More NHS jobs could be in the offing after a £2 million project to expand the intensive care unit of a hospital in Stevenage has been given the green light.

The East and North Herts NHS Trust approved plans to move intensive care beds from the Queen Elizabeth II (QE2) Hospital in Welwyn Garden City to the Lister Hospital in Stevenage.

Some 20 beds will be moved by October, while the switch will begin next month. Lister will eventually house a new intensive care unit containing 20 beds, matching the current number available at both sites.

Aside from boosting its intensive care capacity, the East and North Herts NHS Trust revealed that the move will reduce the number of patients transfers between the two hospitals and enable it to provide advanced cardiac support and recruit and retain specialist staff.

Dr Pin Patel, one of the lead clinicians on the project, said: "While the next few months will be challenging as the expansion work gets under way, we have detailed plans in place to ensure that we cope with the disruption and that our patients will continue to get the care they need.

"Our planning for the transfer of inpatient services up from the QE2 in October are also well advanced."

Copyright Press Association 2012

Students in Leicester are taking part in a series of workshops aimed at promoting NHS recruitment.

The workshops will reveal the diverse range of NHS jobs available to students in the area and hopefully encourage them to consider entering one of the roles, from allied health professionals to health science services after further study.

The week-long event at the Royal Infirmary will give the students an access-all-areas insight into all careers available to them, including nursing jobs.

The workshops are being be led by professionals working in hospitals in the city and from the University of Leicester.

Bill Morris, director of Leicester Secondary Education Improvement Partnership, said: "This is a fantastic project because it will help the students understand the many careers available in healthcare - it`s clearly not all doctors and nurses. Plus, the get the benefit of experiencing all this in a hospital setting."

Copyright ⌐ Press Association 2011

Kidney and blood infections could be dramatically cut in UK hospitals after scientists developed a sensor for patients fitted with catheters.

The early warning system developed by Cardiff University academics in collaboration with colleagues at Bristol University involves the sensor being fitted to the catheter tube.

It will change to blue/black from yellow before it becomes blocked, alerting doctors who can then treat the infection more quickly, giving NHS staff more time for other priorities.

Currently thousands of people who have catheters on a long term basis are at risk of complications as catheters can become blocked without medical staff being aware.

The first clinical trials are expected later this year, with medical research company MBI Wales Limited supporting the project and having the option to the licence for the manufacture and distribution of the sensor.

The Severnside Alliance for Translational Research (Sartre) was established in 2009 and created a medical research hub in the South West and South Wales.

Dr David Williams, from Cardiff University`s School of Medicine, said: "Catheter blockages remain uncontrollable, unpredictable and dealt with - more often than not - when it`s too late. This is extremely painful for the patient, frustrating for the doctors and a massive drain on finances.

"By developing the first early warning system for urinary catheter blockage we hope we can offer doctors and nursing staff an accurate way of predicating and preventing encrustation before it is too late."

Copyright ⌐ Press Association 2011

A poll of NHS workers has recorded a number of improvements on last year`s study to present a mixed picture of life as an NHS employee.

Among the positives highlighted in the poll of almost 165,000 workers was an 8% rise in the number of staff receiving appraisals - taking the total to 77%.

Also rising from 62% to 64% was the number of workers happy enough with the standard of care provided at their trust should a friend or relative need treatment.

But on the other hand, 45% of NHS workers said that low staffing made it difficult for them to carry out their job properly.

Also 42% said that their time at work was often affected by conflicting demands and 29% often think about leaving their job.

But overall, 90% of staff believe their role ultimately makes a difference to patients, and 62% are able to do their job to a standard they are personally pleased with.

About 40% of NHS staff are satisfied or very satisfied with their level of pay, compared with 34% who are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied.

Copyright ⌐ Press Association 2011