The following is the first newsletter from the NorthTick project, sent to the supporting patient organisations, of which LDA is one. NorthTick Newsletter First and foremost a big thanks to all the organizations that have supported the NorthTick project by signing the Letter of Support. NorthTick is a project co-funded by the European Union through […]
more...As we reported back in November the Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections (HPRU EZI) and Public Health England (PHE) held a research workshop on November 21/22 2019. You can read the official report summarising what was discussed. Day 1. This was solely for researchers and health professionals; patients were not invited. […]
more...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 […]
more...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 […]
more...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 […]
more...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. […]
more...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 […]
more...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, […]
more...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 […]
more...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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