Guidance Notes and Best Practice Guides

HPA: The Health Protection Agency last week reminded people to be ‘tick aware’ this year and take sensible precautions to reduce their risk of Lyme disease, as Tick Bite Prevention Week began. 

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection which is transmitted by tick bites.  Late spring, early summer & autumn are peak times for tick bites and coincide with people venturing into the great outdoors in the warmer weather.
began.
Press release & links
 
NENatural England is asking agri-environment agreement holders and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) managers to get in touch if they are planning to host a Diamond Jubilee beacon on their land.  

A series of beacons will be lit across the UK on 4 June 2012 as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations and Natural England is offering advice to help organisers plan their traditional bonfire beacons whilst safeguarding important natural or historic features.
 
A brief guidance note has been produced with English Heritage highlighting some of the things to consider when choosing beacon sites.  If a proposed beacon site falls within either a SSSI or agri-environment scheme then it will require a consent or derogation. The land owner or manager should speak with Natural England on behalf of the organisers during the planning stage to discuss siting of the beacon and public access issues.
Press release & links
 
NICEGPs and other healthcare professionals should decontaminate their hands immediately after direct contact with patients to prevent the spread of infection in healthcare settings, says NICE. Around 300,000 patients acquire healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) each year as a result of care on the NHS.
 
NICE has updated its guidance on infection control to take into account new evidence since it was originally published in 2003. The updated guidance also reflects the fact that more and more patients are being seen in primary care and more complex issues are being dealt with by GPs and practice nurses.
Press release & links
 
FSA: The Food Standards Agency is reminding anyone who is considering setting up a stall selling refreshments during the Olympics to plan ahead. To help, the Agency has produced guidance answering the most frequently asked questions.
Press release & links
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