Diagnosis, prevention and management of delirium: applications wanted for patient & carer members on this clinical guideline development group

The Patient and Public Involvement Programme and the National Collaborating Centre for Nursing and Supportive Care are looking for applications from patients and/or carers to sit on the group developing a clinical guideline for the diagnosis, prevention and management of delirium. Delirium may be caused by severe physical or mental illness, or any process which interferes with the normal function of the brain. Some of the symptoms experienced by people with delirium include confusion, loss of attention or memory, speech problems or disorientation. The guideline is likely to examine known causes of delirium, such as fever, pain, traumatic shock, severe lack of food or water or sleep etc.

Patient/carer members of this group will play a key role in making sure that patients’ views, experiences and interests (and those of their carers) inform the guideline's development and its recommendations to the NHS.

All members of Guideline Development Groups have equal status, which reflects the relevance and importance of their different expertise and experience. They include health professionals and researchers as well as patient and carer members. All Group members need to attend regular meetings and undertake background reading.

We would welcome an application from you if you have:

• experience or knowledge of delirium, for example, as someone
  - who has had delirium themselves or
  - who is the relative or carer of someone who has had delirium or
  - who is a policy officer from a relevant patient organisation
• an understanding of, and a willingness to reflect, the experiences and needs of a wider network of relevant patients (perhaps as a member of a support group or patient organisation)
• time to commit to the work of the group: attending meetings, background reading, commenting on draft products etc.
• good communication and team working skills

Health professionals will be well represented on the group so we are looking for someone without a health professional background.

Patient members of Guideline Development Groups are paid an attendance fee and travel expenses are also reimbursed. The Patient and Public Involvement Programme will provide patient/carer members with dedicated and ongoing support throughout their time on the Group.

For further information about what the role involves and other relevant information please use the links below:

• Delirium clinical guideline – patient/carer members “job description” and person specification
• Delirium Clinical Guideline – application form & personal statement
• An Equalities Monitoring Form
• A Declaration of Interests Form
• Information sheet on Declaration of Interests
• NICE’s Declaration of Interests Policy
• Information for applicants

If you would like to discuss this further, please contact Victoria Thomas, NICE, Patient and Public Involvement Programme, MidCity Place, London, WC1V 6NA. victoria.thomas@nice.org.uk.

Decisions about whom to recruit to the Guideline Development Group will rest with the National Collaborating Centre for Nursing and Supportive Care. Please note that submitting an application does not automatically guarantee a place on the Group.

To apply

The application form is downloadable by using the link above; if you would like to receive hard copies of the information, please contact Victoria Thomas as above. Please return the forms below (either in hard copy or in electronic format) to Victoria Thomas as above:

• Application form and personal statement
• Equalities Monitoring form
• Declaration of Interests form.

Please return your completed forms by the end of 14 March 2008.

• Further information about the Delirium guideline project
• Further information about the Patient and Public Involvement Programme
• Further information about the National Collaborating Centre for Nursing and Supportive Care.