The Operating Theatre Journal Digital Edition September 2018

£2.00
September 2018 Issue No. 336 ISSN 1747-728X
The Leading Independent Journal For ALL Operating Theatre Staff
Patient positioning and
pressure care
The risk of pressure sores during surgery is well documented –
but in many cases, they are preventable.
Anetic Aid is the sole UK distributor of Trulife’s Oasis,
Oasis Elite, Oasis+ and Azure high quality gel pads –
as well as many other positioning devices.
Gel pads are:
• X-ray translucent and MRI compatible
• Reusable, medical grade silicone
• Latex free – use heated or cooled
SUPINE position
PRONE position
Oasis+ offers the ultimate in pressure relief and
positioning: the products – including our Head and
Neck Support and Heel Pads – are fully autoclavable
and reusable, as well as being ergonomically
designed, with a special anti-slip base.
LATERAL position
Innovative technology – practically applied
Power
Assisted
Stirrups
LITHOTOMY position
T +44 (0)1943 878647 sales@aneticaid.com
Sapper Jordan Rossi Business Park, Otley Road, Baildon BD17 7AX, UK aneticaid.com

Positioning Solutions
Melyd Surgical are pleased to offer standard and specialist operating
tables for short and long term hire. Whether your requirement is for
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For further information:
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customerservice@melydsurgical.co.uk
2 THE OPERATING THEATRE JOURNAL www.otjonline.com

August 2018 Issue No. 335 ISSN 1747-728X
The Leading Independent Journal For ALL Operating Theatre Staff
NEW NORTHERN PRIVATE CAESAREAN SECTION
SERVICE LAUNCHES FOLLOWING INCREASED DEMAND
• New North West private caesarean section service launches to the public following increased demand -
• Service has been launched in partnership with an NHS hospital -
A NATIONAL private caesarean service has been launched in the North West of England, following increased
demand from women outside of the capital who are considering or wish to opt for this kind of birthing
experience.
The service launched by Private Midwives, the UK’s leading provider of private midwifery care, has been
established in partnership with a University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in the North West of
England.
The decision came after identifying a need to provide an accessible and affordable option of care for women
who believe that a caesarean section is the right choice for them.
The established, CQC registered and regulated private care provider saw a 162% increase in enquiries for this
kind of service in 2017 – where equivalent services are primarily available only within a select number of
London hospitals and where costs are often double those seen in the North of England.
The launch of this North West caesarean section service offers packages of care starting from less than £12K,
along with the option of 12 months interest free credit – providing a more affordable and accessible option
to women choosing this birth.
For many pregnant women, it may be that a caesarean section is clinically appropriate, whilst for others it is
their preferred choice of birth. Yet, at a time when women need re-assurance, familiarity and continuity, in
most cases, women having caesarean sections do not meet their obstetric surgeon or anaesthetist until the
day of the procedure. In some cases, they are denied this choice unless it is clinically indicated.
The Private Midwives caesarean service provides an option for women who value having the reassurance of
knowing who is providing their care, feeling comfortable in their expertise and skill and who wish to select
the care provider that is best for them.
The fully insured, high-quality and safe provider of private midwifery care prides itself in respecting individual
choice and accommodating a woman’s birth choices as far as is clinically safe.
Based in the North West of England, Private Midwives has developed a bespoke package of caesarean care
tailored to cater to even those travelling from further afield. Each client is assigned a “concierge” who can
arrange executive level travel to and from appointments and also arrange local accommodation for those
outside of the area.
For maximum continuity and support, there is also the option for families to select additional pre and postnatal
care, at a location close to home.
Eduard Sparkes, chief executive officer at Private Midwives, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer
private caesareans to families as an added and complementary extension to our existing private midwifery
services.
“We are working with a fantastic NHS organisation, senior consultant obstetricians and anaesthetists – who
will work alongside our senior and experienced midwives, to provide the ultimate peace of mind and care
package.
“Women can feel at ease knowing they have selected their surgeon and anaesthetist and have peace of mind
knowing that they are being cared for in a dedicated, high-quality and safe environment.
“What’s more, they can recover in their own private en-suite room being supported all the way – our
experienced medical and midwifery team are on hand to look after each mum and baby and there is even an
option for partners to stay overnight too.”
Sparkes comments: “Private Midwives has an established history of working in collaboration with the NHS to
provide safe, effective choice options for women across the UK and Ireland, during pregnancy and birth. By
working with the NHS, Private Midwives is able to offer expectant families the best of both worlds – all of the
experience they require at hand, but at an affordable cost.”
Private Midwives connects women with their own personal midwife according to their health needs, choices,
preferences and birthing philosophy, allowing antenatal, birth and postnatal care to be tailored specifically
to them.
Care is tailor-made to families’ individual needs, wishes and circumstances, and clinical safety, good clinical
outcomes, continuity of care and a women’s right of choice are at the very heart of the service.
For more information about the private caesarean service, to create a tailored package or to book individual
appointments, call Private Midwives on 0800 380 0579.
Inside this issue
Register reinforces
standards for patient
safety through
qualifications and
training
Availability of
diamorphine
(5mg and 10mg)
Welcome to PIPcast, a
podcast for ODPs and
the theatre world…
P5
P5
P6
Revealed: NHS trusts not
discouraging WhatsApp,
Facebook Messenger and
other consumer apps
P6
CARMAT confirms the
first successful heart
transplant of a patient
previously implanted
with its total artificial
heart
P9
The future is now: a fifth
of Brits believe we’re
already co-existing with
robots, new survey finds
P10
Measuring and modifying
consciousness through
brain activity: an
extraordinary solution
to treat consciousness
disorders
P12
New system can
identify drugs to target
“undruggable” enzymes
critical in many diseases
P14
How to Dress for Success
at an Interview
P16
Find out more 02921 680068 • e-mail admin@lawrand.com Issue 336 September 2018 3

THOR LIGHT ROBOT HAMMERS SUPERBUGS
UV Robots Could Clean Up Hospital Infection Crisis, Saving the NHS Billions
• Superbugs are a global threat as many are now resistant to antibiotics
• Bugs thrive in hospital environments, living in wards and operating theatre nooks and crannies
• Germs mutating into infections that can’t be controlled, causing 30,000 deaths a year
• Cleaning hospitals with mop and bucket only 50% effective
• Everyday operations will have to be cancelled as superbug grip takes hold
• New technology could end this crisis by using UV light to kill viruses
• Studies show that new generation of robot kills almost ALL bugs, saving money, time and lives.
With the country’s hospitals struggling in the grip of a superbug crisis that costs the NHS £1 billion
per year, a recent study has revealed that a UK-developed UV light robot could spell the end of
this catastrophe, saving up to 30,000 lives.
Superbugs have evolved during a ‘post-antibiotic apocalypse’ 1 in which bacteria, fungi, viruses
and parasites have mutated to become untreatable. Cleaning a ward or operating theatre to the
extent required to eradicate them has become almost impossible; traditional cleaning techniques
kill just 50% of the bugs responsible for the Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) which cause
30,000 deaths and cost the NHS a staggering £1 billion each year.
However, a new robot on the block could change all this – the UK-developed and manufactured
THOR UVC ® (http://www.finsentech.com/thor-uvc). The robot uses UV light to kill all known
superbugs in just minutes, sensing its surroundings, mapping the room, and even reporting back
when the work is complete. A study of the robot’s efficacy concludes that, irrespective of cleaning
time, THOR UVC® killed more than 99% of the MSSA bacteria exposed to it. This game-changer
could mean that patients will no longer be at risk of catching an antibiotic-resistant infection while
in hospital, and infections outside the hospital environment will reduce as bugs will be unable to
spread.
Previous UV-C light technology has used lower levels of light than THOR UVC ®, resulting in a
longer, less efficient, process. The high level of UV-C light produced by second-generation THOR
UVC ® is critical in killing the new strains of superbug. Its reach is higher than its predecessors,
obliterating bugs from floor to ceiling while ensuring even those hiding in shadowed areas don’t
get missed. The robot disinfects a 360-degree area – irrespective of obstacles – and senses clutter
and shadows, guaranteeing effective doses in all areas.
THOR UVC ® has already been introduced into a United Arab Emirates hospital following impressive
test results, with installations increasing across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Steve Bertuzzi, COO of Finsen Technologies, the company behind THOR UVC ®, says:
“We’ve been working on new, updated UV-C technology for some time now, knowing that it is an incredibly effective means of killing most bugs.
With this knowledge, we have designed something incredible – a new generation robot that generates more UV-C than its predecessors, making
it faster, more efficient and less expensive. The THOR UVC® destroys almost 100% of bacteria in just minutes of use , and has applications in
hospitals and beyond. We are proud to be part of this revolution in infection control.”
UV-C light is a short-wavelength ultraviolet light, which works by disrupting the bugs’ DNA, rendering them useless. The method uses no chemicals,
reaches floor to ceiling, and is suitable for even the smallest of spaces, meaning it can be used in areas such as ambulances. The technology has
proven to be a success, eliminating culprits including C. Diff, MRSA, Ebola and Norovirus.
Bob Darby, Director of Infection Prevention & Control at Circle Health www.circlehealth.co.uk who run hospitals, rehabilitation and NHS health
services across the UK, says:
“With the challenges of controlling the rise of increasingly resistant microorganisms facing healthcare today, the need to reduce the bio-burden in
the clinical environment and particularly so in high-risk areas such as operating theatres; in support of the other infection prevention and control
practices; has never been higher. As part of the IPC strategy Circle Health evaluated THOR UVC® performance in Operating Theatres and other
clinical environments and we were extremely impressed with the results achieved. In my opinion, the use of UV-C can be a valuable aid in this as
it can; when used correctly reduce bio-burden in difficult to contact areas and will not lead to increased resistance.”
Steve Bertuzzi, concludes:
“As these superbugs evolve, it is essential that we evolve with them – increasing our vigilance and infection-control measures. Hand hygiene has
been implemented as standard in all hospitals, and this has helped to control infection to an extent. We are now faced with incredible technology
that could save further lives while also reducing the cost of infection; now is the time to start implementing it in our hospitals.”
For more information, please visit http://www.finsentech.com/thor-uvc.
1 https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/rise-of-superbugs-puts-everyday-surgical-operations-in-jeopardy-6grwdvd3c
When responding to articles please quote ‘OTJ’
The next issue copy deadline, Wednesday 26th September 2018
All enquiries: To the editorial team, The OTJ Lawrand Ltd, PO Box 51, Pontyclun, CF72 9YY
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and in hard copy to hospitals throughout the United Kingdom. Personal copies are available by nominal subscription.
Neither the Editor or Directors of Lawrand Ltd are in any way responsible for the statements made or views expressed by the contributors.
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Journal Printers: The Warwick Printing Co Ltd, Caswell Road, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. CV31 1QD
4 THE OPERATING THEATRE JOURNAL www.otjonline.com

Register reinforces standards
for patient safety through
qualifications and training
THE need for greater safeguards for patients in hospitals through the
introduction of a recognised national standard of competence for
health care professionals working in the life sciences industry has been
pressed by HC Skills CEO Diane Irvine.
In an article written for MDET, the official quarterly journal of the
National Association of Medical Device Educators, she highlights the
fact that the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social
Care had recently introduced a credentialing register.
Under the scheme, practitioners who are required to be present in
patient-facing areas will have to verify that they belong to a register
that meets the PSA’s benchmarks.
This will help safeguard patients and staff, by risk-managing access,
improving infection control, ensuring that the right people have the
right qualification and standard of training to be in a hospital setting.
The article explains that commercial visitors such as medical device
experts or administrative teams on hospital premises effectively
become members of staff in the eyes of the law.
As a result, the hospital is potentially liable for their behaviour and
actions, and the impact of these on the safety of staff and patients.
In admitting a patient, hospitals immediately take on a duty of care for
that individual.
Medical negligence claims are valid when both of the following
parameters are established:
• A breach in that duty of care is established
• The breach is proven to have caused harm to the patient
When it comes to operating theatre protocols, for example, if a
patient is harmed and it is established that the hospital failed to check
whether the company representative who was present – effectively an
employee – had undergone the appropriate training, then it is deemed
a foreseeable risk that could have been avoided.
Sterile and single-use Anetic Aid
Toe-niquetsTM - with built-in safety features
Like any quality clinical equipment provider, Anetic Aid always makes
patient safety its highest priority. It’s built into the design of every
item in the company’s product range - from sophisticated QA4 Day
Surgery Systems, to the small, single-use ‘Toe-niquetsTM’ used for
surgery on fingers and toes.
Anetic Aid’s Toe-niquets were specially redesigned following a report
by the UK NHS National Patient Safety Agency (now NHS Improvement),
which highlighted risks to patients caused by some digital tourniquets
being left on too long after surgery.
A summary of the report (reference NPSA/2007/RRR007), published by
the British Medical Journal explained:’Tourniquets are used in hand
and foot surgery because of the need for a bloodless field to allow for
careful dissection. They are used in a range of settings, such as operating
theatres, emergency departments, community sites (for example, for
minor surgery in podiatry clinics). Although rare, complications can
lead to serious harm, including, at worst, irreversible ischaemia.
‘Between August 2005 and November 2009, healthcare staff in England
and Wales reported 15 serious incidents in which tourniquets had been
left on fingers
Tourniquet
or toes by mistake. Ten patients
System
needed further surgery
and Ideal two for incidents single or bi-lateral resulted orthopaedic in amputation. surgery At least six of the incidents
and pain management
related to surgical gloves being used Premier as tourniquets.’
• OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode)
technology for a brighter display
re-usable
Anetic • Dual, colour-coded Aid’s sterile, channels single-use Toe-niquetsTM and robust for were already specifically
long term use
designed-for-purpose
• Automatic self-diagnostic checks
devices, and in light of the findings in this report,
• Superbly manoeuvrable and stable with
another
integral stand
feature
and built-in accessory
was
storage
added. It’s a simple Six-use Day tag attached by a nylon tie
• Self-compensating
Tourniquet
which makes Toe-niquetsTM even easier Cuffs for practitioners to remove
• Visual and audible warnings
limited life,
easy to clean
from • IVRA a (Bier’s patient, block) guidance post feature procedure.
Innovative technology – practically applied
For more information about Anetic Aid Toe-niquetsTM - or other items
Single-use,
in the AT4 Tourniquet and accessories Sterile range - see aneticaid.com or ring
Tourniquet
01943 878647
Cuffs
Suggested illustration combination of:
T 01943 878647 sales@aneticaid.com
Sapper Jordan Rossi Business Park,
Otley Road, Baildon BD17 7AX
aneticaid.com
Tourniquet
Cuffs
and cost
effective
providing
sterility when
the risk of
infection is key
Therefore, the hospital is deemed liable.
And that liability can be running up colossal costs. The annual amount
set aside for NHS negligence claims is now standing at £65 billion.
Negligence and liability are words that can sometimes lose their
meaning – until a theoretical case becomes reality.
Effective risk management is essential to protect patients and
healthcare providers. Therefore, policy compliance and national
standards are important considerations that everyone should address.
To discuss our training programmes, qualifications and professional
standards in further detail, please contact us.
Jane Bruce, Tel: +44(0) 141 946 6482
E-mail: jane@healthcareskills.com
Availability of diamorphine
(5mg and 10mg)
In the last edition of its newsletter CQC informed readers of a
manufacturing issue with one of the suppliers of diamorphine 5mg
and 10mg injection.
Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England
(NHSE) have continued to work with Accord and their supplier
in Germany and the manufacture of diamorphine 5mg and 10mg
injection will soon resume with an anticipated resupply date
of beginning of September 2018. DHSC and NHSE have also been
working with the remaining supplier, Wockhardt, to support the
supply issue. Wockhardt have been able to increase their production
of diamorphine 5mg and 10mg but were unable to support the
entire market in July and August.
When responding to articles please quote ‘OTJ’
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Find out more 02921 680068 • e-mail admin@lawrand.com Issue 336 September 2018 5

Welcome to PIPcast, a podcast for
ODPs and the theatre world…
What is a podcast? The easiest way to think of it is a radio show on
the internet (though some podcasts are from video content too). It
is a rapidly growing form of media with around a quarter of the UK
population listening to podcasts with an average of 3.6 hours listened
to per week.
What is a PIPcast? PIPcast is a podcast developed by two ODPs (Craig
and Justin) aimed at promoting the role of the ODP but also looking
at developments in the perioperative world. Our aim is to give
voice to regular ODPs and perioperative practitioners who are doing
extraordinary things within and outside their jobs. Whether that be
developing tools and apps, doing something outside of the norm in their
practice or being involved with the most up-to-date research we try to
fill our shows with all sorts of flavours.
Craig
Justin
What has this resulted in? We have had talks from an ODP who has
developed a comprehensive logbook app that’s used by nurses, ODPs
and even anaesthetists (https://perioperativelogbook.co.uk).We have
also spoken to an ODPs that have been working in A&E since qualifying
(Tom Mann, Episode 12), one who became a field medic for David
Attenbrough (Tim Berrow, Episode 24) as well as someone who learned
to play an ODP on TV (Danny Kirrane, Episode 16) plus many, many,
more.
We also felt that it was important to bridge what we saw as a gap
between the national organisations (namely AfPP and CODP) to get
answers to questions the community has wanted to know but also serve
as a communication channel between the two. We have interviewed
the new CODP president Hannah Abbot (Ep 22) as well as speaking to
AfPP CEO Dawn Stott (Episode 6). Our links with AfPP saw us recently
involved in the opening of the recent 2018 Residential Conference in
York, the coverage of which will be featured in one of the first episodes
of Season 2 that begins in September.
PIPcast is YOUR podcast, and we want to hear from you. Some of our
listeners have been inspired to create mini-episodes for us this summer
that we have dubbed our ‘PIPlets’, which has once again enabled us to
display the wealth of talent within the ODP profession and the theatre
world.
We are always looking for more content, interviews or correspondents
so if you would like to hear more or get in contact with us you can find
us at:
www.pipcast.co.uk Facebook: PIPcast Twitter: odppipcast
Instagram: odppipcast Email: odpppipcast@gmail.com
When responding to articles please quote ‘OTJ’
We are pleased to accept
clinical articles for publication
within the pages of
The Operating Theatre Journal
Please send for the attention of the
Editor at:
admin@lawrand.com
Revealed: NHS trusts not
discouraging WhatsApp, Facebook
Messenger and other consumer apps
The majority of England’s acute trusts have no policy to discourage
consumer instant messaging tools, whilst many hospitals provide no
alternative, CommonTime research finds.
A substantial number of acute hospitals in England are not taking
important steps to prevent staff sharing sensitive information via
WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and other consumer applications, a series
of Freedom of Information Act requests has revealed.
Many hospitals are also failing to offer staff effective alternatives,
according to the research at mobile technology company CommonTime,
which analysed responses from 136 of England’s 151 acute trusts.
Nearly six in ten trusts (58%) said they had no policy in place to discourage
consumer instant messaging. This is despite research earlier in the year
that raised data protection concerns.
The freedom of information responses revealed that a majority of trusts
(56%) provided staff with no approved alternative to consumer messaging
applications. And 17 trusts said they had simply banned instant messaging
applications altogether.
But the 2018 report Instant Messaging in the NHS showed 43% of NHS
staff to be reliant on instant messaging at work, with many professionals
believing patient care will suffer without access to the technology. The
FoI findings also follow calls in July from health secretary Matt Hancock
for the NHS to make greater use of apps for patient care.
Rowan Pritchard-Jones, consultant burns and plastic surgeon and chief
clinical information officer at St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals
NHS Trust, commented on the latest findings: “As is usual, NHS staff have
adopted technology, likely in the belief that they are doing the right thing
to support patient care, in an increasingly pressurised environment. It is
incumbent on digital leaders to embed in our evolving culture the need
to protect patient confidentiality, deliver these conversations into the
patient record, and support staff to have these interactions with the
support of their organisations.”
Six trusts that responded listed consumer applications including WhatsApp
and Apple’s iMessage as official channels, despite limitations in being
able to trace how patient data is transmitted, and challenges around
integrating information with NHS systems. Researchers said this raised
concerns around compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation
(GDPR), that came into force this year.
David Juby, head of IT and security at CommonTime, said: “When
considering the usage of WhatsApp and other consumer messaging apps
within a GDPR context, a health service data controller must consider if
they are able to provide a copy of data if requested by a patient and that
they able to erase personal data when requested.”
The latest research builds on findings from March’s report ‘Instant
Messaging in the NHS’, which suggested as many as 500,000 NHS staff use
consumer instant messaging applications at work – including Facebook
Messenger, WhatsApp and iMessage. The report found that one in 50 staff
had faced disciplinary action as a result, and that despite unsubstantiated
reports of malicious uses, the majority of frontline staff had been
using the applications to keep up with care needs. Valid uses included
supporting shift handovers, organising rotas, asking for second opinions,
developing care plans and organising community care. Fewer than half of
staff questioned at the time were satisfied with NHS provided channels.
Steve Carvell, head of healthcare at CommonTime, said the latest freedom
of information findings showed that many trusts needed to do more to
support their staff. “It is encouraging to see pioneering trusts supporting
their staff, some with instant messaging applications specifically designed
to cater for healthcare workflow and that can help staff work more
effectively in pressured environments when they are caring for patients.
“But our latest research also shows that many other trusts still need to
take action to provide staff with the tools they need to communicate
effectively in delivering patient care. Staff need to be given guidance
to help ensure organisations can comply with ever more stringent data
protection regulations. And they need access to technologies that allow
them to do their job. Where consumer messaging isn’t appropriate, trusts
have a responsibility to provide alternative communication tools that are
effective in supporting secure information flows in healthcare.”
CommonTime’s latest research into instant messaging follows revelations
from its 2017 investigation into pager usage in the NHS, which found that
the NHS still relies on 10% of the world’s pagers.
Further information: https://www.commontime.com/wp-content/
uploads/2018/02/Report-Instant-Messaging-in-the-NHS.pdf
6 THE OPERATING THEATRE JOURNAL www.otjonline.com

Find out more 02921 680068 • e-mail admin@lawrand.com Issue 336 September 2018 9

Mölnlycke acquires German wound care
company SastoMed GmbH
The world-leading medical solutions company, Mölnlycke, has acquired
German wound care products company, SastoMed GmbH. The deal
adds new, award-winning products to Mölnlycke’s offer – enabling it to
further help healthcare professionals and patients by accelerating the
wound healing process and treating chronic wounds.
As of 2nd July 2018, SastoMed GmbH joins the Mölnlycke family,
bringing two innovative and complementary products to Mölnlycke’s
wound care portfolio:
• Granulox®: a haemoglobin-based topical oxygen therapy spray that
is sprayed on wounds for faster wound healing.
• Granudacyn®: ahypochlorous wound irrigation solution for cleaning,
moistening and rinsing of acute, chronic and contaminated wounds,
and first and second degree burns.
The addition of the new products will enable Mölnlycke to lead the way
in both active and passive wound healing.
‘Today, chronic wounds, such as foot ulcers, have a higher mortality
rate than both breast cancer and prostate cancer and the real burden of
ulcers is not yet fully known or understood. Mölnlycke will now be able
to offer healthcare professionals – and patients – solutions to support
both active and passive healing. We can therefore offer a holistic
approach to wound treatment through our portfolio’, says Mölnlycke
CEO, Richard Twomey.
Award-winning products
With the acquisition of SastoMed GmbH, Mölnlycke adds another awardwinning
product to its wound care offer. Earlier this year, Granulox won
the 2018 Innovation Award at EWMA (European Wound Management
Association)[1] Congress in Krakow thanks to its ability to advance the
healing process. Studies report that Granulox can reduce total costs of
initial Diabetic foot ulcers treatment by around 60% a year.[2]
Complementary innovation and sales capabilities
Over the past few years, Mölnlycke has invested in organic R&D to
meet customer needs and bring innovative products to the market.
The acquisition complements this investment with new technology
and capabilities, further accelerating Mölnlycke’s potential for product
innovation.
Furthermore, both Granulox and Granudacyn fit into Mölnlycke’s
strategy to be a category leader within the wound care space.
Share the desire to help patients
While Granulox is currently available in more than 24 countries,
SastoMed’s main customer base is in Germany, South East Asia and
Central and Latin America. Mölnlycke will expand the geographical
reach of Granulox and Granudacyn through its worldwide distribution
network and sales organisation. With customers and a salesforce
in South East Asia and Central and Latin America, the acquisition of
SastoMed also enables Mölnlycke to expand its presence in key growth
markets.
The founder of SastoMed, Michael Sander, comments: ‘We share
Mölnlycke’s desire to advance healthcare around the world. Too often,
patients experience slow wound healing since no appropriate therapy
is available to overcome the lack of oxygen in the wound tissue. Now
we feel it´s the right time to pass the baton to the leading company in
advanced wound care, in order to make our unique products available
to as many patients as possible.’
References:
1. SastoMed GmbH wins Wound care Innovation Award, https://www.alirahealth.
com/news/sastomed-gmbh-wins-wound-care-innovation-award/
2. Oxygen wound therapy: The clinical and cost impact of using topical
haemoglobin spray (Granulox®). London: Wounds UK, 2017. Available to
download from: www.wounds-uk.com
The Mölnlycke Health Care, Biogel, HIBICLENS, Mepilex, Safetac and
Indicator trademarks, names and logo types are registered globally to
one or more of the Mölnlycke Health Care Group of Companies. Z- Flo is
a trademark in the United States and other countries of EdiZONE, LLC
of Alpine, Utah, USA. Distributed by Mölnlycke Health Care US, LLC,
Norcross, Georgia 30092. © 2017 Mölnlycke Health Care AB. All rights
reserved. 1-800-882- 4582.
An exclusive resource for Practitioners, Nurses, Managers, Clinical Specialists, Anaesthetics, Scrub, PACU, Training & Procurement
ISSN 1747-728X
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Theatres and Anaesthesia
Conference 2018
n
The Leeds
Teaching Hospitals
NHS Trust
“Patient Centred Care”
Saturday 13th October 2018, 09:00 - 16:00
Bridge Community Church, Rider Street, Leeds, LS9 7BQ
Think
Drink
Patient
Engagement
Leeds
Improvement
Method
Day case
Challenge
Tickets
£40
To book a place please visit:
https://theatres-and-anaesthesia.eventbrite.co.uk/
For more information please contact Vicky Tye via:
Email: v.tye@nhs.net Tel: 0113 206 5580
CARMAT confirms the first successful heart transplant of a
patient previously implanted with its total artificial heart
World premiere heart transplant performed after 8 months of successful support provided by the CARMAT bioprosthesis
CARMAT, the designer and developer of the world’s most advanced total
artificial heart project, aiming to provide a therapeutic alternative
for people suffering from end-stage biventricular heart failure, today
confirms the announcement by the National Research Center for Cardiac
Surgery (Astana, Kazakhstan) on the successful transplant of a donor
heart in the first international patient implanted with the CARMAT
heart in October 2017.
The surgery, consisting in the explant of the CARMAT bioprosthesis
followed by the transplant of a heart graft, was successfully performed
by the team headed by Dr. Yuriy Pya, CEO of the National Research
Center for Cardiac Surgery, following 8 months of excellent support
provided by the CARMAT total artificial heart (TAH).
The end stage heart failure patient was initially not eligible to heart
transplant as he suffered from pulmonary hypertension. The implant
of the CARMAT device was performed in October 2017 as a bridge to
transplant within the framework of the PIVOTAL study.
The patient’s health condition improved considerably during the
8-month period thanks to the support of the CARMAT device allowing
the patient to efficiently recover from pulmonary hypertension,
become eligible for transplantation, and ultimately successfully receive
a donor heart in June.
The primary objective of the PIVOTAL study was largely met for this
patient, as the study protocol calls for a 180-day (i.e. 6 months) postimplant
survival or a successful heart transplantation replacing the
device, within the 180-day timeframe.
Dr. Yuriy Pya, CEO of the National Research Center for Cardiac Surgery,
comments: “This patient, who was not initially eligible for a heart
transplant due to pre-existing pulmonary hypertension, was supported
by the CARMAT TAH for 8 months. During this time, our team was able
to monitor the improvement of the pulmonary hypertension assisted by
the hemodynamic data which are continuously provided by the CARMAT
TAH. The patient was in excellent condition before the transplant
procedure and was only on light anticoagulant medication. The explant
of the device left a natural space for the donor heart, which was then
implanted according to our standard procedure. The patient is going
well and we look forward to further contributing to the success of
the clinical study of this exciting new therapeutic option for patients
suffering from end-stage heart failure.”
Stéphane Piat, CEO of CARMAT, adds: “We congratulate the team at
the National Research Center for Cardiac Surgery on this first donor
transplantation in a patient who was supported by the CARMAT TAH.
The outstanding follow up provided by Dr. Pya’s team to this patient
underline the CARMAT strategy to work with centers of excellence for
our international PIVOTAL study, which provides for inclusion of both
patients eligible and not eligible to heart transplant. The excellent
functioning of the prosthesis during 8 months together with the
considerable improvement of the patient’s health condition reinforces
our confidence in the potential of the CARMAT heart to efficiently treat
end stage heart failure.”
For more information: www.carmatsa.com
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Find out more 02921 680068 • e-mail admin@lawrand.com Issue 336 September 2018 9

The future is now: a fifth of Brits
believe we’re already co-existing
with robots, new survey finds
Public attitudes to robots living and working with people polled ahead of
UK Robotics Week
A fifth of UK adults polled ahead of UK Robotics Week believe we’re
already co-existing in harmony with robots in the UK, a new survey has
found, while nearly a quarter believe that there is much more scope for
robots to be included in everyday society. The research, commissioned
by the EPSRC UK Robotics and Autonomous Systems (UK-RAS) Network,
was released for UK Robotics Week, which returned from 21st – 29th June
2018.
20 per cent of a representative sample of UK adults think that we are
already at the point of living in harmony with robotics technology and
autonomous machines (1) , and 24% of those surveyed believe that there is
more scope for robots to become part of our day-to-day lives.
The survey reports that over one in three (35%) people polled would
feel comfortable with having robots around the house. The survey also
revealed some interesting perceptions about the limits of what robots
should and should not be allowed to do. Almost a quarter (22%) have
suggested that there should be some ethical laws around the work robots
can do, and over one in ten (13%) agree there should be an upper limit on
the number of hours robots can work per day.
Significant growth is forecast in the global robotics industry and it’s not
gone unnoticed among the British public, with 20% saying the UK industry
has progressively ‘massively’ over the last few years and will continue
to advance. A further 24% of 55-year-olds have said they consider robots
and robotics to be of huge benefit to society, demonstrating that positive
public perceptions of robotics cross age boundaries.
Other key findings from the research include:
- Over a fifth of people (21%) would feel comfortable with a robot
delivering food or packages to their houses
- Almost one in ten would feel comfortable having a robot perform
surgery (8%)
“The top measures reasons Sir respondents Bruce Keogh would outlined feel during comfortable his speech with last night robot
assistance will be instrumental are: in supporting healthcare professionals to identify
the early signs and enable them to act, Health Education England’s new
education - because and a robot training doesn’t materials get tired will so be would particularly be able to relevant work longer as will than a
clinical humans network (36.8%) approach to care where professionals and organisations
work - the together ability to across program a dened robots geographical to do tasks exactly area – as this required helps to (33.9%) bring
a - no safe, involvement standardised of emotions and equitable that could approach interfere to care. with tasks (32.1%)
Commenting on the release of the survey results, Professor Guang-Zhong
Yang “As a of college, Imperial we College have updated London and the Chair national of the template EPSRC for UK-RAS the Personal Network,
said: Child “The Health survey Record results to include demonstrate information that the for general parents public on how is to clearly tell
engaged if your child in thinking is ill, and quite for deeply health about professionals, advances have in robotics recently technology, launched
and Paediatric what it Care means Online for society (PCO-UK) and the – an future online of decision how we support live and tool, work.
This providing is exactly specialist the type diagnostic of engagement advice and to help dialogue ensure that children the UK get Robotics the
Week right initiative treatment was at the set earliest up to progress, opportunity. and we’re looking forward to the
coming week of national activities and its many opportunities to continue
that discussion.”
“To support this, I now urge paediatricians and all healthcare
Now professionals in its third to year, utilise UK the Robotics resources Week Sir Bruce saw robotics-focused has outlined. Collectively activities
taking we can place slow down up and the down grip of the this country, deadly spanning disease and lectures, reduce conferences,
the number
hackathons, of children who and come open face days. to face In what with has it.” become the centrepiece of
UK Robotics Week, the International Robotics Showcase in Liverpool on
Thursday 21st June featured exclusive talks by world-renowned experts
in
Louise
science
Silverton,
and technology,
Director for
plus
Midwifery
lively panel
at
discussions
the Royal College
and debate
of
covering
Midwives,
the
said:
ethical,
“Severe
legal
sepsis
and economic
can and
impact
does kill.
of robotics
Though it
and
is rare,
artificial
it
intelligence
can be catastrophic
(AI). An all-day
for pregnant
exhibition
and postnatal
offered live
women.
robot demonstrations
and the chance for academics, industry and the general public to explore
the “Sepsis latest remains technological a leading developments cause of maternal and capabilities. death. That is why it is so
At important the Showcase, that we do two all we exclusive can to identify whitepapers as soon were as possible also published, so that
offering it can be an treated. in-depth It is exploration also important of the not current to forget research newborn landscape babies who in
Urban can succumb Automation infection & Transport very quickly. and AgriTech. The UK Robotics Week
initiative is jointly spearheaded by founding supporters, the Engineering
and “Midwives Physical should Sciences certainly Research “think Council sepsis” (EPSRC), where there The Royal is deterioration Academy of
Engineering, the health the of Institution either mother of Engineering or baby. This and means Technology, we need the Institution the right
of number Mechanical of midwives Engineers so and that the they UK-RAS can deliver Special the Interest best Group, possible and care, was
coordinated including in by the the postnatal EPSRC UK-RAS period. network.
www.ukras.org
1. “Having Online the research right numbers carried out of staff by Opinion will also Matters help to on ensure behalf continuity of EPSRC
UK-RAS of care Network and carer between for women. 17/05/2018 Midwives and who 21/05/2018. know the Sample: woman will 1000 be UK
adults. better equipped All research to spot conducted changes adheres in the woman’s to the MRS condition Codes and of identify Conduct
(2010) problems in the such UK as and sepsis ICC/ESOMAR developing.” World Research Guidelines.
TCI & BIS Practicum
Friday 21st September 2018
The Royal Marsden Education and Conference Centre
Stewart’s Grove, London, SW3 6JJ
A highly practical one day course delivering:
- Consultant led teaching and advice, by clinicians using TCI and BIS
everyday
- Small group ‘hands on’ clinical workshops, using simulation with
BIS
- Problem solving and trouble shooting
- TCI in a wide range of settings
For further information and to book your place please visit
www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/studydays
Exenterative Surgery for Pelvic Cancers:
Current Practices and Future Directions
Thursday 27th - Friday 28th September 2018
The Royal Marsden Education and Conference Centre
Stewart’s Grove, London, SW3 6JJ
Professor This conference Helen Stokes-Lampard, presents new Chair information of the Royal concerning College GPs, opioids said:
“Sepsis examining is a scientific huge worry and for clinical GPs as subjects initial germane symptoms to can patients be similar and
to practitioners.
other common illnesses, and the College is putting a lot of effort
into Novel helping opioid-related family doctors topics recognise and updates potential on existing sepsis issues and ensure will seek that
patients to educate rapidly those receive who appropriate deal with opioids assessment in whatever and treatment. professional
“We capacity. have produced a toolkit, in partnership with NHS England, which
brings For further together information existing and guidance, to book your training place materials please visit and patient
information www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/studydays
to encourage us all to ‘think sepsis, talk sepsis and treat
sepsis’.
“We are pleased to be working with NHS England to raise awareness
and improve outcomes for patients. It really could save lives.”
Anna Crossley, Professional Lead for Acute, Emergency & Critical
Care at the RCN, said: “Sepsis is a life-threatening condition and early
identication is the key to survival, but it can be difcult to diagnose
and often symptoms can be mistaken for a u-like illness. This is why
raising
The
awareness
11th Royal
among carers,
Marsden
health
Pain
care professionals
and Opioid
and the
public is so vital. Even though Conference
there has been good progress to improve
diagnosis, a cohesive national plan is needed to ensure that healthcare
professionals Thursday are 16th supported – Friday and equipped 17th to November identify and treat 2018 sepsis
early.
The Royal Marsden Education and Conference Centre
“If Stewart’s sepsis is Grove, not recognised London, SW3 quickly, 6JJ it can lead to shock, multiple organ
failure and death, which is why early detection is critical to start
treatment This conference within the presents hour. Nurses new and information health care concerning support workers, opioids
who examining see their scientific patients and on clinical a regular subjects basis, germane and are to often patients the and rst
healthcare practitioners. worker to see them, are well placed to recognise the signs
of sepsis early and raise the alarm. If a person has signs or symptoms
Novel opioid-related topics and updates on existing issues will seek
that indicate possible infection, think ‘could this be sepsis?’ and act
to educate those who deal with opioids in whatever professional
fast to raise the alarm, wherever you are.
capacity.
https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Sepsis-
For further information and to book your place please visit
Action-Plan-23.12.15-v1.pdf
www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/conferences
twitter.com/OTJOnline
10 Find out more 02921 680068 • e-mail admin@lawrand.com THE OPERATING THEATRE JOURNAL Issue 316 January www.otjonline.com
2017 7

Operating Theatre Nurses
MercyAscot, Auckland, New Zealand
Make Auckland your new home… and work for MercyAscot, one of
New Zealand’s largest providers of private surgical facilities!
• Rostered Shifts mixture of six, eight and ten hour shifts
• Shift start times between 0700 and 1200, with latest finish time of 2030 hours
• Occasional weekend work available
Theatre/Operating Room Nurse positions available in the following specialties:
• Orthopaedics including Spine, Joint,
Ankle and Foot
• General Surgery
• Gynaecology
• Plastics
• ENT
You will need:
• Neurosurgery
• Urology
• Upper gastrointestinal
• Head and Neck
• Minimum 24 month's perioperative nursing experience in the United Kingdom health system
• Current APC and NZ Nursing Council (NZNC) registration or are eligible to gain registration with the NZNC
Our hospitals are located in Auckland – Ascot Hospital in Remuera and Mercy Hospital in Epsom. MercyAscot (The
Ascot Hospitals and Clinics Ltd) are an Accredited Employer with Immigration New Zealand. MercyAscot is also
proud to be able to offer relocation assistance to our overseas candidates.
Why MercyAscot?
• New Zealand's largest private surgical facility with 22 theatres across three sites including ICU.
• MercyAscot prides itself on servicing high acuity specialities.
• We provide our staff with a supportive working environment, autonomy of practice,
competitive remuneration rates, free on-site car park, smart easy-care uniforms, and a
Christmas close-down that allows you to enjoy the festive season with your friends and family.
• We are committed to ongoing professional development and full orientation is given to all new
employees.
• We strive to provide an excellent service for all our patients and enjoy working alongside many
of Auckland's leading surgical specialists.
So don't just take on a job, create your career… Make MercyAscot your Employer of Choice!
Click the link to apply today.
Whether you are looking for work/life balance or career progression, MercyAscot has a place for you!

Measuring and modifying consciousness through brain activity:
an extraordinary solution to treat consciousness disorders
The EU-funded LUMINOUS project introduces a new treatment for minimal consciousness, and possibly even coma. Its technology might
also be effective in a number of other areas, including research into foetal development and the development of drug-free anaesthesia.
The EU-funded LUMINOUS research project, led by the company Starlab
in Barcelona, is working on a way to communicate with coma patients
and those with completely locked-in syndrome by scanning their level
of consciousness. The project coordinator of LUMINOUS, Dr.-Ing. Aureli
Soria-Frisch from Starlab Barcelona, explains further.
• Aureli, would you tell us more about what consciousness states
are all about?
Some states of consciousness are natural, and some are unhealthily low.
For instance, one can be awake like you and me, aware of what is going
on around us and able to interact with the environment; or people can
suffer from conditions that don’t allow them to interact or in some
cases even be aware of anything. These conditions include minimal
consciousness syndrome (MCS), completely locked in syndrome, and
coma. These are conditions of extremely low consciousness levels, even
unconsciousness in some cases. On the other hand, there are people
who struggle to naturally decrease their consciousness levels and fall
asleep. Insomnia can also be a very troubling condition. We are trying
to find a solution for that too.
We study all these states in a general framework, the healthy ones
and the unhealthy ones, and try to come up with a way to analyse and
improve them. In fact, even the state of normal consciousness of a
healthy person can be increased by application of our technology. We
are working with two devices: an electrical stimulation device and a
brain monitoring device.
• So how can your technology help patients suffering from a
consciousness dysfunction?
First of all, our technology can be used to determine a patient’s
consciousness level. To recognise the right level is very important
for choosing the best treatment for the patient: for example, those
suffering from MCS (minimal consciousness syndrome) can feel pain,
which means they need anaesthetics. They are also more likely to
recover their consciousness with time, and knowing that can give their
loved ones very valuable hope. As a next step, our therapy based on
the electrical stimulation of the brain can contribute to these patients’
recovery of some of their minor motor functions, such as moving fingers
or following their face in a mirror.
Brain scanning can also help, by offering a way to communicate without
actually speaking. This form of communication can be applied even
in more severe consciousness-related diseases, such as completely
locked-in syndrome, a terrible disease that completely paralyses the
patient while they remain conscious. Medicine has not yet found a cure,
so all we can do is to try to find new ways for those who suffer from this
syndrome to be connected to the world.
The process works by making use of the fact that brain activity is very
different when a person is, for example, playing sports (using the motor
complex) or going through the rooms of a house (orientation in different
areas). Interestingly enough, a computer connected to a brain scanning
device can distinguish between these two thinking processes. This
setup can be used for establishing minimal communication with the
patient. A minimally conscious state patient is asked a simple question
and then instructed – if you want to answer yes, think of playing sports,
if you wish to answer no, think about going through your house. What
LUMINOUS is trying to do in these cases is to first improve this minimal
communication through brain computer interfaces, and second to make
it easier for the patient to use it.
• Can coma patients also be helped in this way?
We don’t address this in terms of communication, but in terms of
treatment, in which case the answer is yes. Coma is the most severe
case of a consciousness-related disease, but the related minimal
conscious states can be treated and helped by modifying brain activity,
which is also one of the objectives of our project.
• How does sleep fit into all this?
Some phases of sleep are actually low consciousness levels, just like
anaesthesia. Moreover, insomnia can be a serious condition, as sleep is
a very important body function. In the sleep lab of one of our partners
we are researching new ways to facilitate sleep. So far we haven’t
observed any significant positive effects of our technology, but we are
confident about future results – research is ongoing.
• You mentioned anaesthesia. How can your technology be used in
that area?
Anaesthesia is typically induced by drugs that lower one’s
consciousness level to a state that is similar to sleep, although there
are some differences. Unfortunately, the drugs used in this procedure
have, in some cases, side effects causing cognitive impediments: in
extreme cases, delirium (a temporary form of dementia). LUMINOUS
is now exploring better techniques for monitoring a person’s state of
consciousness during anaesthesia. However, our scientific dream is to
find a way for anaesthetic drugs to be complemented with electrical
stimulation of the brain to at least reduce the necessary dosage, and
hence reduce undesirable side effects. Perhaps eventually it will be
possible to induce anaesthesia without using any drugs. But that would
be a matter of the next 10 years, if not more.
• How else are you planning to make use of your technology?
Foetal monitoring can be considered an interesting “playground” for
measuring consciousness. In theory, it would be possible to carry out
screening to check if the development of a foetus’ consciousness is going
as it should, but also to learn new information about the development
process and about the emergence of consciousness, and then use this
information to help adults with their consciousness-related problems.
There is also another hypothetical way of how the technology we are
working on can be used, although I do not have a consolidated opinion
about this type of technology usage. I am talking about defence training,
particularly in the military. We are committed not to work for the
military and to apply all our technology in civilian contexts. However,
according to American experiments that tested a technology similar to
ours, our solutions could also work for the cognitive enhancement of
soldiers. Apparently, electrical stimulation on the brain during 3D video
game training can speed up soldiers’ ability to detect cues indicating
potential danger like a shadow. It seems that this therapy helped the
soldiers to increase their level of attention, and consequently decrease
their learning time by 50% (2 weeks instead of 4). Of course, the same
principle can be applied to other types of training, such as the learning
of mathematical skills.
• How did you get into research on consciousness?
When I was 14 I saw Blade Runner, a movie where robots behave like
humans and eventually become conscious of their state and their origin
and look to extend their lives. This put a question in my head that has
occupied me for many years: is it possible for a machine to become
conscious? I had no idea at the time that in the long run this very inquiry
would bring me exactly where I am now.
Wondering about consciousness in robots motivated me to do my PhD
in artificial intelligence, but for three semesters I studied philosophy.
Once I discussed my questions with a professor and asked him about
the principles of consciousness, and he advised me to read the work of
French materialists, which then made me focus on bio-inspired artificial
intelligence. My studies in AI made me wonder about the algorithms
used by the brain to process all that information and make sense of the
world. That all became material for my relationship to neuroscience.
You never know where your career path will take you as a researcher.
• What impressions do you have of FET after working with the
programme for so long?
My experience started in 2009 with our project HIVE. In my opinion,
FET is a wonderful programme that makes it possible to realise
your scientific and technological dreams, visions, and ambitions.
I appreciate its bottom-up strategy, which I find very democratic. I
believe that the FET concept gives rise to a balance between exploring
and implementing. I would like to congratulate the EU on supporting
this type of programme and encourage its further development.
Project website
http://www.luminous-project.eu/
www.operatingtheatrejobs.com
12 THE OPERATING THEATRE JOURNAL www.otjonline.com

Anaesthetic Technicians/Operating Department
Practitioners/Registered Nurse Anaesthetic Assistants
MercyAscot, Auckland, New Zealand
Make Auckland your new home… and work for MercyAscot Hospitals,
one of New Zealand’s largest providers of private surgical facilities!
• Rostered Shifts mixture of eight and ten hour shifts
• Theatres run and are staffed between 0630 and 2030. There are a range of start times available
for the Anaesthetic Team to facilitate this
• Occasional weekend work available
You will need:
• Minimum 24 months’ experience as an Anaesthetic Technician/ODP/RNAA in the Operating
Rooms within the United Kingdom health system
• Current registration with the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand, or are able to gain this
registration
Our hospitals are located in Auckland – Ascot Hospital in Greenlane and Mercy Hospital in Epsom.
MercyAscot (The Ascot Hospitals and Clinics Ltd) are an Accredited Employer with Immigration NZ.
MercyAscot is also proud to be able to offer relocation assistance to our overseas candidates.
Why MercyAscot?
• New Zealand's largest private surgical facility with 22 theatres across three sites including ICU
• MercyAscot prides itself on servicing high acuity specialities.
• We provide our staff with a supportive working environment, autonomy of practice,
competitive remuneration rates, free on-site car park, smart easy-care uniforms, and a
Christmas close-down that allows you to enjoy the festive season with your friends and family.
• We are committed to ongoing professional development and full orientation is given to all new
employees.
• We strive to provide an excellent service for all our patients and enjoy working alongside many
of Auckland's leading surgical specialists.
So don't just take on a job, create your career… Make MercyAscot your Employer of Choice!
Click the link to apply today.
Whether you are looking for work/life balance or career progression, MercyAscot has a place for you!
Find out more 02921 680068 • e-mail admin@lawrand.com Issue 336 September 2018 13

New system can identify drugs to target
“undruggable” enzymes critical in many diseases
A new drug discovery system allows scientists to specifically target members of an important family of enzymes, called
phosphatases, which were previously considered mostly “undruggable”.
Scientists from the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology demonstrated
the capabilities of the new system by identifying a molecule that
could successfully target a phosphatase to reduce the accumulation of
Huntington’s disease-associated proteins in the brains of mice.
Targeting Huntington’s disease
The findings, published in Cell, could enable scientists to screen for
drugs that can target specific phosphatases. Phosphatases are a type
of enzyme that are a key part of signalling in cells – turning processes
on and off. Most signalling starts with an activation signal – often when
a type of enzyme called a kinase attaches a chemical tag, a phosphate
group, to specific proteins to change their function. The signal is
stopped by phosphatase enzymes, which cut off the phosphate group.
There are more than 200 types of phosphatases involved in many
different processes in cells, so any drug must selectively target only the
right one, otherwise it will produce serious side effects or kill the cell.
Many drugs have been developed that can target specific kinases (such
as anti-cancer drugs),but developing drugs that can specifically target
particular phosphatases has proved difficult – because the functional
part that cuts off phosphate groups is common to all phosphatases,
so drugging one phosphatase inhibits hundreds of them and kills cells.
Dr Anne Bertolotti from the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, who
led the study, said: “For decades, with no way to selectively target
phosphatases, research into them has lagged behind kinases and
they’ve been described as undruggable. Our new system is only a first
step, but we hope cracking this problem will stimulate phosphatase
research and drug development.
“Targeting phosphatases – instead of kinases – is like targeting the
brake, rather than the accelerator, on signals in cells. By inhibiting
a phosphatase, we prolong a signalling event that has already been
turned on, which may offer safer ways to specifically alter signalling in
cells and help to create new drugs with fewer side effects.”
The new system builds on previous work by the same scientists in which
they created functional synthetic versions of phosphatase proteins.
Left: Huntingtin protein (green) accumulated in the cells from the
brains of mice given a placebo. Right: Showing reduced build-up of
huntingtin protein in cells from mice treated with Raphin1. Credit:
Krzyzosiak et al./Cell
When they tested Raphin1 in a mouse model of Huntington’s disease,
they found it could cross into the brain where it reduced the
accumulation of the disease-associated misfolded proteins in neurons.
The scientists emphasise that this is early stage research and more
work is needed to test if the drug will be safe or effective in humans.
Dr Anne Bertolotti said: “Since Huntington’s disease runs in families and
can be diagnosed genetically, early diagnosis could provide what we
hope is a window of opportunity to target the disease before symptoms
appear. Our unique approach manipulates cells to slow down normal
functions and give them a chance to clear up the misfolded proteins
that are characteristic of Huntington’s. However, it will take some
years before we know if this approach works in humans and is safe.”
The study was funded by the MRC, the European Research Council, the
Human Frontier Science Program, EMBO and the Swiss National Science
Foundation.
These synthetic phosphatases are tethered to chips so they can be
screened to find a molecule that binds to one type of phosphatase, but
to none of the other types. The successful molecule is then tested in
cells grown in a dish to check it is safe before beginning testing in mice.
The researchers used the system to discover a molecule that showed
promise in a mouse model of Huntington’s disease.
Many neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and
Huntington’s diseases, feature misfolded proteins that accumulate in
cells in the brain. The researchers hoped that slowing down a cell’s
production of proteins could leave its ‘quality control machinery’ with
more capacity to clear up the misfolded proteins.
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to the OTJ
In this study, they aimed to slow down the cell’s protein production
machinery by targeting a specific phosphatase (designated ‘PPP1R15B’).
They used their new drug discovery platform and found a molecule,
called Raphin1, that targeted only that phosphatase.
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--------------------------------

Ward Nurses
MercyAscot, Auckland, New Zealand
Make Auckland your new home… and work for MercyAscot Hospitals,
one of New Zealand’s largest providers of private surgical facilities!
We have opportunities available within our Inpatient Services Wards.
You will need:
• Minimum of 24 month’s experience in a specialised ward environment in the United Kingdom health
system
• Current APC and NZ Nursing Council (NZNC) registration or are eligible to gain registration with the
NZNC
Our Inpatient Services teams care for patients who have undergone various Orthopaedic, Cardiac, neuro surgical
and general surgical procedures, as well as some gynaecology and plastics. Under the leadership of a dedicated
Charge Nurse Manager, the teams provide a positive experience and outcome for our patients. The variety of
patients we care for and the opportunity to interact with some of Auckland's leading Specialists, providing direct
input into patient care, makes the nature of this role unique and challenging.
Full orientation is given to all new employees and specialist Clinical Nurse Educators provide support to the
nursing team to keep up to date with the latest trends in general surgical nursing specialities. MercyAscot
provides support for professional development should you wish to develop your skills and knowledge further.
Why MercyAscot?
• New Zealand's largest private surgical facility with 22 theatres across three sites including ICU
• MercyAscot prides itself on servicing high acuity specialities.
• We provide our staff with a supportive working environment, autonomy of practice,
competitive remuneration rates, free on-site car park, smart easy-care uniforms, and a
Christmas close-down that allows you to enjoy the festive season with your friends and family
• We are committed to ongoing professional development and full orientation is given to all new
employees
• We strive to provide an excellent service for all our patients and enjoy working alongside many
of Auckland's leading surgical specialists.
So don't just take on a job, create your career… Make MercyAscot your Employer of Choice!
Click the link to apply today.
Whether you are looking for work/life balance or career progression, MercyAscot has a place for you!

The British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) is the association for
trauma and orthopaedic surgeons in the UK. Providing national
leadership, a unifying focus, and charitable endeavour by Caring
for Patients; Supporting Surgeons and Transforming Lives.
Join the British Orthopaedic Association in Birmingham this
September to celebrate its 100 year anniversary!
The BOA is delighted to be hosting its Centenary Congress at the
ICC Birmingham. The theme for this year’s Congress is ‘Taking
stock: Planning the future’ and they are currently building an
exciting programme which will be a dedication to the growth and
success of the BOA since 1918.
Registration is now open! Please visit www.congress.boa.ac.uk
to download the provisional programme, read about the speakers
and register for the Centenary Congress.
www.operatingtheatrejobs.com
How to Dress for Success
at an Interview
First impressions count. We make up
our minds about people within the first
few moments of meeting them.
Maybe it shouldn’t be like that, but that’s
how it is. The way you dress forms part
of a first impression. The way you dress
represents you, and an interviewer will
make a judgment on your work ethic
and your professionalism as soon as
they see you.
That opinion may well be wrong, but don’t add fuel to that fire, right? I
have had candidates turn up for an interview in a tracksuit and wonder
why they didn’t get the job they didn’t ask anyone what to wear to a
first job interview!
When you are thinking about what to wear to a job interview, think
about how you want the interviewer to perceive you.
If you want to be seen as professional, dress professionally. If you want
to be seen as creative, reflect your personality in your outfit. If you
want to be seen as authoritative, put on that power suit.
I can’t tell you exactly what to wear to an interview, as it’s personal
and depends on some things. But I can give you some insights that are
worthy of consideration before your next big interview:
• Dress to impress
• Comfort
• Appropriate
• Up to date wardrobe
Even if the company you are visiting has a relaxed dress code, always
dress smartly for your interview. Remember that you are there to
impress them and even if the office attire is jeans and a t-shirt, you are
not yet part of the office.
Ensure you are comfortable in what you are wearing because it will be
obvious to an interviewer if you feel uncomfortable in your clothes.
Don’t pick something because it is super trendy if it means you are
going to be perched awkwardly on the edge of your seat for the entire
interview. You don’t want to be wearing trousers that are so tight, that
you can barely breathe. Passing out in an interview is not cool.
Make sure what you are wearing is appropriate. Even if it is a hot day,
don’t turn up to your interview in shorts with those pale pins on show.
Don’t be tempted to wear a really low cut top that your interviewer can
see down. It’s not fair on them, and you don’t want to be self-conscious
about it and end up pulling your top up every five seconds.
If you have been out of the job hunt for a while, make sure you invest
in some up to date smart clothes. When I interview someone, often it
is easy to tell when they have been out of the game for some while.
Giant patterned ties and off white short sleeved shirts were left in the
eighties for a reason. You don’t have to be a trendsetter, but at least
make sure you look current. Don’t allow the money you have spent on
resume writing services to go to waste.
www.facebook.com/TheOTJ
I won’t be able to take you seriously if you have Donald Duck on your
tie – sorry.
Rachel Emmick
https://wedoresumes.com.au
16 THE OPERATING THEATRE JOURNAL www.otjonline.com

www.OperatingTheatreJobs.com
A one-stop resource for ALL your theatre related Career opportunities
View the latest vacancies online !
Theatre Practitioners Recovery Nurses Anaesthetic Nurses ODPs
Scrub Practitioners Nurse Practitioners Medical Representatives
and Clinical Advisers
Find out more 02921 680068 • e-mail admin@lawrand.com Issue 336 September 2018 17

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