Academics for Refugees policy paper: a just and humane approach for refugees

The Policy Paper recommends that Australia end its harmful policies of offshore processing, boat turnbacks and the mandatory detention of people seeking asylum. The Policy Paper sets out practical and sound measures to be considered by the Australian government in order to adopt a just and humane approach towards people seeking asylum in Australia. Such an approach recognises that it is lawful to seek asylum and that people should not be penalised for how the arrive in Australia. We recommend that the Australian government should adopt the following four measures: close immigration detention centres and end mandatory detention; initiate comprehensive law reform to ensure that Australia upholds its international obligations; promote a decent livelihood and thriving communities for people seeking asylum or people who have been granted Australia’s protection; and foster positive and empathetic narratives about people seeking asylum. New regional and global approaches are required. The Policy Paper recommends that Australia should: work with states in the Asia Pacific region to create a regional framework based on equity, capacity and responsibility; and contribute towards making the international system more sustainable, equitable and humane. Finally, the Policy Paper calls on the Australian government to convene a National Policy Summit in 2017. The Summit should bring together asylum seekers, refugees and former refugees; migrant and refugee advocates; policy experts; community representatives; and politicians from all parties. The Summit should result in constructive policy options and solutions for people seeking asylum that: recognise the need for people to seek a life of safety; recognise and facilitate the positive contributions of refugees to Australia’s communities; respect Australia’s international obligations; reflect a respectful relationship between Australia and its regional neighbours; and recognise Australia’s potential for leadership on this issue.&nbsp

Development and pilot of clinical performance indicators for English ambulance services

Introduction: There is a compelling need to develop clinical performance indicators for ambulance services in order to move from indicators based primarily on response times and in light of the changing clinical demands on services. We report on progress on the national pilot of clinical performance indicators for English ambulance services. Method: Clinical performance indicators were developed in five clinical areas: acute myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, stroke (including transient ischaemic attack), asthma and hypoglycaemia. These were determined on the basis of common acute conditions presenting to ambulance services and in line with a previously published framework. Indicators were piloted by ambulance services in England and results were presented in tables and graphically using funnel (statistical process control) plots. Results: Progress for developing, agreeing and piloting of indicators has been rapid, from initial agreement in May 2007 to completion of the pilot phase by the end of March 2008. The results of benchmarking of indicators are shown. The pilot has informed services in deciding the focus of their improvement programme in 2008 and 2009 and indicators have been adopted for national performance assessment of standards of prehospital care. Conclusion: The pilot will provide the basis for further development of clinical indicators, benchmarking of performance and implementation of specific evidencebased interventions to improve care in areas identified for improvement. A national performance improvement registry will enable evaluation and sharing of effective improvement methods as well as increasing stakeholder and public access to information on the quality of care provided by ambulance services

The UK Paediatric Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Register: preliminary data

BACKGROUND: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence 2008 guidelines on the treatment and management of familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) recommend that children with FH should be considered for statin treatment by the age of 10 years. The Paediatric FH Register was established in 2012 to collect baseline and long-term follow-up data on all children with FH in the UK. METHODS: Paediatricians and adult lipidologists have been invited to enter baseline data on any child with a clinical diagnosis of FH using an electronic capture record. RESULTS: Baseline data is on 232 children (50% boys, 80% Caucasian), with an untreated mean (SD) total cholesterol of 7.61 (1.48) mmol/L and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) of 5.67 (1.46) mmol/L. Overall 111/232 (47.8%) of the children were on statins. Children over the age of 10 years at the most recent follow-up were twice as likely to be on statin treatment than those under 10 years (57.6% (102/177) vs 23.1% (9/39), p=0.00009). In both age groups, those subsequently on statin treatment had significantly higher diagnostic total and LDL-C (overall 6.01 (1.46) mmol/L vs 5.31 (1.37) mmol/L, p=0.00007), and had stronger evidence of a family history of early coronary heart disease (CHD) in parent or first-degree relative (overall 28.4% vs 19.0%, p=0.09). In statin-treated children LDL-C level was reduced by 35% (2.07 (1.38) mmol/L) compared with a reduction of 5.5% (0.29 (0.87) mmol/L), p=0.0001 in those not treated. None of those on statin had measured plasma levels of creatine kinase, alanine aminotransferase and AST indicative of statin toxicity (ie, >2.5 times the upper limit of the normal range). CONCLUSIONS: The data indicates that treatment decisions in children with FH are appropriately based on a stronger family history of CHD and higher LDL-C

The UK Paediatric Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Register: Statin-related safety and 1-year growth data

BACKGROUND: For children with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), UK guidelines recommend consideration of statin therapy by age 10 years and dietary and lifestyle advice to maintain an ideal body weight. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study is to use the UK Paediatric Familial Hypercholesterolemia Register to determine: (1) the prevalence of plasma markers of liver toxicity and muscle damage in statin-treated FH children; (2) the prevalence of obesity in FH children compared to the UK general population; and (3) to compare growth rates in statin-treated and nontreated children. METHODS: Differences in registration and 1-year characteristics were compared by Mann-Whitney U tests. Age and gender body mass index percentiles were compared to UK children's growth charts. RESULTS: In 300 children (51% boys, 75% Caucasian, untreated mean [standard deviation] low-density lipoprotein cholesterol 5.50 [1.49] mmol/L), the proportion on statins varied significantly (P 15 years = 73.2%). Statin treatment reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 31% (1.84 [1.43] mmol/L), and no child showed elevated levels of markers of liver toxicity or muscle damage. At registration, 16.9% of the FH children were overweight (>85th percentile) and 11.1% were obese (>95th percentile) vs reported in 21.2% in UK non-FH children. There was no difference in annual growth rate in statin vs no-statin groups (age-adjusted weight increases 3.58 vs 3.53 kg; P = .91, height 4.45 vs 4.60 cm P = .73). CONCLUSIONS: We show no evidence for statin-related safety or growth issues, but many FH children over the age of 10 years are not on statin treatment. Fewer UK children with FH are obese compared to UK non-FH children

Cystic Fibrosis James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership PROTOCOL [5 February 2016]

The purpose of this protocol is to set out the aims, objectives and commitments of the Cystic Fibrosis Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) and the basic roles and responsibilities of the partners therein

Setting up an enhanced surveillance of newly acquired hepatitis C infection in men who have sex with men: a pilot in London and South East region of England.

Preliminary findings suggest ongoing HCV transmission among MSM infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and that enhanced surveillance for newly acquired HCV in MSM is feasible

Cystic Fibrosis James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership PROTOCOL [updated 13 July 2016]

The purpose of this protocol is to set out the aims, objectives and commitments of the Cystic Fibrosis Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) and the basic roles and responsibilities of the partners therein

From Paris 2005 to Accra 2008: Will Aid Become More Accountable and Effective?

This draft position paper has been prepared by the International CSO1 Steering Group (ISG) coordinating the “CSO Parallel Process to the Ghana High Level Forum Network”. The ISG coordinating CSO Parallel Process to the Ghana High Level Forum network brings together various local, national, regional and international NGOs who are engaged in development issues, particularly the aid architecture and the aid effectiveness agenda. This network is involved in a multi-stakeholder process of engagement leading towards the High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness, to be held in Accra, Ghana, in September 2008