Competition among medium-sized UK law firms is fierce, with over 70%* expressing concerns about local rivals competing for their business. In this highly competitive landscape, evolution isn't just an option—it's a must. Whether it's boosting productivity, ensuring compliance, or enhancing client experiences, the decision to adopt a new case management system signifies a pivotal moment for any law firm. But what happens before and after the switch? Let's explore the details of this transition and discover essential factors to weigh when navigating this pivotal decision.
*LPM Frontiers Report 2024
- Topic:
- Legal
When your margins are being squeezed, it’s time to look inward and identify the weak points in your internal processes that are costing your business money. And there are wider benefits than just cost savings. An optimised procurement process can ensure a better experience for your guests, secure higher quality products at a lower cost and help you mitigate the risk of procurement challenges.
It’s a familiar scene to us, here at Access Hospitality, we talk to businesses every week who are looking to streamline their internal processes. Perhaps due to rapid expansion of sites or staff or simply business is booming – there are plenty of reasons why you might need to revisit your procurement processes and make them more efficient.
We always like to get back to basics when it comes to hospitality procurement. So, in this article, we outline seven proven strategies to help your business tighten up the procurement process and some top tips for implementing them.
- Topic:
- Hospitality
The topic of NHS staff retention is a tricky one. It’s not that the NHS isn’t a popular public healthcare organisation in the UK, and certainly it’s one of the largest employers nationally. The challenges of staff retention come because of how vital it is to the population, and the demands that come with it.
NHS staff burnout is becoming a widely discussed subject matter. Clinicians in particular are walking away from public healthcare because of the strain NHS health and care work is having on their lives and their wellbeing – whether physical or mental. A 2023 article from The Guardian newspaper stated that a record 170,000 NHS staff quit from NHS England, whilst NHS staff burnout statistics published in the New Statesman report that more than three-quarters of NHS staff have considered quitting due to burnout.
Beyond quitting, there are plenty of NHS staff off sick with stress. Issues with proper management and discipline have seen spikes in cases of NHS staff bullying, but even then, some of that comes from stressed management scrambling to meet standards whilst being short staffed or on a tight budget.
NHS bank staff are people who can work flexibly for a trust or health board within the UK, and this accommodation of their personal lives is certainly one way to support NHS staff retention, but it’s not enough on its own. In this article we discuss the NHS staff retention report, the challenge of staff vacancies, how the NHS can improve staff retention – and any associated strategies – before delivering our take on what the next step should be.
With continued investment into the development and improvement of our software, Access Construction is now launching a new version of its popular ConQuest estimating system – Access ConQuest 7.
- Topic:
- Construction
Collaboration is not a new concept, but NHS England mandated as of July 2022 that all NHS trusts providing either acute care or mental health services must join a provider collaborative.
This was done in the same move that introduced integrated care boards and integrated care systems, and it’s within these systems that provider collaboratives sit; another aspect of joined-up operations designed to reduce waste and improve efficiency within an ever-busier NHS.
Due to devolution, many NHS changes start out in NHS England (NHSE) first, so NHS trusts were chosen to be the starting point and to work with community trusts, ambulance trusts, and the VCSE sector (where appropriate) in order to enhance care provision and service availability via better leverage of finances.
In this article we will look at what provider collaboration looks like; how collaboration is organised, who manages it, who has the authority, and the benefits involved. We’ll also offer guidance on how these groups could improve their cooperation and open more channels of communication, but first, lets explain what provider collaboratives are.
Fuel banks, sometimes called warmbanks, are simple but innovative solutions to protect people from fuel poverty. No one should be forced to choose whether to put food on the table or heat their homes.
It is estimated that currently, between 4.1 million and 7.3 million households are living in fuel poverty, with half of these households expected to be family homes with young children.
Living in cold homes can be detrimental to both an individual’s physical and mental health regardless of their age and it is estimated that fuel poverty is costing the NHS an estimated £1.4 billion a year.
Fuel banks therefore offer a solution to enable individuals to live in happier, healthier, and warmer homes by addressing how someone’s health starts at home and offering solutions to overcome the current housing issues facing the UK to prevent further deterioration of health.
But what are fuel banks? How do they work? And how can they reduce the increasing public health pressures on the NHS?
By the end of this article, you should know everything about fuel banks including how they work, who funds them, and most importantly who can use them and where to find them. In this article, we will also explain how social prescribing in housing can also help fuel banks develop further so more people in need can be helped to prevent further dependency on primary and emergency care.
Fuel poverty can be defined in multiple ways across the UK. The fuel poverty strategy across England specifically focuses on prioritising low-income households for energy efficiency support aimed at reducing income poverty.
It is estimated that 6 million UK households are currently in fuel poverty, unable to afford to heat their homes to a temperature needed to keep warm and healthy, a 2 million household increase since 2021.
But what is fuel poverty? What causes fuel poverty, what are the impacts, and how can fuel poverty awareness be raised to help increase funding and tackle fuel poverty so everyone can live in warmer, healthier, and safer homes?
At Access Elemental Social Prescribing, we know how the wider social determinants of health impact physical and mental wellbeing, with housing being a main example.
This article will explain how fuel poverty is defined and measured, what causes it, the outcomes, and methods to tackle fuel poverty to improve quality of life.
By explaining the benefits of social prescribing in housing, this article will explain how providing the right support helps to tackle fuel poverty by not just supporting households now but in the future too.
With the summer season upon us, the demand for venues with outdoor spaces is at an all-time high. A quick glance at the search volume surrounding ‘outdoor pub’, ‘outdoor restaurants near me’ and ‘best rooftop bar’ reveals a significant shift in consumer preferences. It's clear that people are actively seeking establishments that offer an inviting and comfortable outside area. As a pub, bar or restaurant operator, capitalising on this seasonal trend presents a golden opportunity to attract more visitors and enhance their overall experience.
Our friends at DesignMyNight and our online booking software specialists here at Access Hospitality know a thing or two about highlighting and promoting your venue’s USPs. We help hospitality venue operators highlight their unique strengths and promote venues to hundreds of hospitality-hungry consumers in UK cities.
In this article, we will delve into effective strategies for optimising your outside space and explore innovative ways to promote it, ensuring that your venue becomes a top choice for customers seeking the perfect summer destination.
- Topic:
- Hospitality
Following the record-breaking viewership of Euro 2020 and the ever-growing popularity of football, this year's tournament promises even more excitement.
Kicking off on June 14, 2024, the 17th edition of the UEFA European Championship is set to be one of the biggest sporting events of the year, with the total revenue of EURO 2020, the previous tournament, amounting to nearly 1.9 billion euros.
With England having the highest chance of winning EURO 2024, with a 20 per cent chance of success, this year's tournament spells a huge opportunity for pubs and bars. To drive engagement and maximise profits during Euro 2024, it's time for operators to start planning their activities.
Talking to The Guardian newspaper, BBC head of TV Sport said the year's summer "promises to be very memorable" with the Euro, Olympics and Wimbledon to look forward to.
At Access, we work closely with pubs and bars to streamline operations and maximise guest experiences during major sporting events. With Euro 2024 on the horizon, let's explore how our solutions can help you score big this tournament season.
In this article, we will cover essential tips on promotions, bookings, events, and more to help you create a winning Euro 2024 experience.
- Topic:
- Hospitality
In the dynamic landscape of remote work, the benefits of flexibility and autonomy are accompanied by the potential pitfalls of burnout. It has become crucial to recognise and address the subtle indicators of staff burnout. In this article, we explore three warning signs that may signal your team members are experiencing the detrimental effects of excessive stress and fatigue while working from home.
By understanding these red flags, employers can proactively implement strategies to grow a healthier work environment and support their staff's wellbeing in the virtual realm.
