RECENT NEWS

Health sector employers can benefit from employing older workers and should do more to tackle age discrimination, according to research published by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently.

The Healthcare Commission recently launched an investigation into Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust following concerns about the rates of the C. difficile infection since 2004, and the outbreaks of the infection in the winter of 2005- 2006 and subsequently.

The launch of the PIPPA breathing monitor offers an easy-to-use, accurate and affordable alternative to current medical practice for measuring breaths per minute (BPM), claim manufacturers C-Lect Medical.

The Fire Services National Benevolent Fund (FSNBF) has revealed that its new Devon therapy centre has enabled 91% of injured firefighters who have used the centre to get back to saving lives.

Philips Medical Systems recently signed a Commercial and Research Agreement with Imperial College for the purchase of two additional MRI systems for use at the Robert Steiner MR Unit and Neonatal Department on the Hammersmith Hospital Campus.

Anew independent survey commissioned for the www.treatmentabroad.net web site shows that savings of over 80% can be made by going abroad for some surgery and treatment.

Philips, King’s College London and University College London (UCL) have formed a consortium to develop advanced imaging solutions for the treatment of heart arrhythmias.

OspreyDeepclean equipment has passed clinical trials that confirmits steam cleaning system can successfully combat microorganisms, including MRSA and C. difficile, which are responsible for healthcare acquired infections.

The European Dermatology Forum (EDF) has issued the first evidence-based guidance on the management of actinic keratosis (AK) across Europe.

The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) report has missed an opportunity, according to the mental health charity, Mental Health Foundation.

NHS patients will soon be able to choose to recover at home under the care of nurses from MediHome Limited, the Hospital-Care-At-Home company, and Clinicenta, a provider of diagnostic imaging services to two new surgical treatment centres in South London.

The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) has recently launched a new education programme that puts patient safety at the heart of training for junior doctors.

The Information Commissioner has upheld a decision by a hospital Trust not to disclose a report requested under the Freedom of Information Act.

Bang & Olufsen Medicom and AstraZeneca AB have entered into an agreement on the development of a new patient monitor that measures patient compliance.

Cook Urological, a supplier of private medical devices, has developed a new kidney stone extractor which it claims will significantly improve irrigation and better visibility during stone removal procedures.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recently welcomed the announcement by Health Minister Andy Burnham asking NICE to launch a new programme of work to help the NHS identify interventions that are not effective.

The Healthcare Commission has urged NHS hospitals to step up efforts to improve the prescribing and dispensing of medicines. The Commission made the plea when publishing comparative assessments on medicines management for all 173 acute hospital Trusts in England.

Dynal, now part of Invitrogen Corporation, has announced the release of a key research tool in its immunotherapy range: Dynabeads (ClinExVivo CD3/CD28).

Mental health services need to redouble their efforts to ensure the safety of patients. This is the message the Government will be sending to services in response to a report published recently by the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA).

Aservice which provides information for people with epilepsy in hospital and healthcare settings, has been given 100% approval by neurologists and epilepsy specialists from across the country.