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27 November - 3 December 2007
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A Weekly Bulletin of Professional News, Guidance and Policy for Primary Care
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Word Version
Headlines...
- College Member Sought for RCGP International Committee
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- Conference on Sexual Health and Contraception in General
Practice .....
- Improving Out-Of-Hours Reporting Of Abnormal Test Results
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- Core Skills for Practice Management .....
Guidance featured in Seven Days is uploaded weekly to the
RCGP Non-Clinical Guidance Database for General Practice.
Professional
News
Increased Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections
(STIs) in General Practice
According to a Health Protection
Agency (HPA) report, the prevalence of HIV has increased to 73,000,
despite encouraging developments in the prevention of sexually
transmitted infection (STI). Findings show a third of those
infected with HIV remain undiagnosed; that the historical
concentration of HIV cases in London is now less apparent
(following a major shift in the geographical distribution of
infected persons over the past decade); and a steady increase in
heterosexual transmission has taken place (especially in the black
ethnic minority groups). Evidence of increased STI testing in
general practice is noted, along with the need for better data
collection to monitor screening in primary care.
Testing Times - HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted
Infections in the UK (HPA Publication,
2007)
Commenting on the report, Dr Ewen Stewart, chair of the RCGP Sex,
Drugs & HIV Task Group, said: “GPs have an important role in
increasing levels of HIV testing in the population. In order to do
this, we need to be pro-active about raising the issue with people
who may have been at risk and then carrying out the test in general
practice”. The Group has produced resources – including a
Blood Borne Virus (BBV) Testing
Proforma - to help GPs carry out HIV testing.
Conference on Sexual Health and
Contraception
The RCGP Sex, Drugs and HIV Task Group is holding a one day
conference to help practitioners improve sexual health services in
primary care. It will provide advice, information and the
opportunity to discuss many important issues. Topics include the
HPV vaccine, supporting women with unplanned pregnancy, diagnosing
HIV, genital dermatology, and young people and sexual health. It
takes place at the Burlington Hotel, Central Birmingham, on 1
February 2008. For more details contact kosborn@rcgp.org.uk
or call 01264 366872.
College Member Sought for International
Committee
The RCGP International Committee is seeking to appoint a College
Member to support its overseas activities. Duties include
participating in three meetings each year (plus occasional smaller
group meetings); providing practical support to assist with the
delivery of services; and responsibility for particular
international programmes. The appointment would be for three years
in the first instance - and applicants should be active in general
practice and able to demonstrate an interest in international
relations. For further information, contact Claire Burden,
International Manager, at cburden@rcgp.org.uk
or on 0207 344 3141.
Guidance
Improving Out-Of-Hours
Reporting Of Abnormal Test Results
The Royal College of Pathologists
(RCPath) and the RCGP have published advice to improve the
reporting of abnormal test results out-of-hours. It was issued in
response to instances where laboratory staff have been unable to
contact an appropriate GP regarding unusual results; and recommends
that:
- GPs who request tests must provide sufficient patient and
clinical information to enable effective communication between the
lab and the out-of-hours provider.
- Stakeholders should work together, at local level, to ensure
good communication during this period.
- PCTs must inform the laboratory of arrangements for making
contact with a GP out-of-hours.
- Engagement and dialogue must be promoted across the whole local
urgent care network.
Out-of-Hours Reporting of Abnormal Laboratory Test Results to
Primary Care (RCPath and RCGP Publication)
Core Skills for Practice
Management
The NHS Alliance has published a
report - the Nuts and Bolts of Practice Management –
outlining the core skills and knowledge required by Practice
Managers to successfully run the surgery. It contains sections on
the basic principles of business; re-shaping services through
initiatives (such as Practice Based Commissioning); and working
with patients. It was written by Practice Managers and copies can
be downloaded from the Alliance website or obtained from admin@nhsalliance.org
(a fee of £10 will be charged to non-Alliance members).
A Practice Managers Network has
also been established by the Alliance, to help influence policy and
procedure in the NHS by working with the DH and Government. For
further information, contact w.evans@nhsalliance.org.
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Clinical
News
Tackling Delays in Cancer
Treatment
A comprehensive five year plan to
improve NHS cancer services has been announced by Health Secretary,
Alan Johnson. It will focus on prevention, faster treatment,
extended screening, fast-track drug approval and extended services
to increase the number of cancer survivors. In particular, the
Government will investigate delays at the GP stage of cancer
treatment.
Comprehensive Strategy for NHS Cancer
Services (DH Press Release)
Guidance
Treating Primary
Hypercholesterolaemia with Ezetimibe
NICE has issued guidance on the use
of ezetimibe to treat primary hypercholesterolaemia (high
concentrations of cholesterol in the blood) and recommends that it
should be:
- Taken on its own by patients who would normally be given a
statin but can not due to contraindications or intolerance
- Co-administered with initial statin therapy, where cholesterol
is not controlled after an increase in the initial statin dose, or
where an increase is limited by intolerance
This advice should be read in
conjunction with existing guidance on the initiation of statin
therapy (NICE technology appraisal guidance 94) and other relevant
NICE clinical guidelines.
Ezetimibe for Primary Hypercholesterolaemia
(NICE Guidance)
Use of Inhaled Corticosteroids to Treat Chronic Asthma
in Children
NICE has also issued advice on the
use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for the treatment of chronic
asthma in children under the age of 12. It recommends that:
- If an ICS is considered
appropriate - the least costly product, suitable for an individual
child, is recommended.
- If an ICS and a long-acting beta-2
agonist are considered appropriate - the use of a combination
device is a recommended
- option. Decisions on its use, or
the use of two agents in separate devices, should be made on an
individual basis (taking into consideration therapeutic need and
the likelihood of treatment adherence). If a combination device is
chosen, the least costly, that is suitable for the individual
child, is recommended.
Inhaled Corticosteroids for the Treatment of Asthma in
Children Under the Age of 12 (NICE Guidance)
Reducing Errors When Dispensing Medicines
The National Patient Safety Agency
(NPSA) has issued two booklets to help reduce human error when
dispensing medicines. They focus on key areas known to contribute
to mistakes – dispensary design and layout; and the presentation of
information (particularly on dispensing labels). Each publication
makes a number of recommendations and provides practical examples
of how to put these into practice.
Guide to the Design of Dispensed Medicines
(NPSA Booklet)
Guide to the Design of the Dispensing
Environment (NPSA Booklet)
Fire Risk With
Paraffin-Based Skin Products
The NPSA is also alerting
healthcare staff to the potential fire risk when prescribing,
dispensing or administering paraffin-based skin products. Bandages,
dressings and clothing in contact with these products are easily
ignited with a naked flame or cigarette. It calls for doctors to
inform patients about the potential risks when treatment is first
prescribed.
Fire Hazard with Paraffin-Based Skin Products on Dressings and
Clothing (NPSA Rapid Response Report)
Parent Guide to Childhood
Immunisations
Information on immunisations
required up to the age of 13 months - especially those administered
at two, three and four months of age – has been issued by the DH.
It contains answers to common questions; information on the
childhood immunisation programme; and a description of the signs
and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia.
A Guide to Immunisations Up to 13 Months of
Age (DH Publication)
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England
Announcements
Preventing the Spread of
Viruses During Flu Season
“Catch It, Bin It, Kill It” is a
new DH campaign, aimed at encouraging the public to practise
correct respiratory and hand hygiene when coughing and sneezing,
ultimately preventing the spread of viruses during the colds and
flu season. It will run until spring 2008 and A4 posters
publicising the campaign will be distributed to GP surgeries,
hospitals and NHS Walk-in Centres.
Catch It, Bin It, Kill It - Respiratory and Hand
Hygiene Campaign, 2007-2008 (DH Website)
Parliamentary News
New Inquiry on Health
Inequalities
The Commons Health Select Committee
has launched a new inquiry, examining the NHS’ contribution to
reducing health inequalities, particularly through primary care and
public health services. It will focus on several areas, including
the Quality and Outcomes Framework and Practice-based
Commissioning. Comments should be sent to healthcommem@parliament.uk
by 9 January 2008.
Health Inequalities Inquiry - Terms of
Reference (UK Parliament Website)
Recognising Allergy in the
Early Stages
The Government has welcomed the
House of Lords Science and Technology Committee report on allergy
(published 26 September 2007), highlighting its commitment to
helping alleviate the burden of allergic disorders. In particular,
it outlined the need for GPs and other primary care professionals
to have sufficient clinical knowledge and support systems to
recognise allergy in the early stages; and be to differentiate
between serious allergies requiring specialist interventions and
those that can be managed in primary care.
Government Response to the House of Lords Science and
Technology Committee Report on Allergy (The
Stationery Office)
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Wales
Announcements
Information Sharing between
GP Practices and Out-of-Hours Medical Staff
An initiative which has improved
information sharing between GP practices and local out-of-hours
providers in Gwent is to be extended to north-west Wales and
south-west Wales. The scheme enables patient information, held on
GP practice computer systems, to be viewed by on-call medical
staff. Roll-out to the rest of the country will take place
incrementally.
Electronic
Health Record Improves Out-of-Hours Care in Wales
(National Public Health Service for Wales Website)
Launch of Stop Smoking
Services
A free support programme to help
people quit smoking has been launched by Chief Medical Officer, Dr
Tony Jewell. “Stop Smoking Wales” - formerly the All Wales Smoking
Cessation Service – offers local weekly meetings and information on
topics such as nicotine replacement therapy and other
pharmaceutical alternatives. The scheme is to receive extra funding
from the Welsh Assembly Government and will expand its services in
specialist areas such as maternity and mental health. For further
information visit www.stopsmokingwales.com
or call 0800 0852219.
Launch of Stop Smoking Wales
(National Public Health Service for Wales Website)
New Health Encyclopedia for Welsh Speakers
NHS Direct Wales has translated its
online English Health Encyclopaedia into the Welsh language -
offering information on over 650 health conditions and advice on
when to seek medical help.
Welsh Health Encyclopedia (NHS Direct
Wales Website)
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Scotland
Announcements
Views Sought on Asthma and
Head Injury Guidelines
The Scottish Intercollegiate
Guidelines Network (SIGN) has published two pieces of draft
guidance for consultation this week. The first is an update of the
“British Guideline on the Management of Asthma”, developed by SIGN
and the British Thoracic Society, and first published in 2003.
Three sections have been revised - diagnosis, pharmacological
management and non-pharmacological management – and a new section
on managing difficult asthma has been added. Views are sought on
the evidence base supporting the recommendations and comments
should be sent to gaynor.rattray@nhs.net
by 7 January 2008.
British
Guideline on the Management of Asthma (SIGN
Guidance)
The second piece of draft guidance
is on the early management of patients with a head injury and
replaces the previous version published in 2000 (known as SIGN 46).
It takes into account recent developments in this area and contains
sections on assessment and classification; referring patients to
hospital (highlighting advice for GPs in remote and rural areas);
the principles of management; and follow up care. Comments should
be sent to roberta.james@nhs.net
by 7 January 2008.
Early
Management of Patients with a Head Injury (SIGN
Guidance)
Increase in Infectious and
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland has published three
sets of statistics this week. The first looks at notifiable
infectious diseases - showing an increase in the number of children
with measles and rubella and a fall in the number of cases of
mumps. The second notes that sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
continue to rise; and the third reports good progress in the uptake
of long acting reversible contraception (LARC) - although overall
rates are still low.
Notifiable
Infectious Diseases (ISD Scotland
Publication)
Sexually
Transmitted Infections and Other Sexual Health
Information (ISD Scotland Publication)
LARC Uptake,
2003/2004 – 2006/2007 (ISD Scotland
Publication)
Report on NHS Checks for
Overseas Staff
NHS Boards have a high level of
compliance with pre-employment screening procedures for staff
recruited from outside the European Economic Area (EEA). Findings
from the Auditor General for Scotland show the percentage of
personnel files containing proof of pre-employment checks ranged
from 90-99%.
Overseas Staff in the NHS – Pre-Employment
Checks (Audit Scotland Publication)
Increase in the Number of
Dispensing Practices
Following a request under the
Freedom of Information Act, ISD Scotland has released data to the
Dispensing Doctors’ Association (DDA), which shows an increase in
the number of dispensing practices from 127 to 130.
Dispensing Practices in Scotland (DDA Press
Release)
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Northern Ireland
Parliamentary News
Views Sought on Draft
Healthcare Budget
Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey,
is meeting with frontline health service staff to hear their views
and concerns about the draft budget. In a series of meetings, which
will be held in the run-up to Christmas, the Minister will listen
to comments from staff involved in different areas of the service,
including primary and community care.
Minister to Consult with Frontline Healthcare Staff on
Draft Budget (DHSSPS Press Release)
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Contact Us
RCGP Information Services can be contacted at:
Email:
info@rcgp.org.uk
Tel: 020 7581 3232 ext: 240
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Disclaimer
Seven Days uses third party information and neither endorses nor guarentees the accuracy or authenticity of these sources.
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