Media Monitoring: 29 July – 4 August

20 new policy research units will receive between £2m and £5m over a three- to five-year contract.
NIHR has backed the 20 new policy research units (PRUs), which will start work in January 2024.
PRUs are typically based at universities and bring together teams of researchers who help the Government make evidence-based decisions.

Eliminating hepatitis C and hepatitis B is a key priority for both UKHSA and NHS England, in order to reduce the impact of infectious disease in this country and to meet the World Health Organization’s elimination target by 2030.
Earlier this year, a free and confidential online testing portal was launched, enabling people to order an at-home testing kit to find out if they have the virus and receive treatment if needed.
So far, more than 4,500 people have ordered testing kits, making it easier for those who might not have had access to existing service providers to get tested.

Funding by the Crown Commercial Service has helped NHS procurement teams identify millions in potential savings.
69% of all NHS organisations across the UK are benefiting from the digital system, with many more scheduled to onboard
Many NHS-affiliated organisations previously used different platforms to buy goods and services – which affected data-sharing due to an inability to integrate.

The NHS Confederation is working with Leeds Beckett University, Clarity and the CQC to understand how ICS are working to reduce health inequalities.
Tackling health inequalities is one of four statutory purposes of an ICS.
Drawing on the research undertaken by Leeds Beckett University and the insight and expertise of Clarity and the Care Quality Commission, we will publish a report and a toolkit with practical guidance for ICBs on how to overcome barriers to invest in impactful action on health inequalities.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has identified 10 potential AI interventions that could address five key challenges for the NHS.
This includes –
An AI application used routine clinical data in conjunction with a blood test that measures heart damage and was able to correctly predict whether patients in emergency rooms had experienced a heart attack or not. This could speed up patient flow, boost early treatment and stop unnecessary admissions.

This UK Onward report explains why reforming Whitehall and empowering the new Science Department is essential to the success of the UK’s science superpower ambitions.
This paper sets out a roadmap to complete the rewiring of Whitehall and realise the potential of science and technology to boost the nation’s productivity, transform public services, and compete internationally.
Four principles should guide the next phase of reform: making science and tech central to the Government’s agenda, making clear choices to achieve strategic goals, ensuring Whitehall is coordinated, and consistently pursuing plans over time.

The Nuffield Council on Bioethics has published findings from work they have led on how to develop a UK best practice approach for ethics in genomics healthcare and research.
This includes –
A summary report which brings together key themes from the workshops which brought together people with experience in clinical genetics, public health, ethics, public engagement, research, policy and regulation, and those with personal experience of genetic conditions.
A summary of 30 submissions we received to our call for case studies held in summer 2022, illustrating how people in the UK are considering the ethical issues raised by genomics healthcare and research.