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Highlights Archive

Media Monitoring: 29th May – 4th June HighlightsHighlights Archive

Media Monitoring: 29th May – 4th June

How a dramatic decline in hepatitis C infections in England brings us close to elimination UKHSA’s latest data reveals a 56.7% decline in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections across England. With cases dropping from an estimated 129,400 in 2015 to 55,900 in 2023, significant strides have been made towards eliminating HCV in England.   UK is no better prepared:…
Ben Kemp
June 3, 2025
NHS first in world to roll out ‘revolutionary’ blood test for cancer patients HighlightsHighlights Archive

NHS first in world to roll out ‘revolutionary’ blood test for cancer patients

NHS England are set to roll-out a revolutionary world-first liquid biopsy test for tens of thousands of lung and breast cancer patients. The test can help to accelerate access to targeted therapy for lung cancer patients by up to two weeks and potentially spare some patients from invasive procedures and treatments such as chemotherapy. This new ‘blood test-first’ approach for…
Ben Kemp
June 2, 2025
Media Monitoring: 22nd – 28th May HighlightsHighlights Archive

Media Monitoring: 22nd – 28th May

‘Life saving’ rapid test not available at most CDCs Patients are facing “unnecessary and worrying” waits because a rapid heart failure test is not available at most of the NHS’s 169 community diagnostic centres, experts have told HSJ.   First MHRA Board meeting held in Scotland The Board of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has met in…
Ben Kemp
May 28, 2025
Emotional parliamentary debate on chronic UTIs highlights importance of rapid diagnostics HighlightsHighlights Archive

Emotional parliamentary debate on chronic UTIs highlights importance of rapid diagnostics

Last week, a parliamentary debate on chronic UTIs provoked strong feelings on the current state of care, diagnosis and recognition of the condition. None more so than Dr Allison Gardner MP, who tearfully explained her battle with the condition which left her considering the removal of her bladder. Dr Gardner bemoaned the use of dipstick tests, claiming their accuracy is…
Ben Kemp
May 27, 2025
Fresh funding for Exeter research hub creating new microscopic medical sensors HighlightsHighlights Archive

Fresh funding for Exeter research hub creating new microscopic medical sensors

Researchers at the University of Exeter will lead a cutting-edge facility, the MetaHub, dedicated to developing advanced materials engineered at the nanoscale. These metamaterials, which are designed at the molecular level to exhibit properties not found in nature, could revolutionise technologies like medical sensors and next-generation computer components. Backed by £19.6 million in combined public and private funding, announced by…
Ben Kemp
May 27, 2025
West Nile virus detected in UK mosquitoes for first time HighlightsHighlights Archive

West Nile virus detected in UK mosquitoes for first time

West Nile virus, primarily transmitted among birds but capable of infecting humans through mosquito bites, has been identified in UK mosquitoes for the first time, according to public health authorities. Although the virus can cause severe illness in some individuals, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) stated there is currently no indication of the virus spreading within the country, and…
Ben Kemp
May 27, 2025
New method for diagnosing brain tumours could cut treatment wait from weeks to hours HighlightsHighlights Archive

New method for diagnosing brain tumours could cut treatment wait from weeks to hours

A novel technique for diagnosing brain tumours could drastically reduce the time patients wait for treatment, potentially shrinking the gap from several weeks to just a few hours, researchers have reported. Confirming the tumour type usually requires genetic analysis, which in the UK can take up to eight weeks post-surgery — delaying the start of treatments like chemotherapy. In a…
Ben Kemp
May 27, 2025
UK adopts historic Pandemic Agreement HighlightsHighlights Archive

UK adopts historic Pandemic Agreement

Last week, the UK adopted a a new World Health Organization Pandemic Agreement alongside 124 other nations. The agreement aims to embed stronger domestic and global prevention by improving the way countries around the world work together to detect and combat pandemic threats. The new Pandemic Agreement seeks to help avoid excessive deaths and economic hardship witnessed during the COVID…
Ben Kemp
May 27, 2025
DHSC Annual Report 2023/2024 HighlightsHighlights Archive

DHSC Annual Report 2023/2024

The Public Accounts Committee, a cross-party group of MPs, has given their verdict on the Department of Health and Social Care's accounts and annual report for 2023/24. The committee stressed that, given the health system faces significant financial pressures on numerous fronts, strong financial management, decision–making, and efficiency improvements are essential for the NHS’s long–term sustainability. Concerns were raised that…
Ben Kemp
May 20, 2025