RECENT NEWS

Largest UK trial of treatment for prostate cancer publishes first results

Active monitoring is as effective as surgery and radiotherapy, in terms of survival at 10 years, reports the largest study of its kind, funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

DH publishes new policy on decontamination

The Department of Health has announced the publication of the Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 01-01: management and decontamination of surgical instruments (medical devices) used in acute care, which supersedes the Choice Framework for local Policy and Procedures (CFPP) series.

Quality & Improvement for Surgical Teams

A two-day conference on Quality and Improvement for Surgical Teams (QIST) will take place at the Marriott Hotel Gosforth Newcastle, Tuesday 18 October and Wednesday 19 October.

Women with short or long birth spacing face a greater risk of preterm birth

Women who conceive less than 11 months after giving birth have a higher chance of going into labour or being medically induced before 37 weeks of gestation.

Government waiting time targets missed

NHS England has published performance data that shows that the Government’s official waiting time target for planned treatment has been missed again.

‘Completing the Picture’

Details have been announced for the Scottish and North of England ‘Completing the Picture’ 2016, the must-attend annual educational symposium for healthcare professionals who use, manage, maintain or purchase medical devices.

Partnership with pioneering surgeons

A hip replacement system designed by four pioneering Sheffield surgeons has been acquired by healthcare company JRI ORTHOPAEDICS. Professor Ian Stockley, Andrew Hamer, Robert Kerry and Simon Buckley formed Sheffield Medical Products Ltd (SMPL) eight years ago to bring to market a new total hip replacement system.

Women more likely to die from blood infection

Clinicians around the world have long suspected that bacteraemia due to Staphylococcus aureushas a worse outcome in women compared to men, but direct evidence has been elusive.

New quality standard to drive down admissions for bronchiolitis

NICE, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, has issued advice to parents, carers and clinicians on spotting and managing bronchiolitis – a chest infection – in babies and young children.

NICE aims to tackle stroke incidence

New NICE indicators will help GPs and CCGs improve the identification and management of atrial fibrillation (AF) – a common heart condition that causes an irregular heartbeat and increases the risk of stroke.

NHS accounts reveal extent of financial pressures

The Department of Health is still some way from implementing a plan to put the NHS’ finances in England on a sustainable footing, according to three reports issued by the Comptroller and Auditor General, Sir Amyas Morse, who leads the National Audit Office (NAO).

Anti-malaria drug could boost cancer treatment

An anti-malaria drug could help radiotherapy destroy tumours according to a Cancer Research UK-funded study published in Nature Communications

Trainee doctor survey highlights pressures

The General Medical Council (GMC) has published the latest results of its annual surveys into medical education and training across the UK.

Proton therapy congress

Leaders from a multitude of scientific disciplines are set to showcase unpublished data, new technological advances and translational case studies to highlight the strengths of proton therapy and address the challenges surrounding its optimisation and practical implementation.

Low breast density worsens prognosis

Even though dense breast tissue is a risk factor for breast cancer, very low mammographic breast density is associated with a worse prognosis in breast cancer patients.

Fast track funding for innovation

Speaking at the NHS Confederation Conference, NHS England chief executive, Simon Stevens announced that the NHS will provide a national reimbursement route for new innovations, to accelerate uptake of new medtech devices and apps for patients with diabetes, heart conditions, asthma, sleep disorders and obesity, as well as other key areas of health provision.

Audit highlights improvement in stroke care

The thirteenth report from the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP) has revealed that 25 stroke services scored an overall ‘A’ score for the quality of care they provide for patients, demonstrating that a world class service is achievable.

250,000 people will die from preventable conditions by 2025

The ‘Living Longer, Living Well’ report from the Richmond Group concludes that without significant national action 250,000 people will die from preventable conditions by 2025, and even more people will have the quality of their lives drastically reduced.

Award-winning lung cancer service

Patients at Barnet Hospital are now able to have small lung tumours diagnosed and cells destroyed in a single hospital visit without surgery, after Royal Free Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was awarded the £100,000 Cancer Challenge Prize for its innovative 30-minute lung biopsy service.

Roll-out of FIT test for bowel cancer screening

A new bowel cancer home testing kit will be rolled out across England. The Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) tests for hidden blood in stool samples, which can be an early sign of bowel cancer.

Latest Issues

IGPP Annual Operating Theatres Show

Manchester, Etihad Stadium
11th September 2025

Clinical Engineering Conference

Stansted Radisson Blu
23rd September 2025

Infection Prevention 2025

Brighton Centre, UK
29th - 30th September 2025

CSC Autumn Meeting

Ramada Plaza, Wrexham
13th October 2025

IDSc Annual Congress 2025

Hilton Birmingham Metropole
24th - 26th November 2025