FEATURE ARTICLES

Sophie Spencer and Beth Greenhough discuss how transitioning to reusable surgical instruments, through a managed equipment service, can dramatically reduce theatres’ environmental impact. They consider how hospitals can embrace ‘Design for Life’ principles and circular economy thinking.

Shareeta Senthithasan considers: can Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) protect both workers and the environment? She shares some expert insights and discusses some of the key considerations.

The role of perioperative practitioners in driving sustainability in operating theatres is key to reducing the impact of healthcare on the environment. The AfPP Oxford Regional Conference recently explored both the scale of the problem, and the practical solutions perioperative practitioners can adopt.

Elliot Dixon highlights the NHS’s ‘untapped goldmine’ for achieving Net Zero and improving quality of care.

NHS England has published its first report on progress on achieving a greener NHS. This article provides a summary of the key findings

Ultrasound generates significant environmental impacts, when consumables and equipment life cycles are taken into consideration. Chris Taylor, UK & Ireland Sustainability Lead, at Philips Healthcare, provides an insight into the actions that ultrasound teams can take to help drive improvement.

Professor Anthony Hobson says it’s time to rethink how we manage Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD), a condition where patients often receive long-term PPIs without diagnostic confirmation. Professor Hobson urges NHS leaders to adopt newer, community-based tests that identify high-risk patients and prevent repeat referrals. Smarter diagnostics could ease endoscopy backlogs and improve NHS efficiency.

The 56th BMUS Annual Scientific Meeting 2025 takes place 9-11 December 2025, at the Harrogate Convention Centre. CSJ provides an overview of some of the key highlights.

In an increasingly complex healthcare landscape, what role can clinical engineers have in supporting ‘development through innovation’? Experts at the National Performance Advisory Group’s Clinical Engineering Conference came together to discuss the challenges and opportunities in equipping hospitals with advanced, connected technologies.

Getinge is driving sustainability in operating theatres and is calling on NHS hospitals to prioritise anaesthetic gas reduction and recycling, through innovative approaches.

New research from CPI reveals systemic barriers facing UK MedTech startups and spinouts and calls for co-ordinated reform across regulation, investment and NHS adoption, to unlock innovation and deliver national health and economic strategies.

Scotland is standing at a major crossroads for grasping a major international healthcare opportunity, says Executive Chair of InnoScot Health, Graham Watson. He considers the country’s global innovation prospects.

Vinicio Tassani outlines the advantages of RNA-based detection methods over traditional techniques in refining breast cancer classification, and argues that quantitative methods can improve accuracy, reduce misclassification and better align patients with the most suitable therapies.

Data from health registries already provides vital insight to clinicians and medical researchers. Now the time has come to share registry data more widely with the medical technology (MedTech) industry, to raise the standards of patient care, says Richard Armstrong.

Major changes are ahead for the decontamination sector – with a new National Decontamination Strategy for the UK and move to circularity under the Design for Life programme, which will mean extra demand being placed on reprocessing services. It has been a big year for IDSc and this year’s congress will provide some vital insights into the changes.

Caterina Galani, Global product manager, Mölnlycke, discusses the lessons learnt from the ‘Prevent, Protect, Provide’ webinar, led by Professor Christopher Gee, Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon and Associate Medical Director at NHS Golden Jubilee.

Miss Tamsyn Grey, Consultant Colorectal and General Surgeon, Clinical Lead for Robotic Surgery, Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, gives a surgeon’s perspective on the contribution that robotic-assisted surgery can have in tackling the backlog.

At EBME 2025, a key topic of discussion was the need to track and manage medical technologies and patients in healthcare environments. Effective tracking could save the NHS vast sums of money at a time when finances are constrained, improve the management of patient flow and, most importantly, enhance patient safety.

EBME 2025 provided a platform to discuss the future direction of clinical engineering – from career development, to professional registration and the need for independent oversight. Clinical engineers will have a vital role in influencing sustainability, patient safety, and navigating rapid technological change. To meet the challenges head on, the sector must ensure it has a powerful voice and lead the way.

The AfPP’s Audit and Accreditation reviews all aspects of perioperative practice, with a focus on safety-critical processes and cultural behaviours. Circle Health Group has achieved a major milestone, with Accreditation across 49 hospitals. This article provides an insight into the healthcare provider’s journey.