NEWS
DOCTORS BACKING INNOVATIVE REFLUX TEST
Doctors and healthcare professionals who have been using the
world’s first non-invasive test to diagnose reflux are urging
others to do the same.
Peptest, a unique testing kit developed by Hull-based RD
Biomed, measures patients’ saliva for levels of pepsin,
an enzyme found in the stomach. If a patient’s Peptest is
consistently positive of pepsin, then it is likely that they are
suffering from reflux and it can also be an indicator of other
reflux-associated conditions.
Without early diagnosis and treatment reflux can in time lead to
damage to the oesophagus (erosive oesophagitis) and to a precancerous condition called Barrett’s Oesophagus. In certain
cases it may also be linked to cancer of the Larynx.
Dr Gabriel Hendow has been using Peptest in his clinic
The test has received backing from clinicians across the UK.
Dr Gabriel Hendow, a GP and an ENT specialist, uses Peptest
regularly in his clinic at Bransholme Health Centre in Hull.
fraction of the price I would incur, should I refer my patient to
secondary care.
Dr Hendow said: “I would definitely recommend Peptest to
other GPs as it is an excellent diagnostic tool. It is also a
To find out more and see video testimonials from healthcare
professionals using Peptest, visit www.peptest.co.uk
NEW ROUND OF 100% FUNDING COMPETITIONS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
A new national Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI)
Healthcare competition is being launched by NHS England
in partnership with the Academic Health Science Networks
(AHSNs) to find innovative new products and services.
The competition, which will see £5 million of funding
distributed, is open to organisations from the private, public and
third sectors who will be capable of supplying the NHS with the
resulting product or service on a commercial basis.
Developments will be 100% funded and suppliers for each
project will be selected by an open competition process and
retain the intellectual property rights generated from the
project, with certain rights of use retained by the NHS.
challenges. In this round of competitions, SBRI will be looking
for companies specifically focused on seven categories; Cancer,
Cardiovascular, COPD, Diabetes, Mental Health/Dementia,
Patient Safety and Research Tools.
The SBRI Healthcare competitions provide seed funding
for the development of novel solutions to major healthcare
To find out how Medilink can help with SBRI submissions
contact [email protected]
SHEFFIELD HALLAM HITS HEALTH NOTE AT EUROPEAN CONFERENCE
Clinicians, patients, academics and designers from across
Europe convened at Sheffield Hallam University to highlight the
crucial role design plays in healthcare innovation.
Design4Health 2013, a series of events hosted by Sheffield
Hallam’s Lab4Living promoted the discussion and development
of designs and ideas to improve patient care.
The week began with a 24hr design challenge, to come up with
an idea to help people cope with Motor Neurone Disease or
Cystic Fibrosis. Within each of the teams was someone living
with or caring for someone with one of the case conditions.
Lab4Living is now working with the teams to take these
concepts forward and seek funding for development.
The week also included a major new exhibition featuring
different health innovations.
David Pao, Clinical Lecturer and HIV Physician, Centre for
Behavioural Medicine, UCL School of Pharmacy, said: “The
conference was the most uplifting, friendly and welcoming
I have ever been to. The presentations demonstrated the
collaboration between design and health, and the potential to
learn from each other.”
The award-winning Head-Up project was one of the
exhibits at Design4Health
The next Design4Health Conference is planned for 2015.
To find out more visit http://research.shu.ac.uk/
design4health/
07