Medilink update

Medical technology news round-up:

Green Light for PFI Schemes

Despite cuts to capital funding, the Department of Health has announced continued financial support for four local authority social care PFI projects. The schemes to receive PFI credits are based in Leeds, Hull, Sandwell and Hammersmith and will provide community social care and health facilities for vulnerable people. Care Services Minister, Paul Burstow confirmed funding for four projects which all promise a boost to their local communities. The ambitious schemes include plans to build bridges between health and social care, which is seen to be key to developing services that fit around peoples lives and deliver personalised care and support.

GPs slow to adopt technologies

e-Health Insider reports on an 18 month inquiry into general practice by the King’s Fund, which has revealed that GP practices have been slow to adopt technologies that could transform the way patients interact with them. The think-tank says general practice needs to adapt ‘significantly’ if it is to meet its new responsibilities and maintain its international reputation for excellence. The King’s Fund inquiry found that GPs face a range of challenges, including demographic change, higher patient expectations and new technology. It argues that patients now expect the same benefits from technology that they see in other areas of their life, and that greater convenience could be provided by appointment booking, repeat prescription ordering, and record viewing.

Beating the blood-brain barrier

The impermeable blood-brain barrier makes it impossible to deliver drugs to fight neurodegenerative diseases to the brain, but researchers have discovered a way through the wall – exosomes. Scientists in Oxford have engineered exosomes capable of delivering gene therapy to cross the blood-brain barrier. Exosomes are natural nanoparticles – small capsules produced by most cells in the body in varying amounts. They are thought to be a means of communication between different cells and the immune system. When they break away from the outer walls of cells they can carry cellular signals and genetic material, transporting the material between different cells. It is this action that researchers from the University of Oxford have exploited to deliver gene therapy to mice suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

More industry news is available at www.myM-link.co.uk

Sue’s business opportunities:

myM-link manager Sue Wilde shares a few commercial opportunities – simply email for more details.

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