Women could avoid having unnecessary caesareans

Women who have previously been advised to have a caesarean section may be able to avoid having unnecessary surgery, following an update to NICE guidelines. Women who are HIV positive and those who have had a previous birth by caesarean section should now be offered a normal birth.

Offer psychological interventions to people who self-harm

Psychological interventions should be offered to people who self-harm to help them overcome their behavioural problems, latest NICE guidance suggests. Healthcare professionals should offer 3 to 12 sessions of a psychological intervention that is specifically structured for people who self-harm.

First guideline on colorectal cancer care launched to promote best practice

NICE has set out recommendations for the treatment of colorectal cancer from diagnosis through to management, ongoing care and support.This latest guidance recommends that people who are suspected of having colorectal cancer, who do not have any other major underlying illness or condition, should be offered a colonoscopy to confirm the diagnosis.

Improvement in cancer diagnosis times, following NICE guidance

Bowel, oesophageal and pancreatic cancers have seen the greatest improvement in the time it takes from when a patient first visits their GP with symptoms to when they are diagnosed with the disease, research suggests. The findings highlight the positive impact that the NICE referral guideline for suspected cancer has had since its launch in 2005.

New podcasts to help you follow our guidance  

A podcast is available for the guidance on coronary artery bypass graft surgery and the VeriQ system, which covers both the guidance and practical issues in using the VeriQ system.

NICE has produced a learning from practice podcast to support the quality improvement guide on the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections in secondary care.

Have your say on draft guidance on preventing type 2 diabetes. The draft recommendations focus on a number of aspects including: intensive lifestyle-change programmes, diet, physical activity and weight management advice, and pharmaceutical and surgical interventions.

Help us develop a clinical guideline and quality standard on the assessment and prevention of falls in older people. Does the current draft scope cover all the key aspects of care that you would expect to see?

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