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News – October 2011
NICE releases advice on referral and diagnosis of autism
NICE has published a guideline on the recognition, referral, and diagnosis of autism in people up to 19 years of age. Autism is a lifelong disorder and is strongly associated with a variety of coexisting conditions. Approximately 70% of people with autism meet the diagnostic criteria for at least one other psychiatric disorder and intellectual disability occurs in around 50% of young people with the condition. Autism is less likely to be diagnosed in children and young people with certain coexisting conditions, which leads to inequalities in provision of care and services.
The NICE guideline, Autism: recognition, referral, and diagnosis of children and young people on the autism spectrum, advises strong communication between healthcare professionals, children, and carers. It covers topics, such as:
- setting up a local pathway for recognition, referral, and diagnostic assessment of possible autism
- recognition of children and young people with possible autism
- referral of children and young people to the autism team
- diagnostic assessment of autism in children and young people
- medical investigations
- communicating the results from the autism diagnostic assessment
- providing information and support for families and carers.
NICE is currently developing a guideline on the management of autism in children and young people.
Audit shows that care for multiple sclerosis has not improved
The Royal College of Physicians and the Multiple Sclerosis Trust have published results from a 2011 national audit of services for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The audit demonstrates that a negligible improvement has been made in care for patients with MS in the last 5 years and none of the six key NICE recommendations from 2003 have been implemented fully.
Moreover, basic symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and problems with cognition are not being managed correctly.
The authors of the audit have suggested that all NHS organisations be required to initiate a 5-year project that rearranges services to comply with the NICE guideline on the management of patients with MS.
Quality standard for breast cancer published by NICE
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women in England. Approximately 40,000 cases are diagnosed each year and it is the leading cause of death in women aged 34 to 54 years. While very rare, breast cancer does occur in men with 300 cases diagnosed each year in the UK.
NICE quality standards are clear, concise statements that act as markers for high-quality, clinical and cost-efficient patient care. The quality standard for breast cancer defines best clinical practice in 13 statements covering the management of early, locally advanced, and advanced disease in adults. The standards state:
- people presenting with symptoms suggestive of breast cancer are referred to a unit that performs diagnostic procedures in line with NHS Breast Screening Programme guidance
- patients having treatment should be offered personalised information and support, including a written follow-up plan
- patients with early invasive breast cancer, irrespective of age, should be offered surgery, radiotherapy, and appropriate systemic therapy, unless significant co-morbidity prevents it.
The new standard recognises that an integrated approach to provision of services is fundamental to the delivery of high-quality care for people with breast cancer. A support document is also available from the NICE website to help commissioners and others consider the commissioning implications and potential resource impact of this quality standard.
The NICE quality standard on breast cancer is the 12th quality standard to be published and there are a further 15 currently in development.
New guideline published on multiple pregnancy
NICE has published Clinical Guideline 129 on Multiple pregnancy: the management of twin and triplet pregnancies in the antenatal period. The new guideline recommends that women with a multiple pregnancy should receive specialist care from an experienced multidisciplinary team to avoid unnecessary caesarean sections and assisted births, and to ensure that women receive appropriate neonatal risk assessment before birth. These women should also receive additional monitoring and more frequent antenatal visits due to the increased risks associated with multiple births.
Report outlines need for new prescribing system
The Royal College of Physicians has released, N=1: why people matter in medicine. The report highlights the need to bridge the gap between the medical industries and patients to create a more beneficial, effective prescribing system. The report is based on consultations over a period of 11 months with representatives of patient groups, specialists, and patients and carer networks.
The recommendations focus on referral of patients with medication problems to pharmacists, more effective engagement, service improvement, and improving research for the benefit of the public.
News in brief - The RCGP has developed a new e-learning course to help GPs meet veterans’ healthcare needs
Veterans’ health in general practice covers psychological and physical issues that are commonly faced by veterans and their families. This online resource takes approximately 2 hours to complete.
News in brief - NICE is changing the way its guidance can be accessed
From October 2011, NICE guidance will only be available on its website; printed copies will not be supplied. NICE Pathways will be available for all guidance at the time of publication and will provide quick and easy access online to NICE recommendations.
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Guidelines in Practice, October
2011, Volume 14 (10)
© 2011 MGP
Ltd
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