Selby-based firm helps to protect hospital patients from potentially lethal ulcers

GBUK Banana, a division of GBUK Group, a Selby-based company specialising in patient moving and handling technology, has been recognised for its Versal system by being awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2020 in the Innovation category, which is the UK’s most prestigious business award.

Moving a patient is a daily requirement in healthcare. Most, if not all, of the effort required to move the patient comes from the carers, with patients having little or limited ability to help them. GBUK Banana’s Versal system helps reduce the user’s risk of error and protects both the patient and staff from injury.

GBUK Banana’s Versal system helps reduce the hidden costs of pressure ulcers and musculoskeletal injury, such as back pain.

Pressure ulcers can be life-threatening to patients, while leading to disabilities and infections, as well as extended hospital stays. The NHS spends an estimated £1.3bn annually on hospital-acquired pressure ulcers – reducing these by just 1% would help save even £13m.

A spokesman said: “The effectiveness of the technology was shown in one of the case studies in the North East. After a year of using the Versal system, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust reported a 29% reduction in pressure ulcers, as well as improvement of care and nursing time as a result of the simplicity of the device.”

Mark Thompson, CEO of GBUK Group, said: “This award is the culmination of many years of hard work by the GBUK team.

“The Queen’s Award is an internationally recognised accolade, and it is an honour for us to be selected by Her Majesty The Queen in the Innovation Category. The award also gives me a chance to thank the whole of our exceptional team.”

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