direct/ Smith & Nephew PLC: ALLEVYN* International Launch

Smith & Nephew announces International launch of New ALLEVYN Ag antimicrobial dressing range

HULL, UK Oct 8 2007 - Smith & Nephew´s (LSE: SN; NYSE:SNN) Advanced Wound Management division, announced today that it is launching a new range of ALLEVYN dressings, ALLEVYN Ag, that combine the superior fluid handling of ALLEVYN with the antimicrobial protection of silver.

The new ALLEVYN Ag range of dressings, available in both adhesive and non adhesive variants have the addition of a broad spectrum, sustained release silver. This combined with the existing benefits of ALLEVYN helps to deliver the optimal moist wound environment for the promotion of faster healing.

"The ALLEVYN Ag dressing is very easy to use and we are getting some great outcomes. One patient that had an open surgical wound remarked that the dressing was a "miracle" and very comfortable," said Paula Kotz as, BSN, RN, C, CWOCN, ET Consultant Services Inc., Asheville, NC.

"The addition of the ALLEVYN Ag range to the brand will help strengthen our position further in 2008 as the leading global brand within the foam dressings market," said Joe Woody, President, Smith & Nephew Advanced Wound Management. " The new products further build on the major improvements made to ALLEVYN in 2006 that have been extremely well received by our customers. The ALLEVYN Ag range will offer even more benefits to our customers and will continue to improve the quality of life of their patients."

ALLEVYN helps to facilitate healing by reducing the risk of maceration and maintaining an optimal moist wound environment. ALLEVYN offers the clinician a clinically proven range of dressings that are cost effective both for the clinician and the buyer. With the addition of ALLEVYN Ag to the range, ALLEVYN is able to provide an all in one solution when bacterial colonisation is an issue.

Smith & Nephew Advanced Wound Management is headquartered in Hull, UK where it has its main manufacturing facility. The organisation also has a manufacturing centre in the US in Largo, Florida.

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Contact:
Sidonie Myers
Head of Communication
Smith & Nephew Advanced Wound Management
+44 (0) 1482 673246
sidonie.myers@smith-nephew.com

Notes for Editors

About Us

Smith & Nephew Advanced Wound Management, with headquarters in the United Kingdom, employs more than 3,100 people around the world. 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 has 9,600 employees and operates in 31 countries around the world. Annual sales in 2006 were nearly $2.8 billion.

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.

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