FEATURE ARTICLES

Strengthening the case for scalp cooling

Data from a registry spanning 13 years has provided new insights into scalp cooling to treat chemotherapy-induced alopecia. Toni Brook and Daniel Milner provide an overview of the key findings and implications for practice.

Patient safety improvement initiatives

Dawn Stott provides an insight into some key improvement initiatives around the safe management of airway devices and shares the findings from NHS Trust freedom of information requests, surveys and focus groups. The research underscores the importance of continuous learning, and a culture of transparency and collaboration across disciplines to sustain improvements in patient safety.

Difficult airways: how can we mitigate risks in theatre?

Dr. Sandeep Sudan, Consultant Anaesthetist at the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, and Royal College of Anaesthetists/Difficult Airway Society Airway Leads Advisor, writes on the importance of preparation for difficult airways.

NHS Scotland: progress towards net zero

Human health is inextricably linked to the health of our planet, and action is well underway in Scotland to deliver improvements in sustainability. Innovation Manager at InnoScot Health, Frances Ramsay analyses the environmental outlook for Scottish healthcare.

The case for surgical hubs: reducing waiting lists

Peter Sedman, from the Confederation of British Surgery, discusses the case for surgical hubs and highlights some of the successes that have been achieved, using this approach, across the UK.

New guide on medical equipment principles

An ‘Essential guide to medical equipment principles’, has been launched to help new clinical engineers, junior nurses, medics and operating department practitioners (ODPs) understand the fundamentals of many of the standard medical devices they will encounter in a hospital environment.

Leading medical engineering into new frontiers

The first gathering of the ‘EBME Expo Leaders Network’ brought together a select group of influential leaders from the healthcare technology (HealthTech) industry, at the Cinnamon Club, in Westminster, to drive innovation and to collaborate on achieving key objectives in the field of EBME. This Special Report outlines the key issues raised.

EBME Expo 2025 - Shaping the Future of Healthcare

Professor John Sandham, Chair of the EBME Expo, highlights the event’s focus on practical knowledge and best practices in technology management, acquisition, connectivity, use, and maintenance. The Expo aims to demonstrate how optimised healthcare technology contributes directly to NHS productivity, cost-effectiveness and, most importantly, enhanced patient safety.

The five pillars of SSI surveillance

Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust’s Surgical Site Infection (SSI) Team provide an insight into patient-reported SSI surveillance, using the latest smart-phone technology. The team have identified ‘five pillars of post-discharge surveillance’, as part of the ‘SWIFT’ approach (Smart, Well-connected, Inclusive, Flexible, and Therapeutics).

COVER STORY: Introducing the surgical robot that adapts to you

Your practice, your robot, your choice: meet Versius, the surgical robot designed for you…

Surgical site infection surveillance

At the recent OneTogether conference held at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham, insights were shared by experts and professionals interested in reducing the occurrence of surgical site infection. Kate Woodhead RGN DMS provides an overview of some of key learning points shared at the event.

Transforming endoscope reprocessing: a new model

Could on-demand services play a pivotal role in future-proofing endoscopy workflows? A new model for loan endoscopes has been launched in Australia and has the potential to be rolled out across the globe, in the near future. This article looks at how the initiative aims to maintain high infection control standards, while reducing operational burdens.

The importance of education in sterile services

The Institute of Decontamination Sciences’ annual scientific conference took place at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel, bringing together decontamination scientists and experts from across the UK. IDSc Chair, Trevor Garcia, emphasised the vital need for education for the decontamination sector and the importance of attending events such as the annual conference.

Transforming NHS operating theatres

Executive Chair of InnoScot Health, Graham Watson offers an insight into the innovation taking place to transform NHS operating theatres for a smarter, more efficient healthcare future.

The new UK Procurement Bill: is the NHS ready?

A key objective of the new UK Procurement Bill is to promote transparency, competition and sustainable procurement. Mark Roberts, UK Public Sector Director at Jaggaer, outlines what the bill will mean for the NHS and provides an overview of the key challenges ahead.

COVER STORY: Effective HLD of ultrasound probes

Nanosonics provide an insight into high-level disinfection of ultrasound probes, including the important factors that need to be taken into consideration to ensure effective results. In this article, they highlight the latest innovative technology that can help protect patients, staff and your equipment.

Size matters: quality control for surgical instruments

Sojin Mappidecheri, Tom Brophy and Jonathan Reeves discuss the findings of an in-house quality assurance programme at Barts Health NHS. They highlight the importance of ensuring the correct sizing of surgical instruments and discuss the need to move to a standardised approach to measuring instrument dimensions, across the industry.

Harnessing the power of Scan4Safety

The GS1 UK Healthcare Conference 2025 is leading the charge for a safer, smarter and more connected health service. The Clinical Services Journal provides an insight into this year’s hot topics at the conference, the keynote speakers and the progress that has been achieved across UK Trusts.

Identifying, protecting and containing infection

This April, Knowlex is hosting four essential conferences dedicated to advancing healthcare through infection prevention, patient safety, and innovation. Taking place over two days at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham, these events will bring together leading experts, groundbreaking research, and the latest advancements to address key challenges in infection control, sepsis management, mental health infection prevention, and decontamination and sterilisation.

Tackling the backlog in diagnostics

Jennifer Moncur, National Lead for Diagnostic Imaging at Nuffield Health, provides an insight into the organisation’s £200m collaboration with GE HealthCare, which aims to expand diagnostic capacity through access to innovative, AI-driven technologies.

Latest Issues

BAUN Day Educational Event

Hilton, Belfast
6th June 2025

AfPP Annual National Conference

University of Warwick
8th - 9th August 2025

Clinical Engineering Conference

Stansted Radisson Blu
23rd September 2025

Infection Prevention 2025

Brighton Centre, UK
29th - 30th September 2025