Hidden risks putting Australian beauty distributors and importers in danger

Many Australian beauty product distributors and importers are unaware of the significant risks their businesses face should the equipment they’re providing prove faulty, with Parmia Insurance stating they’re just as liable as the manufacturers developing them.

The award winning Queensland niche insurance broker states there is a misconception within the industry that claims can only be made against beauty product developers and not professionals supplying the equipment to salons and therapists.

Director of Parmia and the National Insurance Broker Association’s 2013 Broker of the Year, Danny Gumm stresses this is not the case and urges distributors and importers to review their insurance policies to make sure they’re adequately covered.

“Distributors are exposed to considerable risks as in Australia the regulations are that equipment importers face the same liabilities as manufacturers,” he explained. “This is despite, in many instances, distributors having no say in quality control or processes of equipment manufacturing.”

A previous Vice President of the Association of Professional Aestheticians of Australia (APAA) who has over thirty years of experience in the industry, Mr Gumm is considered an industry expert in developing strong, tailored insurance packages for all professionals operating in the beauty sector.

He says one of the biggest dangers for distributors and importers lies in ‘off-the-shelf’ packages that claim to provide protection against all potential risks and claims but in reality only provide superficial cover.

“’Off-the-shelf’ packages offer little or inadequate protection because they don’t take into consideration the unique nature of each individual business,” he said. “What may be suitable protection for a beauty salon may not be for a distributor or manufacturer. The only way to gain complete peace of mind that a business is adequately protected is to actually sit down with a broker and have all of your individual risks assessed so that you’re purchasing tailored insurance cover that meets all of your needs.”

Parmia’s insurance policies for the Australian beauty industry, which are written by world leading insurer Lloyd’s of London, are award winning. For more information, please visit www.parmiainsurance.com.au.

Media Enquiries: Suzanne Ross at Graymedia on 07 3250 9406, 0488 441 589 or email s.ross@graymedia.com.au.

New pharmacy clinic helps parents prepare for pregnancy

In an industry first for a national pharmacy brand, Discount Drug Stores will be providing ‘Preparing for Pregnancy’ clinics in more than 100 of its stores in May to help prepare those who are thinking of starting a family.

The clinics aim to help Australians cut through the sea of information available online on falling pregnant and pregnancy in general, by providing them with the opportunity to have a one-on-one consultation with a registered nurse.

Professional Services Manager at Discount Drug Stores Casey Clark states the idea came as a result of seeing many customers being misled by common myths and misconceptions about pregnancy.

“There are so many forums and online organisations offering advice and tips on how to fall pregnant or on what to do once you are pregnant that it’s now very difficult to know what information to trust and follow,” she explained. “We want to ensure that our customers who either are, or who are looking to become pregnant, are equipped with highly credible information that they can trust.”

Discount Drug Stores’ ‘Preparing for Pregnancy’ clinics will give Australians the opportunity to discuss these myths openly and to clarify what is fact and what is fiction.

To run in over 100 Discount Drug Stores across Australia, Ms Clark states another core objective for the clinics was to make it easier for Australians to access and gain preliminary information about preparing for pregnancy.

“Many Australians, particularly those living in regional areas, can find it hard to get an appointment with a credible, local source of information for all of their pregnancy questions,” she said. “These clinics aim to resolve this by providing a convenient and easy to access touch point where parents can have all of their questions answered.”  

During the clinics, the registered nurses will cover the topics of conception, how to maximise your chances of falling pregnant, advice for fathers, the best time to get pregnant, when to seek help and what to do once pregnant.

“Our nurses will provide comprehensive advice on all aspects of pregnancy,” explained Ms Clark, “but more importantly, they’ll be on hand to answer all of our customers’ questions. Starting a family is a life changing decision so we think that having a medical professional available for people to bounce their queries off of and to advise them will be invaluable.”

Ms Clark believes that providing advice for fathers will also be a strong draw card for new parents, as very few information hubs offer information to expectant dads.

“Soon to be dads play an important role during their partners’ pregnancies and we want to ensure that they are also equipped with the information they need and are given the chance to ask any questions that they may have,” she said.

The first time that a pharmacy brand has offered such a service in store, Ms Clark continues stating the ‘Preparing for Pregnancy’ clinics aim to provide Australians looking to conceive with greater opportunity to have all of their questions answered.

“Our pharmacies are already convenient avenues for Australians to purchase products to assist in their pregnancy planning,” she said. “These one day clinics are an additional opportunity for customers wanting to discuss preparing for pregnancy and are a preliminary avenue in which they can ask questions and to gain qualified advice prior to beginning their family.”

Discount Drug Stores’ ‘Preparing for Pregnancy’ clinics will cost $10 and include a 15 minute, one on one consultation with a registered nurse. Attendees will receive gifts and vouchers to the value of $15 to use to purchase products that may suit their individual pregnancy planning needs.

Bookings are essential. For more information, please visit www.discountdrugstores.com.au/health-clinics.

Media Enquiries: Suzanne Ross at Graymedia on 07 3250 9406, 0488 441 589 or email s.ross@graymedia.com.au.

Caravan and camping holidays giving families more bang for their buck

For immediate release:

More Australian families than ever before are turning to caravanning and camping as the best and most affordable holiday option as the gap between the cost of staying at a caravan park  versus other styles of accommodation continues to widen.

With the current average cost for a family of four just $40 per night for a campsite, it’s little wonder that families are getting back to the great outdoors and choosing caravanning and camping as the most affordable holiday option.

Recent figures released  show that caravan and campervan registrations have risen 15% over the last five years, and with camping now costing families as much as 84% less than the average hotel accommodation this figure is expected to continue to climb.

“Certainly the indications are that families are finding it tough and are looking for less expensive holiday options,” said Caravanning Queensland Operations Manager Jason Plant.
“The stress of saving up for a holiday and having to factor in all of the additional entertainment expenses can cause many families to abandon plans completely. Holidaying at a caravan park can cost less than $100 a day inclusive of food and entertainment and gives families a chance to take time out without the stress of wondering how they are going to foot the bill at the end.”

Caravanning Queensland runs the state’s official industry event, the annual Queensland Caravan, Camping and Touring Holiday Show. Now in its 46th year Mr Plant expects attendance numbers to again be strong, with the majority of stands already booked out by exhibitors, as more families turn to caravans and camping as the more economical holiday option.

“Caravanning and camping has become much more popular in recent years with young families. The largest demographic sector for caravanning and camping  is by far the 30-54 year olds , because it is not only extremely affordable, but is also quite easy these days to enjoy the creature comforts of home such as comfortable beds, hot showers, and modern cooking equipment while you camp,” he said.

Natasha McIntyre, mother of two and a resident of Heathwood in Queensland, knows only too well the costs of holidaying with a young family. She has fond memories of camping as a child, and now also prefers camping as a cost effective way to holiday with her family and keep her budget in check.

“These holidays are so cost effective for us as family,” says Mrs McIntyre. “Even when I factor in accommodation costs, food for the week, fuel and anything else that might come up, the total cost of the holiday would never exceed $1,000, which is a fraction of the cost of taking the whole family to stay elsewhere for the week.”

Mr Plant explains there are caravanning and camping options for all styles and budgets,  so the family can easily find a way to bond away from work, traffic and school pressures without feeling like they are ‘roughing it’.

While requiring an initial investment in camping gear, a caravan or a camper trailer, Mr Plant said the long-term returns provide families with much greater value than taking a resort holiday each year.  

“For a family of four on a budget, they could purchase new camping gear for as little as $600, then factor in $400 or less for campground fees for a week, food, gas, and ice and they’ve got a great vacation without burning a hole in the hip pocket,” he explained.

“Once the equipment has been acquired, each subsequent holiday will be even more budget friendly and over the space of year the savings are well into the thousands while the family has enjoyed a real escape from the norm.”

Mrs McIntyre agrees, saying the low cost to set a family up with camping equipment would surprise most people.
“We paid $300 for our 10-man tent about 10 years ago, and even though it has been used countless times over the years it is still fine- once you’ve got it, it lasts a really long time,” she says.

The Queensland Caravan, Camping and Touring Holiday Show will be held at the Brisbane Showgrounds in June 2014 and will provide an opportunity for families to find out more information about caravanning, camping, what to do, where to go and the latest in products and equipment. To find out more please visit www.caravanqld.com.au

Media enquiries, please contact Kate Shuttleworth on 0418 723 841 or 07 3250 9400 or respond to this email.

About Caravanning Queensland    
Caravanning Queensland is the peak industry body for caravan dealers, manufacturers, camping suppliers, service providers and caravan park operators through two related associations. These are the Caravan Trade & Industries Association of Queensland and the Caravan Parks Association of Queensland Inc.

The Queensland Caravan, Camping and Touring Holiday Show is the official industry event for Queensland, and has been running for 46 years. It attracts over 300 exhibitors and up to 70,000 visitors each year. Featuring the latest products and services the caravanning and camping industry has to offer, including information on tourism and holiday destinations all around Australia, this year’s event will be on June 4-10 at the Brisbane Showgrounds.

Insurer embraces advances in beauty treatments but urges Australians to approach them with caution

Australians no longer need to pay a fortune for some plastic surgery procedures, with qualified and experienced beauticians today able to perform complex cosmetic treatments such as laser hair removal and chemical peels at a fraction of the cost.

However, while these advancements are helping Australians to stay young and beautiful for longer, Queensland insurance broker Parmia Insurance warns they also present higher risks for both therapists and their clients.

Responding to the latest blood doping beauty trend, where a person’s blood is removed, infused with vitamins and then put back in, Director of Parmia Danny Gumm states these procedures have a far greater chance of resulting in injury if performed by inexperienced or unqualified therapists.

“I’m not saying don’t try them or perform them,” he said. “I just urge both parties to make sure they’ve done their research and to ensure that they’re properly qualified and experienced in the procedure being performed. It is the only way to minimise the possibility of something going wrong.”

Mr Gumm continues stating that treatments such as beauty blood doping, which has been made popular by celebrities such as Katy Perry and Madonna, require extensive training and should never be offered at a standard beauty salon.

“I would say that Australians need to be wary if their local salon is offering blood doping without any sign that they’ve undergone additional training and have appropriate experience,” he said. “They need to be incredibly diligent in their research and make sure they’ve had a comprehensive consultation with the therapist before having the treatment.”

The firm, which has over 30 years of experience in developing insurance and risk management policies for the beauty industry, says the onus is on the client to check that the salon they’re visiting has the proper credentials.

“Australians need to thoroughly check their salon’s qualifications before undergoing any procedure but particularly so if it requires needles, lasers or other such medical equipment because the risks of injury are far higher,” Mr Gumm said. “You could suffer poisoning or permanent scarring should you undergo a procedure at an unqualified salon.”

While clients are at greater risk of injury from advances in beauty therapy, so too are the professionals performing the procedures, with Mr Gumm stating their livelihoods could be ruined should something go wrong.

“If permanent injury is caused as a result of these new procedures then beauty therapists without comprehensive cover could find themselves paying millions of dollars in damages,” he explained, “and if they’re a small, independent salon then this could result in a loss that they’re unable to recover from.”

Mr Gumm continues stating that therapists considering offering complex beauty treatments should ensure they have tailored protection first.

“Therapists looking to perform these procedures need to work together with insurers to develop a risk analysis that identifies their concerns,” he said. “They can’t just purchase an ‘off-the-shelf’ package because it will never address their individual requirements and will most likely leave them exposed to significant risks.”

Established in Queensland in 2002, Parmia has quickly made a name for itself through its work in the Australian beauty industry and for its unique approach to developing policies, with each package carefully tailored to suit its clients’ needs.

The firm is award winning, with Mr Gumm named the National Insurance Broker Association’s 2013 Broker of the Year. For more information, please visit www.parmiainsurance.com.au.

Media Enquiries: Suzanne Ross at Graymedia on 07 3250 9406, 0488 441 589 or email s.ross@graymedia.com.au.

Pharmacy brand helps Australians to arm themselves against the flu

Looking to ensure more Australians receive the influenza vaccine in time for the winter flu season, community pharmacy brand Discount Drug Stores is holding over 100 flu vaccination clinics in the majority of its stores from March through to May.

Following the pharmacy brand’s 2013 campaign, which helped to protect thousands of Australians against influenza, Discount Drug Stores is hoping to encourage more Australians to arm themselves against the serious virus.

Professional Services Manager at Discount Drug Stores, Casey Clark states the clinics are specifically designed for busy, working Australians who are too time poor to get to the GP for a vaccination against the flu.

“Due to time or the belief that they won’t come down with the illness, they may not be as proactive about protecting themselves against influenza as they should be,” she said. “We understand that people are often busy, which is why we’ve tried to make it as easy as possible for Australians to protect themselves against the flu season.

“The vaccination consultation only takes 5 minutes,” Ms Clark continued. “It doesn’t require a prescription and most of our stores are conveniently located meaning people can quickly visit us on their lunch break or between errands to get immunised.”

According to the Australian Government’s Department of Health, 12% of influenza cases in 2013 resulted in sufferers having to be admitted to hospital.

Known to strike down healthy Australians, leaving them bed ridden for weeks, Ms Clark hopes more Australians will take preventative action against the flu that’s symptoms include severe exhaustion, body aches and nausea.

“It only requires about twenty minutes of your day, compared to a fortnight of being incapacitated if you come down with the virus,” she said. “Ultimately, it’s about prioritising your health so that you or your loved ones don’t get struck down by preventable illnesses like the flu.”

Ms Clark continues stating it is just as important for young adults to get vaccinated as it is for children and the elderly as it ensures they’re not putting their loved ones at risk.

“The biggest issue is that people in this group forget that they could transfer it to a loved one who can suffer severely,” she explained. “The influenza virus is very contagious and can easily be spread to co-workers, family and friends. Getting vaccinated is the best way to ensure that you’re not only protecting your health but those of your family and friends as well.”

The flu vaccination campaign is just one of many services Discount Drug Stores provides to its customers, with the brand also offering medication management, and annual hearing and bone density testing clinics to name but a few.

Discount Drug Stores flu vaccination clinics will run from March to May. All vaccinations will be administered by a qualified immunisation nurse and require patients to undergo a 5 minute consultation, followed by a 15 minute observation period. Bookings are essential. For more information, please visit www.discountdrugstores.com.au.

Media Enquiries: Suzanne Ross at Graymedia on 07 3250 9406, 0488 441 589 or email s.ross@graymedia.com.au.

Insurance broker’s risky move to protect tattoo practitioners pays off

Parmia Insurance’s decision to take on the nation’s challenging tattoo and body piercing sector has proven incredibly worthwhile, with hundreds of professionals taking advantage of the firm’s unique policies since their launch last November.

One of the only brokers in Australia to provide cover for the tattoo industry, Parmia specifically designed its policies to help protect the many upstanding tattoo and body piercing professionals who were being negatively impacted by the governments’ anti bikie campaign.

Director of Parmia and the National Insurance Broker Association’s 2013 Broker of the Year, Danny Gumm states that while he knew the move would be controversial, he felt that those working in the industry should be entitled to comprehensive protection.

“There was reluctance within our industry to develop policies for tattoo and body piercing artists because of the high risks involved,” he said. “As a result, many professionals in the industry had no way of protecting their businesses, which we felt wasn’t fair. We didn’t feel it was right to punish the significant portion of the tattoo and body piercing sector that is honestly going about their daily business and just trying to do their job.”

Written by Lloyd’s of London, Parmia has developed a tailored Industrial Special Risks Policy that provides property cover for tattoo studios, as well as property owners with tattoo studio occupancies.

This, in addition to the firm’s Medical Malpractice, Public and Products Liability Policy is ensuring that professionals in all areas of the tattoo and body piercing industry have maximum protection and peace of mind.

“We pride ourselves on not shying away from industries that are complex or that have a number of challenges,” Mr Gumm explained. “We’re proud of what we’ve developed for the tattoo sector and to be working together with professionals in this industry to develop a risk analysis that identifies their concerns and that addresses their insurance requirements.”

In just the few short months since its launch, Parmia has experienced an influx of calls from tattoo and body piercing professionals seeking to take out cover with the firm.

“We’ve been overwhelmed with the response we’ve had and not just in terms of the number of people taking out the policies but with their attitude when they call us,” he said. “They’re just so thankful that someone is out there supporting them and willing to help.”

However while Parmia’s policies are a significant breakthrough for the tattoo industry, cover is subject to strict criteria with unacceptable risks including criminal conviction and new businesses.

“We have entered into this market knowing full well the risks,” explained Mr Gumm. “Obviously while we want to help businesses in the tattoo and body piercing industry gain cover, we also need to ensure that each applicant meets the criteria prior to evaluating their application for insurance.”

Established in Queensland in 2002, Parmia has quickly made a name for itself through its award winning work in the Australian beauty industry and for its unique approach to developing policies, with each package carefully tailored to suit its clients’ needs.

“Every industry we assist has its own unique risks that have to be addressed so we treat it as a priority to always meet personally with our clients to resolve any issues they face and to minimise the exposures of their industry,” Mr Gumm said.

For more information on Parmia or its policies for the tattoo and body piercing industry, please visit www.parmiainsurance.com.au.

Media Enquiries: Suzanne Ross at Graymedia on 07 3250 9406, 0488 441 589 or email s.ross@graymedia.com.au.

New pharmacy service helps Australians to achieve better health outcomes

Half of the Australian population do not take their medication as prescribed, which has resulted in a high number of avoidable hospital admissions that are estimated to cost the economy approximately $1 million a year.

Looking to increase health outcomes for their customers, community pharmacy brand Discount Drug Stores is implementing a new, free medication management program specifically designed to assist the 41% of Australians who stop taking their medication before they’re meant to.

With medication related illnesses currently causing approximately 140,000 hospital admissions per year, Professional Services Manager at Discount Drug Stores Casey Clark states she hopes the new service will educate customers on the risks of not following prescriptions properly.

“We developed this program to better inform and advise our customers on how to best take their medication and the side effects of not following the prescription, as well as to reassure them that the medication is safe and effective when taken properly,” she said. “It’s also about helping to make the whole process of filling and refilling prescriptions easier for them so that they can achieve better health outcomes.”

The new service, which allows customers or their nominated carers to receive prescription reminders via SMS, voicemail or email, is geared towards improving their health and wellbeing by ensuring they adhere to their medication.

“The biggest reasons for medication related illnesses stems from medication mismanagement,” Ms Clark explained. “Either they forget, have difficulty understanding how to take it, don’t take it at all because they’re worried about side effects or they self-medicate instead of following their doctor and pharmacist’s advice.”

This is what Discount Drug Stores’ medication management program aims to change by providing additional information resources and consultation time with its pharmacists that promote the importance of following prescriptions properly.

“People don’t realise how significantly their health can be affected by not properly following their prescription,” Ms Clark said. “This is particularly the case for those on preventative medicines for conditions like asthma, where while they might not necessarily notice any difference from missing a dose, it actually has a long-term negative effect.”  

Ms Clark continues, stating the programme also aims to raise awareness of the many different free health services pharmacies and pharmacists can offer to customers to improve their wellbeing.

“There’s a common misconception that pharmacists just fill prescriptions,” she explained. “Pharmacies and pharmacists are a great way for Australians to gain free, highly qualified medical and health advice and we want to encourage our customers to take advantage of this.”

In addition to issuing reminders, Discount Drug Stores’ medication program also enables customers to call their local pharmacy ahead of time so that pharmacists can prepare and have their prescriptions ready in advance.

This in conjunction with the community pharmacy brand’s dose administration aids and medication review services is working to ensure customers are equipped with the knowledge required to live healthier lifestyles.

“We hope our customers take advantage of our medication management programme,” said Ms Clark. “It will ensure they have a better understanding of how to manage their health and will also make this process easier for them.”

Discount Drug Stores’ medication management programme is available to all Australians, with people also able to nominate a carer to receive script notifications for them. For more information, please visit www.discountdrugstores.com.au.

Media Enquiries: Suzanne Ross at Graymedia on 07 3250 9406, 0488 441 589 or email s.ross@graymedia.com.au.