2026

Management of post-menopausal women who are high-risk HPV positive with normal, borderline, or mildly dyskaryotic cytology and unsatisfactory colposcopy (2026)

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Type of publication:

Conference abstract

Author(s):

Stout A.; *Sutherland D.; China S.; Byrom J.

Citation:

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Conference: BGCS 2026 Book of Abstracts. Bristol United Kingdom. 133(Supplement 2) (pp S80-S81), 2026. Date of Publication: 01 Jun 2026.

Abstract:

Background: Unsatisfactory colposcopy is common, occurring in 10-20% of women. Post-menopausal women who are high-risk HPV positive with normal, borderline, or mildly dyskaryotic cytology and unsatisfactory colposcopy represent an increasing management dilemma. Currently, there is no guideline for this group. Management among UK colposcopists is thought to vary. Objective(s): Our survey aimed to collate opinions of BSCCP members regarding management of this patient group, and identify a consensus opinion. We sought to compare trends with a similar survey conducted in 2018, following the introduction of primary HPV screening. Method(s): All BSCCP members were invited to complete an online survey conducted between 29/01/2026 and 05/03/2026. Result(s): We received 141 responses from medical and nursing colposcopists, the majority being experienced practitioners. Management strategies varied considerably. 60.7% would perform see-and-treat LLETZ in all or high-risk patients, while 17.9% would never offer treatment at first review. If histology was not obtained initially, 52.9% recommended repeat cytology and colposcopy at 12 months. For persistent disease >24 months, 52.2% recommended LLETZ, with an additional 45.6% considering treatment based on patient preference or risk factors. Hysterectomy was offered by 84.9% in persistent cases with risk factors or on request. Compared with 2018, see-and-treat LLETZ was more common, follow-up intervals were longer, and MDT discussion less frequent. Conclusion(s): Practice among UK colposcopists in this patient group remains variable, and demand for national guidance is high. Our survey demonstrated variety in practise on initial presentation, with a preference for excisional treatment or hysterectomy in cases of persistent disease.

DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.70281

Variation in antenatal anaemia guidelines across the NHS in the United Kingdom: A cross-sectional study (2026)

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Type of publication:

Journal article

Author(s):

Haynes S.; Balboula I.; Collins P.; *Parry-Smith W.; Fye H.; *Elsmore A.; Collis R.; De Lloyd L.; Churchill D.; Bell S.F.; Stanworth S.J.

Citation:

British Journal of Haematology. (no pagination), 2026. Date of Publication: 2026. [epub ahead of print]

Abstract:

Antenatal anaemia affects up to 30% of pregnant women in the United Kingdom and is a recognised clinical priority. National management guidance is published by the British Society of Haematology (BSH), but the extent to which local National Health Service (NHS) guidelines align with it is unknown. We conducted a cross-sectional document analysis of antenatal anaemia guidelines from 49 NHS sites across the United Kingdom, obtained through two national research programmes. Two reviewers independently extracted data on screening, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring, using the 2020 BSH guideline as the national reference standard. The included guidelines represented approximately 33% of annual UK births. Screening and diagnostic haemoglobin thresholds were broadly consistent with BSH guidance, whereas substantial variation was concentrated in treatment and monitoring: oral iron indications, dosing and duration; haemoglobin thresholds and clinical criteria for intravenous iron; and the timing, biomarkers and response definitions used after treatment. Ferritin thresholds, reassessment intervals and response criteria were frequently absent or divergent. Variation was greatest in domains where the underlying evidence base is least resolved. These findings characterise the nature and extent of guideline-level variation across NHS maternity care and identify priority areas for future research and national guideline development.

DOI: 10.1111/bjh.70780

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Temporal Trends and Demographic and Geographic Disparities in Stroke Mortality Among US Adults Aged 25-64 Years (1999-2020): A CDC Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER) Analysis (2026)

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Type of publication:

Journal article

Author(s):

Farahmandian, Ronit; Kananyan, Mariam; Alonso, Jorge E; Saro-Naenwi, Naomi; Ajibade, Tolulope; Kaurani, Purvi; Gudapati, Vamsi Krishna; Gomez-Sauceda, E Lucano; Clarke, Cleve; Arra, Srihitha; Imam, Bashir; *Gupta, Anchal R; Makkieh, Yahya.

Citation:

Cureus. 18(8):e113934, 2026 Aug.

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Stroke remains a major contributor to mortality in the United States. Understanding long-term temporal changes and demographic and geographic disparities in stroke mortality is essential for identifying high-risk populations and guiding targeted prevention strategies.

METHODS: This retrospective observational study analyzed stroke mortality among US adults aged 25-64 years from 1999 to 2020 using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) database. Deaths with stroke recorded as the underlying cause were identified using International Classification of
Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) codes I60-I64 and were analyzed collectively as overall stroke mortality. Age-adjusted mortality rates per 100,000 population were assessed overall and stratified by sex, race, US Census region, and urbanization level. Joinpoint regression was used to identify temporal changes and estimate the annual percent change (APC) for each temporal segment and the average annual percent change (AAPC) across the complete study period.

RESULTS: A total of 382,253 stroke deaths were identified. The overall age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) decreased significantly from 1999 to 2012 (APC, -2.41%; 95% CI, -2.77 to -2.21), remained statistically unchanged from 2012 to 2018, and increased significantly from 2018 to 2020 (APC, 4.36%; 95% CI, 1.51 to 6.06). The full-period AAPC was -1.23% (95% CI, -1.42 to -1.11). Men had higher AAMRs than women and experienced a significant increase during 2018-2020. Black or African American adults had the highest race-specific AAMR, the South had the highest regional AAMR, and noncore counties had the highest urbanization-specific AAMR. Full-period AAPCs were significantly negative across all examined subgroups; however, significant later-period increases occurred among men, American Indian or Alaska Native adults, White adults, residents of the
West, large fringe metropolitan counties, and noncore counties.

CONCLUSION: Premature stroke mortality declined substantially over the complete study period, but progress was uneven across demographic and geographic groups. Persistently elevated mortality and recent reversals in selected populations highlight the need for targeted prevention and continued surveillance.

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.113934

Link to full-text [open access - no password required]

Hub Optimisation Week (2026)

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Type of publication:

Service improvement case study

Author(s):

*Rebekah Tudor

Citation:

SaTH Improvement Hub, June 2026

SMART Aim:

Improve elective theatre performance during GIRFT Optimisation Week (11–15 May 2026) by increasing cases per list, reducing cancellations to <4%, minimising delays in start times, and achieving >85% utilisation, while measuring additional patients treated.

Link to PDF poster

Improving the Obstetrics & Gynaecology Induction Process (2026)

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Type of publication:

Service improvement case study

Author(s):

*Alessandra Fraser-Pye, *Isabel Barber-Chavez, *Emily Drage

Citation:

SaTH Improvement Hub, May 2026

SMART Aim:

Improve the induction process for Obstetric & Gynaecology for medical colleagues by the 31st May 2026 as evidenced by an increase in self rated job confidence via a survey of the Tier 1 doctors.

Link to PDF poster

Improving the Quality of Referrals to the Therapies Teams in Acute Medicine (2026)

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Type of publication:

Service improvement case study

Author(s):

*Nikita Gore

Citation:

SaTH Improvement Hub, May 2026

SMART Aim:

To increase the percentage of referrals to the therapy department from the Acute Floor that include a reason for referrals by 30% by 29th May 2026

Link to PDF poster

Reducing Avoidable Term Admissions to Neonatal Unit (NNU) for Jaundice treatment (2026)

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Type of publication:

Service improvement case study

Author(s):

*Jo Kench

Citation:

SaTH Improvement Hub, July 2026

SMART Aim:

To reduce the number of avoidable admissions to the NNU for babies being treated for Jaundice (Q1/Q2 data from 4.2 % ) to 0% by end of Q3 (31st December 2025) using the audit from ATAIN proforma reviews.

Link to PDF poster

VTE Assessments on AMU (2026)

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Type of publication:

Service improvement case study

Author(s):

*Nawaid Ahmad, *Muhammad Irfan, *Ajmal Memon, *Nipun Gupta, *Haseeb Mudassir, *Sterin James, *Caryn-Tsujean Lim

Citation:

SaTH Improvement Hub, May 2026

SMART Aim:

Improve the proportion of medical patients who have a VTE assessment recorded on Acute Whiteboard and VitalPac with 14 hours of admission by 30/04/2026

Link to PDF poster