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RECENT NEWS

Lupus flare-ups strongly linked to specific bacterial growth in gut

Recurrent bouts of systemic lupus erythematosus, marked by the body’s immune system attack of its own tissues, closely tracked with measureable upticks in growth in the gut of a certain species of bacteria.

More than £96m awarded to NHS for cutting-edge research equipment

The NIHR has awarded more than £96 million to 93 NHS organisations across England. The funding will pay for new research equipment and technology. Around £20 million is going to smaller, regional NHS Trusts.

Ban lifted on use of UK plasma to manufacture life-saving albumin treatments

Leading scientists at the independent Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) have confirmed that albumin, a critically important medicine for the NHS, can now be safely derived from UK plasma donors.

Antidepressants prescription associated with a lower risk of testing positive for COVID-19

New research led by the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), and supported by NIHR Maudsley BRC, has found that community mental health patients who were prescribed antidepressants were significantly less likely to test positive for COVID-19 when admitted to inpatient care.

Patients outcomes improved with higher volume surgeons

Patients who have shoulder replacement operations with surgeons who do over 10 of these operations a year, fare better than other patients, according to new NIHR funded and supported research.

NHS given mixed bill of health in new study of international healthcare systems

The NHS is ‘neither a leader nor a laggard’ when compared to health care systems of similar countries, though on some critical measures of resources and performance the UK is falling well-below average, according to a major new report from The King’s Fund.

New lung cancer screening roll out to detect cancer sooner

A national targeted lung cancer screening programme designed to catch cancer sooner or prevent it altogether has been announced by the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. Each year the programme - which will cost £270 million annually once fully implemented - is expected to detect cancer in as many as 9,000 people, deliver almost one million scans and provide treatment earlier.

Independent NHS and social care staff survey launched to identify emerging workforce challenges

Since 2010, Skills for Health has conducted regular large-scale national surveys to provide a comprehensive picture of new and emerging workforce challenges across health and social care. The 2023 edition of the State of the Workforce Survey has now launched to identify critical skills and development shortages at an individual, organisational, and systemic level to support the UK government, NHS, and social care leaders as they plan for the workforce of the future.

Highlighting best practice in medical technology management

The EBME Expo medical equipment exhibition and conference will take place at The Coventry Building Society Arena, 28–29 June 2023. The event will showcase the latest innovations in medical technology, as well as imparting best practice with regard to its management, acquisition, use, and maintenance.

£21 million to roll out artificial intelligence across the NHS

NHS staff will be given the latest artificial intelligence (AI) technology to diagnose and treat patients more quickly as a result of a new £21 million fund, announced by the Health and Social Care Secretary.

NHS hospitals forced to cut admissions by over half a million due to lack of beds, new analysis shows

New analysis published by the Health Foundation shows that 800,000 (12%) fewer patients in England were admitted to hospital in 2022 than in 2019, while at the same time the average length of time patients spent in hospital increased.

'Vicious cycle' must be broken to tackle NHS workforce crisis, GMC warns

Urgent action is needed to break a ‘vicious cycle’ of unmanageable workloads, dissatisfaction and burnout that is causing UK doctors to take steps to quit, the General Medical Council (GMC) has warned in a new report.

BHF report highlights increase in deaths involving heart conditions and stroke

Nearly 100,000 more people with cardiovascular disease than expected have died since the start of the pandemic in England, according to analysis published by the British Heart Foundation (BHF). On average, there have been over 500 additional deaths a week involving cardiovascular disease, since the pandemic began.

Increasing risk of mosquito-borne diseases in EU

The mosquito species Aedes albopictus, a known vector of chikungunya and dengue viruses, is establishing itself further northwards and westwards in Europe, according to the latest data from ECDC. Also, Aedes aegypti, known to transmit dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, zika and West Nile viruses, has been established in Cyprus since 2022 and may continue to spread to other European countries.

One-stop-shop for AI and digital regulations for health and social care launched

A new online advice service to help the NHS and wider care system adopt and make use of new digital and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies has been launched.

Excess deaths associated with flu highest in five years

New interim analysis from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) indicates that excess deaths in England associated with flu infection were higher (14,500) than the average figure (13,500) for the five years before the pandemic.

Pressure on doctors and impact on patients laid bare in census

The Royal College of Physicians, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow have released the findings of the 2022 annual consultant physician workforce census with senior doctors reporting widespread gaps in the medical workforce and an impact on patients.

WHO outlines 40 research priorities on antimicrobial resistance

WHO has published its first global research agenda for the world’s scientists to address the most urgent human health priorities to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It outlines 40 research topics on drug-resistant bacteria, fungi and Mycobacterium tuberculosis that must be answered by 2030, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Mobile Lung Health Checks to aid early identification of cancer in North East Lincolnshire

In an effort to identify lung cancer at an earlier stage, more than 19,000 people in North East Lincolnshire are being invited for a free NHS Targeted Lung Health Check (TLHC).

An app can transform smartphones into thermometers that accurately detect fevers

A team led by researchers at the University of Washington has created an app called FeverPhone, which transforms smartphones into thermometers without adding new hardware. Instead, it uses the phone's touchscreen and repurposes the existing battery temperature sensors to gather data that a machine learning model uses to estimate people’s core body temperatures.

Upcoming Events

Central Sterilising Club - Annual Scientific Meeting 2024

Crowne Plaza at Gerrard’s Cross
15th April 2024 – 16th April 2024

DECON UK 2024

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
17th April 2024

Infection Prevention & Control

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
23rd - 24th April 2024

Theatres & Decontamination Conference 2024

Coventry Building Society Arena
16th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Birmingham

Millennium Point, Birmingham
18th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Exeter

University of Exeter
22nd June 2024

Access the latest issue of Clinical Services Journal on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Clinical Services Journal app from your device's App store

Upcoming Events

Central Sterilising Club - Annual Scientific Meeting 2024

Crowne Plaza at Gerrard’s Cross
15th April 2024 – 16th April 2024

DECON UK 2024

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
17th April 2024

Infection Prevention & Control

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
23rd - 24th April 2024

Theatres & Decontamination Conference 2024

Coventry Building Society Arena
16th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Birmingham

Millennium Point, Birmingham
18th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Exeter

University of Exeter
22nd June 2024

Access the latest issue of Clinical Services Journal on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Clinical Services Journal app from your device's App store

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