Author: Dawn Evans

Keep Warm this Winter

Posted on by Dawn Evans
Cold weather can affect your health. Find out how to keep yourself well and your home warm during winter.

Why is cold weather a problem?

When the temperature drops to below 8C, some people are at increased risk of:

  • heart attack
  • stroke
  • flu
  • pneumonia
  • falls and injuries
  • hypothermia

Cold weather can also affect people with mental health conditions, such as depression and dementia.

Who’s most at risk?

Very cold weather can affect anyone, but you are most vulnerable if:

  • you’re 65 or older
  • you’re on a low income (so can’t afford heating)
  • you have a long-term health condition, such as heart, lung or kidney disease
  • you’re disabled
  • you’re pregnant
  • you have young children (newborn to school age)
  • you have a mental health condition

Be prepared

The Met Office provides weather forecasts on radio and TV, so listen in to these bulletins regularly to keep up-to-date with the weather.

Severe weather warnings are also issued on the Met Office website, through the Met Office Twitter feed, or you can call the Weather Desk on 0370 900 0100 or 01392 885 680.

The Met office also has advice on getting ready for winter.

This includes suggestions for practical things you can do to prepare for winter weather, including cold, ice and snow, high winds and flooding.

How to keep your home warm

Follow these tips to keep you and your family warm and well at home:

  • if you’re not very mobile, are 65 or over, or have a health condition, such as heart or lung disease, heat your home to at least 18C (65F)
  • keep your bedroom at 18C all night if you can – and keep the bedroom window closed
  • during the day you may prefer your living room to be slightly warmer than 18C
  • to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), babies should sleep in rooms heated to between 16C and 20C
  • if you’re under 65, healthy and active, you can safely have your home cooler than 18C, if you’re comfortable
  • draw curtains at dusk and keep doors closed to block out draughts
  • get your heating system checked regularly by a qualified professional

Protect your health in the cold

If you start to feel unwell, even if it’s a cough or cold, don’t wait until it gets more serious. Seek advice from your pharmacist.

Follow these tips on keeping well in the cold:

  • find out if you can get the flu jab for free on the NHS
  • wear several layers of clothes rather than 1 chunky layer – clothes made from cotton, wool or fleecy fibres help to maintain body heat
  • use a hot water bottle or electric blanket to keep warm in bed – but don’t use both at the same time
  • have at least 1 hot meal a day – eating regularly helps keep you warm; and make sure you have hot drinks regularly
  • try not to sit still for more than an hour or so indoors – get up and stretch your legs
  • stay active – even moderate exercise can help keep you warm
  • wrap a scarf loosely around your mouth when outdoors – add a hat and wear shoes with a good grip, too
  • if you have a heart or respiratory problem, stay indoors during very cold weather

Look in on vulnerable neighbours and relatives

Check up on older neighbours and relatives, and those with heart or respiratory (breathing) problems, to make sure they:

  • are safe and well
  • are warm enough, especially at night
  • have stocks of food and medicines so they don’t need to go out during very cold weather

If you’re worried about a relative or elderly neighbour, contact your local council or call the Age UK helpline on 0800 678 1174 (8am to 7pm every day).

If you’re concerned that the person may be suffering from hypothermia, contact NHS 111.

Time for Defibruary!

Posted on by Dawn Evans

Around 30,000 people in Britain every year suffer a sudden cardiac arrest in the community and around 8,000 people suffer in Wales from the same reason. They can affect anyone at any time – from young children at school, to adults when they are at work or at home. In that case it seems to be important to know what a defibrillator is, how to use it and where to find it – isn’t it?

What does #defibruary actually stands for?

The combination of words defibrillator and February aims to create an action which will increase the awareness of defibrillators importance. The Welsh Ambulance Service dedicated the whole month for educating people how to use those lifesaving devices to decrease the negative effects of cardiac arrests. The victim’s chances for survival are close to 90% if defibrillator is used within the first minute of collapse. For every minute that defibrillation is delayed, survival decreases by 7% to 10%. Delay for over 10 minutes decreases the chance of survival in adults to less than 5 percent. The greater knowledge about defibrillators the greater chances to save lives!

Defibrillators – all you need to know

Defibrillator called also AED – automated external defibrillator is a portable lifesaving device used to administer an electric shock to the heart and restore the heart’s normal rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest. If the heart can be shocked quickly with an AED, a normal heart rhythm may be restored. Due to being portable, automated and easy to use defibrillators can be used in public places and at home.

How to use them?

Although not all defibrillators look the same, they function broadly in the same way. The most important thing you can do if you come across the unconscious and unresponsive person is to call 999 and start CPR to keep the blood flowing in the organism. Every minute without CPR and defibrillation after experiencing a heart attack reduces someone’s chance of survival by 10%. If you do have a defibrillator these are a few steps that you need to follow:

  1. Turn the defibrillator on with the green button and follow its instructions.
  2. Peel off the sticky pads and attach them to the patient’s skin as it’s shown in the picture on the defibrillator (one on each side of the chest).
  3. Once you attach the pads, stop CPR and don’t touch the patient.
  4. The defibrillator will analyse the patient’s heartbeat and assess whether a shock is needed and if so, it will tell you to press the shock button (an automatic defibrillator will shock the patient without prompt).
  5. The defibrillator will tell you when the shock has been delivered and whether you need to continue CPR.
  6. If so, continue with CPR procedure until the patient shows signs of life or the defibrillator tells you to stop so it can analyse the heartbeat again, or until the ambulance arrives.

Locate your nearest AED

Make sure that you know where the nearest defibrillator in your area is. The AED location map can be found at http://www.heartsafe.org.uk/aed-locations. It has developed over 12 years to assist people living in communities to know in advance where their local public defibrillator may be positioned in case of emergency. These are places in Cardiff where you can find AEDs:

Importance of AED in your workplace

Every workplace has to invest in certain items to protect its staff members and keep them safe from harm. These include first aid kits, fire blankets and fire distinguishers. However, AED is often left off the list and so we have to make sure that this lifesaving device is located in our workplace. Survival rates of sudden cardiac arrests are very low – without immediate treatment, a massive 90 to 95% of SCA victims will not survive. For optimum survival rates, a person suffering from an SCA needs a shock from a defibrillator.

A shocking 13% of workplace fatalities are due to someone suffering from SCA, which just shows how important it is to have a defibrillator in the workplace. Business owners and HR managers need to understand the risks. When it comes to SCAs, the severity of the potential risk is incredibly high. For the cost of a new computer or a round of drinks at the office party, you could purchase a device that can, quite literally, be the difference between life and death.

Apart from having the AED at your workplace, managers should also prepare their workers for various situations by giving them specific first aid trainings. Our company can help you deliver them to both your workplace and individually. Check out our classroom and online training courses at https://www.ajuda.org.uk/ and make sure your workers can feel safe at the workplace!

JOIN #defibruary

This campaign exists to raise awareness of the impact of using a defibrillator. It also encourages the public to sign up to free first aid training classes and to raise money and fundraise to place more defibrillators within the community. At https://www.thewave.co.uk/news/local/welsh-ambulance-live-saving-campaign/ you can find all the additional information about the action and some materials to share. We encourage you to be the part of it and help us spread awareness!

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Be the one who makes a change!

Become a first aider this February

Posted on by Dawn Evans

The workplace can seem like a safe place, but, there are risks you wouldn’t think of until they happen. An accident can occur at any time and if it did, who in the workplace is trained to help? It is a legal requirement as a company to ensure your employees receive immediate attention. Here are 10 reasons why you should consider First Aid Training for employees. 

1. It can save lives

2. Reduce the number of workplace accidents

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3. Positive work environment

4. Your company will be safer place to work

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5. First aid kits are used properly

6. It can reduce recovery time

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7. It can keep employees safe outside of the workplace

8. It’s a great team-building exercise

9. It gives your employees confidence and clarity during an emergency
First aid training doesn’t just teach your staff how to treat patients in need of first aid, it also gives them confidence and effectively manage an emergency without fear, confusion or overwhelm.

10. The cost of a First Aid at Work Training course is nothing compared to that of potentially saving a live.
Providing first aid and CPR training doesn’t cost much, but it will go a long way to ensuring workplace health and safety.

If this has given you something to think about we have many Training Courses available at Ajuda Training Academy, take a look at our course calendar, give us a call on 02920 576883, or email admin@ajuda.org.uk

First Aid at Work – 3 Day course

27th, 28th February & 1st March

27th – 28th March

24th – 26th April

£230 + vat per person

https://www.ajuda.org.uk/shop/courses/first-aid/level-3-award-in-emergency-first-aid-at-work-rqf/

AEDs

Book here

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Posted on by Dawn Evans

We are closing at 12pm on the 23rd December 2022 and re-opening on the 9th January 2023.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your custom over the past year, and wish all of our clients, old and new, a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.

2022 has been a special year for us at Ajuda and we are looking forward to what is to come in the new year.

Our open courses will be running throughout 2023 at our training academy in Cardiff Bay. Please click here to view the full list of our 2023 open courses.

Enjoy your break and we’ll see you in 2023!

Toasty Tips: How to keep warm through Winter

Posted on by Dawn Evans

Cold Weather

With colder weather on the way, it’s really important to remain fit and healthy at this time of year to help your body fight off the common colds and viruses that are circulating. Eating well, wrapping up warm and carefully planning your journeys are simple ways stay safe during winter.

This blog highlights some of the first aid tips you may require over the winter months and potential hazards to look out for.

Keep warm

It is essential to maintain body heat during winter to avoid hypothermia.

Ideally, the temperature indoors should be at least 18 degrees. If you cannot afford to keep the heating on all winter (it can really add up!) then keep adding the layers, have accessible blankets around the house and hot water bottles which are particularly useful and a cost-effective way to keep extra warm indoors.

If you are venturing outside, ensure to wrap up warm and add layers such as, hats, scarves and gloves to prevent you from getting too cold.

Unfortunately, hypothermia is a huge danger at this time of year. The number of hypothermia deaths has doubled over the last five years.  It is really important to learn the signs of hypothermia which include pale and cold skin, shallow breathing, a weak pulse and disorientation.  If you suspect someone is suffering from hypothermia, then it is vital to encourage the to undertake the following:

– Slowly restore warmth and get indoors if they are not already

– Begin CPR if necessary

– If they are conscious, give them a warm drink such as

– Keep their body temperature up by wrapping them in blankets

Further tips for keeping warm and staying safe:

– Wear several light layers rather than one chunky layer

– Regular hot drinks and meals

– Be very careful around open fire

– Close the curtains after dark to keep away drafts

– Keep your hands clean to reduce germs spreading

– Stay active

– Keep windows closed at night

Keep healthy and fight the cold

As mentioned in the introduction, cold weather can have a detrimental impact on your health. There are many preventative measures that can be taken to ensure that you are fit and healthy throughout the winter months and avoiding sickness:

–  Enquire about getting the flu jab

–  Take multivitamins

–  Maintain a healthy diet

–  Have hot meals and drinks where possible

–  Invest in a hat, scarf and gloves and a good coat

–  Exercise and keeping active helps to maintain body heat amongst many other health benefits

When the temperature drops to below 8 °C some people particularly vulnerable people such as young children, people with existing health conditions, people with a low income and elderly people become at risk of various problems:

– Heart attack

– Stroke

– Pneumonia

– Falls and injuries

– Hypothermia

Travel safely

During the winter, travelling can become particularly hazardous. Take extra care when walking outdoors as footpaths can become slippery. Invest in a sensible pair of shoes with good grip to help to prevent slips and trips.

If you are driving, it is important to be aware that the roads can become slippery and dangerous. It is a good idea to have a winter first aid kit stocked in the car including blankets and water in case you break down. Other driving essentials during this time of year include an ice scraper, winter screen wash, de-icer and a foil blanket.

We hope that this blog has given you some basic ideas about how to stay safe during winter.

As well as ensuring that you take all of these measures to stay healthy, please look out for vulnerable people and do what you can to help them to keep warm. Perhaps consider donating blankets, hot water bottles and tinned food to those in need. Drive calmly and safely to prevent being involved in an accident.

If you are interested in learning more about learning basic first aid skills, please book yourself a place on one of our open first aid courses.

10 Benefits of First Aid Training in the Workplace

Posted on by Dawn Evans

The office can seem like a safe place to work, but, there are risks you wouldn’t think of until they happen. An accident can occur at any time and if it did, who in the workplace is trained to help? It is a legal requirement as a company to ensure your employees receive immediate attention. Here are 10 reasons why you should consider First Aid Training for employees.

1. It can save lives

This may seem like the most obvious reason, but it is proved that first aid saves lives. If there is an accident in the office is anyone trained to come to the rescue? First aid training gives your staff the confidence and ability to react immediately to an incident, injury or illness. CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) has been reported that many lives have been saved due to fast reaction CPR. This would have been given during critical and life-threatening accidents, injuries or health complications in the workplace.

2. Reduce the number of workplace accidents

First aid training helps employees learn to be more conscious of safety in the workplace, leading to a reduced number of accidents and injuries. Minimizing risk to workers and decreasing workplace incidents is a benefit to everyone, but for employers it has implications within all aspects of business operations. All employees become more safety aware, helping to bring down the number of accidents.

3. Positive work environment

By making first aid training available to employees, employers can show their workforce that they care about providing a safe work environment. First aid training provided in the workplace can even be used as an excellent team-building exercise and morale booster. Employee morale is an integral part of any company. High morale leads to positive attitudes and positive attitudes lead to positive results. The happiness and wellbeing of your employees will help you build a strong relationship, ultimately resulting in a better working environment. First aid training will help ensure employee health and safety in addition to enhanced wellbeing and morale.

4. Your company will be safer place to work

Many large companies give first aid as part of employee training; this is a very wise option because it guarantees they can all look out for one another. If an accident happens at work; employees may be able to prevent further injury to the victim of the accident. First aid courses in the work place promote safer practice amongst employees.

5. First aid kits are used properly

Not only will your employees know exactly what should be in the first aid kit and be able to maintain it properly, they’ll be able to use them effectively in an emergency. They will know where to access it quickly – again saving time and reducing the impact of the illness or injury. First aid trainees know exactly what’s in their first aid kits, how to use the contents, and the various ways to react in an emergency. In a beneficial way, it makes each employee an unofficial health and safety risk manager.

6. It can reduce recovery time

Rapid reaction to illness or injury, before further aid such as an ambulance arrives can not only save lives, but in addition, will reduce recovery time of the patient. If that patient is a member of staff, that means they’ll be back to work quicker, with less impact on the business.

7. It can keep employees safe outside of the workplace

It’s not just in the workplace where good first aid training is paramount – employees will have those skills for life, especially if you maintain ongoing refresher courses. This means they can treat themselves, their family and friends and the public effectively in an emergency.

8. It’s a great team-building exercise

When your staff get the opportunity to learn a skill together, one that will help them look after one another, it brings them closer together. Many teams have reported more awareness of their co-workers wellbeing following first aid training.

9. It gives your employees confidence and clarity during an emergency

First aid training doesn’t just teach your staff how to treat patients in need of first aid, it also gives them confidence and effectively manage an emergency without fear, confusion or overwhelm.

10. The cost of a First Aid at Work Training course is nothing compared to that of potentially saving a live.

Providing first aid and CPR training doesn’t cost much, but it will go a long way to ensuring workplace health and safety.

If this has given you something to think about we have many Training Courses available at Ajuda Training Academy, take a look at our course calendar, give us a call on 02920 576883, or email admin@ajuda.org.uk

Or you can book a course online here

Follow us on Facebook or Twitter and see our tips and advice on all things #FirstAid

Mental Health Awareness Week 18th – 24th May 2020

Posted on by Dawn Evans

Ways of getting involved in Mental Health Awareness Week. 

Today marks the first day of Mental Health Awareness Week, and as you know the Ajuda team are very passionate about raising awareness of mental health and supporting people to become more knowledgeable in supporting others.

A large portion of our work at the Cardiff office is focussed around not only providing award-winning Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid courses, but also organising successful and popular live events in Cardiff which would ordinarily welcome thousands of people.

Due to obvious circumstances, we have been unable to provide our training and physical events this year, but there are plenty of other ways of getting involved in Mental Health Awareness Week.

Mental Health & Wellbeing Show Online

In just a few hours the first day of our new virtual event, Mental Health and Wellbeing Online, is about to begin – with so much on offer across the week from Monday 18th to Thursday 21st.

From 10am – 12pm on Monday 18th, Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th May we will be running FREE online conference sessions featuring a range of speakers, with a partner charity selected every day.

On Thursday 21st, we will be running a six-hour conference from 9am – 3pm with a fantastic line-up of mental health experts for just £12 per ticket! (A percentage of all ticket sales will be donated to our three featured charities from earlier in the week)

Read more and order tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mental-health-wellbeing-show-online-tickets-103313425236

Online Mental Health Courses

Ajuda also offer a range of online training courses which are designed to develop knowledge on different topics whilst also teaching learners how they can support people suffering with a mental illness or other issues.

Online Training Courses include:

• Mental Health Awareness

• Mental Capacity Act

• Drug and Alcohol Awareness

• Autism Awareness

• Dementia Awareness

Read more about our online courses here: https://www.ajuda.org.uk/online-courses/health-social-care-online-courses/

Spread Some Kindness

With the overall theme being “Kindness”, here are some great ways of spreading kindness in your community where possible (and being mindful of social distancing).

  Join a local support group

  Volunteer to support lonely people

  Sing up for the GoodSam App for opportunities in your local area

 https://www.goodsamapp.org/home

Offer to keep elderly people company over the phone

Offer to deliver food for vulnerable people.

Whatever you decide to do over this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week 2020, remember the importance of raising awareness of mental health and ending the stigma for a more positive future.

To learn more about our work, please follow our social media pages Facebook Twitter

International Nurses Day 2020

Posted on by Dawn Evans

May 12th is International Day of the Nurse and the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, Ajuda joins hundreds of organisations worldwide to highlight the importance of nurses in the healthcare continuum and say a massive thank you for all the work they do on a day to day basis.

 

 

Historically, as well as today, nurses are at the forefront of fighting epidemics and pandemics –  providing high quality and respectful treatment and care. They are often the first and sometimes the only health professional that people see and the quality of their initial assessment, care and treatment is vital.

 

We hope that as many people as possible from around the world will take part in this global moment of reflection by sharing their stories, photos and tributes on social media using the hashtag #RememberHealthHeroes. Tonight at 20.30 people all around the world will world will light a candle or even use the light on their mobile phones, to show respect for the health workers lost to this pandemic.

Celebrate VE Day at Home with your Family in Lockdown

Posted on by Dawn Evans

VE Day is Friday 8th May – Let's celebrate at home with family while self-isolating?

This year, VE Day will coincide with the early May Day bank holiday, making it the perfect time to get together with your household for a celebration. The UK may be in lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still have a weekend of celebrations to mark this special moment in history.

Why do we celebrate VE Day?

VE Day marked the end of World War 2 – and in turn, the end of Adolf Hitler’s reign. As such, it was a cause for celebration all over the world. At 3pm that day, Prime Minister Winston Churchill told the nation that the war was over. In London, a crowd of 50,000 celebrated the momentous event in Piccadilly Circus, cheering and waving flags in the street. This year is particularly poignant, given that it’s the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

Join The Nation in a two minute silence

At 11am, a national two-minute silence will be held to remember the sacrifice of those who fought in the war.

Toast to the Heroes

At 3pm, Britons are being invited to take to their doorsteps to raise a glass, cheer and clap during The National Toast to the Heroes of World War Two.

Join in a National sing-along

Music helped to keep morale high in wartime and we could all use a little boost ourselves in these times of uncertainty.

Dame Vera Lynn will lead us in a nationwide sing-along to wartime classic We'll Meet Again on Friday night.

The 103-year-old singer will perform from a window at her Sussex home just after 9pm, following the Queen's special address to the nation.

Let's all join her and lift the spirits of the nation

VE Day 75: The People's Celebration airs on BBC One from 8pm.

Vera Lynn Now & Then

The world must know what happened, and never forget.’ – General Dwight D. Eisenhower

Kris Martyn Sings For Your Supper

Posted on by Dawn Evans

The Ajuda Team are Raising Money for Charity During Covid-19!

In the past month, the entire world has turned upside down, and the effects of Coronavirus have hit every single part of our society in a huge way. Every day on the news we hear more about different businesses and organisations that are struggling to cope under the strain of coronavirus – but one sector which has been hit particularly hard during these times is the charity sector.

With public gatherings banned, and many people worried about their personal finances – charities have seen a monumental drop in donations and are struggling to keep afloat during this difficult time.

The Ajuda Team are constantly dedicated to supporting charities throughout our work and events, and this time is no different! We are organising a range of activities over the next few months to support both local and national charities, here’s what we have been up to recently!

Kris Sings in the Street to Support Cardiff Foodbanks

Our newest member of the Ajuda Team, Kris Martyn, is using his musical talents to raise money for foodbanks across the Cardiff area while keeping his neighbours and Facebook fans entertained too!

Kris is an admin angel by day, professional singer by night, and puts on an amazing performance in clubs and bars across South Wales (when they are open!)

Foodbanks across Cardiff have seen a huge rise in demand due to the uncertainty of COVID-19, and they are in desperate need for more donations.

He recently raised £220 during his last performance and is planning on raising even more THIS WEEKEND by doing a live performance from his home. All of the money raised is put towards a large shopping trip and donated to the central distribution centre for all of the Cardiff foodbanks.

You can watch the live link from 2pm on Sunday 26th April on Facebook here.

You can donate to the foodbanks via this link here

Mental Health Awareness Virtual Conference to be held in aid of local charities!

The Ajuda events team are also organising a virtual mental health conference which will take place over the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Week (18th – 21st May 2020) and will be donating ticket proceeds to three local charities doing some fantastic work.

From 10am – 12pm on Monday 18th, Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th May we will be running FREE online conference sessions featuring a range of speakers, with a partner charity selected every day. Our chosen charities are Bullies Out, 2 Wish Upon a Star and Caerau Men’s Shed.

On Thursday 21st, we will be running a six-hour conference from 9am – 3pm with a fantastic line-up of mental health experts for just £10 per ticket! (A percentage of all ticket sales will be donated to our three featured charities from earlier in the week)

Learn more about the whole week of online events here.

If you are a local charity that is looking for support, please do get in touch with us and we will always see what we can do to support you. We do have limited opportunities but always try to support a variety of charities over the course of the year, so please let us know about your great work!

To keep up to date with our latest charity work, please follow our social media pages and keep up to date with our blog!

Self Educate 35% Off Discount on all Ajuda Online Training Courses

Posted on by Dawn Evans

With the ongoing situation in the UK, the team at Ajuda would like to extend our very best wishes to all those affected and hope we can support you in the coming unpredictable months.

At Ajuda, we believe learning never stops, and there are many ways of continuing learning and development from the comfort of your home.

To ensure that you keep your brain active and continue learning, Ajuda are currently offering a discount on all online training courses until the end of April, use code SELFEDUCATE35 at checkout. This means some of our courses are now less than £20!

Taking an online training course has many benefits, including: 

–  Gaining new skills and knowledge

–  Improving and developing current skills

–  Keeping your mind active and engaged in learning

–  Boosting job prospects

–  Exploring new topics in a non-committal manner

Our fully-approved, interactive-video eLearning courses are perfect for gaining qualificationS.

We can deliver all the eLearning you need.

Our engaging courses can be taken at any time, in any place and on any device. All courses are approved and priced to offer the best possible value to your business.

We have a wide range of qualifications including;

  • First Aid
  • Fire Safety
  • Food Hygiene
  • Manual Handling
  • Health & Safety
  • Health & Social Skills
  • Employability Skills
  • Business Skills
  • Safeguarding
  • Education

Take a look at our extensive range of all the online qualifications that we can provide

Anti Bribery and Corruption

Posted on by Dawn Evans

Course information

This course examines bribery and the legislation, measures and procedures that can uncover, control and reduce the impact of this criminal activity. This information is broken down into the following sections; Why corruption and bribery occur, The UK Bribery Act, Anti-bribery policies, anti-bribery management systems and how to deal with bribery in the workplace.

Number of modules: 5

Course Duration: 50 Minutes 
(Note: This is based on the video content shown and is rounded off. It does not account in any way for loading time or thinking time on the questions)

Course Price: £35

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