RECENT NEWS
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.
Omega-3 fatty acids linked with slower progression of ALS
Consuming omega-3 fatty acids, particularly alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a nutrient found in foods including flaxseeds, walnuts, and chia, canola, and soybean oils, may help slow the progression of disease in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
New approach to attacking heart disease by prioritising liver health
Liver disease, the UK’s third leading cause of premature death, poses a significantly greater threat to human health than previously recognised. Ground-breaking new research using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) AI-enabled assessment tools has revealed that patients with liver disease are at considerably higher risk of heart failure and other serious heart-related problems.
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Upcoming Events
Infection Prevention & Control
National Conference Centre, Birmingham
23rd - 24th April 2024
ESGE Days 2024, Symposium – ‘Elevating Endoscopy: Inspiring Progress and Innovation’
Estrel Congress Center (room 15), Berlin, Germany
25th April 2024, 16:30 – 17:30 CEST
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
EBME Expo
Coventry Building Society Arena
26th - 27th June 2024
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