RECENT NEWS

Action needed to tackle the burden of bureaucracy

A review of bureaucracy in the NHS by the NHS Confederation has assessed the progress made in reducing the bureaucratic burden on organisations in the past three years, and looks at where new burdens may lie as a result of changes to the NHS architecture.

Improving the patient environment

WARDRAY PREMISE has a wide range of images in their Relax & View image collection. The company offers quality backlit wall and ceiling units designed to improve the aesthetics of a room.

Bender UK recognised for safety

Electrical safety specialist, BENDER UK, is celebrating achieving industry’s flagship standard for occupational health and safety best practice at its headquarters in Ulverston, which houses product testing facilities and delivers, sales, service, project management and technical support.

Sanitising gel

Infections such as norovirus increase healthcare costs and time, so improving hand hygiene compliance is one way to both lower costs and improve patient safety.

The problem of protein: how clean is ‘clean’?

At the recent Institute of Decontamination Sciences (IDSc) annual conference, held in Blackpool, the problematic issue of protein detection and removal was high on the agenda. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

NHS lacks the staff to ‘keep people safe’

The Guardian has recently reported on a warning from the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) that many hospitals lack enough staff in some areas to ‘keep people safe’.

Ultrasound for problem fractures

New guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) supports the use of an ultrasound bone healing device that can replace surgery for patients with ‘problem’ fractures, potentially.

Ultrasound to replace biopsy for liver fibrosis

A non-invasive ultrasound test is set to reduce the need for liver biopsy across the NHS following a guide published by the NHS Technology Adoption Centre (NTAC).

Calls for better screening of TB

Leading scientists in the field of tuberculosis (TB) recently gathered to discuss how to improve national prevention strategies for the control of TB. UK is one of few countries in Western Europe which has seen an increase in the number of active TB cases in recent years.

Cost benefits of mobile units

Vanguard Healthcare has published its findings, following a joint venture study with the British Association of Day Surgery (BADS), to evaluate and quantify the cost advantages to the NHS of deploying temporary facilities to reduce waiting times for ophthalmic surgical procedures.

Plans to help staff spot child abuse

Health Minister, Dr Dan Poulter has announced plans for a new system to help doctors and nurses spot children suffering from abuse and neglect, which will be rolled out in 2015.

Toolkit to support nutritional care

Following the launch of the NICE Quality Standards for nutrition, the British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (BAPEN) has unveiled its enhanced nutritional care Commissioning Toolkit and supporting summary guide and is calling for the National Commissioning Board to prioritise nutrition and hydration as fundamental elements of improving dignity and care.

Red wine compound helps prevent cancer

University of Leicester scientists have presented new evidence on how a chemical found in red wine can have significant health benefits.

Increased waiting times in A&E

A national survey of NHS accident and emergency (A&E) departments has shown that waiting times are getting longer. However, most people surveyed said that they still had confidence and trust in the health professionals who treated them.

Oesophageal cancer surgery should be ‘concentrated to fewer surgeons’

Patients who undergo surgery for oesophageal cancer have a much greater chance of long-term survival if the operation is carried out by a surgeon who has performed it many times before, according to a large-scale study conducted by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden.

Radio waves reduce blood pressure

Researchers have found that directing short bursts of radio waves at nerves surrounding the kidneys can lower blood pressure, for up to one year, in patients with hypertension which has not responded to medication.

Reshaping of services must focus on quality

The Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) has published its principles for the reshaping of surgical services. Reshaping surgical services: principles for change makes the case for a different approach to reconfiguration from one which has been taken in the past.

Diabetic sight loss treatment receives NICE support

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued new guidance recommending that a potentially sight-saving drug should be made available on the NHS to people with diabetic macular oedema (DMO).

BMA seeks HPV vaccination for gay men

A vaccine against HPV should be extended to young gay men, the BMA has told the Department of Health.

Synergy Health supports MRSA Action UK

Synergy Health has become a corporate sponsor for MRSA Action UK, a charity dedicated to raising public awareness and influencing Government and healthcare providers in the fight to prevent MRSA and other healthcare-associated infections.

Latest Issues

IDSc Annual Conference 2024

Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel
26th - 27th November 2024

IV Forum 2024

Birmingham Conference & Events Centre (BCEC)
Wednesday 4th December 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Leeds

TBA, Leeds
7th December 2024

The Fifth Annual Operating Theatres Show 2025

Kia Oval, London
11th March 2025, 9:00am - 4:00pm

Infection Prevention and Control 2025 Conference and Exhibition

The National Conference Centre, Birmingham
29th – 30th April 2025

Decontamination and Sterilisation 2025 Conference and Exhibition

The National Conference Centre, Birmingham
11th April 2025