WelcomeI’m proud to welcome you to the summer edition of our newsletter under its new name, Simply Intouch. Our staff entered a competition and the winning entry was received from Tim Crick, one of our Accounts team. Thanks Tim, we love it!

In this edition our Chief Executive Officer Des Benjamin, talks about his time at Simplyhealth. Did you know that he has been the voice we hear on our recent television adverts? Turn to page 2 to find out more.

Summer is here bringing uplifting, warmer days. If a little inspiration is needed for getting out and about, take a look at the ‘mood boosting’ article on page 7. And as we dig out our beloved flip flops or sandals thoughts also turn to our feet so pages 4 and 6 are devoted to the art of cared for, sweet smelling feet.

Thank you to those who told us how much you liked the last newsletter. Don’t forget that if you would like to share your comments about this edition we’d love to hear from you. To get in touch, call on 0800 980 7890 from a landline, or on the low cost mobile contact number 0370 908 3481*. We are open between 9am to 8pm weekdays, and 9am to 5pm on Saturdays. If you prefer you can email us anytime at customer.services@simplyhealth.co.uk or write us a letter to the address shown on the back of this newsletter.

Wherever the summer takes you, I wish you an enjoyable time,

Diane Ward, Editor

*Some mobile networks charge for calls to 0800 numbers. Our 0370 number is free if you have mobile inclusive minutes available. If not it’s still no more expensive than calling numbers staring 01 or 02.

Simply IntouchThe newsletter for our customersSummer edition 2013

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A fond farewell

Spotlight on being bothered

Toe tickling tips

Know your... foot health professionals

Sweet smelling feet

Mood boosting

Dates for diary

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A fond farewell from DesAs you may well already know, after 13 years as Chief Executive of Simplyhealth, I have decided to retire at the end of June. Whilst this is a sad moment for me personally it is also a time to reflect on the many wonderful things that have happened.

If I were in most businesses, I would probably be reflecting on the huge growth in our customer numbers from around 1.5m to 4m, or the successes of our Mergers and Acquisitions, or the strength of our finances, or our new computer technology for example.

However, my reflection after all this time is not that. It is that an organisation is about its people and its relationship with customers and what makes me most proud is the trust that we have with our customers. We’ve done this through good service and through respecting them and their needs as being the central reason for our existance.

We have also fulfilled a second ambition of mine which is that we, as staff, also respect each other and the organisation we work in. We are committed to finding new and better ways of helping our customers achieve their best health.

I think the last thing I am most proud of is that the strength of culture within Simplyhealth gives me great hope that this will continue to be the way for many years to come. We will see lots of change which is right and necessary to meet the new demands of the world as it changes, but our core values and the principles with which Simplyhealth is run will remain focussed on serving people to the best of our ability.

It has been my privilege to lead the team in this way and I now hand over to Romana Abdin who I am confident will raise the bar even higher in this regard.

It just remains for me to wish you, our customers, good health and many happy years ahead.

We help nearly four million people with their health

3We help nearly four million people with their health

Spotlight on ‘being bothered’We’re bothered about our communities

The ethos of doing the right thing flows through the heart of Simplyhealth; for our customers, our employees, and our communities. Following our mutual values, all our profits are either reinvested into the business for the good of our customers, or donated to charities. In 2012 we’re proud to say we gave £1.6 million to charity.

We also help our employees to make the best difference they can in their local communities. To help this happen, we make 200 working days available each

year for our employees to take part in community projects and charitable activities.

Hollie Wilson and Lisa Williams, two of our employees, used their community Days to volunteer for a day with Home-Start, taking a group of children to the local zoo.

Home-Start is a national charity providing a unique service for families by recruiting and training volunteers to support parents with young children at home. They help over 32,000 families every year.

What Hollie and Lisa had to say

Hollie Wilson, Marketing Assistant;

“The community days are a brilliant way to get involved with the community and find out how great charities really are.

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Lisa Williams, Customer Services Advisor;

“ It’s fabulous to have the opportunity to visit charities to see how our funding helps local people. When you see how much of a difference our funding and time makes to people it gives you such a buzz.

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To find out more about Home-Start or to volunteer with them go to www.home-start.co.uk

We’re so proud!

Lisa and Hollie

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Toe tickling tipsWill you be tempted into wearing sandals or going barefoot this summer? Whether young or old, these foot care tips from The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists will help to get your feet in shape for summer.

Give your feet some love

Firstly, keep them clean! Keep toenails short; cut straight across not down at the corners as this can lead to ingrown nails.

Use a foot file, emery board or pumice stone to gently rub away the hard skin, and then apply a rich moisturising cream to soften the skin.

Which shoes today?

Many of us love flip flops in the summer but they don’t give good support to feet. Did you know that wearing them for too long can lead to arch and heel pain? Vary your footwear to support your feet as well as to prevent cracked heels, hard skin and blisters. Go barefoot or wear open toed sandals in hot weather to keep your feet fresh and cool.

Watch out for foot infections

Infections like athlete’s foot and verrucas love communal showers and changing rooms in gyms and public swimming pools. This is when flip flops are the footwear of choice! They protect your feet when you wear them in changing rooms, showers and at the pool edge. Check your feet regularly; infections are easier to treat if you spot them early.

Got a problem with your feet? Your GP or a registered chiropodist or podiatrist can help. To find a local podiatrist go to The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists website; www.scpod.org and click on the membership tab.

You may be able to get NHS treatment from a podiatrist or chiropodist. Some NHS podiatry services offer self referral, so you don’t have to go through your GP.

The feet have more sweat glands than any other part of the body (NHS direct)

5The feet have more sweat glands than any other part of the body (NHS direct)

Know your… foot care professionalsWe understand that healthcare terminology can sometimes be confusing. In each newsletter we will aim to help make some of it clearer. This quarter we look at practitioners who specialise in foot health.

Chiropodist/podiatrist

Chiropodists and podiatrists specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of foot disorders. From common problems like verrucas and smelly feet, to more serious foot and lower limb abnormalities, they can also give advice on how to look after your feet and what type of shoes to wear.

In 1993 the law changed in the UK, and the title of Chiropodist or Podiatrist can now only be used by those professionals who are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council or HCPC. Registration ensures the practitioner meets certain minimum standards of education and continues to do so throughout their professional career.

If you are covered for chiropody on your health plan, you will need to make sure the professional you choose is registered with the HCPC to be able to claim. To check this, search their name on the HCPC website. Just go to www.hcpc-uk.org/check/

Podiatric surgeon

A podiatric surgeon is a podiatrist who has taken specialist training in the surgical treatment of the foot and ankle. Treatment is usually carried out as a day case procedure and often under local anaesthetic.

Foot health care professional

This is the title used by foot health practitioners in the UK who have not registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, either by choice or because their qualifications mean they aren’t eligible to register.

Simplyhealth doesn’t accept claims for treatment received from Foot health professionals. We cover treatment given by professionals registered with the HCPC whose registration confirms they are committed to the highest standards of care and to continuing their professional development

6 The medical name for foot odour is Bromodosis

Sweet smelling feetNo one likes smelly feet and thankfully there are simple things we can do to make sure they stay fresh.

Foot odour is common all year round and bacteria on the skin causes the cheesy odour as it breaks down sweat. Although the smell is mainly caused by sweaty feet, it’s worse when feet aren’t kept clean or if the same shoes are worn every day. An average foot gives off about half a pint of sweat a day so footwear needs time to dry out.

If keeping clean and varying footwear doesn’t work, why not try washing with Hibiscrub, a highly recommended and effective treatment.

Lorraine Jones, a chiropodist and spokeswoman for the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists says;

“ It’s a sure fire way to get rid of smelly feet. Leave the Hibiscrub on for a couple of minutes then wash it off. If you do this twice a day, you’ll definitely banish smelly feet within a week.

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If these suggestions don’t work for you, your GP will be able to offer further help. Don’t be embarrassed to ask; your GP won’t be.

Lots more information can be found by searching ‘smelly feet’ on the NHS choices website www.nhs.uk. Let’s say goodbye to smelly feet!

Always read the label as Hibiscrub isn’t suitable for sensitive or broken skin

7The medical name for foot odour is Bromodosis

Mood boostingGet moving!

Did you know there is strong scientific evidence that regular exercise helps to boost self esteem, mood, sleep quality and energy, as well as reduce the risk of stress, depression, dementia and Alzheimers’s disease? Did you also know that standing up is better for us than sitting down?

Something as simple as a regular walk in the local area could make all the difference. To make it more challenging and beneficial to your health, walk a little faster than usual to raise your heartbeat enough to break into a sweat. Persuade a friend to join you, and start counting towards your recommended 10,000 steps a day together. Don’t be put off by the British weather; there’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes!

You can read more at www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/Pages/whybeactive.aspx

When was the last time you did this…discovered somewhere new?

We are creatures of habit and often stick to places we’re comfortable with, but so much can be missed when we live this way. How about making this summer the time to discover the secrets of your local area or to visit somewhere further afield? Many of us already have places we’d like to visit but haven’t got round to. Places we saw on TV, passed by in the car or a friend has told us about. We have such busy lives but taking time to discover something new can be revitalising, creating memories to be shared for years to come. Don’t know where to start?

How about www.visitbritain.com

Dates for the diary 2013 bank holidays

Please note: our customer service teams and Independent Living Centres are closed on bank holidays. You can still send us an email though and we will reply within two working days. Our email address is customer.services@simplyhealth.co.uk

July 20138-14 July is National Transplant Week - Pass it on

Only 31% of people in the UK are on the Organ Donation Register. With over 10,000 people awaiting transplants, around 1,000 people die each year because not enough organs are available, that’s three people every day.

When a loved one has just died, it’s a difficult time to make the decision to donate an organ, especially as organs have to be donated very soon after death to be used in a transplant. Registering allows us to talk to our loved ones, to let them know how we feel so it isn’t a shock if the worst happens.

If you would like to join the register go to www.transplantweek.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23 or text DONATE to 62323. When you’ve signed up, remember to pass on the message that you’ve registered to your family and friends.

August 201318-25 August is Learning disabilities week

Accessing specialist help for children and adults with learning disabilities can be challenging and confusing. Mencap offers advice and information on issues relating to learning disability, to parents, carers and the wider family, and professionals working with someone with a learning disability.

To find out more about Mencap, learning disabilities or to visit their resource section, go to www.mencap.org.uk

September 20131-7 September is Migraine awareness week

There is still much to be learned about migraine and sufferers often feel alone with their condition. Around 60% never consult their GP because they think nothing can be done to help them, yet there’s a wide range of effective treatments including new products introduced during the past year.

Migraine Action is a charity which provides support to those affected by migraine. They help individuals, families, employers or employees and medical professionals.

To find out more information about migraine and if Migraine Action could help you or someone you know, go to www.migraine.org.uk

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Simplyhealth is a trading name of Simplyhealth Access, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. Simplyhealth Access is registered and incorporated in England and Wales, registered no. 183035. Registered office, Hambleden House, Waterloo Court, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 1LQ. Your calls may be recorded and monitored for training and quality assurance purposes.

26 August Summer bank holiday

25 December Christmas Day

26 December Boxing Day