FORM 6-K SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 Report of Foreign Private Issuer Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 June 14, 2002 SMITH & NEPHEW plc (Registrant's name) Heron House 15 Adam Street London, England WCN 6LA (Address of registrant's principal executive offices) [Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.] Form 20-F X Form 40-F __ [Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2 (b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.] Yes __ No X If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2 (b) : 82- n/a. Total Pages: 2 13 June 2002 The Secretary London Stock Exchange RNS Old Broad Street London EC2N 1HP Dear Sirs, Smith & Nephew plc has been notified today, pursuant to Section 198 of the Companies Act 1985 (as amended), by Merrill Lynch Investment Managers that they ceased to have a notifiable interest in the ordinary share capital of Smith & Nephew plc as of 10th June 2002. Yours faithfully, J.V. Sutton Assistant Company Secretary