RECENT NEWS

In January, the Department of Health issued its latest monthly information on the numbers of known cases of Creutzfeldt Jakob disease.

The results of a study just published in the British Journal of Urology International add further support to the routine use of brachytherapy for the treatment of prostate cancer.

The Royal Society of Medicine, the UK’s largest provider of continuing medical education, has published a new guide aimed at students and junior doctors.

Varian Medical Systems has announced it has signed an agreement to acquire ACCEL Instruments, a privately-held supplier of proton therapy systems for cancer treatment and scientific research instruments.

The Royal Society of Medicine (RSM), the UK’s largest provider of continuing professional development, has announced changes to its academic structure that will strengthen its medical educational programme.

Patients and the public are to have easier access to information on how well healthcare providers in the independent sector are meeting standards.

The diagnosis and monitoring of hypertensive patients at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, is now being carried out by hand-held ultrasound systems manufactured by SonoSite UK.

Plans are underway to extend the cleanyourhands campaign from acute NHS hospitals to other care settings, such as primary care organisations, GP practices, community hospitals, nursing homes, care homes, ambulances, hospices, and dental surgeries.

The acquisition of Bayer Healthcare’s diagnostic division by Siemens Medical Solutions has been completed. Bayer Diagnostics and Diagnostic Products Corporation (DPC), acquired in July 2006, has been merged into one business unit.

Getinge Extended Care UK Limited has acquired, or received valid acceptances for, 95.8% of Huntleigh Technology PLC, and Huntleigh was de-listed from the London Stock Exchange on 1 February.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued a new draft version of its guidance on the clinical and costeffectiveness of carmustine implants and temozolomide for the treatment of newly diagnosed high-grade glioma, with final guidance expected in June 2007.

Stefan Dräger, Chairman of the Executive Board of Drägerwerk Aktiengesellschaft, is to provisionally take over as Chairman of the Executive Board of the subgroup Dräger Medical AG&Co. KG.

An initiative to keep patients and visitors informed about MRSA and other healthcareassociated infections is being launched by the charity MRSA Action UK.

The Government believes that NHS clinicians will be better equipped to identify patients with long term conditions who are most at risk of unplanned and unnecessary hospital admissions, thanks to a model recently launched in the NHS.

The BUPA Foundation reports on a recent grant to fund a study into whether important lessons can be learned by surgical teams to improve communication.

The Healthcare Commission is responsible for carrying out independent, authoritative and patient-centred assessments of the performance of each local NHS organisation. On 1 April 2005, it launched a new approach to assessing and reporting called the annual health check.

Bandolier provides short reports on studies relating directly to evidence in healthcare, so it will be of special interest to note a short piece in Bandolier 145 related to studies of the relationship between chocolate and cardiovascular health.

It is wise to make a regular check of the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory products Agency which highlights recent alerts and safety information on medical devices and medicines.

The World Alliance for Patient Safety is embarking on a consultation process (the “Delphi Survey”) for the International Patient Safety Event Classification (IPSEC).

Department of Health chief nursing officer Christine Beesley has launched a new report setting the context and framework for nursing careers in order that the profession is able to meet the challenges of changing patient need into the future.