The Summit and Sedona

The higher I climbed, the more wobbly my legs felt. According to the map, I was near - if not on top of - an energy vortex. I looked up. The summit of the mountain was maybe a few hundred feet away. So close... But with every step, the dizzier I felt... What a strange yet wonderful force tingling through my body!

Carefully placing my foot into a small wedge in the ground to steady myself, I slowly turned and gazed down at how far I'd climbed. My breath caught in my throat. The view was overwhelming. Under a clear, turquoise-coloured sky, a ridge of red-topped mountains and mesas stretched miles into the distance. Below me, as if it was located in a bowl, Sedona looked like a miniature movie set. Light-headed, I lowered myself to the ground and sat a moment. A woman I'd met at an artist's co-op had cautioned me, saying I might feel woozy when encountering a vortex.

I recently visited Sedona, Arizona, to experience the amazing energies my friends have talked about. I was awestruck driving the mountainous terrain with remarkable rock formations that were carved from the Earth at the time of the glaciers. My favourite is Snoopy Rock.

The mountains and the soil around Sedona are red because of the earth's high iron content. I was surprised that anything could grow here, yet there's plenty of cactus and shrubs around. "Iron is a good conductor of electricity," one woman told us. "If you're sensitive to energy vibrations, you might feel them around the vortexes."

So I drove up Airport Road to experience my first vortex - a double vortex, according to the map. And, whoa, that energy center packed quite a punch. I started climbing a hill that kept getting bigger. Almost at the top, I had to stop as vertigo kicked in and my ankles, knees and wrists started feeling wobbly. I gazed up to the summit - so close! - but decided to head back down. Whew!

The next morning I headed to Chapel Road to visit Chapel of the Holy Cross, a huge rectangular edifice built into the side of a mountain. The chapel sits on another vortex, and as I sat inside the poured concrete structure, I was filled with a sense of blessed peace. I closed my eyes and breathed deeply. My inner ear hummed with the sounds of an angelic choir. You know the expression, "feeling one with the Earth?" This time, I was really experiencing it.

My reverie was broken by a gentle clip-clop. I opened my eyes to see a father leading his three-year-old son down the center aisle, the youngster's sandals going smack! smack! smack! on the stone floor. I had to laugh.

On the path back to my car, I saw how people had tossed change onto little rocky ledges on the mountain. To show my Canadian pride, I lobbed in a loonie. American visitors to the site will probably wonder that strange big yellow coin is, but those of us from north of the border will know: Canada was here!

The only bad things about the trip: I somehow lost the screws out of my sunglasses, and I suffered through two days with a headache. Can I blame them on Sedona's energies? Better call Agent Mulder - this might be one for the X-Files!

Those few days I spent in Sedona weren't enough to truly experience all the area had to offer. For sure, there were touristy spots, but for every McDonald's there's a homey Desert Flour Bakery coffee shop; for every souvenir or trendy clothing store, there's places like Cathedral Rock and Oak Creek Canyon. I'd love to go back to Sedona, and maybe lead a group of like-minded spiritual seekers as we meditate on the red rocks and experience the tranquil energies of peace.

Carolyn Molnar is a Toronto based Psychic Medium and Spiritual Teacher. She has over 30 years' experience. She provides readings and also teaches others how to tap into their intuitive abilities.

Her book, 'It Is Time: Knowledge From The Other Side', has made a real impact in how people understand intuition. She has been featured on radio, television and in print. Carolyn believes intuition is accessible to everyone.

Please visit Carolyn at http://carolynmolnar.com/ and sign up to receive her monthly newsletter, "A Psychic's Message", and learn more about how to develop and use your intuition in a practical way.



 By Carolyn Molnar


Article Source: The Summit and Sedona

Simple Tips To Get The Best From Portrait Photography

Portrait photography generally makes the face, facial features and expressions predominant. It captures the personality of the subject using effective poses, backdrops and lighting to serve different purposes. Portrait photographers focus more on the face and emphasis on it even though the body and the background may also be included in the photo. This type of photography has become very popular that it is what most people choose for their weddings and other important events and celebrations.

Whereas the photography is not that hard to achieve, it may take a few skills to get the most stunning shots. Below are some helpful tips you should consider to get the best from portrait photography for your desired use and purpose.

Tip 1 - Let the camera be at an angle. Shooting portraits goes beyond the usual vertical and horizontal framing. Diagonal angles have a way of injecting some fun into the images and add some energy to them as well. You, however must be careful when angling so you do not end up looking as though you made a mistake holding the camera.

Tip 2 - Add movement to the shots. Portraits are generally static, but they can be quite unique when you manage to introduce some movement. This is something that you can achieve by making the subject move or shooting the subject around moving elements. When adding movement to the portraits remember to use slow shutter speed so you are able to capture the movement.

Tip 3 - Choose wide angle. Wide angle lenses help in creating memorable shots in portrait photography. This is because the wide focal lengths bring about distortions that are wonderful; you can enlarge facial parts or body parts on the frame edge more than the center to create a dramatic effect in the end. You should, however ensure that the subject is at an impressive setting when going with a wide angle to get the best results in the end.

Tip 4 - Allow the face to fill your frame. It is one of the best ways of ensuring that the subject does indeed capture viewer attention. If the subject is the only feature in the shot, then let the face fill the frame so they are as striking as they should be. It may not be the way to go with every one of your shots, but it will work amazingly well every once in a while.

Tip 5 - Play around with unfocused shots. Sharply focused images seem to be the standard for photographers. At times, however, especially in portrait photography, shots that are unfocused tend to work best. This is because they have a tendency of showing real emotion, interest and mood. You can achieve such shots by using a large aperture to create narrow depth of field and then focusing on something that is in front or behind the subject instead of focusing directly on the subject. You can also use wide aperture and focus on something else besides the subject so the full image is out of focus. Unfocused shots tend to be mysterious and dreamy and work for some purposes. Portrait photography can achieve some of the most stunning images when handled in the best ways. You can have a professional photographer handle your portrait needs to get unique and powerful shots for your usage.


 By Shalini Madhav


Article Source: Simple Tips To Get The Best From Portrait Photography

The Power Of One - One Image Can Change The World

It's a sentiment that has been talked about for a long time now, since the advent of much cheaper DSLR's on the market and the influx of video's riding the social media wave that abounds this life.

Has the humble photographic image seen its last days?

The answer to this, in my opinion is a great big resounding NO!

Social media coupled with cheaper entry DSLR cameras onto the market has seen an ever-increasing amount of noise when it comes to photography. Totally useless, very sub-par imagery is constantly put in front of us. In this kind of environment, only the strong will survive.

Hundreds upon hundreds of new websites have been popping up trying to talk us into uploading our images in the hopes of perhaps selling some of them.

I personally see this as a lot of useless noise, with a diamond popping up once in a while. Don't get me wrong, there is definitely a place for these, albeit perhaps not on the same place as the professional.

While we were all at one point novices and completely new to the photography game, those of us who do this professionally must not only aspire to a better class of imagery but also make sure that we only put up our best work at all times. I've lost count of the times that I have seen photographers post up images which are essentially the same, heck sometimes they are exactly the same image just edited differently, all in the hopes of getting more of those elusive 'likes' online. Or the photographer who has somehow managed to get a press pass to an even and then posts up 1000 images which are almost identical. I can almost guarantee that if you are just average or less than average that your work will go unnoticed.

We need to go back to the point of making our images powerful. A time when a single image told a more powerful and poignant story, stories that changed the world. Now I understand that not everyone will ever get some of these images, I'm still trying to capture my own but it doesn't stop me looking through my viewfinder, regardless of what I'm capturing and trying to relay the story behind the image.

Don't think that a single image still has the power to change the world? Delve deeper into the history of the photographic craft and you will find countless images that have done so. Images like 'The Tragedy of Omayra Sanchez' by Frank Fourier, Operation Lion Heart by Deanne Fitzmaurice or images by Carolyn Cole, Neil Ulevich, Patrick Farrell and Oded Balilty among many others. Be warned though, these types of images are not for the faint hearted.

If you're serious about your photography, study, watch and learn from every powerful image that you come across. You may not be trying to take the same type of image but the creation, crafting and story-telling behind each image is something that you will definitely want to achieve with your own photography regardless of the subject.

One image can change the world. Will yours be one of them?

My crazy world has included successfully combining all the skills of a artist, photographer, designer, programmer, and marketer into one crazy life.

I'm available for guest blogging, article writing and speaking events.

~ Frank

Tazz 1 Pty Ltd

Follow me in my crazy world via my site
or Insta!



 By Frank Perez


Article Source: The Power Of One - One Image Can Change The World

The Most Remarkable Highlights of Peru

This was where the famous Inca Empire once flourished which was established as early as the 15th century AD. This is why Peru enjoys hosting some of the most amazing monuments.

The Spanish forces took control of this region during the 16th century. After the independence of the country in 1821, it witnessed a state of disturbances until it reached the country we view today. We will be highlighting some of the most interesting destinations never to be missed by travelers who tour Peru.

The City of Lima

Lima is the capital of Peru, the largest city of the nation, and the cultural, industrial, and commercial hub. With a population of 9 million inhabitants, it is the fifth largest city in Southern America. Several travelers who spend their vacation in Peru enjoy a couple of days in Lima.

Nicknamed as the city of the kings, Lima was established in 1535. The city hosts a number of interesting monuments. This is in addition to its fine cuisine offering wonderful tasty traditional dishes. Lima is also famous for its exotic nightlife with many cultural events, exhibitions, and concerts held in the city. A visit to Lima is a must for any tourists who travel to Peru.

The Sacred Valley

Situated in the heart of the former Inca Empire, the Scared Valley is located near the city of Cuzco today. During the period of the Inca, the inhabitants of the valley dig many basins for the steaming of salt, to obtain fresh water through a rather primitive yet brilliant process. This was the main reason why travelers who tour Peru still view these large square shaped basins that were established thousands of years ago. The valley also hosts some of the ruins and antiquities left by the Inca Empire.

The City of Cusco

Cusco was once the most important centers of Peru. This was where the Inca Empire priests worshiped the sun and left many impressive monuments that amaze traveler coming from all over the world to spend a holiday in Peru.

The Spanish occupied the city in 1533 and Francisco Pizarro Gonz�lez, the famous Spanish army leader and conquer officially established the city in the middle of the 16th century. The Spanish was clever to found a new city on the ruins of the great buildings of the Inca Empire. Today the city welcomes hundreds of tourists who travel to Peru as it is considered among the most remarkable touristic destinations in the country.

The ancient town of Chan Chan

Built out of limestone, Chan Chan was the largest and most impressive towns of Latin America, before Columbus discovered the continent. The city is now full of tourists who enjoy their holidays in Peru for hosting a large number of quite remarkable monuments. Established in 850 AD, the Inca took control of town for more than 500 years and they added their contributions to the constructions of the city as well.

The city of Mancora

Located at the Northern shores of the country, Mancora is featured with some of the finest beaches and resorts situated over the Pacific Ocean. This is the reason why it grabs the attention of many travelers who tour Peru. The city is also famous for having a wonderful nightlife with many discos and nightclubs all over the city.

Right Travel is an organized travel agency which provides various packages for travel to Peru holidays in Peru and vacation in Peru.


 By Medhat Elsergany


Article Source: The Most Remarkable Highlights of Peru

10 Things You Don't Know About Edmonton

If you are planning to visit Edmonton, Canada any time soon, you are in for a big treat. This is one of the most vibrant cities in North America and no wonder it has been christened Canada's festival City. There is something happening every minute at the street corner, theaters, parks and any other available space.

This is one of the few destinations where you can still find something fantastic to do any time of the year. Add to this the exquisite hospitality offered by West Edmonton hotels and you realize why this is a must-visit destination.

Well, you might have visited the city many other times but do you know there are many things you still don't know about it? In fact, residents here still keep discovering new facts and this is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.

Below are some fascinating things that will make you see this destination in a cool new way:



Sun galore: This is the sunniest city in Canada with over 2,000 hours of sun throughout the year with long summer days and less precipitation than other locations.

Panoramic scenery: Lush greenery, beautiful woods, the refreshingly calm Saskatchewan River, and myriad parks, all these make this an alluring laidback yet modern place.

Canada's festival City: There are over 30 festivals annually, and big shows, which make this an exciting place to visit.

W.P. Kinsella, the author of Shoeless Joe, which spawned the movie Field of Dreams started off here.

Telus World of Science is a science marvel and it is the country's largest planetarium.

West Edmonton Mall (WEM), North America's largest mall, equivalent to 47 blocks and featuring the world's largest indoor lake is to be found here.

This is home to the country's largest living history museum (Fort Edmonton Park).

Home to the world's highest streetcar bridge, High-Level Bridge Streetcar, built in 191.

You know Michael J. Fox, right? From Family Ties, Spin City, Teen Wolf, Back to the Future, this talented movie star boasting 4 Emmys and 4 Golden Globe Awards comes from here.

Elk Island National Park is home to the highest density of hoofed mammals per square kilometer across the world.

So much to learn around here. To explore and learn more, make sure you find a good hotel with high-class amenities, VLT lounge, fitness center, great location and free parking. It is advisable to take your time and research about the reputation of the hotel you want to stay in. Go online and read reviews and testimonials from other guests. More importantly, make sure the establishment is conveniently located near the best attractions.

Yellowhead Inn is one of the best West Edmonton hotel which offers luxury suites with many facilities like fitness centre, laundry, restaurant etc. It is also the best choice among the people looking for conference rooms in Edmonton. Call Now at 1-780-447-2400.



 By Jonas Cameron


Article Source: 10 Things You Don't Know About Edmonton

10 Things To Do While Booking Any Hotel & Grab The Best Deal

If you are an avid traveler, you appreciate the need for early planning before making the trip. One of the most important aspects to consider is of course accommodation. It is also one of the most expensive components in your travel plans and it is always advisable to shop around for the most affordable deals. If you are visiting a top tourist destination, you must expect more competition for rooms especially during the high season.

How then do you find an affordable hotel without compromising on quality? Below are some ideas to start you off:



Call the management directly: Instead of relying on the 800 reservation number, it is advisable to call the establishment directly. When you talk to the management, you have a better chance of negotiating a better deal. If you are a regular customer, bring up your loyalty when negotiating an upgrade.

Check in later in the day: Booking a room in the early hours is always hectic and you cannot get a chance for a lower rate. In the evening hours, the staff is desperate to fill all vacancies.

Sign up for a loyalty program and stick to it: Frequent travelers are saving thousands of dollars through loyalty reward programs. You will enjoy upgrades and other extras such as free Wi-Fi and access to exclusive parties.

Bundling programs: Combining your flight and accommodation package is an innovative way to save on your trip.

Leverage booking apps: To find hot deals, use apps such as Hotel Tonight to unlock hidden opportunities.

Look for new properties: These will be looking to build a customer base through favorable introductory rates.

Try business establishments: These are perfect during offseason when occupancy is low. Through local search, it is easy to find new properties in any city and access what they have to offer.

Book a corner room: There is more space and you will still pay the same price. This is a perfect solution for long term rental accommodation and in most cases, there are perfect views to enjoy.

Sign up for alerts: Websites like Kayak and hotels.com provide price drop alerts and this is a perfect solution for travelers looking for affordable accommodation. You can always grab the best deal even when on the go using your smartphone.

Try coupons: Coupons are now a must-try for anyone looking to save money in online shopping. Sites like coupons.com are perfect if you want cheap lodgings in any city. The discounts are amazing and the beauty of it is that coupons are easy to redeem.

Still worried about the high cost of accommodation? Why not try these simple tips.

Coliseum Inn is one of the best hotels in Edmonton, Alberta which offers affordable accommodation services. Our main aim is to meet the needs of the customer with the excellent & luxurious stay. If you are planning to enjoy this holiday season by experiencing boat show, home & garden show or trade show in Edmonton, book your room today with us, CALL @780-471-1231.



 By Crystal Vea


Article Source: 10 Things To Do While Booking Any Hotel & Grab The Best Deal

Review These Aspects of Fixed Base Operators in Aviation

Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) are extremely relevant in the aviation industry. These are companies that offer a broad range of aeronautical services for different parties and aircraft for the purpose of streamlining the activities at an airport. From fueling to aircraft maintenance and passenger handling, FBOs provide a whole range of support services and related assistance, specifically for private aviation operators. Such services are necessary at public use airports, where there is a considerable flow of traffic. FBOs are important to all of the customers they serve in many ways. While the term "FBO" was first initiated in the United States many years ago, their services remain relevant in all parts of the globe.

What to expect?

Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) work with all types of general aviation, including corporate, owner operators, recreational aircraft and Part 135 charter. FBOs also often provide other associated services, such as Aircraft Charter and Management (ACM) and Aircraft Maintenance, Repair, And Overhaul (MRO). Besides basic line service, FBOs are known for meeting all the needs of customers using general aviation. If you need aircraft maintenance or private charter services, your search for a service provider can begin at your local FBO.

How to hire a service provider?

As an aviation asset owner, you should be concerned about three things when you consider FBO management: Safety, Quality of Service, and efficiency of operations. Safety is absolute, and top tier FBO management companies will allow you to audit their safety records and training programs. FBOs compete primarily on Quality of Service and the value proposition as seen by their customers. Efficient operations are critical to maximizing the asset performance and resulting value. When reviewing FBO service providers, keep the following in mind:

1. Experience counts. Aviation is an evolving field, and the range and quality of services have improved drastically in the last two decades. You need a company that has led this transformation and can deliver access to a range of industry leading best practices.

2. Check their track record. Before you hire an FBO management company, you have to verify their experience. Ask for an analysis of their operations across a portfolio of diverse airports and operations such as regional general aviation airports, large international commercial airports and operational experience outside of the U.S.

3. Services offered. As previously mentioned services provided by such companies can differ. If an aviation management company can offer FBO, ACM and MRO services with other specialties such as facility development, it is always a competitive advantage.

4. Accountability counts. Success in FBO and related fields can be well defined, and it is measured using a number of proven metrics and measurements. Look for management companies that provide transparency across the range of operations.

5. Other assistance. FBO management companies also offer specific services such as facility management, capital project management services and marketing & promotional campaigns. Depending on your requirements, you can also ask for customized managerial reporting packages which interface with your existing enterprise platforms.

Visit online now to find an FBO management service company that meet your needs. Remember that first class FBO management companies may also offer advisory and consulting services to assist you in your evaluation. Global Aviation Infrastructure is a leading aviation management company which provides Fixed Base Operation (FBO), Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO), Aircraft Charter and Management (ACM), and aviation infrastructure management for aviation asset owners, corporations, airports, private equity firms, family offices and financial institutions.



 By J Smith


Article Source: Review These Aspects of Fixed Base Operators in Aviation

The Best Tourist Destinations For A Vacation

Now is the time that we start planning our summer and spring vacations. It's time to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and give yourself the well deserved time off that you need. But to do this, you first need to start planning your vacations right now. If you want your vacations to go flawlessly then you should start planning right now. Buy a frequent flyer account online and get yourself a great travel deal to one of these amazing travel destinations for a great vacation.

1. London, United Kingdom
The capital of England is the ideal destination to visit for many reasons. Firstly, it offers a lot of entertainment to its visitors. You can go around and visit the museums for ancient artifacts or even the one for celebrity wax modes. Who can forget to visit Madam Tassaud's when going to London right? And then you have the Buckingham palace in all its shining glory along with the Thames. Other then this London also offers a variety of cuisines for you to take your pick from. You can have Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, Italian and the Classic English food as well depending on what you like to eat.

2. Paris, France
For people who are newly married or plan to go on a vacation with their significant others Paris is the best tourist destination. Love is in the air - Paris is said to be the romantic heart of the world due to the ambience and the quality of living it can provide its visitors. You get to gaze on the Eiffel Tower which is also the best place to propose marriage to your special someone. Other then this you can also feast on some magnificent French cuisine items by going to the street side caf�s in France which are said to be quaint and inexpensive yet having delicious, finger licking good food. The streets around here give you a sense of relief and make you feel like you are floating in your own personal euphoria.

3. Rome, Italy
Rome is the home of the world famous building of the Colosseum - another wonder of the world. This city has evolved over centuries under the rule of the most prominent leaders of the Roman Empire. Now going here, you get to see the remnants of the place that it once was - the centre of the world power, a place of knowledge and a place to get a new start. It has many museums, and historical locations to keep you entertained for days. The food here is exotic to say the least. Let's not forget that Italians after all were the inventors of the pizza so they truly can't have bad taste in food.

These three locations are our pick of the best places you can go to for a grand vacation. So pick the place you like the most, get a great travel deal,    buy a frequent flyer account online to help you with this and get the vacation you deserve.


 By Abuzar Mir


Article Source: The Best Tourist Destinations For A Vacation

Top Three Places To See In New Zealand

New Zealand may be on the other side of the world but it a very famous place to visit specially for tourists and people who are fans of Lord of the Rings. New Zealand is a country where you can find it all - from well developed cities in the heart of modern day technology to forests and natural location that will make you feel like you have entered the womb of Mother Nature. However, there is one large obstacle before you travel to New Zealand. Since it is far away it is difficult to get good travel deals. However, one visitor gave us a travel tip that we would like to share with you. She said, "New Zealand being very far away costs a lot of air travel money. However I compensate for that when I sell my miles now on online websites that give me money in return.

So it's kind of like a win-win situation for me'. So save your money and sell your airline miles now to go to these places in New Zealand.

1. Milford Sound
This is a small spectacularly breathtaking city located on the South East edge of New Zealand. Going here you will witness many rough edged cliffs, deep blue waterfalls that seem to fall down from the sky and a tinge of mystery in the air as well. This is truly magnificent and something every single person on this planet should go through at least once in their life. The seals found in the water provide a lot of entertainment to the visitors of this place.

2. Wellington
Known to be one of the most famous visiting points in New Zealand, Wellington has it all. It has the lush greenery, the modern day tech filled buildings and the hustle bustle of people going about their everyday life. The best part of going here is that you get to stand outside and observe how people from all around the world go about their everyday business in this quaint city of New Zealand. This place has quirkiness to it that you can't normally find in other big cities. Yet at the same time it relays to you a sense of homeliness.

3. Queenstown
For many people who go for a visit to New Zealand, Queenstown is the one that keeps their heart forever. Many visitors are found saying that there is something about the air in this city that just has the ability to leave any and all visitors breathless. It is unique and it is surprising. Something about this place cannot be explained in words. It can just be felt. And once you go visit it, you will feel the same way about it as well.

These are our top picks for places that you should go see whenever you get the chance to visit New Zealand. Oh and don't forget that in order to get the best travel deals you have to  sell your miles now!


 By Abuzar Mir


Article Source: Top Three Places To See In New Zealand

5 Cool Things To Do At A Ski Lodge During Late Spring and Summer

When you hear the words 'ski lodge', you're immediately swept away by images of fresh fallen snow, bright ski gear, snowboarding, and chair lifts. Well, while all of those images are well and good, what happens during the late spring and summer months? After all, the amount of snow falling will be drastically lower & what is on the ground may not be the most conducive to traditional "slope" activities.

The important thing is to not get discouraged. Traveling to a ski lodge during less-than-peak times doesn't mean you're out of luck in terms of the fun. In fact, you might be in store for some absolutely awesome times. Here are five things that will make your post-ski season ski lodge visit an absolute blast:

1. Hiking - This is an unsung activity that often gets touted as a "must do" in just about any environment. Keep in mind, though, that you're in the mountains, and as such, the terrain is actually the birthplace of the hike. You're also being greeted by an environment that has cool, temperate weather, elevations that test your physical fitness, and you can finally eat trail mix on a trail where you're using a lot of energy!

2. Camping - Ski lodges have the fortunate nature of being in and around national forests. Not only are you greeted with pristine, unspoiled nature, you're also given the chance to really enjoy the wild. Take advantage by taking a walk along a riverbank or just look up in the sky & see all of the stars that you aren't afforded by living in the big city.

3. Fishing - It might be a hard sell to call fishing a 'cool' activity, but the fact remains that anglers and outdoorsman are part of the original "mountain folk" in this country, so in some respects, by casting a line into a mountain stream, you are connecting with a long line of pioneers. Plus, being able to fish is about as relaxed as you can get. The key is to remember that the fishing is the fun part, and you always have the catching to look forward to as well.

4. Horseback Riding - Luckily, many ski lodges and their surrounding towns offer horseback riding to visitors as a way to explore. Riding a horse is akin to connecting to a traditional way of life, and it's also a great way for someone to gain an appreciation for the amazing animal we call the horse.

5. Off-Road Adventure - Now for something completely different! Many ski lodges are situated near off-road vehicle trails. What better way to hit the "back country" than by revving your ATV engine and letting nature know you're there to explore. Many lodges can steer you in the right direction for ATV rental companies so you don't have to supply your own vehicle.

Be adventurous & have an open mind, and you'll be sure to find that a ski lodge can be so much more than just skiing.

Visit Lifts West for the ultimate in year-round fun in the mountains!


 By Morris Raymond


Article Source: 5 Cool Things To Do At A Ski Lodge During Late Spring and Summer

How Non-Clinical Training Staff Improves Services in the Changed NHS

Winds of change are blowing across the NHS landscape as the NHS England allocated 1.9 billion pounds to clinical commissioning groups (CCG) that are tasked with providing emergency care, hospital care, community health services, mental health services and maternity care services to local people. By 2017/18, the transition to CCGs is expected to be complete. The revised NHS' five-year forward view published in October proposes changes to primary and acute care systems that are expected to link up hospitals, communities and GPs locally. Besides, specialist care is proposed to be moved out of hospitals to the community and the elderly will enjoy better services in homes through joined up health care and rehabilitation services. The changes are structural and functional with a far reaching impact.

Non-Clinical Staff Are Just As Important As Clinical Staff

Patients undergo treatment at clinics and their experience depends to a large extent on their care and treatment by primary health care providers, such as doctors and nurses. However, non-clinical staff, such as receptionists and managers also play a role in patient satisfaction. Since the new NHS meshes community with health care, managers also play a role in interfacing with local administrators. Non-clinical staff members have traditionally taken a back seat but not any more. The role of administrators and support staff in delivering a better experience to patients is receiving more attention, as they rightly should, since there are so many departments and they all need to coordinate matters in the background. Even Dean Royles, director of HR and OD at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation trust is of the opinion that non-clinical support staff members are vital to all services and should be included in the policy making decisions besides enjoying access to better training because they play a central role in patient care. Without such staff a doctor may not know his schedules. Administrators are coming around to the idea that training for non-clinical staff will directly help clinical staff perform better.

Understanding Politics Of The NHS

NHS is linked with politics and managers who constitute non-clinical staff of NHS and may have to view matters not only from the perspective of patients and clinical staff but also from the perspective of local politicians. Minor matters become significant and significant matters are downplayed. It takes training and acumen to arrive at a better understanding of the politics of the NHS. With better training, non-clinical staff can resist or manage political pressures that could see money being spent unwisely.

Managing Change In The NHS

People at the top are realising the silent but worthwhile contributions of non-clinical staff to the functioning of NHS and to patient satisfaction. However, they still continue to be undervalued, and this lack of appreciation could possibly be a reason for some apathy and lack of motivation to perform better. Skills do matter and could do with improvement that can be achieved through professional in-house training or training by specialised third party NHS training agencies. A report finds that "only a quarter of admin and secretarial workers received training... and that only a low proportion of administrative and secretarial occupations are qualified at NQF level 4 and above."

Realisation of the situation is a good starting point for change. Inducting more non-clinical staff members and training them as well as giving them career aspirations are the others. Training reinforces existing skills and adds new ones tailored to the specific environment of the NHS and its hierarchy.

When it comes to training, the non-clinical staff could receive in-house training that is CPD accredited and gain points that will further their career. NHS health care training is available as leadership training programmes to train managers become effective leaders and training programs for people in other roles to help them become more committed and productive. The best course is one conducted by professionals with a clinical background, people who understand how NHS functions and the role of non-clinical staff in health care.

NHS administrators may ask for such courses to be conducted on-premises, or interested individuals who wish to further their careers and enhance skills may opt for online courses that include personality development along with professional skill enhancement courses. The outcome is greater job satisfaction for non-clinical staff and a better patient experience.

Maguire Training in the UK offers customised NHS health care training to support all NHS professionals with the accent on non-clinical training in the NHS for staff. The courses are CPD accredited.



 By David Rickersey


Article Source: How Non-Clinical Training Staff Improves Services in the Changed NHS

Kenneth Davids 'bapak baptis kopi' mengunjungi Taipei

Penulis empat buku tentang kopi dan editor Coffeereview.com, Kenneth Davids, menghadiri Pameran Kopi Internasional Taiwan 2024 pada Sabtu (...