BTS, SIGN and NICE to produce Joint Guideline on chronic asthma as part of broader 'asthma pathway'

The British Thoracic Society (BTS), Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) will today announce that future UK-wide guidance for the diagnosis and management of chronic asthma in adults, young people and children will be produced jointly by the three organisations.

The Guideline will:

• support health professionals in making accurate diagnoses and providing effective treatments to control the condition and prevent acute asthma attacks
• promote good practice and include recommendations in areas where differences in guidance had previously existed between the organisations

The document will form part of a broader set of guidance and materials, produced by BTS, SIGN and NICE, on diagnosing and managing asthma throughout an individual’s lifetime – a new ‘asthma pathway’.

Representatives of each organisation will work closely together over the coming months to develop a detailed scope, workplan and timeline for the new venture.

An ‘update session’ detailing early progress on the proposed guideline and pathway is scheduled to take place at the British Thoracic Society Winter Meeting in London (4 – 6^th December 2019).

ENDS

For more information please contact: 

Ed Gyde, BTS press office, t: 0780 9574801 ed.gyde@audiencesocialmarketing.com

Charlotte Sutton, BTS press office, t:  07958 279240 charlotte.sutton@audiencesocialmarketing.com

Phil Ranson, NICE Digital Media Manager (Press), t: 020 7045 2173 or 07887 574668   Philip.Ranson@nice.org.uk

Roberta James,  SIGN Programme Lead, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, t:  0131 623 4735 (x: 8709) or 07887 452550  roberta.james@nhs.net

The British Thoracic Society is the UK’s professional body of respiratory specialists. The Society seeks to improve standards of care for people who have respiratory diseases and to support and develop those who provide that care.  A registered charity, it has over 3,500 members including doctors, nurses, respiratory physiotherapists, scientists and other professionals with a respiratory interest.

The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) develops evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the National Health Service (NHS) in Scotland. SIGN guidelines are derived from a systematic review of the scientific literature and are designed as a vehicle for accelerating the translation of new knowledge into action to meet the aim of reducing variations in practice and improving patient-important outcomes. SIGN is part of Healthcare Improvement Scotland.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides national guidance and advice to improve health and social care in England.