FEATURE ARTICLES

KATE WOODHEAD RGN DMS provides an overview of the reforms that are taking place in the NHS.

Medical researchers, politicians and decision makers recently gathered in London to discuss innovative solutions to the world’s major health problems. High on the agenda was the challenge of balancing access with affordability. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

The Global Health Policy Summit was established to address the common challenges of health policy and to develop innovative ways for delivering healthcare across the world.

Group B Streptococcus (a potentially life-threatening infection) is on the increase in newborn babies in the UK – yet countries with national screening programmes have seen incidence fall by as much as 86%.

JONATHAN BAILLIE reports on some of the key advances in large capital equipment for the operating theatre.

The annual European Society of Cardiology Congress took place in Munich at the end of August. The Clinical Services Journal reports on some of the highlights from the event.

SUZANNE CALLANDER looks at the findings of a report which examines the cost of kidney disease to the NHS in England and another which identifies variations in care across the country and suggests ways that this can be tackled to reduce unwarranted variation, with the aim of increasing value and improving the quality of care for people with kidney disease.

As NHS Trusts look to achieve further reductions in infection rates, antimicrobial copper touch surfaces are being adopted in many hospitals as an additional infection control measure.

UK cancer patients have reported high levels of satisfaction in terms of dignity, communication and choice of treatment. The Clinical Services Journal reports.

Concerns over patient safety, poor regulation and the misleading use of the title ‘surgeon’ have prompted calls for hard-hitting reforms of the cosmetic surgery industry. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

At the annual educational symposium for clinical and biomedical engineers – Completing the Picture – there were several debates relating to the use of monitors in healthcare.

The 8th International Healthcare Infection Society (HIS) conference and Federation of Infection Societies (FIS) annual conference takes place in Liverpool, 19-21 November 2012. The Clinical Services Journal provides an insight into some of the highlights of the conference.

Vanguard Healthcare, the world’s largest fleet of mobile surgical facilities, has been working closely with the NHS and its surgical teams for over a decade. It believes that getting the right working relationships is vital to providing patients with seamless surgical care.

It takes time and effort to improve the culture of safety across a hospital, but teams – small and large – can make significant inroads, says KATE WOODHEAD RGN DMS.

SUZANNE CALLANDER talks to Dr Gina Brown about the findings of a recent study which looks at the use of MRI as a tool for rectal cancer staging after neoadjuvant therapy.

The Serious Hazards of Transfusion scheme (SHOT) report for 2011 was published recently. The summary of the full report, which is available on the SHOT website, is reproduced below.

The annual congress of the Association for Perioperative Practice will provide a focus on the key issues faced by perioperative teams. High on the agenda will be the need to ensure patient safety, within the context of a changing healthcare landscape.

Fire involving the use of alcoholic skin preparation is devastating when it occurs and inevitably raises questions about patient safety. The Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP) offers some important guidance on reducing the risk of injury.

More timely, accurate data capture can enhance a hospital’s competitive advantage says MARTIN POPPELAARS. It can also allow nurses to spend more time with patients, helping to improve patient outcome.

Dr TIM SANDLE addresses the first stage of endoscope cleaning through the use of detergents. Without adequate cleaning, the disinfection stage will not be successful and the risk of microbial survival becomes greater.