Product Launch

Smith & Nephew Plc
30 August 2006



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


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



Smith & Nephew announces European launch of enhanced ALLEVYN+ Non-Adhesive
dressings


HULL, UK August 30 2006 - Smith & Nephew's (LSE: SN; NYSE:SNN) Advanced Wound
Management division, announced today that it is launching a new and enhanced
version of ALLEVYN Non-Adhesive. This is the second stage in the roll out of the
new enhanced ALLEVYN product range, following the successful launch of new
ALLEVYN Adhesive and Sacrum earlier in the year.


The new ALLEVYN Non-Adhesive dressings deliver the optimal moist wound
environment for the promotion of faster healing, by combining new technological
advancements with the existing benefits of ALLEVYN. The dressings now have up to
three times more fluid handling capacity as a result of a more breathable top
film and a faster rate of fluid uptake. This is combined with a unique design
featuring sealed and shaped edges that provide protection against leakage.


'Following on from the extremely successful launch of the new ALLEVYN Adhesive
products earlier in the year, this second launch further strengthens ALLEVYN's
position as the leading global brand within the foam dressings market' said Joe
Woody, President, Smith & Nephew


Advanced Wound Management.  'These enhancements mean that the ALLEVYN range of
products 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.


'I have recently been using the new ALLEVYN Non-Adhesive dressings on my
patients in Niagara, Canada, and in my view these dressings provide superior
fluid handling, with an improvement in conformability, absorbency and wear time.
This makes the dressings more comfortable for my patients and helps to prevent
maceration to the surrounding skin. The fact that the dressings can be changed
less frequently makes my patients' lives easier, thereby enhancing and improving
their quality of life.' Theresa Hurd, Advanced Practice Nurse Specialist,
Niagara, Canada.


Smith & Nephew Advanced Wound Management, with headquarters in Hull, UK employs
more than 2,500 people around the world with approximately half based in their
main manufacturing facility in Hull. The organisation also has a manufacturing
centre in the US in Largo, Florida.


+ Trademark of Smith & Nephew


Notes for Editors


About Smith & Nephew

Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business, specialising in
Orthopaedic Reconstruction, Orthopaedic Trauma, 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 more than 8,500
employees and operates in 33 countries around the world and generated sales in
excess of $2.6 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.


*Unless otherwise specified as reported, all revenue increases throughout this
 document are underlying increases which adjust for the effects of currency
 translation.

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