News
New online hospital will prioritise menopause and prostate issues
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. NHS Online will harness digital technology
to fundamentally change how people are able to access healthcare, ensuring it is “more personalised, more convenient and more democratic”, according to the government. The service will allow patients to be seen much more quickly by digitally connecting them to expert clinicians across England, no matter where they are in the country.
NHS Online, which will see its first patients in
2027, is expected to deliver the equivalent of up to 8.5 million virtual appointments and assessments in its first three years – four times more than an average NHS Trust. In the first instance, the service will build and scale tried-and-tested innovations already in place across the country such as digital
prescriptions and online test results, with millions of patients already accessing virtual appointments and using the NHS App to manage their care. NHS Online won’t replace traditional care.
Patients will always have the choice of face-to- face appointments, and those who need physical examinations or procedures will continue to receive them either at hospital or local hubs nearby. Severe menopause symptoms and menstrual
problems that can be a sign of endometriosis or fibroids will be among the conditions available for online referrals. Prostate enlargement and a raised PSA level will also be covered by the service, along with eye conditions including cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration. Moorfields Eye Hospital in London has already
introduced a single point of access system for eye condition referrals, providing an online service linking GPs and optometrists with eye specialists. Peter Thomas, Director of Digital Development and Consultant Ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital, said: “With our single point of access service, we’ve been defining how a virtual hospital can support better eye care. We’ve used technology to improve the capability and efficiency of the system, and which allows clinicians in the community and hospital services to work more closely together to streamline care. “The impact is clear – patients are being seen
more quickly in more appropriate settings, and the pressure on NHS services is being reduced.”
Point of care testing collaboration
FUJIFILM Healthcare UK has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Llusern Scientific, a Cardiff-based specialist in rapid point-of-care molecular diagnostics designed specifically to detect bacterial and viral infections.
FUJIFILM and Llusern’s first collaboration will see
Llusern’s Lodestar DX UTI system included in the FUJIFILM Community Diagnostic Vehicle, with the first of these vehicles planned to go into service in early 2026. The partnership was made possible through the support of FUJIFILM’s partner, MediWales, which played an instrumental role in bringing the two organisations together. Founded as a spin-out from the University of
South Wales in 2020, Llusern Scientific has a clear vision of transforming point-of-care diagnostics. The founding team recognised the urgent need for rapid, accurate, and accessible testing solutions to
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combat the growing threat of antibiotic resistance (AMR). Llusern’s expert team has developed a cutting-edge molecular diagnostic solution called Lodestar DX, that is designed to provide healthcare professionals with timely, actionable insights into the bacteria that cause urinary tract infections (UTIs). Dr Emma Hayhurst, Llusern Scientific CEO, commented: “Urinary tract infections are one of the most common causes of hospitalisation in older adults and, if undetected, can lead to more serious conditions such as sepsis. By testing patients in 35 minutes in the comfort of their own homes, the Greater Glasgow care teams can rule in or rule out the presence of a UTI and take appropriate action immediately. “We anticipate that considerable cost savings can be made within the NHS by reducing hospital admissions and quickly identifying potentially life- threatening conditions.”
European Society of Cardiology welcomes Safe Hearts Plan
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. Cardiovascular disease is responsible for one in three deaths across the EU and affects 62 million people. This plan sets a clear path forward, with ambitious measures that will save lives and improve quality of care across Europe. ESC said that it is particularly encouraged by:
l EU-wide commitment to cardiovascular health checks, supported by a common protocol, ensuring early detection and timely prevention of cardiovascular disease.
l A target for all Member States to have national cardiovascular health plans in place by 2027, creating a coordinated approach to prevention, screening, and care.
l A strong emphasis on reducing inequalities in access to care and addressing the link between cardiovascular health and mental wellbeing.
l A research and innovation roadmap to accelerate breakthroughs and close critical knowledge gaps.
l Recognition of artificial intelligence and digital innovation as integral to the future of cardiovascular care, enabling earlier diagnosis and personalised treatment.
Professor Thomas F. Lüscher, ESC President, said: “Early detection, timely prevention, and better long-term management using artificial intelligence as part of the future of cardiovascular care can dramatically reduce premature cardiovascular deaths in Europe. The Safe Hearts Plan will be pivotal in improving outcomes and enabling citizens to live healthier and more active lives.” Professor Cecilia Linde, ESC President-Elect,
added: “This achievement reflects the power of collaboration. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the EU, Member States, and all stakeholders to ensure these commitments translate into real improvements for patients across Europe.” View the plan at: https://tinyurl. com/57s7fc46
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