RECENT NEWS

Figures released by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) show reported cases of Hepatitis C infection in England have increased by 4.5% from 8,196 cases reported in 2008 to 8,563 cases in 2009.

Researchers will be exploring whether a new, very low cost, one-a-day combined “polypill” could reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular problems across the world, in a major new international trial.

More than two out of three patients say they will have more confidence in their doctor once a new system of regular checks on doctors is introduced, according to a survey commissioned by the GMC.

Almost half of doctors (46%) and a third of nurses (37%) report that people with a learning disability receive a poorer standard of healthcare than the rest of the population, according to a survey published by learning disability charity, Mencap.

The Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP) has announced four key pathways under which masterclasses and specialist sessions will feature at this year’s AfPP 2010 Congress and Exhibition (14-16 October 2010).

Some types and doses of cholesterol-lowering statin drugs may have unwanted side-effects, scientists have found. A study by researchers at the University of Nottingham revealed that some statins can increase an individual's risk of liver dysfunction, acute kidney failure, myopathy and cataracts.

In the largest study to date of a rare and deadly form of bladder cancer, researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit found radiation therapy may not improve a patient's chances for survival.

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has appointed Bespoke Healthcare to provide the majority of its adult neurophysiology service provision.

Deb has launched the Deb Hand Hygiene Awards 2010, in conjunction with IPS Education and Professional Development Committee, to promote the importance of improving hand hygiene in the health sector.

Following the success of the first Healthcare Innovation Expo, held in June last year, the UK Department of Health has announced that a second Expo’ will take place this October.

Children with autism have a different chemical fingerprint in their urine than non-autistic children, according to new research published in the Journal of Proteome Research.

The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) has issued guidance for all NHS organisations across England and Wales aimed at reducing the number of wrong dose incidents involving insulin.

Perioperative practitioners still have time to stake their claim for over £6,000 in awards and bursaries from the Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP), before the deadline of 31 July.

In 2009, Dr Foster Intelligence highlighted wide variations across UK Trusts in the average length of stay for patients receiving hip replacements for neck of femur fractures. While the average length of stay in English acute Trusts was found to be 19 days, locally this ranged from seven days in the best performing Trust up to 43 days for the worst. With this in mind, Healthcare Events will be hosting a one-day conference aimed at improving the quality and productivity of care delivery for hip replacement patients, which will take place on Thursday 30 September, at 76 Portland Place, London.

The NHS Technology Adoption Centre (NTAC) has published its latest “How to Why to Guide”, designed to support the implementation of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) – also known as insulin pump therapy.

In his first speech since taking up the post, the Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, said that hospitals should be responsible for reducing the number of emergency readmissions following treatment, and support treatment at home, as part of a single payment.

Patients and the public will now be provided more up-to-date information about their local hospital, following the decision by the Department of Health to publish weekly hospital data on MRSA bloodstream infections and C. Difficile.

People admitted to English hospitals in an emergency at the weekend have, on average, a seven percent higher mortality rate than people admitted between Monday and Friday, according to research published in the journal Quality & Safety in Health Care.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has said the public should be able to view a list of NHS workers’ concerns about patient safety. The call comes as the College reveals that whistleblower nurses have been raising serious concerns about patient safety each week for the past year.

Doctors are finding their ability to assess patients is being compromised because they are unable to spend enough time with them. This is according to new research released by Aviva UK Health.