RECENT NEWS

The Experimental Cancer Medicine Centres (ECMC) network which runs UK clinical studies of the newest cancer treatments, has been awarded a second wave of £35 m funding for the next five years.

The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) has issued a Rapid Response Report aimed at ensuring that effective controls are in place to minimise the risk of mismatching spinal, epidural or regional devices with incompatible connectors.

Researchers in the US have found that faults in a gene called HOXB13 seem to be more common in men with an inherited form of prostate cancer, and among those who develop the disease at a younger age.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) together with the Group A streptococcal (GAS) Working Group has produced new guidelines for the investigation, control and prevention of GAS infection in acute healthcare settings, including maternity units.

Plans to improve the identification of potential organ donors and consent rates in order to address the shortage of organs for transplant have been set out in new guidance from NICE.

A new scheme to reward individuals and teams who are championing infection prevention in hospitals has been launched by Kimberly-Clark Health Care in the UK.

Surgeons can learn their skills more quickly if they are taught how to control their eye movements, according to research led by the University of Exeter.

The risk of TB diagnosis is significantly increased in women during the first six months after pregnancy, according to a new UK-wide study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

A major clinical trial, funded by the British Heart Foundation, has shown that a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan offers a better tool for diagnosing suspected coronary heart disease (CHD) than the most commonly used alternative.

The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has raised concerns that consultant physicians are increasingly working above and beyond their contracted hours. In a statement, the College reported that the NHS is relying on this good will to deliver the services that patients need.

Step Communications, the publishers of The Clinical Services Journal are delighted to announce the re-launch of www.clinicalservicesjournal.com

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has issued a warning that the NHS “is heading for crisis point”, with 56,058 NHS positions being axed across the UK.

ANSELL HEALTHCARE has announced that it has received the CE Mark for Gammex Powder-Free gloves with AMT Antimicrobial Technology – providing protection against some pathogens and drug-resistant bacteria in the event of a glove breach.

St George’s Hospital in South West London chose WARDRAY PREMISE to supply bespoke shielded workstations for a new resuscitation unit. The unit has been expanded and refurbished as part of the hospital’s development as a major trauma centre.

A study of cancer survival figures by cancer charity, Macmillan Cancer Support, has found that people now live nearly six times longer after their cancer diagnosis than was the case 40 years ago – median survival time has increased from one year to six years.

A new measure published for the first time by the NHS Information Centre highlights the extent to which mortality rates vary from Trust to Trust.

Around half a million people die each year in England and the issues considered to be important at this time can differ enormously from one person to another.

NICE has published an update to its existing guidelines on caesarean section (CS) in light of new published evidence and changes in clinical practice.

Sanctions taken against those who assault NHS staff have increased by almost a quarter on last year, according to figures released by NHS Protect. Some 1,397 criminal sanctions were applied following cases of assault in 2010-11, compared to 1,128 applied in 2009-10, an increase of almost 24%.

New measures to support the training standards of healthcare assistants have been unveiled by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley.