RECENT NEWS
New efforts to combat HAIs
The Government has outlined a package of measures to help reduce healthcare associated infections (HAIs) in hospitals including new responsibilities for matrons, new guidance on clothing and the isolation of patients who are infected. The package follows the announcement in July of an extra £50 million to tackle healthcare associated infections.
Trust’s hygiene failures lead to C. diff deaths
The Healthcare Commission has published a damning report on infection control at the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, which is believed to have led to an estimated 90 deaths due to C. difficile. The chief executive of the Trust, Rose Gibb, has stepped down and Health Secretary Alan Johnson has intervened to ensure her severance payment worth £250,000 is frozen. The police and the Health and Safety Executive are reported to be investigating further to see if criminal charges are appropriate against the Trust.
Extra funding secured for new NHS measures
The Government has announced that it is increasing the NHS budget by 4% per year, taking total NHS funding from £35 billion in 1997-98 to £110 billion in 2010-11. This extra investment is intended to fund measures set out in Lord Darzi's Our NHS, Our Future interim report.
Medical imaging professor opens new Agfa building
The new Agfa HealthCare building was officially opened by Professor W R Lees, Professor of Medical Imaging at University College London.
Aneurysm screening at Broomfield hospital
A new screening service is now being provided at Broomfield hospital. Male cardiac patients are regarded as being at high risk of developing aortic aneurysms, so when they come into hospital to receive an angiogram, they now also receive an ultra sound scan that can detect an aneurysm.
New technique could benefit ‘high risk’ heart patients
Cardiologists and cardiac surgeons at King’s College Hospital in London have started a new programme to treat patients with aortic valve stenosis (narrowings of the aortic valve).
Paediatric nephrologists speed up diagnosis
Nephrologists at the Manchester Children's Hospital in Manchester, have been able to speed up diagnosis of a diverse range of kidney and bladder problems, using a hand-held ultrasound system from SonoSite.
Urine test for prostate cancer
A urine test for prostate cancer has been launched in the UK that could reduce the need for biopsies in some men.
‘Polyclinics not the answer’ says BMA
Although there is a case for changing how some NHS services are provided in London, Government proposals do not build on the best aspects of the NHS, could result in damaging fragmentation and may not produce the predicted cost savings, or improvements in patient care, that the Government envisages, the BMA has warned in its response to Lord Ara Darzi’s review of healthcare in London.
NHS urged to improve complaints handling
The NHS needs to do more to act on and learn from complaints by patients, the Healthcare Commission has warned. Publishing the first audit of how well the NHS handles complaints, the watchdog says it has found considerable variations in performance.
Poor care given for allergies
The number of people suffering with allergic reactions has trebled in the last 20 years, affecting a third of the population at some time in their lives. Each year over 6,000 people are admitted to hospital, with a quarter of these suffering from a severe anaphylaxis response.
Aneurysm screening at Broomfield
A new screening service is now being provided at Broomfield hospital. Male cardiac patients are regarded as being at high risk of developing aortic aneurysms, so when they come into hospital to receive an angiogram, they now also receive an ultra sound scan that can detect an aneurysm.
New NHS medical director announced
The NHS chief executive, David Nicholson, has announced that Professor Sir Bruce Keogh has been appointed as the new NHS medical director.
Fears over midwife services
Dr Maria Barrell, of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), has expressed her dismay at Health Secretary Alan Johnson’s decision to endorse the closure of four maternity units in Greater Manchester. Commenting, Dr Barrell said: “I am very concerned that the reduced capacity of Greater Manchester’s maternity units will not be able to cope with the demand of an increasing birth rate.”
Study into cardiac risk in young athletes
The charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), in a joint initiative with Philips, recently launched its ‘Save Our Athletes Research Project’. This fiveyear athlete cardiac research study involves data from the USA and Germany. By concentrating on all elite athletes, CRY will be able to gain a broader understanding of the effects of heavy and light exercise on the heart.
MDU hits out at decision on ‘proof’
The Medical Defence Union, which assists hundreds of doctors each year with GMC fitness to practice investigations, says the GMC’s proposed guidance on the use of the civil standard of proof would turn part of the decisionmaking process on its head.
Career development academy
All members of AfPP currently working in perioperative care at any level are being encouraged to apply for a place on an exclusive personal development programme sponsored by 3M Health Care and the Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP).
Nurse prescribing is part of solution says RCN
An article in the magazine Pulse has come under fire by the Royal College of Nursing for its criticism of the increases in nurse prescribing. Jo Haynes, editor of Pulse, said “It seems incredible that it has been left to individual nurses to assess and police their own competence.”
Telemedicine scheme announced
Welch Allyn is partnering with Vantage Diagnostics, a new telehealth company, to run a pilot scheme across several primary care practices.
Patient safety initiative
A new research partnership which aims to improve patient safety has been launched.
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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
British Association of Urological Nurses 30th Anniversary Conference
EICC, Edinburgh
16th - 18th November 2025
IDSc Annual Congress 2025
Hilton Birmingham Metropole
24th - 26th November 2025