FEATURE ARTICLES

A working day of FELICIA COX, senior nurse, pain management; and lead nurse specialist, critical care; Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Trust, London, is profiled by The Clinical Services Journal.

Many healthcare workers and patients who have a latex allergy remain exposed to an unacceptably high level of risk, and a large number of NHS Trusts are still failing to implement procedures and training to mitigate this. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

Medical devices that could save thousands of lives and reduce NHS spending by millions of pounds are facing significant barriers to finding their way into standard clinical practice. Not only are Trusts missing out on increased efficiency gains but patients are also denied access to technologies that would speed up their recovery and improve outcomes. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

The Institute of Decontamination Sciences (IDSc) recently held a conference on decontamination focused on the latest guidelines and best practice. High on the agenda were issues such as the quality control of instruments and protection of patients from the risk of contracting CJD. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

When clinicians and other healthcare professionals are closely involved in the design and development of the facilities in which they work, numerous benefits are evident. NICHOLAS MARSHALL reports.

A national screening programme for aortic aneurysms could prevent over 3,000 premature deaths each year, but the Government is accused by the Vascular Society of “dragging its feet” over implementation of a diagnostic programme. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

Risk assessment is not being given the attention it deserves, yet simple changes in working practices can be implemented that cost nothing, says FIONA WAKLEY RGN ONC CIEH Advanced Health and Safety, IOSH Managing Safely, CIEH Group Trainers cert.

Ultrasound guidance can provide a cost-effective approach to improving the success of regional anaesthesia, according to JON PEACOCK from SonoSite International.

The Government has outlined its vision for the “national” health service to become a “personal” health service. LOUISE FRAMPTON examines some of the latest proposals for reform.

The British Association of Critical Care Nurses recently held the 22nd National BACCN conference and exhibition at the Brighton Dome, bringing together over 300 professionals from the field of critical care. LOUISE FRAMPTON provides an overview of some of the highlights.

The IDSc conference and exhibition takes place at the Hilton Hotel, Blackpool, from 26-28 November 2007. The emphasis will be on ensuring the quality of decontamination processes is equal across all healthcare sectors.

DEBBIE LEE RN DipN CIM MBA director of Healthcare Standards International, examines the implications of advances in genetic research for healthcare workers – both ethical and clinical.

Health Minister Lord Darzi’s latest interim report: “Our NHS, Our Future” has outlined a number of key initiatives including a £100 million scheme to accelerate innovation and the introduction of MRSA screening for all admissions. The Clinical Services Journal reports.

Using maggots as a means to heal wounds and prevent infection is nothing new. In fact they have been in use since the time of the Napoleonic wars, as BARRY HILL discovered when he spoke to one MP determined to champion their healing powers.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has published its latest guidelines for doctors and midwives. The Clinical Services Journal provides an overview.

The Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP) annual congress and exhibition recently took place at Harrogate. With surgery in primary care becoming increasingly common and significant changes afoot in the role of PCTs, the conference looked at the major impact this will have on perioperative practitioners in acute hospitals. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

The Infection Control Nurses Association’s annual infection control conference and exhibition recently took place at the Brighton Centre. Sponsored by Osprey Deep Clean, the event tackled issues such as hand hygiene, antibiotic prescribing and strategies for changing behaviour. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

Sir Derek Wanless has outlined deep concerns as well as successes in his latest review of the NHS. He warns that high levels of funding will be required over the next 20 years unless the issues of productivity and unhealthy lifestyles are addressed. The Clinical Services Journal provides an overview of his key findings.

JAMES FAIRLEY, a consultant ENT surgeon, responds to an article on Picture Archiving Communication Systems (PACS) which featured in The Clinical Services Journal (“A Revolution in radiology: diagnosis at a distance”, September 2007) with an alternative viewpoint. He gives a personal account of his experience of IT implementation and outlines his concerns.

More needs be done to improve cancer treatment and care, according to Professor MIKE RICHARDS, national cancer director. The Clinical Services Journal outlines his recommendations which will provide the foundations for the development of new cancer reform.