RECENT NEWS

Government considers minimum service levels in hospitals during strikes

The government is considering introducing minimum service level (MSL) regulations that would require some doctors and nurses to work during strikes, in order to protect patient safety, the Health and Social Care Secretary has announced.

Clanwilliam launches UK Division with new leadership team

Clanwilliam has launched a UK Division backed by a new leadership team. The new division will bring together five leading UK brands with a track record of delivering for the NHS, led by new managing director, Stuart van Rooyen.

Cardio-diabetes clinic in Lincolnshire improves outcomes for patients with diabetes following a heart attack

A cardio-diabetic outpatient service at Lincolnshire Heart Centre is helping reduce recurring heart attacks in people with diabetes by providing a holistic one-stop approach to patient care.

CMR Surgical surpasses 15,000 surgical procedures and raises $165m to support continued growth

CMR Surgical has announced that its next-generation Versius Surgical Robotic System has been used to perform more than 15,000 surgeries globally. The surgical cases span more than 130 complex and benign procedure types including colectomies, hernia repairs, hysterectomies, sacrocolpopexies, and lobectomies across seven surgical specialties.

FREE webinar: Jon Otter provides expert advice on how hand hygiene can reduce HCAIs

A top infection prevention expert will help to improve knowledge on hand hygiene with a FREE webinar. If you thought you knew everything you need to know about hand hygiene, think again...

NHS Supply Chain highlights sustainable practice

As part of NHS England’s plan to reach net carbon zero by 2040, theatres and sterile services are encouraged to review single use items used in surgery. After learning about an initiative at The Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow, to replace single use medical holloware with the reusable equivalent, NHS Supply Chain are using the project as a guide for NHS Trusts looking at their own green plans.

Research demonstrates photodisinfection efficacy against extensively drug-resistant bacteria

Ondine Biomedical has presented new research at the 2023 International Consortium on Prevention & Infection Control (ICPIC) in Geneva, demonstrating high efficacy of its patented photodisinfection technology against extensively drug-resistant (XDR) bacteria.

Government announces £200m investment to tackle winter pressures

The government has announced that it will invest £200 million with the aim of boosting resilience in the NHS and helping patients get the care they need as quickly as possible this winter.

New method offers hope of fewer fractures

​Thousands of people could be spared from a hip fracture each year if a new method to identify the risk of osteoporotic fractures were to be introduced in healthcare. This is the view of the researchers at Lund University in Sweden who are behind a new 3D-simulation method. The results were recently published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.

Health of young people with ulcerative colitis at risk as most stop taking medication within a year

Nearly 70 per cent of adolescents and young adults with ulcerative colitis stop taking medication to treat the disease within a year of diagnosis. The findings come from a study published in the British Journal of General Practice, led by researchers at Imperial College London, University College London and St George’s University London.

Guy’s and St Thomas’ complete 10,000 robot-assisted surgeries

An NHS Trust that has pioneered the use of robotic-assisted surgery in the UK has become the first to complete 10,000 cases using the da Vinci Surgical System.

Report reveals extent of sexual harassment and sexual assault in the surgical environment

A survey of UK surgical workforce members, recruited via surgical organisations, has found that sexual misconduct in the past 5 years has been experienced widely, with women affected disproportionately.

CQC patient survey reveals impact of waiting times on health

The results of the latest annual survey of hospital inpatients published by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) show patient satisfaction levels have remained largely static since 2021, but indicate a longer term decline in most areas compared to previous years. They also highlight growing frustration with waiting times and reveal that four in ten people scheduled for planned treatment said their health deteriorated while waiting to be admitted.

Government rejects action to boost NHS specialist digital workforce

Ministers have rejected a call by the Public Accounts Committee to pay higher salaries to boost the NHS’s digital workforce to allow it to compete with the private sector.

Stark warning for childhood heart risk

Researchers at ESC Congress issued a stark warning that hours of inactivity during childhood could be setting the stage for heart attacks and strokes later in life. The study found that sedentary time accumulated from childhood to young adulthood was associated with heart damage – even in those with normal weight and blood pressure.

ESC Congress highlights high cost of cardiovascular disease in the EU

At this year’s ESC Congress, the shocking cost of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the EU was revealed in the most comprehensive analysis since 2006. Figures presented at the conference showed that CVD cost the EU an estimated €282 billion in 2021. Health and long-term care accounted for €155 billion (55%) of these costs, equalling 11% of EU health expenditure. The analysis was a collaborative effort by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the University of Oxford, UK.

Consultation launched into unregulated cosmetic procedures

People and businesses are invited to share their views on how to make non-surgical cosmetic procedures safer as thousands complain of ‘botched’ procedures.

GP surgeries in Slough see up to 30% increase in patients with controlled blood pressure

GP practices in Slough are achieving significantly improved hypertension outcomes following the introduction of a new digitally led approach to identifying, diagnosing, and managing patients with hypertension (high blood pressure). It is hoped that their successes will serve as a blueprint for other primary care services nationwide.

Reducing GP burnout through better consultations

An award-winning team of GP educators is helping GPs reduce stress and use time more effectively through an innovative, free set of training resources designed to promote calm, enjoyable consultations.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria thrive when drugs kill ‘good’ bacteria in the gut

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria get extra nutrients and thrive when antibiotics kill ‘good’ bacteria in the gut, according to new research led by Imperial College London scientists. The study could lead to better patient risk assessment and ‘microbiome therapeutics’ treatments to help combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Latest Issues

AfPP Newcastle Regional Conference

Herschel Building, Newcastle University
26th April 2025

GS1 UK Healthcare Conference

QEII Centre, London Westminster
29th – 30th April 2025

Infection Prevention and Control 2025 Conference and Exhibition

The National Conference Centre, Birmingham
29th – 30th April 2025

Decontamination and Sterilisation 2025 Conference and Exhibition

The National Conference Centre, Birmingham
29th April 2025

Scottish Intensive Care Society Conference 2025

Crieff Hydro Hotel, Scotland
1st - 2nd May 2025

AfPP Plymouth Regional Conference

TBC, Plymouth
10th May 2025