RECENT NEWS
Lack of awareness over prostate cancer
An ICM poll commissioned by The Prostate Cancer Charity asked men over 45 years of age what would most stop them from visiting their GP, if they were getting up to urinate several times at night. The findings paint a shocking picture of fear, lack of awareness about the symptoms of prostate cancer and most worryingly, men not being able to secure an appointment to see their doctor.
Faster joint surgery referral
NICE has recommended that osteoarthritis patients needing NHS joint surgery are referred promptly when other treatments have failed them.
Job cuts planned over deficit
More than 200 jobs could be lost at Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust in a bid to avoid a £7 m deficit.
Clinical engineers receive recognition
This year sees the launch of the new “Clinical Engineering Team of the Year” award from Welch Allyn. The award seeks to reward teams of clinical and biomedical engineers by recognising their contribution to healthcare in the UK.
Cardiac imaging services expand
Patients in the North West of England and North Wales are set to benefit from innovative cardiac imaging services as a result of an agreement signed between the University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust and medical imaging company Alliance Medical. The eightyear agreement will see thousands of NHS patients scanned over the lifetime of the contract.
Heart deaths reduced
The target of reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease for people under 75 by 40% has been met by the Department of Health five years early, according to the Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) National Service Framework (NSF) Progress Report.
Robotics experts announce collaboration
Prosurgics and Adept Technology are to collaborate in the launch of a new generation of surgical robotic systems for image guided and navigated neurological and soft tissue surgery.
Opening of contamination control centre
Ecolab’s centre of excellence for contamination control, Shield Medicare, is celebrating a major step in its development with the opening of a purpose-built manufacturing facility at Baglan Energy Park, near Swansea.
Pill reduces ovarian cancer risk
A study conducted by the Collaborative Group on Epidemiological Studies of Ovarian Cancer has indicated that the contraceptive pill offers women substantial long-term protection against the disease.
Golden ‘hello’ for midwives
Health Secretary Alan Johnson has announced a package of measures to recruit an extra 4,000 midwives to the NHS over the next three years. During a visit to the Royal Victoria Infirmary Maternity Unit in Newcastle, the Health Secretary outlined plans to give former midwives a “golden hello” worth up to £3,000 to help them return to work after a break in service.
Critical care unit completed
Architects Race Cottam Associates have designed a new critical care unit at the Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital. The development will provide wards with a higher proportion of single rooms, where nursing staff are more able to cope with complex medical conditions.
Breakthrough in diabetes research
Skin secretions from South America’s Paradoxical frog could be used to treat Type 2 diabetes, according to research announced at Diabetes UK’s Annual Professional Conference in Glasgow.
New rules on international medical graduates
Health Secretary Alan Johnson has issued a statement supporting new immigration rules that will restrict international medical graduates’ (IMGs) access to UK post-graduate medical training.
Reconstructive surgery failure
Only one in ten of women with breast cancer have access to reconstruction surgery at the time of their mastectomy, despite recommendations from NICE. These are the early findings of the National Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction Audit, published by the Royal College of Surgeons and the NHS Information Centre.
Controversy over instrument cleaning
A request by the Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP) to its members for information on outsourced decontamination of instruments has highlighted concerns. More than threequarters of those who responded are said to have reported negative experiences.
Clinical engineers receive recognition
This year sees the launch of the new “Clinical Engineering Team of the Year” award from Welch Allyn. The award seeks to reward teams of Clinical and Biomedical Engineers by recognising their contribution to healthcare in the UK.
Pioneering aneurysm repair
A vascular surgeon at Lanarkshire Hospital has carried out the first endovascular iliac branch aneurysm repair operation in Scotland.
Golden ‘hello’ for midwives
Health Secretary Alan Johnson has announced a package of measures to recruit an extra 4,000 midwives to the NHS over the next three years.
New rules on international medical graduates
Health Secretary Alan Johnson has issued a statement supporting new immigration rules that will restrict international medical graduates' (IMGs) access to UK post-graduate medical training.
EU funds home monitoring project
Royal Philips Electronics has announced that it will lead a new European Union (EU) funded research project aimed at improving care of heart patients through the development of telemonitoring solutions. The HeartCycle consortium will work to improve the quality of care for coronary heart disease and heart failure patients by developing systems for monitoring their condition at home and involving them in the daily management of their disease.
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Founded in Sheffield during 1932, Swann-Morton have become a world leader in the manufacture of surgical blades, scalpels and handles. It is a name respected globally for quality, precision, consistency and reliability and recognised for combining traditional blade making skills with the latest technology.
EBME Expo 2026
Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry
24th – 25th June 2026
AfPP Regional Conferences: Manchester
INNSiDE by Meliá Manchester
20th June 2026
Endoscopic Anterior Skull Base Surgery: Hands-On Cadaveric Course
Division of Anatomy, University of Leeds
29th- 30th June 2026
BLOCKED – Advanced+ | The Wrightington Regional Anaesthesia Interest Group Cadaveric Course
Wrightington Conference Centre
Tuesday 7th – Wednesday 8th July 2026
AESCULAP ACADEMY LIVE - Circular Economy in Action
B. Braun Business Centre, Sheffield
Friday 10th July 2026
AfPP Regional Conferences: Bristol
BAWA Leisure
18th July 2026