New EU guidance on classification of medical devices 

New guidance on the classification of medical devices in the European Union (EU) has been published by the Medical Device Coordination Group (MDCG). This group is composed of representatives of all member states and chaired by a representative of the European Commission.

The document details how to classify medical devices, provides rules to inform the process and describes the impacts of the classification on pre- and postmarket regulatory.

Vodafone and Deloitte join forces to launch online health centre

Vodafone and Deloitte are partnering to accelerate the adoption of digital healthcare through the online Vodafone Centre for Health.

The virtual centre aims to simplify access to connected healthcare and solutions for patients and healthcare professionals.

Richard Houston, CEO of Deloitte North and South Europe said: “Over the next two decades, healthcare as we know it will be completely transformed, with digital and connected healthcare solutions providing new and more efficient ways to diagnose, treat and support patients. Deloitte and Vodafone will be at the heart of this - working together to do so at scale, using our digital skills to transform healthcare provision for everyone.”

Alnylam launches symptom tracker app for rare disease

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals has launched a digital symptom tracker to support people in the UK with the rare disease ATTR amyloidosis.

The STAR app allows patients to record their symptoms and share information with their doctor during or in-between consultations.

Professor Philip Hawkins, professor of medicine, National Amyloidosis Centre, UK, said: “ATTR amyloidosis is a rapidly progressive multisystem disease that is characterised by an increasing complexity and severity of symptoms. Because the disease can evolve over time, it is important for patients to accurately track any changes in their symptoms.”

UK startup FIKA raises £1.2m for workplace mental fitness training platform

London-based startup FIKA has raised £1.2 million in seed funding from lead investor Rising Stars and a syndicate of 10 expert angel investors.

FIKA’s mental health fitness platform provides employees with a series of short, personalised courses, developed in partnership with performance psychologists.

The funding will go towards expanding the team across all business functions, driving its first go-to-market strategy, and supporting further R&D, particularly the development of its mental fitness technology, diagnostic tools and AI-driven personalised pathways. 

Report finds obsolete MRI and CT scanners used in a third of NHS trusts

A Channel 4 Dispatches investigation has reported that a third of NHS hospitals are using body-scanning equipment past the recommended 10-year lifespan.

Using freedom of information rules researchers at Dispatches found 34.5% of NHS England trusts had at least one out-of-date MRI machine and 27.1% of trusts had one or more out-of-date CT scanners.

An NHS report published in 2020 noted that older equipment can impact patient care because it may require a radiation dose 20-50% higher to deliver the same image quality plus software and hardware upgrades may not be possible.

Government of Jersey to roll-out IMS MAXIMS EPR solution

IMS MAXIMS has been selected as the preferred Electronic Patient Record (EPR) supplier to work alongside the Government of Jersey.

The project aims to contribute towards sustainable and continued improvement in clinical care, support the Jersey Care Record and achieving the maximum level of digital maturity.

Professor Enda McVeigh, chief clinical information officer, said: “This new cloud-based EPR system will enhance the efficiency and transparency of our health care system in Jersey. It will help to provide the ‘digital dividend’ that other commercial areas outside health have had, and that health is now starting to experience.”