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A new NHS pilot study into genetic testing for common diseases has been launched. The HEART study (Healthcare Evaluation of Absolute Risk Testing) is a world-first and will be examining the potential prevention of common diseases through the use of genetic assessment techniques. More specifically, it will focus primarily on using genetic information “to augment cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment…

Our Future Health, which aims to eventually recruit up to five million adults to the programme, has launched this week. The programme, chaired by Professor Sir John Bell, aims to utilise volunteers to create a detailed, diverse health picture of the UK population. It is hoped that this will help to develop innovative new ways to diagnose, detect and treat…

University of Sussex researchers have identified distinctive biomarkers within patient blood samples which could indicate Glioblastoma. As the biomarkers were identified in extracellular vesicles, diagnosis through liquid biopsy could prove to be a viable option. This is important as a biopsy would be a faster and less invasive alternative to current diagnostic methods. Glioblastoma is the most common high grade…

In response to the ongoing difficulties regarding NHS staffing, the Ministry of Defence has provided 40 defence medics and 160 general duty personnel to work in the health service. These additional workers will be assisting with staff shortages for the next three weeks across London. More than 17 hospital trusts have declared a ‘critical incident’ due to high numbers of…

AMLo Biosciences is a BIVDA member company, and SME, which has received media attention over some very interesting research published from Newcastle University. The company has developed a test which reliably predicts the spread or return of the most deadly form of skin cancer. The team at Newcastle University, led by Professor Penny Lovat, in association with AMLo Biosciences have…

Cervical screenings in Wales will now be conducted every 5 years, up from the previous 3-year cycle. The change came after recommendations from the UK National Screening Committee due to the recent success of HPV testing. Consultant in public health for Cervical Screening Wales, Heather Lewis said: "The HPV test we now use in Wales is more effective at identifying…

The architecture and engineering firm BDP, the company behind many of the Nightingale Hospitals, has repurposed materials from the dismantled surge hospitals to create the first of 40 new diagnostic centres which are to open in England. This follows the Government’s announcement in October that £350 million would be pledged to the building of diagnostic centres, with the hope of…

A North East-based lab is celebrating one year since it was set up to accelerate the development of the next generation of virus testing. The lab, based at The Biosphere in Newcastle Helix and hosted by The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, brings together a partnership of local universities, healthcare organisations and industry, with the aim of bringing…

A recruitment process for a new Patient Safety Commissioner in England is set to begin, with a job specification already published. The creation of the post follows on from recommendations made by the Baroness Cumberlege in a major medicine and medical device safety report. The ‘First do no harm’ report was a review of independent medicines and medical devices, including…