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New NICE guidelines

NICE guidelines aren't a handbook for general good behaviour, but are issued by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (hence the 'NICE') as a guide on ow different health conditions should be treated - and set out the most effective treatments which they recommend should be offered. The new NICE guidelines on treatment for schizophrenia were published in March 2009. Rethink has produced a guide on changes from when the guidance was last published, which include:
- The guidelines no longer recommend that newer, atypical antipsychotics are prescribed over older ones. Instead, they say that a choice of medication should be offered to the service user, following a discussion about possible side effects.
- The new guidelines also recommend that the service user should be offered 10 sessions of CBT and possible family therapy.
- GPs are also required to offer annual physical health checks to people with schizophrenia and the results should be shared with their secondary mental health services.
Research conducted by Rethink has revealed that only 1 in 3 service users are currently offered any choice of medication, and fewer than 50% have had potential side effects of their medication discussed with them. So it's important that health professionals are aware of the new guidelines if things are going to change.
If you'd like to help promote this good practice for treating schizophrenia, you can take part in Rethink's simple e-campaign and send an email to your MP. Visit www.rethink.org/nice to take part and for other local campaign ideas.

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