NICE News for Health and Social Care
Latest News from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
Glucose monitoring for children with type 2 diabetes
Hundreds of children with type 2 diabetes, who currently manage their condition with finger prick testing, could be offered a choice between 2 life-changing technologies to virtually automate the process. Our updated guideline on diabetes (type 1 and type 2) in children and young people recommends the use of real-time continuous glucose monitoring or intermittently scanned glucose monitoring devices. This technology can take away the burdensome task of several finger prick tests a day, which can be tiring, stressful and have a negative psychological impact on children.
New, timely treatment options for depression and anxiety
We've recommended 6 digitally enabled therapies for adults with anxiety disorders and 3 for adults with depression while further data is gathered. These new treatment options use cognitive behavioural therapy techniques, delivered through an app or website, alongside the support of an NHS talking therapies clinician or psychological wellbeing practitioner. These digital therapies require on average 4 hours of clinician or practitioner time compared with 10 hours for standard care. This could free up clinical resources, increase patient access to treatment or reduce waiting times.
New treatment for chronic heart failure could reduce hospital admissions
We've issued final draft guidance recommending dapagliflozin as an option for adults with symptomatic chronic heart failure with preserved or mildly reduced ejection fraction. Until now, there have been no treatments available to delay or slow the progression of this type of heart failure. Up to 150,000 people in England are set to benefit as a result. Dapagliflozin could also save the NHS money and free up space in hospitals by reducing the likelihood of unplanned emergency treatment. There were 94,185 hospitalisations in England for heart failure in 2019/20, making it one of the leading causes of avoidable hospitalisations.
Statin tool supports shared decision-making
We've updated our patient decision aid on using statins to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. This practical resource includes a tool for patients to consider what is and is not important to them in cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. It also has visual representations showing the risks and benefits of CVD prevention treatments. This useful aid forms part of our guidance update to CVD risk assessment and reduction, including lipid modification. We have updated our recommendations on risk assessment tools for primary prevention, cardioprotective diets, and statin treatment for primary and secondary prevention.
Digital therapies to treat mental health conditions
Following Mental Health Awareness Week, we hear about 4 NICE approved digital technologies that can help children and young people with mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety or low mood. Our guests are Sarah Byron, NICE's programme director for devices, diagnostics and digital, and Lily Tang, deputy director of digital investment strategy at NHS England.
Listen to the mental health podcast
Support for people living with dementia
Dementia Action Week took place this month (Monday 15 May to Sunday 21 May). Around 460,000 people in England are diagnosed with dementia. A dementia diagnosis may create mixed emotions. But getting timely information and support from people working in health and social care can make a real difference. Our quick guide for people with dementia and their family and carers is based on our dementia guideline.
Supporting carers
Monday 5 June to Sunday 11 June is Carers' Week. There are an estimated 5 million unpaid carers in England and Wales. We have produced a quick guide for social care practitioners on how best to support them.
Read supporting carers quick guide
Latest data on NICE technology appraisal uptake
NHS England has published the latest edition of its Innovation Scorecard. The Scorecard reports official statistics on the use of medicines and medical technologies in the NHS in England that NICE has recommended. It includes data on the uptake of 183 medicines and 13 groups of medicines.
The Innovation Scorecard aims to support and drive NHS compliance with our technology appraisals. It's designed to help the NHS identify variation which can then be justified, challenged or acted upon.