eakin® students takeover Instagram

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eakin student placement roles

Our current placement students took-over the Ulster University (UU) careers Instagram account this week to show what a typical day working at eakin® is like.  At eakin® placement students are an important part of the team and gain invaluable hands on experience in their chosen field, this allowed us to give local students a real feel for our business.

A core value at eakin® is to grow through fair partnerships, providing support for mutual benefit.  One of the ways we do this is through partnering with local universities to offer a placement year for 3rd year students.

The placement students work on real projects, carrying out business critical work that helps the company succeed.  But it isn’t just the company that benefits; the students gain a wide range of experience in their chosen field, giving them a strong advantage when it comes to applying for their first graduate role.

Glen is a student at Ulster University on the Interactive Multimedia course, who is with us for his placement year as our digital marketing assistant. 

“ My job is to help implement the digital marketing strategy. I get to work across a lot of areas including video, social media, design and websites.  The experience I am getting will give me a great portfolio to help kick start my career after graduation.”

This year we have also had a placement student working with us as a Product Development Engineer.  Sinead is studying Biomedical Engineering at Ulster University and is half-way through her placement year.  Sinead has been part of the Research and Development (R&D) team working on several innovation projects.

“I support both the design and mechanical teams, this can be through CAD designing, prototyping, testing etc. But most importantly learning as I go along, picking up invaluable skills that will help me in my studies and my future career.”

We are currently recruiting for our placement students for 2020-21 across four different business areas:

  • Digital marketing assistant
  • Formulation R&D
  • HR assistant
  • Product development R&D

Full details and how to apply are on our vacancies page.

If you missed it, you can watch our Instagram takeover here.

Kaj’s Story

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I spend a lot of my spare time looking after and driving classic cars so need to be able to manage my stoma easily.

I’ve had an ileostomy since 1978 due to ulcerative colitis.

After 40 years on a different brand I’m changing to eakin dot® 2-piece soft convex.

I now regularly get 5 days weartime with eakin dot® with no leaks or skin problems. It feels softer and more comfortable to wear and it sticks really well and moulds to my hernia.

I’d recommend it.

Find out more about eakin dot® 2-piece soft convex. 

Bringing Science to Life

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At eakin® we make sure any claims we make about our products are backed up by science and experience. 

Our eakin Cohesive® seals are designed to prevent and protect against leaks better than any other seal by absorbing more.

Problems can arise when your output is watery, you have skin folds or a poorly fitted appliance.  That’s where the eakin Cohesive® seals come in; they absorb the moisture and combat harmful enzymes to both prevent leaks and protect your skin. We have a team of scientists that put all our products through rigorous testing to make sure only the best performing products are available to users.

You may be aware that eakin Cohesive® seals absorb up to four times more than competitor seals, but how can you be sure?

Laboratory tests have proven that eakin Cohesive® seals absorb up to four times more than competitor seals over a period of 3 days; but can we show you this in just 100 seconds?

This video illustrates the difference in absorbency between a selection of seals and the results are clear… eakin Cohesive® seals absorb more moisture than any other seal.

So what are you waiting for?  Request a sample today so you can try it for yourself.

Powered by the sun

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Solar panels on the roof of the eakin factory

Ireland is not famous for its sunshine, but it does exist and eakin® can prove it.

At eakin® the focus is not just on providing great service, quality and innovation.  We want to do that in an ethical and environmentally friendly way, being socially responsible in all that we do.

Back in 2015, eakin® installed 960 solar panels on our factory roof as part of our commitment to reduce the environmental impact of our business.  These solar panels generate just over 2MWs of electricity each year.  To give you an idea of what that looks like, since installation these panels have produced enough energy to power almost 200 homes or charge a Tesla 700 times so it can drive around the world over 8 and a half times!

Some of the energy created goes back to the grid, and the rest we use to meet some of our energy needs.

We have all heard about ‘carbon footprint’ and how important it is to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide we release into the atmosphere.  Some of you may have even planted trees to offset your own carbon footprint, especially when it comes to long haul flights.  The solar panels at eakin® off-set 13 tons each year, the equivalent to 50 one-way flights between London and Sydney.

The solar panels aren’t the only way eakin® are being ‘green’.  By the end of this year, we will have 100% LED lighting across the site, thanks to the work of our environmental committee. Our research and Development team are also looking into ways to further minimise the environmental impact of the business and our products on the world around us.

Ostomy support bears

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ostomy support bears

Here at eakin® we are proud to support Ostomy Support Bears WA, an initiative started by Australian ileostomate, Kelly Moss.  The bears are created with the aim of providing comfort to children who are undergoing stoma surgery, and also as an educational tool.  Each teddy has a stoma with a removable pouch that can be used to explain what a stoma is and how it works to young people.

It’s not just children that find comfort in the teddies, Kelly and her team make ostomy support bears for ostomates of all ages, to help give them a sense of acceptance and comfort but most of all to put a smile on their faces. Kelly came up with the idea after being given an ostomy bear herself at the age of 42.

Kelly said “I decided I wanted to make more teddy bears but I didn’t know where to start.  I put the word out on social media asking people for help and had an overwhelming response.  I now have five ladies making bears.”

stoma bears

To keep up with demand, Kelly used crowdfunding to purchase bears that the stomas and pouches are then attached to.  So far, the group have made about 400 bears, which are donated to Perth Children’s Hospital and stoma nurses across Australia to distribute.  The bears can also be purchased and shipped internationally; Kelly has already sent bears to USA, Canada, UK and South Africa from her Perth base.

Kelly relies on donations for her not for profit work, and eakin® were delighted to be able to contribute to the project through a donation of Paediatric and Neonatal bags. 

Kelly has achieved a lot in six months and is proud of the impact she is making: “I believe this has raised awareness and helped reduce any stigma attached to having an ostomy.  I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds for this initiative and hope it continues.”

If you would like to find out more or request a bear, you can contact Kelly though her social media groups. 

Instagram: ostomysupportbears

Facebook: Ostomy support bears WA

ostomy support bears creator receiving donations
Kelly receiving the eakin® pouches from Myra Mitchell of Omnigon, our Australian partner.

Still leading the way

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(Professor Carmel Hughes, Head of School, The School of Pharmacy and Tom Eakin)

Founder of Eakin Healthcare Group, Tom Eakin, was among the first to receive a fellowship from the School of Pharmacy at Queen’s University Belfast on 22nd June, 2019.  The School of Pharmacy Fellowship Programme recognises individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences.

Tom registered as a pharmacist in 1958, having chosen the profession because it was, in his words, ‘hands-on.’  His first job was as a superintendent Pharmacist subsequently led to his appointment as Chief Pharmacist at the Mid-Ulster Hospital, where he caused quite a stir on the maternity ward one lunch time after triggering a small explosion in the dispensary on the floor below.

Having gained experience in both hospital and community settings in Northern Ireland and Canada, Tom moved to Dundonald to manage his own pharmacy in 1960.

During the 1970s, Tom’s interest in formulation, lead him to focus on post-surgical difficulties for patients who had undergone stoma surgery.  This work was prompted by the experience of a family member and the customers he met at the pharmacy.

Showing great determination and focus, four years of experimentation led to the development of a special polymeric film and barrier adhesive that would go on to transform the lives of ostomates across the globe and create a thriving, now international, business.  But Tom’s invention was not limited to use on ostomates; surgeons realised a potential use in the treatment of open wounds, and he was asked to help with a seriously ill patient in the Belfast City Hospital which led to a new approach and the development of the Eakin Wound Pouches™.

TG Eakin Ltd now exports to 26 countries and continues to focus on innovation through its research and development department.  Tom is still very much involved and is often seen in the lab working on new formulations and design projects when he not attending a “course” (with a ball and club).

He continues to encourage and support the research undertaken at the Queen’s University School of Pharmacy through the annual         TG Eakin Prize for Distinction in Medicinal Substances, inspiring the next generation of pharmacy greats.

Additional images:

(Alongisde family, Mr Eakin had a team of supporters from eakin™ in the audence to celebrate his achievement. Pictured L-R Rebecca, Ben, Hannah and Grace)
(Mr and Mrs Eakin at the presentation)
(Mr and Mrs Eakin at the presentation)

It’s easy to apply an eakin Cohesive® seal

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picture of eakin cohesive seals

An eakin Cohesive® seal provides a solution for leaks and sore red skin. Here’s a step by step guide for application.

Leaks and skin irritation are common problems faced by ostomate.  The eakin Cohesive® seal provides superior protection to help stop leaks and prevent sore skin around your stoma.

The skin friendly ingredients in eakin Cohesive® seals means there is little chance of allergies to them.  As eakin Cohesive®​ seals absorb more moisture than any other seal they allow you to get on with your day, leak free.

To make sure the seal does its job, follow this handy step by step guide to apply your seal.

The eakin seal comes in a variety of sizes.  Find the perfect seal for you by requesting a sample today.

For further advice and support visit A Bigger Life, a web-based community for ostomates and their carers.

Confidence for a busy lifestyle

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still image from video promoting eakin slim seals

You need to feel confident when you’ve got a busy lifestyle; to be able to go about your normal routine, visit friends, go to work, travel, without the fear of leaking.

Clare Mee gets that confidence from an eakin Cohesive SLIMS® seal.   Shortly after surgery Clare developed skin irritation, so her stoma nurse recommended an eakin® Cohesive seal.

Absorbent, mouldable and skin friendly, eakin® Cohesive seals are designed to combat common problems such as leakage and skin irritation to prevent sore skin around your stoma.  But don’t just take our word for it- find out what Clare has to say in this video.

If you would like to try an eakin® seal for yourself, you can request a sample.

Clare is a regular blogger on A Bigger Life, a web-based community for ostomates and their carers to connect with each other for support, information and encouragement.  Sign up now at ABiggerLife.com

A bag that gives you complete peace of mind

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eakin dot 2-piece sample

Using an ostomy bag can sometimes be an anxious, leaky experience. Our eakin  dot® 2-piece flat pouch is designed with clever peace of mind features to make you feel more secure and comfortable (and make bag changes a little speedier too!)

Whether you enjoy travelling, gardening, doing something sporty or simply being with family or friends, the eakin  dot® 2-piece flat lets you get on with life.

Click here for further information on eakin dot® 2-piece flat system.