The EPO has modernised access to eOLF. You will need to make changes to continue signing and sending your UK patents using eOLF. As of the 1 October 2024 you are no longer able to renew eOLF Smart Cards that have expired. To continue filing with the IPO via eOLF, you will need to replace your smart card with a…
Ben KempOctober 8, 2024
Billions to be gained from prevention investment, says NHS A new NHS report has indicated that successful pivots in prevention spend could benefit the UK by up to £22bn per year. The report comes from the NHS Confederation in collaboration with Carnall Farrar and analyses how better targeting existing prevention spending could result in major returns. The research has a…
Ben KempOctober 8, 2024
This week, the MHRA have launched their business plan for the next year, with a focus on enabling access to groundbreaking new technology. The plan has identified four strategic priorities which will dictate the plan's successful delivery: Maintain public trust through transparency and proactive communication, including working to address health inequalities Enable healthcare access to safe and effective medical products…
Ben KempOctober 8, 2024
NHS Supply Chain held its Monthly Supplier Webinar on 2nd October. Michelle Johnson - National Clinical Director for NHS Supply Chain hosted the event and gave a good insight into the clinical priorities for NHS Supply Chain. Whilst there was the expected focus on safety, quality and patient outcomes, there was also a strong emphasis on addressing health inequalities in NHS…
Ben KempOctober 8, 2024
The mood could hardly be lower in the Conservative Party following their historic defeat in the summer. Therefore much of conference was devoted to introspection and, most importantly, who will succeed Rishi Sunak as leader. We have to wait until 2nd November to find out. As the Tory Party spent the days re-licking its wounds, topics such as immigration tended…
Ben KempOctober 8, 2024
BIVDA held a meeting with Ofcom to address concerns regarding changes to postal services and how that would affect samples sent in the post. This has been prompted by an ongoing Ofcom review of the postal service's proposed changes to Second Class letter delivery, while maintaining a next-day First Class service six days a week. We clarified that samples taken…
Ben KempOctober 7, 2024
The University of St Andrews have asked us to share their survey titled, 'What is needed to effectively declare and manage potential conflicts of interest in healthcare?' They would be extremely grateful for any responses. If you are interested in taking part, please read the Participant information sheet and retain this for your records before starting the questionnaire. You can find out…
Ben KempOctober 7, 2024
The Government has announced new plans to simplify the use of patient records for research by transferring some responsibilities from GPs. Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting stated that NHS England will assume responsibility for data sharing where patients have consented to its use in research studies. Speaking at the RCGP’s annual conference in Liverpool, Mr. Streeting highlighted that…
Ben KempOctober 7, 2024
Hundreds of babies have begun to be tested for over 200 rare genetic conditions as part of a world-leading study in NHS hospitals that aims to screen up to 100,000 newborns in England. The Generation Study, led by Genomics England in partnership with NHS England, will see newborn babies offered whole genome sequencing using blood samples which are usually taken…
Ben KempOctober 7, 2024