RECENT NEWS

​Patients at all GP practices in Scotland are benefiting from a digital dermatology service designed to reduce waiting times and improve outcomes. Since the national rollout in September, GPs have referred more than 12,000 patients. It is estimated that up to 130,000 dermatology referrals a year could be made this way, reducing demand on dermatology waiting lists by up to 50%.

More women with ovarian cancer could be diagnosed earlier under proposed new NICE guidance that replaces a one-size-fits-all blood test threshold with personalised, age-based criteria.

The MiS Technology Day Surgery, taking place on Thursday 22 January 2026 at the University of Edinburgh, is set to be a landmark gathering where innovation meets expertise in the fast‑advancing field of medical device reprocessing.

Resistance to antibiotics is increasing worldwide. This also applies to drugs that are central to the treatment of tuberculosis (TB), such as bedaquiline. An international panel of experts from 32 countries has therefore presented specific antimicrobial stewardship standards for TB care for the first time.

Higher consumption of food preservatives, widely used in industrially processed foods and beverages to extend their shelf life, has been linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

​For the third year running, all Nuffield Health hospitals performing joint replacement surgery in England and Wales have been awarded the highest ‘Gold Quality Data Award’ by the National Joint Registry (NJR) for their commitment to patient safety.

Menopause and prostate problems will be among the priorities for the NHS’s new online hospital. The NHS has selected nine common conditions which will be the first to be treated by the NHS Online service, providing faster access to specialist care.

Researchers have developed a fully hydrogel-based, battery-free device that modulates the splenic nerve to restore immune balance, offering a new potential therapy for chronic inflammatory conditions.

Patients and staff across the country are benefiting from a new fleet of over 500 ambulances, as the government aims to strengthen frontline emergency services this winter.

A pioneering laser device for treating knee osteoarthritis may delay or replace the need for joint replacement surgery. The new minimally invasive laser, which ensures tissue repair without thermal damage, ​was found to be safe and effective.

The AfPP Annual National Conference 2026 takes place on 7-8 August and returns bigger, better, and more accessible than ever before. This year, AfPP will welcome delegates to an exciting new venue, the stunning Wyboston Lakes Resort, bringing a fresh energy and enhanced experience to AfPP’s flagship event.

Baxter Healthcare, the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust, and Environmental Resources Management (ERM) have jointly published the results of a report showing the significant environmental benefits of OPAT, when compared with the traditional inpatient model of intravenous (IV) antimicrobial therapy.

Ondine Biomedical and Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust (Mid Yorks) have been shortlisted for the ‘Most Impactful Use of Technology on Clinical Practice’ award at the prestigious 2026 HSJ Partnership Awards, following the successful implementation of Ondine’s Steriwave nasal decolonisation technology.

A raft of new partnerships launched across Scotland’s academic ecosystem means that ‘collaborative innovation is the true winner’, according to an NHS Scotland partner.

The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) has welcomed the adoption of the Safe Hearts Plan, a landmark step towards tackling Europe’s leading cause of death. This achievement marks the culmination of a four-year effort by the ESC and the European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH) to help the European Commission to develop a dedicated plan for Europe’s most important killer.

The week after the autumn clock change is associated with a reduction in demand for NHS services for sleep disorders, cardiovascular disease, anxiety, depression, and psychiatric conditions in England, finds a study in the Christmas issue of The BMJ.

Dr. Jo Bird, nurse consultant at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Honorary Senior Lecturer, Division of Clinical Medicine, University of Sheffield, has been elected as President-Elect of the UK Oncology Nursing Society (UKONS).

Playing soothing live music in intensive care units not only helps parents bond with their baby but also provides a moment’s respite from an uncertain and stressful situation, says a senior doctor in the Christmas issue of The BMJ.

Eating more high-fat cheese and high-fat cream may be linked to a lower risk of developing dementia, according to a new study published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

Circle Health Group, the UK’s largest private hospital operator, has donated £10k to Arthritis UK as sponsor of its Research Highlight of the Year competition