The 10 Year Health Plan is part of the government’s health mission to build a health service fit for the future.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/10-year-health-plan-for-england-fit-for-the-future
Category: News
This meeting addressed growing demand after the final and positive UK NICE recommendations on use of RefluxStop in NHS public hospitals
Implantica AG (publ.), a MedTech company at the forefront of treatment for acid reflux with its unique device RefluxStop™, a treatment field with 1 billion sufferers, announces the successful first UK National Users Meeting bringing together 21 top anti-reflux experts in UK last week. Surgeons exchanged their real-world experiences and delved into the positive National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommendations on using RefluxStop in NHS hospitals, opening a vast opportunity for RefluxStop procedures in patients with poor motility, representing up to 40-50%1 of the acid reflux (GERD/GORD) sufferers.
Mr. Ahmed Ahmed, a renowned anti-reflux surgeon at the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, says, “As more and more patients ask for RefluxStop, I’m very pleased to play a part in this unique opportunity to collaborate with my colleagues to offer the latest and greatest treatment options to our GERD patients, such as RefluxStop. I’m already seeing a rapidly growing demand for RefluxStop, in line with excellent outcomes achieved in my current RefluxStop patients. The recent positive NICE recommendations now allow the use of RefluxStop in NHS hospitals, which is a testament to the UK healthcare system’s prioritization and focus on making the best treatments available to UK patients as soon as possible. On behalf of the GERD community, I would like to thank NICE and all involved stakeholders for their dedication to helping GERD patients who truly need effective treatment for this debilitating disease.”
Founder and CEO of Implantica, Dr. Peter Forsell, adds, “We sincerely thank and appreciate the world-leading healthcare policy advisory body, UK NICE, for their extensive and thorough review and announcement of the final positive recommendations for the RefluxStop™ procedure. Given how rampant GERD is in the UK, with up to 20% of the adult population struggling with the persistent discomfort and pain from the disease, the NICE recommendations for RefluxStop procedure couldn’t be more appreciated among UK specialists, addressing the huge unmet need and treatment gap, especially for the GERD patients who have poor dysmotility.¹
Dr Forsell continues, “I’m truly impressed by the great enthusiasm for RefluxStop™ from the esteemed UK surgeons and other experts. Following the highly successful UK RefluxStop™ users meeting where several UK surgeons presented their excellent outcomes and patient satisfaction results, and now with the very supportive NICE recommendations, it’s clear to me that RefluxStop™ will transform the reflux treatment landscape in the UK, and ultimately worldwide, in the coming future.”
1Shih-Chi Ho et al., Ineffective esophageal motility is a primary motility disorder in gastroesophageal reflux disease. Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 2002. 47(3): 652-6Visit www.implantica.com for further information.
This workshop is being held at Hope Community Church, Deveron Way, Hinckley, LE10 0XD on Tuesday 10th June 2025 @ 10:00 – 13:00
This relaxed, informative session is open to anyone affected by cancer, no matter what stage they are at in their journey, and will offer practical, no-cost strategies to help improve sleep and reduce fatigue.
Led by Clinical Sleep Scientist Louise Peers, the workshop explores what healthy sleep looks like and why it often gets disrupted, everyday changes that can improve rest and boost energy levels, and tools and techniques for better sleep hygiene.
We’re excited to share the Spring 2025 edition of the OPA Cancer Charity Magazine. This issue features powerful personal stories, key updates on awareness efforts, and practical advice for patients and supporters.
Highlights include:
- Awareness Month campaign highlights
- Inspiring stories from patients and fundraisers
- News of our refreshed booklets for patients and carers
- Guidance on inheritance tax and legacy giving
- Details of our next London support meeting
A HUGE congratulations Danielle, and thank you for choosing to support the OPA!
“I am very proud to have completed the TCS London Marathon 2025 and fundraised for the OPA.
In 2022, I was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and underwent curative treatment which involved 5 weeks chemoradiation followed by an oesophagectomy.
I ran before I had cancer and needed a challenge to regain my fitness to a level close to before I was ill. I was thrilled when the OPA chose me to fundraise for them and represent them at the London Marathon. The OPA’s literature on eating and nutrition after cancer surgery and resources and information on recovery were really helpful to my own recovery and this charity will remain forever close to my heart.
Having a really good reason to run motivated me through the training and fundraising. I organised a fun run with a raffle for my Scout group where I am a leader. I got married in February and my husband Paul and I had a guess the first dance songsweep stake. I got local newspapers to write about my journey to spread awareness of oesophageal cancer. I really enjoyed the process and even the longer 20mile + training runs.
It’s always been an ambition of mine to run the London Marathon and the weekend of the marathon was really emotional. I’d just reached my fundraising target before the weekend and I felt good having raised all that money for a good cause. I fulfilled a dream to run among the crowds and see all the famous London landmarks and I felt really grateful to have survived the cancer and still be fit and healthy enough to do this. The atmosphere was amazing and my favourite part was when a DJ along the route played the YMCA and all the runners and supporters did the arm actions! The first half of the marathon felt really good but I tired in the second half as it was a really hot day but the crowd energy and determination to finish got me through the second half. I was so happy to see my husband and my kids at the 25 mile mark cheering me on and being proud of me and then have the most iconic section of the run to complete with the London Eye, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and the Mall to run down. I managed a heel kick down the finishing straight to celebrate too. I will never forget this experience.
Thank you OPA for giving me the opportunity to run the London Marathon. A really big thank you to everyone who supported me and helped with my training and the upper GI at St James Hospital Leeds who gave me such excellent treatment and who were really supportive of my running and advised me on nutrition and hydration to help me run after my oesophagectomy. It’s a slow long recovery but you can have a good life and do amazing things after this cancer treatment. We need more of the population to be aware of symptoms so it can be caught at early stage for treatment. Keep up the good work, OPA xxxx”- Danielle
Click here to view Danielle’s Fundraising Page
“My Story
On the 27th April 2025 I will run the TCS London Marathon to raise funds for the Oesophageal Patients’ Association (OPA) to repay their kindness for supporting me during my own cancer treatment and recovery and to help them raise vital funds to provide emotional support and dietetic advice to people living with oesophageal cancer and to spread awareness of this cruel condition.
My connection to Oesophageal Cancer and Running
I began running in 2016 and love the physical and mental challenge of it. I started from running parkrun and built up my fitness to run the Manchester Marathon in autumn 2021. At the peak of my fitness in May 2022, I was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer completely out of the blue after noticing a change in my swallow. It was devastating as I have no family history and no explanation why I came to have a 6cm squamous cell carcinoma tumour in my mid-oesophagus. Waiting for the results of the diagnostic scans and MDT reviews was the most fraught and anxious time of my life. Running helped me through this: it was no longer about training to get faster times or run further, my goal was to stay fit for treatment and to look after my mental health. Thankfully, I had been diagnosed early before there was any spread and qualified for curative treatment. I had chemo and radiotherapy in summer 2022 which was brutal – I suffered radiation induced oesophagitis and could no longer eat or drink so needed a feeding tube for nutrition and hydration and morphine to manage my pain. I kept active and the swelling and pain reduced after 6 weeks so I was able to complete The Great North Run in September 2022 with an NG tube 10 days before I had my Ivor Lewis oesophagectomy. I had to hang up my running shoes for a few months to heal from the massive procedure, relearn to eat and get enough nutrition and rebuild my strength to be able to run again. Getting back to running has helped me regain fitness and motivate me, when I improve at running I know my body is healthy. It has been a frustrating and long recovery at times but I am now heathy enough to have run a half marathon again and my times at other distances are getting quicker and close to where I was pre-surgery. My team at the hospital are amazed with my recovery and were so happy for me when I brought them my GNR 2024 medal to clinic to show them. The hospital dieticians are thrilled to be giving sports nutrition advice to a cancer survivor too! I am ready for this marathon challenge!
My recovery has been so positive thanks to my wonderful partner Paul and my children; my friends, work and Scout group; cancer support groups; the incredible team at St James’ hospital, Leeds; and many wonderful charities like the OPA who have provided me with information and support along the journey. At the start of the surgical recovery, I was given a lot of reading material by the OPA which helped me so much when I was learning to eat again. The OPA card that informs restaurants of my limited stomach capacity or that I might need to use their disabled toilets was so helpful to me. When I received an email from the OPA in October looking for people to run TCS London Marathon 2025 for them who had ambition to run the distance, had a personal connection to oesophageal cancer and who would be committed to fundraising, I felt that I would be a great candidate for this and I am thrilled that they have chosen me to run for them and hope to raise them lots of funds!
Please support me on my run and fundraising for my cause. If you are able, please sponsor me any amount is gratefully received but I understand times are hard so if that’s not possible then keep encouraging me as I keep building up my mileage and please share this page and spread some information which may lead to a life-saving early diagnosis for someone else. Not all oesophageal patients are as fortunate as me. :’(
Thank you for visiting my fundraising page and for your support
Danielle xx”
An update from Danielle - 3 weeks to go!
I am writing to update you on my marathon training and fundraising. With less than 3 weeks to go I have completed my longest run of 24 miles. I’ve gone a bit further than some runners because of the oesophagectomy so I wanted to check I can keep hydrated and well fuelled. I am ready for the race and looking forward to it.
I have raised 93% of my £2000 target and am confident to have that in full before the day. I’ve done some awareness of oesophageal cancer at my work, at my scout group and within my local community. In Scouts we did a fun run and I designed a sew on badge.
http://www.southleedslife.com/cancer-survivor-danielle-to-run-the-london-marathon
A HUGE congratulations to Duncan for this amazing achievement, we are so grateful you chose to support the OPA in your wonderful fundraising efforts!
“This was my third London Marathon, and for the first time, I secured a spot through the ballot—without any obligation to run for charity. However, after losing my dad suddenly last year to Oesophageal cancer, I felt compelled to do something meaningful. I researched the OPA Cancer Charity and knew immediately that raising awareness and funds for this devastating disease would be the right cause.
The crowd support throughout the course was absolutely world-class—every detail was so well-organized, from the start to the finish line. And, as a bonus, the sun was shining! ☀️
I definitely had to dig deep around mile 20, but when I reached mile 24, seeing my daughter and partner waiting for me was a moment I’ll never forget. We shared a few memorable moments together before I crossed that finish line.
I know Dad/Grandad would have been incredibly proud, looking down on us.
Now, I’m looking forward to a few days of rest before diving back into my fitness training routine!☺️” – Duncan McLaren
Implantica AG (publ.), a medtech company at the forefront of introducing advanced technology into the body, including the unique device RefluxStop™ for the treatment of acid reflux, a treatment field with 1 billion sufferers, announces another Center of Excellence in Spain to offer RefluxStop™, H. Univ. Marqués de Valdecilla, in Cantabria region in Spain.
The leading surgeon, Dra. Sonia Castanedo, recently performed the first RefluxStop™ procedures at H. Univ. Marqués de Valdecilla in Santander, Cantabria, Spain. Dra. Castanedo was supported by Dra. Marisol Trugeda and Surgery Manager, Dr. Juan Carlos Rodríguez San Juan.
- Univ. Marqués de Valdecilla is the flagship hospital of Cantabria, situated in northern Spain. The hospital was founded nearly 100 years ago and today is a leading center for research focused on innovative new therapies like RefluxStop™.
Dra. Castanedo says, “The RefluxStop™ procedure makes a durable surgical treatment for GERD available to a whole new group of patients who were previously not candidates for traditional anti-reflux surgery. The published results of the RefluxStop™ procedure are extraordinary, and I have experienced them firsthand now. Many of my patients have struggled with severe GERD, which has become a really punishing disease. It’s really great to finally have a surgical treatment I can offer to my patients in the Cantabria region.”
CEO and founder of Implantica, Dr. Peter Forsell, says, “It’s truly promising to see the quickly growing demand for RefluxStop™ from leading surgeons such as Dra. Castanedo and the team at H. Univ. Marqués de Valdecilla. As a surgeon myself, I support her drive to answer the urgent call for a surgical procedure that works for these patients, who have had too few treatment options for too many years.”
Dr. Forsell continues, “Approximately 15% of the adult population in Spain suffers from GERD1 and for about 40% of them, medication won’t stop the painful symptoms of the disease.2 This leaves a massive need for a well working surgical treatment, which until now was only available to a select few GERD patients. RefluxStop™ does not encircle the food passageway thus making it available to countless more GERD patients who need relief. I can’t wait to see how this makes a difference for patients in Cantabria and beyond.”
- Ponce J, Vegazo O, Beltrán B, Jiménez J, Zapardiel J, Calle D, Piqué JM; Iberge Study Group. Prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in Spain and associated factors. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2006 Jan 1;23(1):175-84. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2006.02733.x. PMID: 16393295.
- Kahrilas PJ, Boeckxstaens G, Smout AJ. Management of the patient with incomplete response to PPI therapy. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2013 Jun;27(3):401-14. doi: 10.1016/j.bpg.2013.06.005. PMID: 23998978; PMCID: PMC3761380.
For further information, please contact:
Nicole Pehrsson, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer
Telephone (CH): +41 (0)79 335 09 49
[email protected]
Implantica is listed on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market in Stockholm.
The company’s Certified Adviser is FNCA Sweden AB, [email protected]
The information was sent for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, on April 23, 2025, at 08:00 a.m. (CET).
About Implantica
Implantica is a medtech group dedicated to bringing advanced technology into the body. Implantica’s lead product, RefluxStop™, is a CE-marked implant for the prevention of gastroesophageal reflux that will potentially create a paradigm shift in anti-reflux treatment as supported by successful clinical trial results. Implantica also focuses on eHealth inside the body and has developed a broad, patent protected, product pipeline based partly on two platform technologies: an eHealth platform designed to monitor a broad range of health parameters, control treatment from inside the body and communicate to the caregiver on distance and a wireless energizing platform designed to power remote-controlled implants wirelessly through intact skin. Implantica is listed on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market (ticker: IMP A SDB). Visit www.implantica.com for further information.
About RefluxStop™
RefluxStop™ is a new innovative treatment that has the potential to spur a paradigm shift in anti-reflux surgery. It’s unique mechanism of action differentiates it from standard of care and current surgical solutions. Longer established surgical options for GORD involve encircling the food passageway to support the lower oesophageal sphincter’s closing mechanism and are commonly associated with side effects such as swallowing difficulties, pain when swallowing and inability to belch and/or vomit.
In contrast, the RefluxStop™ device treats the cause of acid reflux without encircling and putting pressure on the food passageway. It restores and maintains the lower oesophageal sphincter in its original, natural position.
The RefluxStop™ mechanism of action is focused on reconstructing all three components of the anti-reflux barrier, that if compromised could possibly result in acid reflux. It restores and supports the natural anatomical physiology of the body allowing the body to itself solve the problem with acid reflux.
This article is from- Implantica opens a new RefluxStop™ center in a new region of Spain, addressing the fast-growing demand – Implantica
Message from Sozanne Li, Jack’s Wife
“In loving memory of my one of a kind Dad – Tsapman Li who bravely battled Oesophageal Cancer for just over 2 years. My Husband- Jack Feltham, Sister- Suki and Friend- Matt will be taking part in the Yorkshire Three Peaks Trek (25 miles trek / a total climb of 1,585 metres) to raise money for OPA Cancer Charity.
Oesophageal cancer is the 10th most common cancer worldwide, and the 7th most common cause of cancer death around the world. Despite being so common, it is not as well-known as many other cancer types – and advanced oesophageal cancer can be aggressive and difficult to treat.
OPA Cancer Charity offered my family and Dad support and advice during this difficult time and we would love to support them so that they are able to continue providing these essential services.
Anything that you can donate to this page will make a huge difference.
Love you Dad, Miss you so much”
Nicholas Penney, Consultant Oesophagogastric Surgeon and Robotics Specialist at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NNUH), will be a featured speaker at the upcoming AfPP Robotics Symposium being held at NNUH on Wednesday, June 11.
His session, titled “Development of an Oesophagogastric Robotic Service”, will explore the establishment of the robotic surgery programme at NNUH, the challenges faced, and the valuable insights gained along the way. Additionally, he will present a case study detailing the hospital’s first robotic-assisted oesophagectomy.
Leading the future of robotic surgery
Nicholas has recently been appointed as the Training Programme Director for Robotic Surgery for the East of England, where he will play a vital role in mentoring and training the next generation of robotic surgeons. His expertise in advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgery includes oesophagogastric cancer treatment, gallbladder disease, hiatus hernia repair, anti-reflux surgery, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.
Since joining NNUH as a Consultant Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon in 2023, Nicholas has been instrumental in expanding the hospital’s robotic surgical capabilities. After qualifying from Imperial College London, he undertook higher surgical training in Surrey and Sussex. He gained further expertise in oesophagogastric cancer resections at the Royal Surrey County Hospital and the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle upon Tyne, one of Europe’s largest oesophagogastric cancer centres. During his time in Newcastle, he completed a Fellowship in Robotic Surgery under Professor Immanuel.
This article is from National Worl, click here to continue reading.
Implantica AG (publ.), a MedTech company at the forefront of introducing
advanced technology into the body, including the unique device RefluxStop™
for the treatment of acid reflux, a treatment field with 1 billion sufferers,
announces a new article from Germany in the well-respected Journal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Techniques showing excellent RefluxStop™ results in a real-world setting, akin to those achieved in the CE mark study.
The study, “Experience with an innovative surgical treatment option for gastroesophageal reflux disease: Results of 28 patients in a retrospective analysis,” was conducted by one of Germany’s leading anti-reflux surgeons, Dr. med. Moustafa Elshafei, Chief of General and Visceral Surgery at St. Elisabethen Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany.
Dr. med. Elshafei says, “I have treated thousands of patients with reflux and actively participated in the evolution of new technologies over the years. This is the first time I have witnessed a radically different approach to treating reflux disease without compressing the food passageway and restoring the natural anatomy of not just the sphincter muscle but also the complete gastric anatomy and physiology. This is what really drives such excellent outcomes with the RefluxStop procedure.”
Dr. Elshafei continues, “All cases of preoperative heartburn, regurgitation, and dysphagia in our study were completely resolved with RefluxStop, yielding high patient satisfaction results. I am very excited to see RefluxStop filling a long-standing and crucial gap in the surgical approach, offering a comprehensive solution for patients with GERD.”
Founder and CEO of Implantica, Dr. Peter Forsell, says, “It’s an honor to see continued excellent results from yet another leading surgeon, Dr. med. Elshafei. Knowing Dr. Elshafei’s significant involvement with various technologies and getting his valuable perspective on RefluxStop™’s unique and superior mechanism of action is truly encouraging.”
Dr. Forsell goes on to say, “GERD is a serious problem in Germany. In addition to causing chronic pain for countless patients, the disease costs the country an estimated €688 million annually in lost gross domestic product due to decreased productivity from the impact of GERD on the German workforce¹. A new and reliable surgical treatment for GERD is urgently needed. This study shows RefluxStop™ is a very safe and reliable procedure. It’s clear RefluxStop™ is leading the way to a new paradigm in the surgical treatment of GERD in Germany.”
1. Willich SN, Nocon M, Kulig M, et al. Cost-of-disease analysis in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and Barrett’s mucosa. Aliment Pharmacol
Ther. 2006;23(3):371-6; doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2006.02763.x.
For further information, please contact:
Nicole Pehrsson, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer
Telephone (CH): +41 (0)79 335 09 49
[email protected]
Implantica is listed on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market in Stockholm.
The company’s Certified Adviser is FNCA Sweden AB, [email protected]
The information was sent for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, on April 10, 2025, at 08:00 a.m. (CET).
About Implantica
Implantica is a medtech group dedicated to bringing advanced technology into the body. Implantica’s lead product, RefluxStop™, is a CE-marked implant for the prevention of gastroesophageal reflux that will potentially create a paradigm shift in anti-reflux treatment as supported by successful clinical trial results. Implantica also focuses on eHealth inside the body and has developed a broad, patent protected, product pipeline based partly on two platform technologies: an eHealth platform designed to monitor a broad range of health parameters, control treatment from inside the body and communicate to the caregiver on distance and a wireless energizing platform designed to power remote-controlled implants wirelessly through intact skin. Implantica is listed on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market (ticker: IMP A SDB). Visit www.implantica.com for further information.
About RefluxStop™
RefluxStop™ is a new innovative treatment that has the potential to spur a paradigm shift in anti-reflux surgery. It’s unique mechanism of action differentiates it from standard of care and current surgical solutions. Longer established surgical options for GORD involve encircling the food passageway to support the lower oesophageal sphincter’s closing mechanism and are commonly associated with side effects such as swallowing difficulties, pain when swallowing and inability to belch and/or vomit.
In contrast, the RefluxStop™ device treats the cause of acid reflux without encircling and putting pressure on the food passageway. It restores and maintains the lower oesophageal sphincter in its original, natural position.
The RefluxStop™ mechanism of action is focused on reconstructing all three components of the anti-reflux barrier, that if compromised could possibly result in acid reflux. It restores and supports the natural anatomical physiology of the body allowing the body to itself solve the problem with acid reflux.
Newsroom
http://www.implantica.com/media/media-kit
Community
http://ch.linkedin.com/company/implantica
http://www.twitter.com/implantica
Media Contact:
Implantica AG
Juanita Eberhart, VP Marketing & Advocacy
M: +1 925-381-4581
[email protected]
https://mb.cision.com/Main/19732/4133927/3380227.pdf3380227.pdf
