RECENT NEWS

People taking beta blockers may be less likely to show changes in the brain, which can be signs of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, according to the findings of a study of 774 elderly Japanese-American men.

The BMA has called for more neonatal care capacity in Wales, after a consultant claimed lives were being lost owing to a shortage of cots. Cardiff obs and gynae consultant, Richard Penketh, has alerted the WMC (Welsh Medical Committee), which advises the Welsh government, of a ‘neonatal cot crisis’.

Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, announced today that £120 million will be invested in health research to tackle some of the country’s biggest health problems over the next five years.

Prime Minister, David Cameron has announced plans for new patient and staff satisfaction tests across all NHS services to expose unacceptable standards of care.

The health service must adapt to the demands of an increasingly obese nation, according to a report by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP). The RCP working party found that despite the strain put on the NHS by obesity, the delivery of healthcare to patients with an established obesity problem is ‘extremely patchy’.

As part of its continuing commitment to providing world-class operating room and critical care area solutions, STARKSTROM is pleased to reassert its partnership with endoscopy specialist, RICHARD WOLF.

Clinell Spill Wipes, available from GAMA HEALTHCARE, provide a solution for safe cleaning and removal of body fluid spills. Simple, quick and highly efficient; the patented, large, plastic backed, super absorbent pad will absorb up to one litre of fluid.

ORTHODYNAMICS, a specialist in orthopaedic reconstruction solutions, has announced the exclusive UK launch of the aMace Acetabular Revision System, in partnership with Mobelife NV.

With over 400,000 occupational injuries reported each year, the EU Council Directive 2010/32/EU aims to achieve the safest possible environment for healthcare workers through the prevention from sharps related injuries.

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has undertaken a major project to upgrade existing bed and dynamic pressure area care stock to state-of-the-art electric profiling beds.

A share of a £25 million fund to improve the birthing environments in more than 100 hospitals has been announced by the Department of Health.

The Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALY) approach to deciding which treatments are available on health services - used by the UK and generating much interest across Europe - is dangerously flawed and should be abandoned, according a European Commission funded research project.

Twelve years ago, controversial clinical trial results caused an international medical society to warn against the use of stents in leg arteries. But recent years have brought significant improvements in stent technology. One-year follow-up results of a worldwide, multicenter trial with 744 patients show that 90% participants had successful procedures that did not require a repeat treatment.

Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, has announced that £120 million will be invested in health research to benefit millions of patients and tackle some of the country’s biggest health problems over the next five years.

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). The draft guidance recommends Lucentis (Ranibizumab), Novartis, is used as a treatment for the eye condition and, if the final guidance goes ahead, the treatment will become available on the NHS.

A pilot scheme is being trialled at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital (RBH) by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), in partnership with three hospitals in the country.

Concerns about the inconsistent availability of certain medicines has resulted in a review of the decision-making process at NHS Scotland’s drugs approval body.

The Chief Medical Officer (CMO), professor Dame Sally Davies has warned of the threat of antibiotic resistance and highlighted the need to use antibiotics responsibly.

NICE has issued new final draft guidance recommending two new treatments for advanced malignant melanoma.

A drug commonly prescribed to help patients sleep in hospitals has been associated with an increased risk of falls, according to a study published in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.