BD Homecare overcomes pandemic challenges after moving to new state-of-the-art site in Worthing

BD’s Homecare UK business has moved into a state-of-the art facility in Worthing and adopted new practices to support patients during the Covid-19 pandemic.
(L-r) Kimberley Jayne, Operations Lead, Homecare; Mike Fairbourn, UK&I General Manager; Helen Hardwick, Country Business Leader BD Interventional UK&I; and Jayne Da Silva, BD UK Customer Services Director(L-r) Kimberley Jayne, Operations Lead, Homecare; Mike Fairbourn, UK&I General Manager; Helen Hardwick, Country Business Leader BD Interventional UK&I; and Jayne Da Silva, BD UK Customer Services Director
(L-r) Kimberley Jayne, Operations Lead, Homecare; Mike Fairbourn, UK&I General Manager; Helen Hardwick, Country Business Leader BD Interventional UK&I; and Jayne Da Silva, BD UK Customer Services Director

Within days of the government lockdown, the 76-strong team in Worthing swiftly adapted processes to continue supporting patients.

Staff were set up with kit to work effectively from home and a dual shift system was incorporated at the warehouse. This allowed them to operate the warehouse whilst giving increased protection and distancing for the team.

There was also increased capacity which helped during this busy and anxious time.

On a weekly basis, staff incorporated new ways of working, and different improvements to overcome challenges they faced. As everyone begins to emerge from that period, it seems it was a long time ago that the team moved into the new premises from Lancing, but it was only in March.

Retaining excellent, local staff, while accommodating the continued growth of its prescription service Script-easy®, was important to BD. Their dedication has been unparalleled in the past few months.

The new facility in Decoy Road is 2,640 square metres with warehouse space and includes a new modern office complex. This is the new home of the Script-easy® team managing BD’s urology prescription dispensing service and CME Medical, the homecare infusion service relocated from its original base in Blackpool.

This centralisation ensures BD connects across all its businesses and will futureproof the continued expansion of the BD Homecare business over the next decade, the company said.

This expansion also means that BD is planning to recruit over the next two to three years for roles within the warehouse and customer services department.

Helen Hardwick, Country Business Leader, BD Interventional UK&I, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the new facility for our patient delivery service, Script-easy®. We have used the very latest in technology to equip the local team for now and the future, allowing the business to grow. The dedication of our Worthing associates, who’ve worked so hard to bring this project to reality, has been exceptional.”

The new facility was up and running at the beginning of February, with an official opening on March 12 attended by senior staff at BD.

Jayne Da Silva, BD UK Customer Services Director, said: “I am so proud of our team of associates that have helped make the transition to our new facility a reality.“Our Script-easy® patients and the healthcare professionals we serve deserve the highest level of service to ensure they get the best value from our innovations, and our associates deserve the best technology and surroundings.

"This new facility enables us to embrace all this progress and ensure our consumers enjoy the best life and the business continues to grow.”

Kimberley Jayne, Operations Lead, Homecare, added: “We used the move to automate the warehouse, which will allow expansion as we go forward. There are also consulting rooms in the facility, so consumers can visit and meet one-to-one.

“We support around 25,000 patients a month and have experienced rapid growth with the customer services and warehouse teams doubling in size.

“It is fantastic that our new facility is less than two miles away from where we were, ensuring we can expand knowing we can attract and retain the best people locally.”