RECENT NEWS

A public health policy in Wales may have produced the strongest evidence yet that a vaccine can reduce the risk of dementia. Researchers analysing the health records of Welsh older adults discovered that those who received the shingles vaccine were 20% less likely to develop dementia over the next seven years than those who did not receive the vaccine.

The ease in pressure on Emergency Departments (EDs) over the festive period must be replicated throughout the year in order to get the hospital system back on track, says the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM).

Most COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is rooted in concerns that can be addressed and effectively reduced over time, according to a new study following more than 1.1 million people in England between January 2021 and March 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study, led by researchers from Imperial College London, found that of the participants initially hesitant about getting a COVID-19 vaccine, 65% went on to get vaccinated at least once.

Christmas and New Year gatherings may have caused a bounce back in winter viruses, as the health service also grapples with a challenging cold snap. Figures show that the number of patients in hospital beds with flu has risen by 9% on the previous week (2,924), following two weeks where that number had fallen. The average number of patients in hospital with Norovirus and Covid per day was also up on the previous week, and overall bed occupancy was up 5% on the previous week at just under 92%.

New preclinical research suggests that bowel preparation procedures for colonoscopies may temporarily alter gut balance, culminating in unappreciated effects in patients with compromised gastrointestinal health.

The Health and Social Care Committee has warned that the Government’s 10 Year Workforce Plan for the NHS – shifting services from hospitals to neighbourhoods – won’t succeed without improving the working conditions of district nurses and other professionals working in the community.

A medical student studying at King's College London, hailing from Southwark, has won a national competition hosted by the General Medical Council (GMC) and Medical Schools Council (MSC).

​Patients at all GP practices in Scotland are benefiting from a digital dermatology service designed to reduce waiting times and improve outcomes. Since the national rollout in September, GPs have referred more than 12,000 patients. It is estimated that up to 130,000 dermatology referrals a year could be made this way, reducing demand on dermatology waiting lists by up to 50%.

More women with ovarian cancer could be diagnosed earlier under proposed new NICE guidance that replaces a one-size-fits-all blood test threshold with personalised, age-based criteria.

The MiS Technology Day Surgery, taking place on Thursday 22 January 2026 at the University of Edinburgh, is set to be a landmark gathering where innovation meets expertise in the fast‑advancing field of medical device reprocessing.

Resistance to antibiotics is increasing worldwide. This also applies to drugs that are central to the treatment of tuberculosis (TB), such as bedaquiline. An international panel of experts from 32 countries has therefore presented specific antimicrobial stewardship standards for TB care for the first time.

Higher consumption of food preservatives, widely used in industrially processed foods and beverages to extend their shelf life, has been linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

​For the third year running, all Nuffield Health hospitals performing joint replacement surgery in England and Wales have been awarded the highest ‘Gold Quality Data Award’ by the National Joint Registry (NJR) for their commitment to patient safety.

Menopause and prostate problems will be among the priorities for the NHS’s new online hospital. The NHS has selected nine common conditions which will be the first to be treated by the NHS Online service, providing faster access to specialist care.

Researchers have developed a fully hydrogel-based, battery-free device that modulates the splenic nerve to restore immune balance, offering a new potential therapy for chronic inflammatory conditions.

Patients and staff across the country are benefiting from a new fleet of over 500 ambulances, as the government aims to strengthen frontline emergency services this winter.

A pioneering laser device for treating knee osteoarthritis may delay or replace the need for joint replacement surgery. The new minimally invasive laser, which ensures tissue repair without thermal damage, ​was found to be safe and effective.

The AfPP Annual National Conference 2026 takes place on 7-8 August and returns bigger, better, and more accessible than ever before. This year, AfPP will welcome delegates to an exciting new venue, the stunning Wyboston Lakes Resort, bringing a fresh energy and enhanced experience to AfPP’s flagship event.

Baxter Healthcare, the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust, and Environmental Resources Management (ERM) have jointly published the results of a report showing the significant environmental benefits of OPAT, when compared with the traditional inpatient model of intravenous (IV) antimicrobial therapy.

Ondine Biomedical and Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust (Mid Yorks) have been shortlisted for the ‘Most Impactful Use of Technology on Clinical Practice’ award at the prestigious 2026 HSJ Partnership Awards, following the successful implementation of Ondine’s Steriwave nasal decolonisation technology.