News

Fixed Term posts of 12 months

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) opened on 1 April 2017 with the aim of using cutting edge experimental medicine to accelerate access to, and adoption of, drugs, devices and diagnostics tests for patients living with chronic inflammatory diseases. The NIHR Birmingham BRC brings together the expertise of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) and the University of Birmingham, both members of Birmingham Health Partners (BHP), and is one of 20 NHS and University partnerships across England that have been awarded funding through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

We are seeking two highly motivated Clinical Research Fellows to undertake research into chronic inflammatory disease. The post-holders willbe based in the Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy at the University of Birmingham in the Institute for Biomedical Research. One post will involve the delivery of the Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis–Inflammatory Bowel Disease research programme of the BRC, reporting to Professor Gideon Hirschfield. The second post will involve undertaking clinical trials and other studies in patients with chronic inflammatory disease including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and autoimmune liver disease, and will report to Professor Philip Newsome.

BRIEF PERSON SPEC
We are looking for clinicians with MRCP or equivalent, a potential ability to conduct and publish their own research, strong communication skills and an ability and eagerness to work in a multi-disciplinary team. The successful candidates will have an enthusiasm to learn and will be expected to register for a higher degree.

The positions are available for 12 months with potential and expectation to extend for a higher degree and submission of a fellowship application. Salary will be at the appropriate point on the appropriate clinical scale, with placement according to qualifications and experience.

Closing date: 21st September Reference: POST NUMBERS 57808 and 57809

To apply for these jobs please visit the University of Birmingham vacancies website.

Read an article by Professor Mark Thursz in the Huffington Post > here.

Professor Mark Thursz is professor of hepatology at Imperial College and consultant in hepatology at St Mary's Hospital, London. Professor Thursz is also the current Chair of the Hepatitis C Coalition.

Dr. Mary Ramsay and Dr Sema Mandal

Immunisation, Hepatitis, Blood Safety and Countermeasures Response

There is a global shortage of hepatitis B vaccine which is currently impacting severely on the UK supply. The situation is particularly critical during August but limitations on supply are likely to continue until early 2018. To ensure that stock is available for those individuals at highest and most immediate risk of exposure to hepatitis B, Public Health England (PHE) has developed temporary recommendations to support clinicians undertaking an individual risk assessment.

PHE and Department of Health (DH) have been working with both vaccine manufacturers to institute ordering restrictions according to customer type. The allocation is based on an agreed assessment of the proportion of vaccines used by that provider type for individuals in the highest priority groups. As a consequence, some providers may not be able to order any stock and others will have limits applied to their orders. A mechanism will be in place, however, to allow for exceptional orders if there is an urgent and immediate need for an individual following an individual risk assessment.

NHS Hospital Trusts will get the highest allocation, but it has been agreed with the BMA's General Practitioners Committee that general practice will not be able to order any adult hepatitis B vaccine stock until further notice. Because of this, patients requiring post-exposure hepatitis B vaccination will be referred to urgent care or Accident and Emergency based in NHS trusts for an assessment. In addition, specialist services such as liver services, who may normally request that GPs offer hepatitis B vaccination to their patients should note that the GP may not be able to meet this request.

To sustain supply for those at greatest need, all services are being asked to:

• ensure that clinicians are aware of the temporary recommendations on prioritising vaccines
• only order essential vaccine stock (small amounts more frequently) and avoid stockpiling
• coordinate and monitor stock usage across the service to ensure that scarce stock is being used responsibly
• accept and use alternative products including combined hepatitis A and B vaccines, and other presentations (e.g. multi-dose packs)

Download the full list of recommendations here >  Download Hepatitis B vaccine shortage PHE letter.pdf

Public Health England (PHE) has published its Hepatitis C in the UK Annual Report 2017 to coincide with World Hepatitis Day, 27th July 2017.

View the Annual Report > here. 

The Lancet Commission into Liver Disease in the UK has published 'The Financial Case for Action on Liver Disease' report. 

Read the report here; Download Financialcaseforactiononliverdiseasepaper.pdf

The alcohol section contains new data on the impact of minimum unit pricing, outlining that within 5 years of introducing MUP in England there would be:
• 1,150 fewer alcohol-related deaths
• 74,500 fewer alcohol-related hospital admissions
• Savings of £325.7m in healthcare costs
• Savings of £710.9m in crime costs.