FEATURE ARTICLES

Richard Carter discusses how data-driven insights can help operating theatre teams expand capacity and drive improvements in efficiency, at a time when the NHS is working hard to tackle waiting lists.

Enabling the independent sector to invest and deliver more NHS services is essential to the success of the 10-Year Health Plan, says the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN), as it calls for a major “step change” in how the NHS works with the private sector.

In this article, Rhian Bulmer highlights the Importance of nurses in the design and embedding of digital workflows. She argues that nurses remain the vital link between digital ambition and the safe, person-centred care patients deserve.

In this article, Vygon UK clinical educators David Wynne and Ian Tydeman, together with paediatric surgery registrar and vascular access trainer Sean O’Donnell, share practical tips, common pitfalls, and a roadmap for embedding ultrasound-guided vascular access (UGVA) as standard practice – empowering Trusts to deliver safer, kinder care more efficiently.

Wil Woan, Executive Director at the charity, Heart Valve Voice, warns that diagnosis and treatment delays are common for patients with heart valve disease, leading to emergency admissions, complex procedures and longer recovery times.

Following the success of conferences held in recent years, DECON UK is back for the fifth year running, with the 2026 conference, taking place at the Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton on Friday, 24 April. This marks an exciting change, as the event will be held at a new venue.

In this Q&A, Dr. Kelm explains why functional cancer profiling has the potential to transform patient outcomes on a global scale.

Interest is growing in dressing technologies that manage bacteria without releasing antimicrobial substances. In this article, Ashley Clydesdale questions: is it time to re-evaluate silver’s role in today’s wound care?

Every cancer patient will be given ‘individual support’, according to new plans set out in the government’s National Cancer Plan. The Clinical Services Journal provides an overview of the key pledges.

Patient safety should be at the core of our approach to health and care. The Association of British HealthTech Industries’ Patient Safety Group believes that industry can, and must, play a key role in ensuring this. To support this, the association has partnered with Patient Safety Learning to develop a new white paper tackling the key issues. ABHI’s Jonathan Evans provides an overview.

The Medical Technology Group’s latest report outlines how we can rebuild accountability in the NHS, while improving patient outcomes. Barbara Harpham, Chair of the Medical Technology Group,​ provides an insight into the report findings and looks at how local leadership can deliver NHS reform.

Kate Woodhead says the shifts of care in the 10-Year Plan will be difficult to achieve unless there is a great deal of emphasis on future proofing the workforce in many different ways, while changing the culture of the NHS. She discusses the challenges ahead for the NHS Workforce Plan.

In October 2025, Wassenburg Medical marked a significant moment in its history with the passing of its founder, Gerrit Wassenburg. Having driven decades of innovation, the company remains true to his founding promise of delivering “a safe endoscope for every patient”.

Now at £60 billion, the government’s liability for clinical negligence claims has increased in real terms from £14.4 billion since 2006-07 and is the second largest liability on the government balance sheet.

The AfPP Emergencies and Trauma Symposium will hear the extraordinary story of Dan Biddle, a survivor of the terrorist bombing on London’s underground, which took place on 7 July 2005. In this interview, he shares an insight into the power of trauma care.

In this article, Thomas Owens, outlines why long-term outcomes must outweigh short-term cost – especially in pressure ulcer prevention. He calls for the NHS to embed lifecycle value, clinical performance, and sustainability into every purchasing decision.

Julie Elston provides an insight into the evolution of urinalysis. She argues that digital solutions could address some of the issues associated with urinalysis – such as improper handling, inconsistent dip times, subjective interpretation, and inefficient processes.

The new Welbeck Cambridge Surgery Centre will advance patient-centred, minimally invasive specialist care in the East of England, when it opens in 2026. Professor Khanduja (Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon), Mr Brown (Consultant Neurosurgeon), Mr Donnelly (Consultant ENT Surgeon), and Dr. Rolfe (Consultant in Pain Medicine) provide an insight into what the new facility will have to offer.

Pee-in-Pot (PiP) is a sustainable innovation developed by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust to facilitate midstream urine collection. In this article, the team behind the innovation share their insights.

The AfPP is strengthening its leadership for a progressive perioperative future. Susan Preston highlights the appointment of the new Trustees and offers an insight into how they will drive forward safer perioperative care.