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News - October 2009

Contents

NICE guideline aims to improve immunisation uptake in under 19s

NICE has published public health guidance on reducing differences in the uptake of immunisations in people below the age of 19 years. The document is targeted at people who have a direct or indirect role in, and responsibility for immunisation of children and young people. The guidance includes recommendations on:

  • improving access to immunisation services (e.g. extending clinic times)
  • provision of tailored information and support to parents and young people along with the opportunity for open discussion
  • checking immunisation status during health appointments and when children and young people join educational institutions (e.g. nurseries, playgroups, schools) and offering vaccinations as appropriate
  • ensuring that babies born to mothers who are hepatitis B-positive are given doses of the vaccine at the correct time, and are tested for infection.
www.nice.org.uk

Consultation period on the quality and outcomes framework begins

The first consultation period for the quality and outcomes framework (QOF) has officially been opened by NICE. As part of NICE’s new role, stakeholders are now able to respond to the prioritisation of recommendations for the development of the 2012/2013 framework, and also comment on present indicators via the NICE website.

The indicators for the 2012/13 QOF will be the first set to pass through the new NICE process in full, and the topic-selection period represents the first phase of their development. The online topic suggestion facility hosts evidence-based recommendations from NICE guidelines that could provide potential new QOF indicators. Stakeholders can also suggest other subject areas that are not covered by relevant NICE guidance.

Each topic-selection period will have a duration of 4 weeks. Once closed, each suggestion will be reviewed and suitable proposals for the QOF will be presented to the independent Primary Care QOF Indicator Advisory Committee for consideration.

www.nice.org.uk

Guideline on managing STIs in children and young people released by BASHH

The principles of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV guideline on the management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and related conditions in children and young people apply when:

  • young people are seen for sexual healthcare
  • there are concerns over child sexual abuse
  • an STI has been detected.

The guideline includes recommendations on assessment, examination, diagnostic tests, treatment regimens, and prophylaxis for the effective management of children and young persons under the age of 16 years who are at risk of or have an STI. The topics of consent, confidentiality, and child protection are also covered.

The guideline outlines a number of management principles that a young person accessing the service should expect, including:

  • an expectation of confidentiality
  • patient consultation and choice
  • that they will be seen by an experienced senior member of staff, whenever possible.

www.bashh.org

New physical activity care pathway published by Department of Health

Let’s get moving is the new commissioning guidance focused on promoting healthier lifestyles and reducing the economic burden that physical inactivity places on the NHS.

Achieving 30 minutes of at least moderate intensity activity a day for 5 or more days a week can prevent and manage chronic conditions such as coronary heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

The guidance provides a physical activity care pathway for service providers to recruit patients and screen for inactivity using a validated questionnaire. Individuals who do not meet the requirements for physical activity will be given a brief intervention, which will:

  • take a patient-centred approach to highlighting the health benefits of physical activity
  • work through key behaviour change stages
  • conclude with the patient setting their own physical activity goal, and identifying more opportunities to be active.

www.dh.gov.uk

Ustekinumab is recommended by NICE for severe plaque psoriasis

Ustekinumab has been recommended as a possible treatment for adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis if:

  • standard assessments show that the psoriasis is severe, as defined by a Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) of ≥10 and a Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score of >10
  • the psoriasis has not responded to, or the patient is intolerant of or has a contraindication to standard systematic therapy, such as ciclosporin, methotrexate, and psoralen and long-wave ultraviolet radiation.
  • the manufacturer of ustekinumab provides a 90 mg dose for people who weigh more than 100 kg at the same total cost of a single 45 mg dose.

Treatment should be stopped after 16 weeks if there has not been an adequate response, which is defined as:

  • a 75% reduction in the PASI score from when treatment began or
  • a 50% reduction in the PASI score and a 5-point reduction in the DLQI score from when treatment began.

www.nice.org.uk

British Academy of Audiology releases new guideline for referral

The Guidelines for referral to audiology of adults with hearing difficulty has been released by the British Academy of Audiology. This guideline replaces the earlier guidance by the Technicians, Therapists and Scientists Association and includes more up-to-date audiology practice.

The guideline aims to form the basis for service planning and to guide the practice of those healthcare professionals who are involved in direct referral of adults to audiology services, primarily GPs. It consists of a set of contraindications for direct referral of adults from primary care or other intra-hospital consultant pathways to audiology for assessment and treatment. The contraindications are divided into:

  • history
  • ear examination
  • audiometry
  • other findings.

A simple checklist is included in the guideline for use by the audiology departments to ensure that the guideline is being followed correctly.
www.tiny.cc/JSuu3

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