Agreement with UHS re NPWT

Smith & Nephew Plc
12 October 2007


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Smith & Nephew announces agreement with Universal Hospital Services, Inc. to
manage and distribute Negative Pressure Wound Therapy products

October 12 2007

The Advanced Wound Management business unit of Smith & Nephew (LSE: SN; NYSE:
SNN) announced today that it has reached an agreement with Universal Hospital
Services, Inc. (UHS) to bring their Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT)
products to the US rental market through UHS, tapping into UHS's more than 65
years of experience renting, managing and servicing medical equipment to the US
health care industry.

The distribution agreement covers Smith & Nephew's EZCARE(TM) and V1STA(TM) 
product systems focusing on the US Acute Care market. UHS will support Smith & 
Nephew's clinical platform in providing comprehensive wound rentals, logistics 
and distribution support to customers.

UHS is a leading medical equipment lifecycle services company in the US,
operating through more than 80 offices and serving health care customers in all
50 states and the District of Columbia.  UHS's diverse customer base includes
more than 3,800 acute care hospitals.  The combination of Smith & Nephew's newly
acquired NPWT product portfolio, with the medical equipment management and
logistics support of UHS, is intended to provide customers with the most
efficient access to this advanced technology for the solution of their wound
care needs.

Joe Woody, President of the Advanced Wound Management division said, 'I believe
this alliance allows us to deliver our innovative customer solutions with the
right customer focus.'  Robin Carlstein, Senior Vice President - NPWT Strategic
Business Unit added, 'This is a great combination of two companies providing
leadership in their respective business areas; Smith & Nephew in wound
management and UHS's medical equipment management and logistics expertise.'

Gary D Blackford, Chairman and CEO of UHS commented: 'Our new relationship with
Smith & Nephew will bring more competition in the area of equipment based wound
care therapies, and more comprehensive solutions for the treatment of wounds for
patients. This is a win for both patients and caregivers.'

Enquiries

Sidonie Myers                                           Tel: [phone]
Head of Communication
Smith & Nephew Advanced Wound Management
[e-mail]


Notes for Editors

Following the recent acquisition of BlueSky Medical, Smith & Nephew is the first
and only wound care company to provide negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT).
NPWT is a technology used to treat chronic wounds such as diabetic ulcers,
pressure sores, as well as post-operative and hard-to-heal wounds.  It aids in
the healing of open wounds by the application of sub-atmospheric pressure.

Smith & Nephew has now added a range of NPWT products to its advanced wound
management portfolio including:

EZCARE(TM) - A NPWT system that is designed for simple operation to minimise
training requirements and improve efficiency.  It has a long battery life,
safety alarms, patient lockout and a quiet operation. It also operates at lower
vacuum levels enhancing patient comfort and compliance.

V1STA(TM) - A NPWT system that is lightweight and easily portable.  The device
incorporates a range of safety features such as low vacuum alarms for detection
of leaks and sensing technology to protect against high vacuum levels.

Both NPWT systems are designed to be used with a range of wound sealing dressing
kits, and canisters now offered by Smith & Nephew. The EZCARE and V1STA systems
involve simple dressing changes that take less nursing time and are easy to
learn and teach.

About Smith & Nephew

Smith & Nephew Advanced Wound Management is headquartered in the United Kingdom.
The organisation has manufacturing centres in the United Kingdom and Largo, FL.

Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business, specialising in
Orthopaedic Reconstruction, Orthopaedic Trauma and Clinical Therapies, Endoscopy
and Advanced Wound Management products.  Smith & Nephew is a global leader in
arthroscopy and advanced wound management and is one of the leading global
orthopaedics companies.

Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping improve people's lives.  The Company
prides itself on the strength of its relationships with its surgeons and
professional healthcare customers, with whom its name is synonymous with high
standards of performance, innovation and trust.  The Company operates in 32
countries around the world.  Annual sales in 2006 were nearly $2.8 billion.

About UHS

Universal Hospital Services, Inc. (UHS) is a leading, nationwide provider of
medical equipment outsourcing and services to the US health care industry.  Its
customers include national, regional, and local acute care hospitals, alternate
site providers (such as nursing homes and home care providers) and medical
equipment manufacturers.  As a leading medical equipment lifecycle services
company, UHS designs and offers comprehensive solutions for its customers that
reduce costs, increase equipment and staff productivity and support optimal
patient care.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain 'forward-looking statements' within the
meaning of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In 
particular, statements regarding expected revenue growth and trading margins 
discussed under 'Outlook' are forward-looking statements as are discussions of 
our product pipeline. These statements, as well as the phrases 'aim', 'plan', 
'intend', 'anticipate', 'well-placed', 'believe', 'estimate', 'expect', 
'target', 'consider' and similar expressions, are generally intended to identify 
forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and 
unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors (including, but not 
limited to, the outcome of litigation, claims and regulatory approvals) that 
could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Smith & Nephew, 
or industry results, to differ materially from any future results, performance 
or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Please 
refer to the documents that Smith & Nephew has filed with the U.S. Securities 
and Exchange Commission under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as 
amended, including Smith & Nephew's most recent annual report on Form 20F, for a 
discussion of certain of these factors.

All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information
available to Smith & Nephew as of the date hereof. All written or oral
forward-looking statements attributable to Smith & Nephew or any person acting
on behalf of Smith & Nephew are expressly qualified in their entirety by the
foregoing. Smith & Nephew does not undertake any obligation to update or revise
any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Smith &
Nephew's expectation with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or
circumstances on which any such statement is based.

(TM) Trademark of Smith & Nephew. Certain marks registered US Patent and 
Trademark Office.


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