nutrients, and removes waste products which help heal the tissue. When icing the blood is sent to warm it up and promote healing.

Omega-3


A large number of omega-3 products have been hitting the supermarket shelves including fruit juices, margarines, spreads, breads and eggs with many claiming wonderful things.

Tooth care


Taking care of teeth is essential we need our teeth to chew food and speak clearly, teeth even effects the appearance of our face and our smile.

Giving up smoking


Smoking is the biggest cause of preventable death in the UK. Around 114,000 people in the UK die prematurely every year because they smoked.

Snoring


Snoring is thought to affect as many as 4 out of 10 men and up to three out of ten women.

Alcohol


In this article we are going to help you to understand units when it comes to alcohol and what it does to your body both physically and mentally.

Travelling with children


Will you be going away this summer? Taking the kids with you? There are a number of things you may or may not know that you should be aware of when holidaying with children.

What to take


The most important thing to take on holiday is you, in the best health possible. If you`ve been putting off a dental check-up or any other routine medical matters, consider dealing with these before you leave. Medical and dental care outside Europe may not meet EU standards and can be expensive.

Food and Drink abroad


It may be tempting to try new foods when going abroad but be aware that some foods can upset the stomach especially if not cooked properly, and the last thing you want is to have traveller`s diarrhoea.

Traveller's Diarrhoea


Be aware of Traveller`s Diarrhoea, it is the most common illness affecting travellers. It can be caused by many different bacteria, viruses and parasites, many of which are widespread worldwide.

Share the love


Health matters has now added bookmarking and sharing capabilities to our news articles, allowing you to bookmark and share our news that you find important and interesting with popular social networking websites.

Swine Flu Influenza A (H1N1) update


What is the latest influenza A (H1N1) information?

Hand washing


It may seem obvious, but washing your hands is the most effective thing you can do to help prevent the spread of infection when you`re visiting a hospital or another similar environment, like a care home.

How to help Bee and Wasp stings


Bees and Wasps can be a large nuisance during the summer time. Always do your best to avoid these flying insects but if you are stung, here are things to help ease the pain.

Is cracking your fingers bad?


You may have grown up under the impression that cracking your fingers could cause harm. Personally, I can remember my mother telling me that it would cause arthritis. But in fact, cracking your knuckles will cause you no harm.

Safety Matters


Welcome to Safety Matters, your guide to what is new in the world of health and safety.

Cure Headaches without the use of medicine


A headache is almost never located in the brain infact there is not much ability at all to sense pain in the mass of the brain. Surgeaons for instance do not use anaesthetics on the brain when they perform brain surgery.

Sun protection


Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK and the number of people who develop it is increasing. The majority of cases are caused by ultraviolet radiation from the sun or sun beds. Health Maters have made a simple guide to help you protect yourself this summer.

UVA, SPF, Pollen count! What does it all mean?


Summer officially starts on the 21st June, so you`re going to be hearing a lot about protecting yourself from the sun and how to control your allergies but what do all the abbreviations mean? Fear not Health Matters are here to help you understand just what it is you need to know.

If i could turn back time...


No one likes to think about getting older, but what if you could learn the secrets to a longer life?

HR in Housing 2009


Health Matters recently hosted for the fourth year running an exhibition stand at the HR in Housing Conference & Exhibition, organised by the National Housing Federation (NHF).  The 12th & 13th May event was held in Sheffield at the Mercure St Paul`s Hotel.

Sleep: the big payback


Eight hours spent lying down and unconscious—you’re not actively doing anything so it’s a waste of time, right?

Hayfever


Suffer from hayfever?

Swine Flu Q & A


Swine flu is a form of influenza that originated in pigs but can be caught by, and spread among, people.

NHF Finance Exhibition 2009, Prize Draw Winner


Congratulations to Steph Begley, Director of Finance for Poplar Harca.  Steph won the Bottle of Champagne from the Health Matters prize-draw following her visit to the National Housing Federation (NHF) Finance Conference & Exhibition held at Warwick University.

Diabetes


Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a condition where the amount of glucose in the blood is too high because the body cannot use it properly. Glucose comes from the digestion of carbohydrate containing food and drinks and is also produced by the liver.

Income Tax Exemption for Welfare Counselling - Legal & Financial Advice


We are pleased to advise that the Employee Assistance Professional Association UK (EAPA UK) has now successfully reached an agreement with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) on how the provision of an EAP can work within the existing tax exemption under welfare counselling.

Tonights Special Guest is!... Mr Simon Hurley-Smith!


Health Matters MD, Simon Hurley-Smith was invited to the Coventry & Warwickshire Employer of Choice Awards 2008 to present the Health & Wellbeing Winners with their Awards. Over 200 people, representing 48 businesses from across Coventry and Warwickshire were at the awards held at Dunchurch Park Hotel on Thursday 4th December 2008.

Simon Hurley-Smith voted into the 50 most Influential Corporate healthcare Magazine


Simon

Simons article from The 50 most Influential Corporate Healthcare Intermediaries

We have a Winner !


Congratulations! to Maria Lloyd the Senior HR Advisor at the British Museum. Maria was the lucky winner of the Health Matters Prize-Draw from the recent Employee Benefits 2008 Exhibition in London.

National Housing Federation - Subscriber


National Housing Federation - Subscriber

Housing Reform Debate


Housing Reform Logo

Welcome to the housing reform debate: 

HR in Housing 2008, Prize Draw Winner


Health Matters were delighted to be involved in the HR in Housing Exhibition recently held in Central Birmingham.

HR in Housing 2008, Birmingham


Health Matters was delighted to host an exhibition stand at the 2008 HR in Housing Show that was held in central Birmingham.

HR Show 2008, Manchester


HR Show 2008

Health Matters was delighted to host an exhibition stand at the 2008 Manchester based HR Show.  Pictured are James (left) Simon (centre) Brian (right) of Health Matters.  The three man team spent two days at the show talking to many HR professionals about the advantages, benefits and cash savings to be had when buying Employee Benefits through a broker, especially when buying from Health Matters.

Success at the annual Health Insurance Awards 2007


Valerie and Simon at the Health insurance Awards 2007

We are very pleased to announce the success of our Sales Adviser, Valerie Aoulou, at the 2007 Health Insurance Awards.  

Employee Benefits Exhibition October 2007


Stand at Employee benefits Exhibition October 2007

Health Matters is delighted to have taken a stand at the Employee Benefits Exhibition at the London Design Centre.  The Exhibition was a great success for us and not just because we were able to meet up with many of our existing clients but we were also able to demonstrate our services to some interested organisations.

Health Matters - Management Team Building Activity July 07


Health Matters Team Building Event

During the summer our Sales Management Team took part in a Team Building Experience on the Grand Union Canal.   The day was a complete success with the whole team working together.  The sunny weather really helped !

The Future of Cancer Treatment


The Future of Cancer Treatment within the Private Sector

National Recognition for Healthy Business


Health Matters Logo

A Health Insurance brokerage has picked up double honours in a top industry competition.

HR in Housing 2007, Manchester


Picture of Amanda Livermore collecting her prize from Brian Taylor

Our sister company Employee Matters are delighted to have been involved in the HR in Housing Exhibition recently held at the Manchester Hilton, hosted by the National Housing Federation (NHF).

Health Matters at Healthy Workforce Awards


Simon Hurley-Smith giving award to Madeleine Glaisher

Simon Hurley-Smith of Health Matters (UK) Limited awarding Madeleine Glaisher, Deputy Chief Executive at Bethnall Green and Victoria Park Housing Association Limited with the Healthy Workforce Award and Certificate sponsored by HealthSure

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BESMA event on the 27th May

James Henson, HM Sales Director (pictured left) attended the prestigious BESMA event on the...

Jonathan Driffill of Friendship Care and Housing

Following the National Housing Federation’s (NHF) Leaders’ Forum held back in March at the...

Health Matters sponsors local schools 'super 8' Biathlon

It is not every day that you have the chance to meet a UK Olympic medalist. For over 90 girls...