RECENT NEWS

The NHS has started 2009/10 in a strong position by sustaining delivery on key priorities such as reducing waiting times and healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs), according to the Department of Health.

More needs to be done to place the health and well-being of NHS staff, alongside quality, at the heart of how the health service operates, according to the latest findings of an independent review.

Sponsored by an educational grant from Welch Allyn, the Completing the Picture educational meeting in Scotland will take place on Wednesday 11th November at The Westerwood Hotel, Cumbernauld. This free one-day educational event is tailored especially for clinical and biomedical engineers

London Health 09 is now open for registration and the agenda is complete. Visit the website to see a full list of speakers including Ruth Carnell, Cynthia Bower, Leo Boland and Pam Chester.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has urged NHS Trusts to respond to the tragic death of Baby P by delivering major improvements in compliance with measures to safeguard children.

New systems being trialled for assessing and reviewing patients may have a negative effect on junior doctor training, according to a new study of acute care at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

Following the announcement of his resignation, the former health minister, Lord Ara Darzi gave his first interview to the BBC on Newsnight, which examined the future of NHS funding.

Statistics recently published reveal that people living in deprived areas are around three times more likely to die from a stroke than those in the least deprived.

NHS hospitals across England and Wales are being alerted to the risks of using suprapubic catheters after a number of patients suffered severe harm or fatal injuries as a result of error.

A new report aimed at increasing the number of doctors from lower income groups was branded “a missed opportunity” by medical and student leaders, for “failing to address the full extent of the soaring financial cost of studying medicine in the UK”.

An independent report to clarify the rules on organ transplants for NHS patients and non-UK EU residents was published by Elisabeth Buggins, former chair of the Organ Donation Taskforce.

Head and neck cancer patients are receiving better care than in previous years, but there is still room for improvement, the summary report from the National Head and Neck Cancer Audit (DAHNO) has shown.

Roche has announce that it is providing a Point of Care (POC) Managed Laboratory Service (MLS) to the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust, the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Trust and the Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has moved to a neutral position on assisted suicide, following an extensive and detailed consultation process. RCN members voiced a range of opinions on the issue.

A joint Department of Health and Home Office review group has published its findings on a review into access to the NHS by foreign nationals.

A blood test (BNP) should be recommended over an electrocardiogram (ECG) for the diagnosis of heart failure according to research published by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment (NIHR HTA) programme.

The STA has confirmed that NHS Managers responsible for workplace training are getting ready to implement the new one-day Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) qualification which comes into effect from 1 October 2009.

Nuffield Health, a registered charity and not-for-profit independent healthcare provider, has secured a £250 million refinance package from a consortium of banks to support the ongoing implementation of its healthcare strategy.

Cancer research UK scientists have identified a new approach to cancer treatment, which radically increases the effectiveness of radiotherapy by increasing oxygen delivery to tumours.

Spending commitments made by the Labour and Conservative parties not to cut NHS spending in real terms from 2011 onwards would inevitably result in hard decisions such as cuts to other departments’ budgets or further tax-raising measures over the period to 2017, according to a major new analysis published by The King’s Fund and Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS).