I qualified in social work in the early eighties and having 10 years working experience in social services moved into training in 1985. Following further training in adult education I gained the Diploma in Adult Education and became a Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development. My speciality areas at that time were counselling, groupwork, staff recruitment and management training. My duties also involved the development of specific training resources for new courses and it was during one of these projects that I became involved in a course for managers on the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders. This interest developed and resulted in me taking the lead in the development of a training package for social care workers ‘Back Care for the Carers’ that was marketed nationally in 1990.

I moved to the former Bassetlaw NHS Trust as a training manager in 1991 and together with Martin Hutchinson, Chartered Physiotherapist established Bassetlaw Handling and Movement Consultancy as a stand alone business within the Trust. This successfully generated income through the marketing of manual handling training and back care advisory services. The partnership with Martin Hutchinson continued and eventually led to HMC Ltd (Handling and Movement Consultancy) being established outside the NHS in 1997. HMC gradually grew and became a team of 10 and in 2004 we moved into our new purpose built training rooms in Ilkeston, Derbyshire and changed our name to reflect the addition of ergonomists to the company.

I provide organisations with the resources, training and support to manage musculoskeletal problems and meet health and safety obligations and have developed a unique company which specialises in client/patient handling and load handling

We have the expertise and resources to deal with anything from basic to highly specialised training, queries about equipment, ergonomic challenges, re-design of workplaces and management systems.

Our style of training in relation to assisting clients/patients to move has developed and strengthened over the years and has a real focus on the need for delivering this critical aspect of care with dignity and respect for the rights and wishes of the service user.

The strength of HME has been in its personnel. I have been fortunate enough to work with and help establish a team of professional trainers and advisers who are constantly striving to improve their own and the company's performance.

I am an active Registered Member of National Back Exchange, Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development, member of National Association of Safety and Health In Care and an associate member of IOSH.

My work as a Director of HME involves day to day management, course design and development, marketing and team CPD. I am involved in the delivery or our services, which means delivering training at all levels from foundation to manager training and IOSH approved trainer development programmes for which we are well known and respected.

My particular interest is in organisational strategies, effective management systems and staff support. As part of our Back Care Advisory Services I regularly conduct audits, training needs analysis and advise on policy development and management systems to organisations such as NHS Trusts, Local Authorities and the independent care sector. In addition to trying to prevent injuries I am interested in developing systems to support and rehabilitate injured workers and this important area is one of current focus.

A key motivating factor for me has always been to try and make work safer whilst providing high quality care through effective training and systems. My years of experience in the health and social care sectors has demonstrated the importance caring for the carers if they are to deliver a caring service.

Whatever the project I would be very happy to discuss it further without obligation, please email me using the contact form and we can arrange a telephone call.

I look forward to hearing from you

Rosemary Rodgers