| Back to press releases |
Press Releases
New NICE guidelines could save lives
23 June 2010
After two years of development, clinical guidelines - produced by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) – have been published for the management of bacterial meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia in children and young people under 16 in primary and secondary care.
The guidelines - which will play an important role in the recognition, diagnosis, treatment and long term management of these diseases – will be rolled out to healthcare professionals across the UK with immediate effect and could save lives.
With bacterial meningitis affecting thousands of people in the UK every year; killing 10% of sufferers and leaving 15% of survivors with severe after-effects, these guidelines are an important step forward in the fight against the disease.
National charity, the Meningitis Trust, was involved in the development of the guidelines and welcomes the recommendations set out within them. Sue Davie, Chief Executive of the Meningitis Trust says; “As an organisation that sees first-hand the devastation that meningitis can cause, we are delighted with the recommendations, particularly for the long-term management of patients affected by the disease. And anything that helps to save lives and prevent suffering in the future is fully welcomed by us”.
Sue continues; “With nearly 2,000 cases of bacterial meningitis reported in England and Wales every year, these guidelines will be important in recognising the disease, managing the care and ensuring quality of life following meningitis; something that we’re very passionate about at the Trust”.
The Meningitis Trust, which has been helping rebuild lives shattered by the disease for nearly 25 years, is determined to increase awareness and understanding of the life-changing impact of meningitis; to the public, health professionals and anyone involved in the care of people affected by the disease. With no Government funding, the charity relies entirely on voluntary donations to continue its work; offering its support services to over 20,000 people a year who have been touched by meningitis.
For more information on the guidelines, meningitis, or work of the Meningitis Trust please log on to www.meningitis-trust.org or call its freephone 24-hour helpline, staffed by nurses, on 0800 028 18 28.
Ends
