Friday 26 February 2010

Andew Lloyd Webber Guests on BBC1 & "Jonathan Ross"

Good to see him looking well and fully recovered.(Posted wrong one before)


Wednesday 17 February 2010

The Prostate Cancer Charity comments on government announcement to provide ‘one to one’ support for cancer patients

8th February 2010

The Prostate Cancer Charity comments on a new announcement by the Prime Minister, that people in England will be offered one-to-one care and support by a specialist cancer nurse.

Clara MacKay, The Prostate Cancer Charity’s Director of Operations and Marketing Communications, said: “This new announcement is a step in the right direction to improving the lives of people living with and beyond cancer. Almost one in three men living with cancer in the UK will have been diagnosed with a form of prostate cancer. Men tell us that having access to a specialist nurse can make a significant difference to helping them cope with the impact of the disease throughout all stages of the treatment and care. We believe that it is essential that all men with prostate cancer should have access to a named clinical nurse specialist.

“Currently, there is a lack of clinical nurse specialists for men with prostate cancer compared to other common cancers*, and those that do work in urology will often have a bigger caseload**.

“We know that countless men do not receive written or verbal information on the potential side effects of their treatment, such as erectile dysfunction or incontinence, nor are they able to access support services to help manage them. This is unacceptable and we strongly support the creation of these new positions, as this will help men with prostate cancer receive the level of care and support they are entitled to***.

“However, an increase in clinical specialist nurses must be accompanied by a commitment to, and investment in, increased training and education, enabling them to reach the level of skills and knowledge necessary to fulfil these demanding support roles. The Prostate Cancer Charity is contributing to this aim through an education and development programme for health professionals, but more needs to be done,” she added.

The Prostate Cancer Charity comments

UK-Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in March



March is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in the UK


What's it all About?

What is the prostate cancer awareness month all about?We want men, the general public, and health professionals, to be more aware of prostate cancer. Our awareness month helps raise vital funds for much needed support and information for men who have been diagnosed and their families. It also allows us to lobby the UK's key decision makers because it is high time that the issue of prostate cancer is brought out into the open.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month



Mark Foster Strikes A Revealing Pose To Help Expose The ‘Hidden Cancer’

Fans of BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing still in a flutter about Mark Foster’s famous physique, will have another chance to see his celebrated ‘pecs’ as he takes his clothes off again – this time for a very good cause.

Olympic swimmer, Foster, will front this year’s Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in March, as Marks & Spencer joins forces with The Prostate Cancer Charity to help highlight that the disease is still the ‘hidden cancer’.



Hidden Cancer Case Studies
Over the past year, twelve couples have been interviewed about the reality of living with prostate cancer and how this affects their lives. They talk about the hidden aspects of this disease and the way that it affects their everyday lives and their relationships. You can share their experiences by visiting www.prostatecouples.com
Hidden Cancer Case Studies
Here is the link to prostatecouples.com


Men across London are urged to give prostate cancer the red card

The World Cup 2010 is just around the corner, and whilst football fans all over the country are crossing their fingers for a 1966 result, men across London will be locked in a battle of their own - The Prostate Cancer Charity’s Real Man Cup.

The Charity’s annual men’s five-a-side tournament is back and this year’s event, which is scheduled for Saturday 13 March, is promising to be bigger than ever. Men across the capital are invited to live out their childhood dreams and score a goal at Wembley - at the Soccer Goals Centre that is, to help give prostate cancer the red card during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
Men across London are urged to give prostate cancer the red card

Monday 8 February 2010

Nurse Led Clinics-updated page

This is a C&P of an updated subject found under the main page of this blog within the month of April 2009 entitled:
NURSE LED CLINICS/MOBILE CLINICS

Though it might be of interest after a couple of updates..............




As the Mediwatch product range lends itself to 'Nurse led clinics' I think a section dedicated to this subject would be of interest:

From the 2009 Mediwatch Final Results

Services

A new mobile diagnostics service will be operated through skilled nurses, which will create opportunities to present a cost efficient diagnostic service to physicians, with no major capital outlay. This service will incorporate new diagnostic procedures which should launch in the first half of 2010 and will run in parallel to the change in US government expenditure in regards to reimbursement and presenting a wider medical facility to all individuals. Initial efforts will be concentrated in Florida with the potential to be rolled out to the other 49 states through our nurse network.
Mediwatch-Final Results for year ending 31st October 2009


Mediwatch Statement

"Mediwatch has developed a range of medical equipment for the diagnosis of a variety of clinical conditions. Mediwatch focuses it's design skills on unique diagnostic products that can be used with simplicity, across the medical profession, by healthcare providers with different levels of clinical expertise.

Mediwatch's research and development strategy draws on extensive clinical knowledge with a seamless interface between the point-of-care and innovation with cutting-edge technology."
Mediwatch Website

Also

"Mediwatch is developing more point-of-care tests, including a range of relatively high-margin pathology tests. The company intends to provide mobile screening clinics for private hospitals, clinics and nursing homes.

This is in line with Mr Stimpson’s original strategy when he launched Mediwatch in 1996.His aim was to provide a full range of diagnostic products and services, many with superior properties to what hospitals, clinics and surgeries typically provide, in areas such as diagnostic ultrasound and point-of-care biochemistry."
Mediwatch’s healthy growth prospects 8th April 2009

NHS Buyers' Guide-Urodynamic Systems UK-Dec.2008

Mediwatch response to the above:

Urodynamics
"A comprehensive, comparative assessment of clinical Urodynamic systems was performed independently for the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency. We are proud to report that this study found Mediwatch’s Urodynamic systems superior to those from competing manufactures (Laborie, LifeTech, MMS, Andromeda and Albyn). Mediwatch was the only manufacturer to receive a “Very Good” rating with five stars for its products."


Mediwatch & General News relating to 'Nurse Lead Clinics'

Emerging Statistics for Nurse-led Clinics UK(Scotland)-15th December 2009

Sponsored session 3-Urodynamics/Setting up a nurse lead clinic
BAUN 2009 Annual Conference & Exhibition UK-2nd to 4th November 2009


Europe’s nurses:an untapped resource Cancerworld.org-March/April 2009 Edition (Edit-link not working now,will try and find replacement-08/02/10)

Mobile health clinics hailed a 'success' UK-April 2009


The findings of the first four full years of collection (2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07 and 2007/08) are presented in the table below - covering nurse-led clinics in acute specialties and other non-acute specialties(Scotland).
Emerging Statistics for Nurse-led Clinics UK-Feb.2009

Nurse-led Clinics in Wales Help Expedite Clinical Trials of New Cancer Drugs UK-Oct.2008


Nurse-led PACs are fit for purpose. Guidelines for assessment and management are closely followed with minimal changes to treatment at consultant review.
Nurse-led prostate assessment clinics – are they fit for purpose? UK-2008



Nurse Led Clinics and Nurse Prescribing UK-2006?

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust - Nurse-led telephone follow up for prostate cancer UK-2004


This audit shows how a change in practice can significantly improve the patient's journey. For people with cancer, quality information, communication, continuity and overall coordination of care are all vital. As well as benefiting patients, this service development has resulted in a radical reform of the urology/oncology service.
The nurse-led histology clinic has had significant benefits for the medical team as well as the patient. The patients attending the consultant clinic are more informed, better prepared and have their staging investigations completed. This allows the consultant to have a more meaningful and productive time with patients to discuss management of their cancer.
The development and audit of a nurse-led urology/oncology clinic. UK-2004


Cost-effective analysis of conventional and nurse-led clinics for common otological procedures-Abstract

Abstract

The need to reduce costs while providing a first-class service has led to the expansion in the role of nurses in recent years. We present results of a comparison of the cost-effectiveness of conventional and nurse-led out-patient ear clinics. Our results indicate that cost-effective health care is a distinct competitive advantage for nurses taking up some roles conventionally performed by doctors. The difference in mean cost of out-patient visit per patient between the two groups is £75.28. This is equivalent to a reduction in cost to the hospital of more than £47000 for the 626 patients seen in a nurse-led ear clinic in a year. The nurse-led service is thus more cost-effective and presents an opportunity by freeing up otolaryngologists’ time to see more complex patients and has the potential for reducing out-patient access time in the NHS.
Cost-effective analysis of conventional and nurse-led clinics for common otological procedures-Abstract UK-2004


NURSE LED CLINICS-GUIDELINES AND PROTOCOLS UK-2001?



Turning out to be a well documented sector,will add more later.

Saturday 6 February 2010

TORONTO-NDP leader Jack Layton

I think it's worth highlighting this mans positive approach to battling and hopefully beating Prostate Cancer and adds to greater awareness using his high profile.



Layton in treatment for prostate cancer

By Adam McDowe, National PostFebruary 5, 2010

TORONTO — NDP leader Jack Layton has begun receiving treatment for prostate cancer but will continue as party leader, he announced on Friday in Toronto.

"This year more than 25,000 Canadian men are going to be diagnosed with treatable prostate cancer. And I recently learned that I'm one of them," Layton, 59, told reporters during a brief appearance at an Estonian meeting hall in his home riding of Toronto Danforth, which he will continue to represent in Parliament.

"I'm a fighter and I'm going to beat this. My treatment plan is now under way and everything is under way. I'm feeling good," he continued.

His wife, Olivia Chow, the NDP MP for the nearby Toronto riding of Trinity Spadina, was at his side.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who was in Saskatchewan on Friday, wished his political opponent well in his fight against cancer.

"It's a funny business this," Harper said at a short news conference in Saskatoon. "You do battle with a guy for many many years but . . . you also develop very close relationships with some of your counterparts."

Harper said he and his wife, Laureen, have developed a close relationship with Layton and Chow.

"I know many people who have faced this challenge and have overcome it," he said. "I look forward to doing political battle with him for many years to come."

Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff issued a news release wishing Layton a speedy recovery.

"Jack Layton has fought many battles in his life, but none will be as demanding as the fight he now faces," Ignatieff said. "We all know how combative Jack is and we know that he will face this challenge with his usual determination. I wish him strength and courage on the road to recovery, and I know all Canadians stand behind him in this fight."

Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe also had a message of encouragement for Layton.

"The dynamism and determination you've always shown in your work in Ottawa will contribute, I'm sure, to your speedy recovery," Duceppe said in a press release, extending his best wishes on behalf of his MPs and his wife.

Karl Belanger, Layton's spokesman, said his boss has no plans to curtail his responsibilities, and will adopt a take-it-as-it-comes approach to juggling his cancer fight with his political duties.

Layton joked he looked forward to perhaps catching more of the Vancouver Olympics on TV while he convalesces.

The news comes with Parliament prorogued until March 3, which the NDP has protested.

Layton said his late father, politician Robert Layton, fought prostate cancer and won.

Obituaries following his death in 2002 at the age of 76 said the elder Layton, a Progressive Conservative MP, died of complications from Parkinson's disease and prostate cancer.

"I intend to bring to this battle the same sense of determination and optimism as he did. I'll have his genes on my side as well," Layton said.

NDP caucus members were told of the illness Friday morning.

Belanger said the diagnosis was made in December and treatment started within the last few weeks at an undisclosed Toronto medical facility.

Layton's prognosis, the variety of prostate cancer from which he is suffering and the form of treatment have not been revealed.

Layton has been the leader of the federal NDP since 2003.

In a leadership review held last August, nearly 90 per cent of delegates voted against holding a leadership convention to replace Layton.

A former member of Toronto city council, Layton was elected MP for Toronto-Danforth in 2004.

Chow underwent successful treatment for thyroid cancer that same year.


Layton in treatment for prostate cancer

Tuesday 2 February 2010

FUTURE EVENTS AND LATEST NEWS (Updated 3rd February)


Latest News

Mediwatch-Final Results






Future Events

The events listed below are of general interest and I will highlight any that Mediwatch are confirmed as attending/exhibiting at.

43rd Annual Conference of Urological Society of India 3-7 February 2010

14th Annual Rodney Appell Memorial Update in Gynecologic Urology Conference 4-6 February 2010,The Westin Resort St.John, USVI (Mediwatch attended last year)

21st Annual International Colorectal Disease Symposium 11-13 February 2010,Florida Mediwatch are attending/exhibiting at this event

European Urology Forum 2010 13-17 February 2010,Switzerland




SUFA 2010 Winter Meeting 23-27 February 2010 Florida
Mediwatch are attending/exhibiting at this event

Third International Symposium on Focal Therapy and Imaging of Prostate and Kidney Cancer 24-27 February 2010,Washington DC (Mark Emberton is speaking under his position of Senior Lecturer in Oncological Urology University College of London rather than Non-Executive Medical Director of Mediwatch PLC.David Bostwick is also speaking at this event)


STUFF THAT MAYBE DID BUT NOW
DOESN'T FIT IN WITH THE TITLE...



December/January Mediwatch Newsletter

Mediwatch Interim Results for the six month ended 30 April 2009

Five year global distribution agreement secured with Inverness Medical Innovations-16 March 2009

Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 October 2008-Issued 26 January 2009




Monday 1 February 2010

February-Music,Film and the odd joke spot.

I'm that impressed with Mediwatch and their Results I will start the proceedings with an Ivor Cutler favourite................Drum Roll




Just a cracking Fall track all be it a later one! (bordering on a pop song!)

Mediwatch-Final Results

Mediwatch Plc

Profits up 5% on the back of continued Group investment programme

Mediwatch Plc (AIM: MDW, 'Mediwatch' or 'the Group'), the innovative urological diagnostic company, announces its full year results for the year ending 31 October 2009.


Financial highlights

Record revenues, increasing by 11% to £10.4m (2008: £9.3m)

Profit from continuing operations for the year, increased by 5% to £425,000 (2008: £403,000)

Cash flow from operations was £866,000 (2008: £658,000)

Raised £332,000 in November 2009 to finance four major opportunities


Operational highlights

Profit achieved on the back of significant investment in the US sales and marketing organisation during the first half

Successful launch of the PSAwatchTM system into Asia, Mexico, UK and other European countries

Increase in sales following successful launch of the Portascan+ bladder scanner system

Worldwide joint sales and marketing agreement for PSAwatchTM with Inverness Medical Innovations

Continued investment in strong R&D programme across all product categories


Omer Karim, Mediwatch Chairman said:

"Our increase in sales and profits over the last 12 months, in the light of the current economic environment is testament to the quality of products and the unique technology we have developed.
With continued strengthening of our distribution channels and the addition of complimentary products and services, we continue to build on our 'one-stop-shop' strategy in the urology diagnostics market.

The Group is well placed for 2010 with its range of new products and services to capitalise on the international opportunities and challenges of worldwide reduction in healthcare spending"


Overview

Mediwatch had a successful year, particularly in light of the world economic environment. The Group posted record revenues along with an increase in profits. PSAwatch has been launched in several markets and a worldwide joint distribution agreement has been reached. In the US, the Group invested in sales and marketing in the first half of the year and the positive results of this investment were realised in the second half of the year.

In March 2009, a five year joint sales and marketing agreement was signed with Inverness Medical Innovations to market the PSAwatch system around the world. With their expertise in the point of care market, particularly in GP's offices the Group hopes to obtain greater market share during 2010.

Looking forward, Mediwatch plans to make investments in the UK based sales and marketing organisation to extend our worldwide reach. Additionally, the Group is looking to develop additional complimentary products enhancing the "one-stop-shop" strategy it brings to the market. The internal R&D team continues to make improvements to the existing lines and bring more outsourced processes in-house.

Post year-end, a successful fundraising exercise was completed to fund working capital and to finance feasibility studies for new opportunities which Mediwatch has identified as part of its growth plans.


Financial Review

Revenue was in line with market expectations and up by 11% at £10.4m (2008: £9.3m). This was mainly attributable to a strong contribution from the US operation and a very good performance from the UK.

Gross margins were 41% (2008: 44% as restated) mainly due to price pressure at the time of the economic downturn. In the second half of the year margins began to improve due to outsourced processes being brought in-house and efficiencies being engineered into the products.
The Group continued to invest in its sales and marketing infrastructure which saw overheads increase to £3.9m (2008: £3.4m as restated) during the year.

Other operating income of £130,000 (2008: £17,000) was due to a substantial increase in the R&D tax credit to which the Group was eligible for the year. As expected, finance costs were reduced to £46,000 (2008:£138,000).

The Group reported pre-tax profits of £425,000 (2008: 408,000) and has accumulated UK tax losses amounting to £3,840,000.

Basic and diluted earnings per share were 0.3p (2008: 0.3p),

Cash flow from operations contributed £866,000 (2008: £658,000). The increase for the current year is mainly attributable to a net reduction in working capital.

Investing activities required £772,000 (2008: £657,000). This increase was due to an increase in capitalised development projects during the year.



Operational Review

Strategic overview

The Mediwatch "one-stop-shop" strategy is being accepted in the marketplace and is drawing the attention of other larger diagnostic companies with whom the Group has joint venture opportunities. In the coming year the Group will explore these opportunities and create these alliances where they bring greater value to our customers. Specifically, the following opportunities are currently being pursued:

To work with an international corporation on a joint venture, sharing technology and pursuing a common marketing campaign;

A project with a different international medical company, assessing the potential of using its technology with Mediwatch's bioassays;

A marketing opportunity with a biomedical company to promote its point-of-care system alongside the Mediwatch PSA system for assessment of urological problems; and

Licensing a bladder cancer marker from a different bioscience company and to conduct a research project using that marker with the Mediwatch BioScan reader system.

Mediwatch continues to expand its interest in the urology diagnostics sector and is looking to add new products in the urodynamics and biomedical sides. Both of these new product categories should provide positive growth opportunities which should contribute to the second half of 2010.

Sales and Marketing

In order to increase market share in the largest market in the world, the US market, a programme has been implemented to increase the sales and service coverage through a network of highly skilled nurses and through an extended sales force.

This team will continue to be evaluated and extended throughout 2010 so that it is capable of taking on a larger product range which the Group plans to bring to the market during this period. As a result of the success of this programme, the Group is in the process of evaluating its sales and marketing efforts outside the US to become more in line with the US structure.

The Group will continue to exhibit at major urological meetings in the US and Europe and around the world through its dealer network as a way of increasing its brand awareness as a "one-stop-shop" for urology diagnostics.


Urodynamics

This year saw a greater penetration of the Group's newly designed and engineered urodynamic systems. This will be followed by the launch of new technology with lower manufacturing costs and simpler application bringing greater value to customers and aiding the Group to obtain a larger share of the market. A new biofeedback device for the urogynaecology market will also be introduced, which will work in tandem with the new range of ultrasound systems.

Ultrasound

After the successful launch of the two bladder scanner systems, two more are now due for launch. These will be digitally controlled, giving better accuracy and measurements. Mediwatch is also negotiating with a large multinational company to license their technology which will provide a comprehensive device for carrying out biopsies, also incorporating disposable supplies.

Services

A new mobile diagnostics service will be operated through skilled nurses, which will create opportunities to present a cost efficient diagnostic service to physicians, with no major capital outlay. This service will incorporate new diagnostic procedures which should launch in the first half of 2010 and will run in parallel to the change in US government expenditure in regards to reimbursement and presenting a wider medical facility to all individuals. Initial efforts will be concentrated in Florida with the potential to be rolled out to the other 49 states through our nurse network.

Research and Development

The Group has maintained its focus on improving its existing portfolio as well as developing new products, with R&D expenditure increasing to £663,000 (2008: £451,000).

The key uroflowmetry range has been reengineered and relaunched to reduce manufacturing costs while modernising and improving the features of the product range. Continued investment in the key software for urodynamics (Sensic) continues to add new features and benefits (wireless communication and video capabilities) to the product offering.

Work has commenced on a project to develop a common platform supporting future urodynamic and ultrasound products with reduced costs and increased capabilities.

A new range of urodynamic disposables have been designed and launched for the specific needs of the UK, Middle East and Australian markets.

Excellent progress is being made on the FDA submission for the PSAwatch. Mediwatch has engaged the services of a specialist group to expedite this process.


Mediwatch Biomedical

During 2009, one of the Group's lead scientists has been investigating new cancer markers and technology to compliment that which Mediwatch has already developed. In January 2010, the Group plans to start a small trial on a prostate cancer marker which will complement our PSA test. The results of this will be known in the second half of 2010. A new marker for bladder cancer is also being obtained to place on our existing technology base. Work on this begins in the first quarter of 2010.

The Group is also currently developing a new biotech diagnostic technology with a large European company. If successful, a feasibility study will start on some new and existing urology markers. The outcome of this opportunity will be known in the second quarter of 2010.

An Australian professor of oncology, who is an expert in cancer cell development, has been engaged as a consultant to assist in diagnosing unique urology markers. This research will commence in the beginning of 2010.

Outlook

Mediwatch has had a successful 12 months, increasing sales and profits in the light of an economic downturn, which reinforces the quality of products and the benefits of the technology the Group has developed.

The economic and political climate in the US and the overseas territories will be a challenge for all medical companies as governments seek to reduce healthcare costs. Mediwatch is well placed to capitalise on these challenges by redesigning more efficient technology for its "one-stop-shop" strategy and by bringing manufacturing processes in-house to reduce costs.

Prostate cancer awareness is now gathering pace internationally with pressure being placed on government bodies to augment national screening programmes. As this happens, Mediwatch is again well placed to take advantage with its diagnostic systems.

During 2010, Mediwatch will be adding complimentary products to its existing range allowing it to leverage its growing sales and marketing channels. The Group is also looking to develop joint ventures and strategic partnerships with market leaders to bring increased value to its customers worldwide.


The board expects that 2010 will be another exciting phase in Mediwatch's growth and success.



Mediwatch-Final Results