HPRU EZI Workshop

On 22nd November, along with several other patient groups and charities, LDA attended a research workshop organised by The Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections (HPRU EZI) and Public Health England. Because of the rules governing the pre-election period in the UK (known as Purdah) none of us are able to provide […]

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TBE has arrived in the UK

Tick Borne Encephalitis (TBE), a viral disease, has been reported in UK ticks for the first time and Public Health England (PHE) has updated its risk assessment.  The risk of catching TBE is considered by PHE as Low to Very Low, even in ‘at risk’ groups like forestry workers, but LDA warns against complacency. Like […]

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SMC briefing risks fomenting discord

Following the Science Media Centre’s briefing on Lyme disease, many journalists seem to have used the news release from the UK news agency pa media. We can’t be sure which experts talked at this briefing, but the news release mentions two. Let’s take a dispassionate look at this release. MOST PEOPLE IN UK WHO THINK […]

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LDA starts work on specialist clinic

LDA is starting a project to develop a specification for a specialist NHS clinic for Lyme disease.  We have been trying to prompt this for years and even had support from a House of Lords debate, but nothing has happened. So if doctors have not the time to do this, patients will make the time. […]

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Press release – Lyme disease clinic

Lyme disease – patients to start designing clinic Leading Lyme disease charity, Lyme Disease Action (LDA), is commencing a project to develop a specification for a specialist NHS clinic for Lyme disease. Using co-production methods, patients will work together with the whole range of health professionals and researchers who ultimately will be involved in any […]

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Lottery of care

A recent study has highlighted that patient care within the NHS is not streamlined. It is, in fact a lottery. Even in areas where Lyme disease is acknowledged to have a higher incidence, GPs seem unaware of NICE guideline recommendations. On one day this month, we had 2 contrasting emails which illustrates this perfectly. Case […]

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UK incidence of Lyme disease

Up until today, all anyone could say in answer to the question “how many people catch Lyme disease each year in the UK?” is “we don’t know!” Doctors would argue “it’s a very small number – only 1200 cases a year”. However, that figure of about 1,200, the only one we have had so far, […]

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NICE Quality Standard

NICE has now published Quality Standards for Lyme disease. The aim is to highlight priority areas of the NICE guideline in order to improve care. The 4 areas being emphasised are: The EM rash should be treated without waiting for a blood test. Those who have a negative test early on in infection, should be […]

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NICE Quality Standard consultation

The draft Quality Standard for Lyme disease has been issued for consultation. The aim of the Quality Standard is to raise standards by emphasising some key points with health professionals: Treat a Lyme disease rash without a blood test because the test may be negative at this stage. If a rash has not been seen […]

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A dangerous “miracle” solution

LDA has received a warning from the National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) about the dangers of using Sodium Chlorite products in treating Lyme disease.  Products containing Sodium Chlorite are being openly promoted as a treatment (even cure) for Lyme disease.  A simple web-search for Miracle Mineral Solution or Master Mineral Supplement (MMS) and Chlorine Dioxide […]

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