The Global Language of Business

Healthcare newsletter

July 2020

Glen Hodgson
Head of healthcare

This week we are delighted to announce the long-awaited publication of the Scan4Safety evidence report – and for a two-year programme, there is certainly a wealth of insights to explore.

In the last few weeks we have seen a lot of activity across the sector, much of which has been instigated by the recommendations in Baroness Cumberlege’s Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review.

In anticipation, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) announced the proposed development of a central Medical Devices Information System, as part of an amendment to the Medicines and Medical Devices Bill.

These developments present great scope for industry-wide improvements to patient safety, through standards-based traceability in a clinical setting, in the months and years to come.

Scan through the benefits, with the findings of the Scan4Safety report

The Scan4Safety programme was launched in 2016 by the DHSC to introduce the application of global standards and point-of-care scanning in healthcare, in an effort to improve patient safety.

Following the successful completion of the programme, the valuable insights that have been accumulated over its two-year span has now been published.

A scan of the benefits: the Scan4Safety evidence report, showcases impressive outcomes from trusts alongside thought-provoking commentary from key industry influencers that brings the evidence to life.

The Cumberlege review and Scan4Safety – what is the connection?

Wednesday 8 July marked the publication of the Cumberlege review. Titled First Do No Harm, the investigation into patient experiences of three medical interventions, presented nine key recommended outputs in an effort to prevent future harm to patients.

One of the recommendations makes a case for a patient-identifiable database that relies on the unique identification of medicines and medical devices, as well as patients and clinicians.

Through the accurate identification of people, products and places, the use of GS1 standards has the ability to serve as an enabler for the successful creation of such a database.

A recent article by Glen Hodgson, GS1 UK’s head of healthcare, reveals more about the scope for GS1 standards and Scan4Safety amid the Cumberlege review’s proposals.

Highlights from the UK

The Scan4Safety case studies live on stage

On 4–5 May next year, the GS1 UK Healthcare Conference will be back, showcasing the achievements of trusts and partners from their GS1-adoption journeys.

With a focus on enhancing traceability in the clinical setting, the conference will share first-hand accounts of the impact of GS1 standards on patient safety and clinical efficiency.

Save the date and register your interest below to be the first to know when tickets are released.

Sign up for an early booking notification>>

New decision-support tool for GTIN allocation now live

Since it was first drafted for publication more than a decade ago, the GS1 Healthcare Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) Allocation Rules Standard has now been updated and ratified.

The revision serves to provide more useful content for both pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers to follow when allocating GTINs to products.

Our global office have designed a handy decision-support tool to help.

Find out more>>

News from our global team

Enabling the digital transformation of healthcare

GS1 is one of nine global standards-development organisations collaborating to form the Joint Initiative Council (JIC).

Since its formation in 2007, the JIC has been committed to transforming the global healthcare system into one that is digital and built on standards to drive widespread interoperability.

Read the whitepaper to find out more>>

Fighting the fakes through improved supply-chain visibility

Preventing falsified medicines from entering the supply chain is a worldwide challenge.

It is an area that has always been at the forefront of GS1’s global healthcare strategy.

As such, we have recently reinforced our commitment to combatting falsified medicines by joining the widespread Fight the Fakes campaign.

Learn more>>

In the news

Training and events

Introducing DCB1077 to new users (patient identification)

22 July, online webinar

Register now

Product identification for healthcare suppliers
4 Aug, online webinar

Secure a place

Getting started with GS1 standards

6 Aug, online webinar

Book now

Product identification for healthcare suppliers
19 Aug, online webinar

Register today

All our usual onsite training sessions are available to be delivered virtually. Contact us on 0808 178 8799 or email training@gs1uk.org for details.