There are two contenders left in the race to become the UK’s next Prime Minister, each have their own political record, ambitions and views on future policy strategies. Reacting to the pressures and challenges being faced by the NHS, and wider health sector in the UK, will be of crucial importance on the next PM’s task list. Nearly 7 million patients are now awaiting procedures in the UK, many people are living with undiagnosed conditions after the pandemic’s disruption to scre...

We want to again remind members to move to the Customs Declaration Service ASAP. If you do not, you will not be able to import goods into the UK from 1‌‌‌ ‌‌‌October 2022. It takes a number of weeks to move across to the new service, so you should sign-up immediately if you have not already.Even if you use a customs agent to help you with customs declarations, there are still actions you need to take. You need to: Subscribe to the Customs Declaration ...

A major target established in the NHS Elective Recovery Plan has virtually been reached as the number of patients waiting two years or more for care has been cut significantly.This first step in the plan was focused on those patients waiting two years or more by the end of July, except where they chose to wait longer, did not want to travel to be seen faster, or for very complex cases requiring specialist treatment.There were more than 22,500 people who had been waiting two years or more at the ...

The Government regrets that the UK’s association to Horizon Europe has not yet been formalised as a result of disagreements related to the NI Protocol and recognises the huge toll that this has placed on the UK’s research and business community. To mitigate the impact of the uncertainty, the Government developed the Horizon Europe guarantee in November 2021 – which ensures funding to researchers and innovators unable to receive their Horizon Europe funding while the U...

A new report from the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee, entitled “Science and technology superpower”: more than a slogan?, has called for the Government to provide more clarity regarding their science and technology implementation plans. The Committee has welcomed the Government’s stated ambitions but warns that without concrete detail their slogans risk becoming empty in meaning.Among the science and technology commitments which have been welcomed are: the aim t...

NHS England patients with Type 1 diabetes will now be eligible for life-changing continuous glucose monitors after the health service secured a new cut-price deal. The wearable arm gadget sends information to a mobile app and allows diabetes patients to monitor their glucose levels at any time without having to scan or take a finger prick test.Normally continuous glucose monitors are more expensive than flash monitors – which record glucose levels by scanning a sensor – but due to th...

NICE have released new guidance which recommends the routine use of placental growth factor-based tests (PLGF) to better diagnose pre-eclampsia. This move could lead to better outcomes for thousands of babies and their mothers in the future. Pre-eclampsia affects one out of 10 pregnancies and often leads to serious complications if left untreated.

Despite making up more than half of the UK population, women are much more likely to suffer ill health and disability throughout their lives. Therefore, a strategy targeted specifically at women’s health, and how to alleviate the problems outlined, is vital.

Bruce Daniel, Head of Pathology for NHS England, South West region, explains what a day in his working life is like.

A collaboration between the North East Innovation Lab and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Newcastle In Vitro Diagnostics Co-operative has secured joint funding of around £20,000.