FEATURE ARTICLES

In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare environment, continuous professional development is more important than ever. Advances in technology, evolving treatment methodologies, and updated clinical guidelines require healthcare professionals (HCPs) to maintain and expand their expertise. Getinge has launched ‘Get Educated’ — a comprehensive programme providing high-quality training, education, and simulation from its state-of-the-art headquarters in Derby.

Paul Johnson, CEO Radar Healthcare, says that maternity care in the UK faces a pivotal moment. While the NHS has supported generations of families through safe and compassionate birth experiences, increasing pressures are now taking a toll. Workforce shortages, outdated policies, and substantial inequalities in outcomes are placing significant strain on the maternity care system, leaving some families without the care they deserve. However, he points out that these challenges also present a vital opportunity for change...

Dr. Penny Dash’s review of patient safety has concluded that there has been: “a shift towards safety over the last 5 to 10 years, with considerable resources deployed, but relatively small improvements have been seen”. CSJ provides an overview of the key findings of the review and the wider response to the report.

The Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines advocate for the use of advanced haemodynamic variables alongside clinical assessment to guide resuscitation in children with septic shock or sepsis-associated organ dysfunction. In this article, James Leek explains why advanced haemodynamic monitoring is so important during sepsis treatment.

World Sepsis Day is held on 13 September every year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against sepsis. Sepsis accounts for at least 11 million deaths worldwide annually. Recent reports by the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) show that there are still ongoing challenges in ensuring early diagnosis.

bioMérieux recently hosted an educational symposium on ‘the critical intersection between antimicrobial stewardship and sepsis’. Often perceived as separate, these two issues are intrinsically linked. The event, which took place in Birmingham, provided a thought-provoking exploration of these two critical healthcare challenges. CSJ provides an overview of some of the hot topics discussed.

Ecolab has launched the latest innovation in UV-C decontamination to help enhance environmental hygiene protocols and maintain healthy spaces.

High on the agenda at the Central Sterilising Club’s Annual Scientific Meeting was the theme of “risk and revolution”. How should we review current approaches, drive innovation, and ensure patient safety? What questions should we ask, when implementing ‘a revolution’, and what are the challenges that we need to overcome? Louise Frampton reports.

In light of the call for a return to activity-based payment mechanisms, Trusts must focus on one crucial area: accurately coded data. Adrian Jones explores how correct coding will be key to maximising NHS income, ensuring proper payments under future activity-based models, and facilitating crucial reforms in line with the 10-Year Health Plan.

The Central Sterilising Club’s Annual Scientific Meeting explored “risk and revolution” in endoscope reprocessing and highlighted some of the innovation taking place in the sector. Louise Frampton provides an insight into some of the key discussion points.

The Infection Prevention Society’s Annual Conference, Infection Prevention 2025, is taking place at the Brighton Centre on the 29-30 September. In this article, CSJ looks at some of the discussion themes and innovation that will be showcased at the event

In the wake of elective surgery backlogs and workforce shortages, the imperative to optimise theatre operations has never been more urgent. To overcome systemic inefficiencies, Dries Vanbiervliet argues that healthcare providers must adopt digital tools that enable real-time visibility across theatre, endoscopy, and sterile services.

At the recent Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) conference, deadly fungal infections, increasing drug-resistance, and rapidly mutating viruses were all high on the agenda. Learning lessons from the past, effective diagnostics, and ensuring preparedness will be key. Louise Frampton reports.

A physiotherapist specialising in orthopaedics, Alicia Stanton is currently Head of Service Improvement at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Birmingham. She highlights the importance of putting patients at the centre of care delivery, using their experience and knowledge to make change happen.

The Fifth Annual Operating Theatres Show 2025 took place earlier this year at the Kia Oval. Organised by the Institute for Government & Public Policy, high on the agenda was the need to ‘think day case first’, to further the recovery of elective surgery.

A new survey by the Confederation of British Surgery (CBS) has identified continuing gender bias in surgical disciplines. The feedback suggests that women face barriers that men do not. In this article, the surgical trade union comments on the latest findings and calls on the surgical community to take action.

Prof. John Sandham CEng FIHEEM provides an insight into the role of Authorising Engineer (Medical Devices) and explains why this strategic imperative will enhance patient safety and organisational resilience within NHS Trusts.

The 10-Year Health Plan calls for three important shifts in the way health and care is delivered. Technology enabled care, wearables and remote devices will need to become an integral part of the strategy. Steve Wightman offers an insight into the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Operating rooms (ORs) are among the most vital and resource-intensive areas of any hospital. They are central to surgical care and a major driver of hospital productivity.¹ Yet, despite their critical role, ORs are often hindered by inefficiencies that compromise patient outcomes, strain staff wellbeing, and reduce overall operational effectiveness.² A recent pan-European report, The Non-Value Report, sheds light on these challenges and offers a practical framework for improvement. Mikael Olsson provides an insight.

In this article, Minija Joseph and colleagues at the King’s College NHS Foundation Trust discuss the critical role of theatre nurses and anaesthetic practitioners in robot-assisted surgery.