FEATURE ARTICLES

With the publication of a Government document on the future of maternity services in England, critics have been questioning whether measures are going to hinder rather than help the policy for greater choice for women.

A global clinical research programme has been launched to develop an alternative obesity measurement system to the Body Mass Index (BMI). The Clinical Services Journal reports on a study and the technology behind it.

The introduction of e-health and the realisation of its potential clearly require greater momentum, DEBBIE LEE emphasises.

Cancer patients seeking facts about their diagnosis and treatment will soon be able to receive information prescriptions thanks to a new partnership between two of Britain’s leading cancer charities.

As the fight continues to limit the spread of MRSA infections in hospitals, The Clinical Services Journal examines how one games-based learning organisation has produced a novel way of assisting.

Despite the publication of the Government’s TB Action Plan in 2004, the number of reported cases of the infection is still increasing according to a new survey.

In the annual NHS staff survey run by the Healthcare Commission, personnel report that they are less stressed, suffer fewer work-related injuries and see fewer potentially harmful errors, but the results also highlight the levels of violence and abuse that they endure.

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) assays play an important role in screening for prostate disease and in monitoring the effectiveness of treatment. However, current practice risks the under-reporting of potential prostate cancers. Report by MARK STEARMAN, product manager, Beckman Coulter Immunoassay Systems.

JOHN HARRISON MBE MIDSc, director of education of the Institute of Decontamination Sciences, and decontamination manager, Northamptonshire General Hospital NHS Trust, describes issues encountered and dealt with in planning decontamination elements of a new endoscopy unit.

JOHN BEESLEY LLM BA (Hons) RGN NEBOSH, RCN Officer, Yorkshire and Humberside, reports on the Healthcare Commission’s recently published review of gastrointestinal endoscopy services within NHS hospitals in England.

A new set of guidelines designed to help transform the delivery of emergency care for adults has been launched by the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement.

Improvement in interdisciplinary working in the perioperative environment is essential and old habits and ways of thinking have to be abandoned, says SINEAD HAHESSY, lecturer, National University of Ireland.

The importance of gender-specific medical research is emphasised by CHRISTINA ANNÉ who, in this article, examines three conditions affecting women.

The contribution of treatment centres to the reshaping of healthcare delivery is noted by JOHN BEESLEY.

The use of disposable curtains is providing distinct benefits in a busy accident and emergency department in the north east of England. NICHOLAS MARSHALL reports.

According to recent guidelines, the NHS, patients and industry can all benefit from barcode technology, which has the potential not only to increase patient safety, but also to improve efficiency and save the NHS millions of pounds through fewer bed days. The Clinical Services Journal investigates.

As the cost of settling legal claims looks set to rise, CSJ looks at one organisation that aims to offer support to its members.

The use of negative pressure wound therapy to assist in healing wounds has many clinical benefits. Examples of what can be achieved are provided in three case studies. Report by HELENA FOSTER RGN, group clinical manager, Talley Group.

Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome present in a number of specialities, and the way forward for treatment depends on which aspect of the disorder is causing most distress, explains Dr RUTH AYLING.

The scene is set for significant further reductions in waiting times for patients who need treatment. The Clinical Services Journal takes a look at the implications of this on NHS staff and procedures.