Media Monitoring

Disease prevention ‘absolutely critical’ for the future, Whitty says Sir Chris Whitty called for a “very serious, science-based” approach on prevention in order for people to have a better quality of life in old age He also said there should be focus on maintaining generalist skills in the medical workforce, rather than specialisms   New project to investigate how graphene…

Investigation into the UKHSA’s health security campus programme The UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA’s) health security campus programme aims to enhance and replace UKHSA infrastructure, most importantly its high-containment laboratories, which are essential for protecting the nation against potentially highly infectious diseases Replacing and modernising UKHSA’s facilities through the programme is of crucial importance to ensure the UK has the…

  BIVDA member Digostics GDM remote test screening trial suggests positive results Digital clinical diagnostics and diabetes home testing provider and BIVDA member Digostics has revealed the results from its gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remote screening collaboration with University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS) The partnership saw expectant mothers in Hampshire become the first globally to access the oral…

Simple sponge test can prevent cancer that ‘hides in plain sight’ An innovative test which can prevent cancer deaths needs to be made more widely available, a cancer charity has warned. The capsule sponge test collects cells from the oesophagus and can detect abnormalities which make a person more likely to develop oesophageal cancer. If oesophageal cancer is detected early…

MHRA announces two new UK Approved Bodies to certify medical devices LNE-GMED UK and Scarlet NB UK join the seven current UK Approved Bodies, increasing capacity for the certification of medical devices in the UK. LNE-GMED UK has been designated as a UK Approved Body to assess and certify general medical devices in accordance with Part II of the UK Medical…

Warnings of bare R+D pipeline for top pathogens with pandemic potential, as latest 100 Days Mission report launched New analysis reveals limited approved tests, treatments and vaccines for WHO priority pathogens, except COVID-19 and Ebola Zaire. Progress made in vaccines R&D in 2023, but diagnostics and therapeutics underfunded and lagging. Partners come together in Rome as Italy’s G7 Presidency gets…

Report: NHS Supply Chain and efficiencies in procurement The NHS is not maximising its spending power to save money when purchasing medical equipment and consumables, according to a new National Audit Office (NAO) report. The report found that the NHS continued to spend more than £3 billion outside NHS Supply Chain, its purpose-built procurement route, as customer satisfaction with Supply…

Oxford University blood test could unlock earlier Parkinson's treatment Patients could benefit from earlier treatment for Parkinson’s disease following the development of a new blood test from researchers at the University of Oxford. The test screens people at risk of Parkinson’s disease by using a biomarker called alpha-synuclein – a protein which Oxford researchers have already demonstrated has an elevated…

Women urged to take up NHS cervical screening invitations Women are being urged to accept NHS cervical screening invites after new figures show three in ten of those eligible for screening do not take up the potentially life-saving offer. The NHS invites women for screening every three to five years depending on their age, or more frequently if the high-risk…