FEATURE ARTICLES

Carol Verner, interim head of equality, diversity and inclusion, Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, provides an insight into how the organisation is improving the workplace for its employees.

The practice of surgery is changing faster than at any time in the past, driven by a new wave of impressive technologies. CSJ delves into the upcoming Future Surgery 2022, which will give visitors a chance to explore this fast-evolving landscape.

Addie MacGregor, the Association of British HealthTech Industries’ sustainability executive, discusses how the HealthTech sector could have an important role to play in helping the NHS to achieve the Government’s target of ‘net zero’ by 2050.

Kate Woodhead RGN DMS offers an insight into the Health and Care Act 2022 and discusses the implications for healthcare delivery

Essity’s Liam Mynes considers the importance of training in order to ensure good hand and surface hygiene outcomes in the healthcare and elderly care sectors.

Endoscopy is considered the ‘gold standard’ method for investigating dyspeptic symptoms caused by Helicobacter pylori, but this invasive procedure represents an immense drain on medical resources. Professor Peter Malfertheiner discusses a clear role for the non-invasive ‘serological biopsy’ in the gastric cancer care pathway, and current clinical management of atrophic gastritis.

The British Medical Association has undertaken one of the largest, most detailed analyses of doctors’ views and experiences of the pandemic. The first two reports, to be published by the BMA, highlight serious failures to protect staff, during the COVID crisis.

A recent survey has revealed that half of frontline healthcare staff have changed or considered changing their job. By taking the time to listen and communicate, we can create a better and more supportive environment within healthcare, says Sean Nolan

‘Wet packs’ create a potential pathway for the migration of microorganisms from the outside to the inside of the packed set, so identifying underlying issues is a vital part of quality control. Dr. Georgia Alevizopoulou provides a troubleshooting guide and discusses some of the factors that lead to ‘wet packs’.

Access to health services might be equally available across ethnic groups, but barriers to receiving equitable care remain a key problem in healthcare systems across the world, including the NHS. Greg Samios explores new solutions designed to ensure all patients receive the best and most inclusive care, regardless of their ethnicity, language, or cultural background.

Bernard Ross discusses the value of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery and the role of MedTech in improving outcomes.

Beverley Mitton discusses the importance of providing training in decontamination to ensure competency. Ensuring staff understand both how and why tasks are undertaken is vital to ensuring sustainable best practice and patient safety.

Is there a more environmentally acceptable alternative to using single-use surface disinfection wipes that contain plastic? Esther Jansen believes there is a better solution that could help hospitals reduce their impact on the environment.

The EBME Expo took place 28-29th June and proved to be a well-attended and informative event – providing a showcase for thought-provoking insights into biomedical engineering and operating theatre technology. Louise Frampton reports.

Kate Woodhead RGN DMS discusses the findings of a Health and Social Care Select Committee report which has highlighted a crisis in the workforce. She calls on the Government to act on the findings, but also calls for more work to be done to ensure the NHS is a good employer.

Digital technologies have the potential to transform surgery and medical device manufacturers are now evolving to advance this technology-driven revolution. So, how could ‘digital surgery’ lead to reduced variation, improved outcomes, and increased efficiency? Louise Frampton reports.

Few would disagree that busy nurses and clinical staff should be allowed to focus on patient care rather than spending time searching for stock. Materials management specialist Medstor has made it its mission to facilitate this and, with a thirty-year history of working with the NHS and private healthcare providers, has played an important part in streamlining processes in hospitals across the UK and beyond.

Against a backdrop of increasing antimicrobial resistance, Jo Shorthouse discusses the efficacy and application of photodisinfection in the prevention of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs).

A new report finds that many nurses fear that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the outcomes of those living with a wound. Experts warn that “going back to business as usual” is not an option.

There is a need to tackle variation across Trusts in the adoption of day case surgery. The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust has made day case surgery its default approach and is on a mission to expand it further.