The website of the Clinical Services Journal

CORONAVIRUS NEWS

SARS-CoV-2 vaccine shows promising results in early trial.

A clinical trial of the UK’s vaccine candidate against SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) has shown promising results.

First findings published from home COVID-19 testing programme

A major programme of community coronavirus testing that is tracking levels of infection in England has published its first report.

Plans to deal with winter pressures and potential second wave vital

A second wave of COVID-19, on top of these challenges, would put the NHS under considerable pressure, so it’s sensible to look at potential worst case scenarios, as this report does, so that we can plan and put mitigating measures in place.

Optometrists advise how to wear glasses with facemasks to prevent fog

Wearing a facemask or face covering is becoming the new normal, but one of the minor problems of the COVID-19 pandemic is fogged-up eyewear. This happens when warm breath escapes from the top of the mask and lands on the cooler surface of the lens.

NHS deploys COVID-19 risk assessment tool to protect front-line staff

Working for the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, intelligent automation firm Rainbird has developed a COVID-19 risk assessment tool to help potentially vulnerable front-line workers limit their exposure to undue levels of risk from the virus.

Urgent cancer referrals being turned down

The charity, Cancer Research UK, has reported that around a quarter of GPs surveyed said that urgent referrals for suspected cancer have been inappropriately turned down by hospitals 'more often than before the pandemic'.

Finding local COVID rate should be 'as easy as checking the weather'

Up-to-date local data on the number of COVID-19 infections should be promoted to the public across England in an easy to interpret way similar to weather forecasts or pollen counts, the British Medical Association has asserted.

NHS to launch online COVID-19 rehab service

People who are suffering long-term effects of Coronavirus will have access to an on-demand recovery service, the Government has announced.

Majority of children no longer need to shield

The majority of children currently considered extremely clinical vulnerable to COVID-19 will be able to be removed from the shielded patient list, the Government has confirmed in the latest shielding guidance.

Miele washer disinfector aids in ventilator challenge

A Miele washer disinfector proved a key product to aid the UK Ventilator Challenge in the fight against COVID-19.

Point-of-care Covid-19 antibody testing kits ready for mass production

​The UK-Rapid Test Consortium (UK-RTC), a group of UK scientists and expert medical manufacturers led by Abingdon Health, has reached “design freeze” for its Covid-19 antibody test.

Bio-Rad accelerates production of antibody test

Bio-Rad Laboratories is accelerating production of its Platelia SARS-CoV-2 Total Ab test, a blood-based immunoassay kit to help determine if an individual has developed antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the virus associated with COVID-19 disease.

Regular retesting rolled out for care homes

Staff and residents in care homes for over 65s and those with dementia will receive regular coronavirus tests from next week as part of a new social care testing strategy.

Brain complications found in some patients with severe COVID-19

A study of 153 patients treated in UK hospitals during the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic describes a range of neurological and psychiatric complications that may be linked to the disease.

COVID-19: fatalities 'rare' in children

Children with COVID-19 generally experience a mild disease and fatalities are very rare, according to a study of 582 patients from across Europe.

COVID-19: Bacteriophage could decrease mortality

A type of virus that preys on bacteria could be harnessed to combat bacterial infections in patients whose immune systems have been weakened by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

New data show the impact of Covid-19 on private healthcare

New data on private healthcare in the UK shows how the Covid-19 pandemic has led to an estimated 84% drop in privately funded care.

Antibody test now available in markets accepting the CE Mark

Beckman Coulter has shipped more than 16,000 SARS-CoV-2 IgG immunoassay analysers worldwide and has ramped its manufacturing to deliver more than 30 million tests a month.

Schools to take part in voluntary testing for COVID-19

A new voluntary COVID-19 study to assess and monitor the prevalence of COVID-19 among pre-school, primary and secondary school pupils and teachers has been launched by the government.

First accreditations for COVID-19 testing awarded by UKAS

UKAS is currently assessing over 30 laboratories who have requested an extension to their scope of accreditation to include COVID-19 testing.

Upcoming Events

Central Sterilising Club - Annual Scientific Meeting 2024

Crowne Plaza at Gerrard’s Cross
15th April 2024 – 16th April 2024

DECON UK 2024

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
17th April 2024

Infection Prevention & Control

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
23rd - 24th April 2024

Theatres & Decontamination Conference 2024

Coventry Building Society Arena
16th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Birmingham

Millennium Point, Birmingham
18th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Exeter

University of Exeter
22nd June 2024

Access the latest issue of Clinical Services Journal on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Clinical Services Journal app from your device's App store

Upcoming Events

Central Sterilising Club - Annual Scientific Meeting 2024

Crowne Plaza at Gerrard’s Cross
15th April 2024 – 16th April 2024

DECON UK 2024

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
17th April 2024

Infection Prevention & Control

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
23rd - 24th April 2024

Theatres & Decontamination Conference 2024

Coventry Building Society Arena
16th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Birmingham

Millennium Point, Birmingham
18th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Exeter

University of Exeter
22nd June 2024

Access the latest issue of Clinical Services Journal on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Clinical Services Journal app from your device's App store

Step Communications Ltd, Step House, North Farm Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3DR
Tel: 01892 779999
www.step-communications.com
© 2024 Step Communications Ltd. Registered in England. Registration Number 3893025