Lyme disease clinic update
2 May 2014 04:17 PM
The specialist Lyme
disease clinic offered by the Royal Hampshire Count Hospital in Winchester has
been withdrawn by the hospital Trust.
The withdrawal took effect 1 May
2014, and Royal Hampshire Count Hospital in Winchester will not accept any new
referrals.
PHE supports the concept of
specialist clinics for the investigation and treatment of complicated
infectious diseases and persistent symptoms attributed to them, and several of
these clinics are provided by the NHS already at major
centres.
Dr Tim Brooks, Head of
PHE’s Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL) which tests samples
for Lyme disease, said:
Although PHE does not directly
provide clinics, and is not a commissioner of healthcare services, we do offer
specialised testing and laboratory support for the investigation of Lyme
Disease, and will be working with NHS partners to develop these services
further, potentially including the provision of a further clinic within an NHS
trust to provide additional capacity.
Over the last 3 years (2011 to
2013), between 950 and 1050 people have been diagnosed with Lyme disease
annually in England and Wales.
Often the only symptom of Lyme
disease is a rash, which gradually spreads from the site of the tick bite. The
rash can cover a large area and last for weeks if left untreated. Some patients
may also experience ‘flu-like’ symptoms.
If left untreated more serious
symptoms may develop in the following weeks or months. In the majority of
cases, Lyme disease can be treated successfully with antibiotics and early
treatment usually clears the rash within several days and helps to prevent the
development of complications.
Lyme Disease Action offers a
help service for patients and has a website addressing many
frequently asked questions on Lyme disease. Information is also available
through NHS
Choices and Public Health
Englandwebsites.