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Author Archives: HM Government

News story: Avian flu confirmed at a farm near Haltwhistle, Northumberland

The UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed H5N8 avian flu in a small flock of chickens at a farm near Haltwhistle, Northumberland.

A 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance Zone have been put in place around the infected premises to limit the risk of the disease spreading. We have published full details of the controls in place.

The flock contains about 35 birds. A number have died and the remaining live birds at the premises are being humanely culled. A full investigation is under way to determine the source of the infection.

Public Health England advises that the risk to public health from the virus is very low and the Food Standards Agency is clear that bird flu does not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers.

Read the latest advice and information on avian flu in the UK, including actions to reduce the risk of the disease spreading, advice for anyone who keeps poultry or captive birds and details of previous cases. Journalists with queries should contact Defra press office.

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Press release: Boeing to open new production facility in Sheffield

Boeing Sheffield will enable the aerospace company to bring the manufacture of key high-tech actuation components and systems in-house. These include components for Boeing’s next-generation 737, 737 MAX and 777 aircraft. This should enhance production efficiency and reduce costs.

Locating the plant alongside the University of Sheffield’s world-class Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) will also allow Boeing to initiate a major research and development programme. Specifically the aerospace company will look to innovate new techniques in manufacturing.

New jobs are also expected to be created in 2018.

Boeing is a co-founder of the AMRC. It is a member of the high value manufacturing (HVM) Catapult Centres, supported by Innovate UK.

Sir Michael Arthur, President of Boeing Europe and Managing Director of Boeing UK and Ireland, said:

The UK provides Boeing with the talent and infrastructure we need to grow and maintain a high level of productivity and quality to meet our significant order book.

We are proud to expand our relationship with the UK still further with Boeing Sheffield. Our decision to start manufacturing high-value components in the UK is a step-change in our engagement and a further example of Boeing’s commitment to grow here, supporting the UK’s long-term prosperity.

The Boeing Sheffield news follows the recently announced partnership between the AMRC and McLaren Automotive.

Ruth McKernan, Innovate UK’s Chief Executive said:

This significant further investment and partnership by Boeing in Sheffield and the AMCR is excellent news for the region. It is testament to world-class expertise and facilities provided by the AMRC, and the high value manufacturing Catapult, supported by Innovate UK.

It comes off the back of McLaren Automotive’s recent announcement that it will open a £50 million composites technologies centre next to the AMRC, illustrating the strength of advanced manufacturing innovation in the UK.

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News story: Warm welcome for UK diabetes prevention programme in Dubai

Healthcare UK secured the first commercial Letter of Intent to participate in a new diabetes prevention programme in the Middle East. The programme has been developed in partnership with NHS England, Public Health England, and Diabetes UK.

Diabetes is an urgent public health challenge shared by the UK and the Gulf countries. A commercial organisation in Qatar is now working with UK health organisations to scope and roll out the prevention programme in Qatar.

Our approach with the diabetes programme has been to take an existing UK capability and make the learning from it available overseas. This is a model that we are looking to replicate in other areas.

Growing demand for UK healthcare in the Middle East

Arab Health is an important event for Healthcare UK as there is growing demand for healthcare in the Middle East. Healthcare UK has now widened its strategic focus to include Qatar and Oman, alongside Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.

The Healthcare UK team works closely with:

  • our partners in UK embassies and consulates across the region
  • the International Healthcare Management Association (UKHIMA) – established by Healthcare UK to help UK suppliers respond to high-value opportunities by bringing together consortia of exporters

Minister Blackwood puts the spotlight on mental health and innovation

The UK presence at Arab Health was headed up by Nicola Blackwood, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health.

The minister had a packed programme, leading a large number of high-level discussions with ministries of health in the region. Several of these discussions were about mental health and innovation, areas in which the minister has a particular interest.

The minister highlighted the NHS digital health initiative, Improving Access to Psychological Therapies, and also attended a demonstration of 3D tools that can be used for surgical training.

Value of building strategic partnerships

Through seminars, meetings and the HealthCare UK stand, we established several new links between UK suppliers of healthcare services and interested buyers at Arab Health 2017.

Together with UKHIMA, we ran a series of seminars showcasing the best of UK healthcare in fields that are in greatest demand in the Middle East: disease prevention and healthcare innovation. Sessions included breakthroughs in gene therapy and the latest advances in paediatric radiology.

Healthcare UK worked with the investment company, Ashmore, to run an event aimed at promoting the value of strategic partnerships to the UK organisations attending Arab Health. The event highlighted the benefits of partnerships between funders, NHS organisations, and local organisations in ensuring business success.

The Healthcare UK team at their stand in the heart of the Arab Health trade show.

Arab Health

Arab Health is the largest gathering of healthcare professionals in the MENA region with:

  • 4,400 of the world’s leading healthcare companies
  • exhibitors from 70 countries
  • 102,000 visitors over the 4 days
  • attendees mainly from the Gulf and the Middle East region, with significant numbers from China, India, and South America

Further information

For more information about healthcare opportunities in the Middle East, contact Healthcare UK

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