Highlights

The NHS is launching a new information campaign ahead of winter to assist the public in accessing medical advice as quick as possible. People in need of advice from the NHS are encouraged to go to NHS 111’s online service if they have urgent, but not life-threatening, medical issues. Patients should continue to come forward for care and are still…

Expectations of action-plans made by world leaders at the COP26 summit remain high after the first week draws to a close. Please find below a round-up of summit events and commitments to combat climate change so far: India sets out major climate commitments India is the third largest emitter of carbon dioxide after the United States and China. Significantly, its…

Scotland has begun rolling out a test for Type 1 diabetes patients which could see some patients no longer having a requirement to take insulin. The function of the test is to show how much insulin a patient’s body is producing itself. The C-peptide blood test will be offered to patients who have had a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis for…

As many of you are aware, I had the pleasure of joining BIVDA on the 25 of October as Regulatory Affairs Manager. I’m now coming to the end of my first week in the role, and I’m so thrilled already to be part of such an amazing team. This week has involved bringing me up to speed with ongoing work,…

The legislation The Medical Devices (Coronavirus Test Device Approvals) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 came into effect on 1 September 2021 with the deadline for submissions by suppliers being the 31 August 2021. Tests would have needed to be approved by 31 October 2021 or withdrawn from the market. On the 20 October, suppliers were written to and informed that due to…

The legislation The Medical Devices (Coronavirus Test Device Approvals) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 came into effect on 1 September 2021 with the deadline for submissions by suppliers being the 31 August 2021. Tests would have needed to be approved by 31 October 2021 or withdrawn from the market. On the 20 October, suppliers were written to and informed that due to…

The COVID-19 testing policy for air travel has been updated to allow for fully vaccinated passengers and most under-18s to utilise lateral flow tests on or before day 2 of arriving in England. The policy change took effect from October 24 and is an effort to make testing easier and more affordable to passengers. The tests must be purchased from…

Health and Care Secretary Sajid Javid has announced an extra £5.9 billion to be provided to the NHS in order for it to tackle care waiting lists. The funding was announced as part of the Budget 2021 plans, and is intended to support the service with unprecedented numbers of patients waiting for screening, care and treatment. More than five million…

The National Audit Office has published its report into supply chain finance in the NHS, following the failure of Greenshill Capital in March 2021. The National Audit Office (NAO) scrutinises public spending for Parliament and is independent of government and the civil service. It helps Parliament hold government to account and it uses its insights to help people who manage…

BIVDA responds to Wednesday's Budget announcements, outlined in the House of Commons by Chancellor Rishi Sunak. This Budget comes at a crucial moment regarding protecting the UK’s health service through the winter as it tackles backlogs and readies itself for future public health threats. The Government must recognise the role of both the home-grown diagnostics industry from SME’s and larger…