SMTL Blog
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Dr Gavin Hughes was invited to present at the 11th International Lymphoedema Framework Conference held at Nottingham.
Gavin presented on the work SMTL have undertaken in conjunction with Welsh NHS lymphoedema clinicians to independently assess compression garments for NHS Wales Contracts. The presentation focused on laboratory compression profile testing generated for NWSSP Procurement Services 2022/23 contract and compared results to previous contract exercises.
The test results again identified quality issues with garments supplied in the market, however in general there are positive trends in quality over the years SMTL have been testing compression products for the Welsh NHS.
The presentation concluded with an overview of stiffness testing and questions the assumption that flat knit products have a higher stiffness index compared to circular knit garments.
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The biological testing department is delighted to welcome Hannah Francis to the team.
Hannah initially started with the biological department in November through an agency and joined the team on a permanent basis in May bringing the department back up to its full complement of staff. Hannah joined us after completing her masters in Medical Microbiology at Manchester and has previously worked in Fillcare, Pontyclun.
We would like to extend a warm welcome to Hannah.
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We are delighted to announce that our Technical Director Pete Phillips has been recognised for his many years of working in the NHS.
Pete has been awarded the Royal College of Anaesthetists President’s Commendation in recognition of his work with the Safe Anaesthesia Liaison Group (SALG). Pete has been an active member of SALG for many years where he has been able to bring a fresh perspective to deliberations from a devolved nation perspective whilst representing the Welsh Government.
Pete has also been appointed a Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. This is one of the highest accolades that can be paid to a member as it recognises the distinction members have attained in their pharmacy career. As Fellowships are based on nominations from members, it also signifies the high esteem in which members are held by their peers.
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In February 2023 our accreditation schedule was extended to include our new IP-5 Laboratory at Newport.
A successful UKAS audit against the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories ensures that SMTL maintains its recognised quality testing operations across two laboratory sites. This builds on the foundations already created and supports our plans for service development and modernisation.
SMTL's updated UKAS accreditation schedule is available to download from the UKAS website (PDF download), and our UKAS certificate of accreditation (web link) is now also available electronically.
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The Evidence Based Procurement Board (EBPB) have issued advice and an evidence review for the use of DACC (dialkylcarbamoyl chloride) coated dressings.
Due to the mixed results reported in the review and the few well designed studies published to date, the EBPB agreed that the evidence is currently inadequate to make a positive recommendation for the use of DACC coated wound dressings.
The full statement and evidence review are available on the EBPB pages.
