With swine flu rapidly sweeping across the globe, it is estimated that a third of the world’s population will be affected by the H1N1 virus. Like seasonal flu, it is believed a second wave of the virus will occur as the virus thrives in wintery conditions[1]. The spread of swine flu can be contained if businesses are prepared for the second wave of the virus by providing the correct protective clothing and equipment for employees that will help to break the contamination chain.   So far, people’s experiences of swine flu have been similar to seasonal flu with the majority only experiencing mild symptoms and only a handful of serious cases. However, officials are warning that the virus could come back stronger with the start of the 2009/10 seasonal flu this autumn. As experienced already, the swine flu virus can affect large numbers of people quickly.

A healthcare cleaning company has launched the UK’s first permanent decontamination cleaning unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich, London.

ISS Mediclean, which has over 25 years experience in providing clinical and specialist healthcare cleaning, will use the permanent unit at the Trust as an extension of a rolling programme with all the hospital’s mobile equipment being taken to the unit and deep cleaned regularly. The Queen Elizabeth Hospital will be one of the first in the UK to have addressed the need to minimise the potential of cross infection through the introduction of a planned deep cleaning programme.

Public awareness of ‘superbugs’ has never been so heightened, while media attention and Government directives designed to combat the spread of MRSA and other superbugs have added to the negative perception of cleanliness within the healthcare sector. 

London (UK) - July 16th 2009 – The Linwood Group reveal the truth behind the claim that there could in a few years time be a pill to cure alcoholism.   Alcoholism affects many people and is notoriously difficult to treat. However, the recent launch of a book by Dr Olivier Ameisen has again fuelled the debate for a ‘miracle-pill’ for curing alcoholism and addiction. Obviously, medical opinion is divided on the benefits, or not, of this particular cure, but it again raises an important question: is there a short-cut cure for alcoholics on the horizon?   Although Dr Ameisen’s claim that a drug commonly prescribed for muscle spasms helped to make him indifferent to alcohol, the drug in question has not undergone any clinical trials and he had to take dangerously high levels of the medication to have the desired effect. So, at present, there is no scientific substance to Dr Ameisen’s claim.

London, United Kingdom, July 16 2009 – DNA Electronics Ltd, a developer of disposable, real-time gene testing at the point-of-care, has been showcased as an exemplary healthcare technology innovator at the launch of the Government’s Life Sciences Blueprint – a range of initiatives aimed at ensuring the UK remains a world-leading location to build and grow life science and biotechnology companies.

The Prime Minister Gordon Brown joined UK Minister for Science and Innovation Lord Drayson, First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills Lord Mandelson, and Health Minister Lord Darzi for the launch of the report at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London on Tuesday 14th July.