On 9th July 2024, NTM Network UK proudly launched the world’s first Standards of Care for people living with non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) disease in the UK. This event marked a significant milestone in the Network’s ongoing efforts to improve the quality and consistency of care for individuals affected by this challenging condition.
The newly developed Standards offer comprehensive guidance for healthcare professionals, including measurable indicators of good practice, allowing services to benchmark themselves and identify areas for improvement. The implementation of these Standards is expected to enhance diagnostic accuracy, streamline treatment pathways, and significantly improve patient outcomes.
Professor Marc Lipman, Chair of NTM Network UK, said: “The launch of these Standards marks a pivotal moment in NTM care. Our aim is to ensure consistency across the NHS, so that every patient, irrespective of where they are managed, receives the best possible treatment.
The Standards emphasise the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, involving dietitians, doctors, physiotherapists, pharmacists, nurses and other healthcare professionals. Each discipline plays a critical role in delivering holistic, person-centred care, tailored to the unique needs of people with NTM disease.”
Fiona Moore, CF Specialist Dietitian at the West of Scotland Adult CF Unit, added: “The Standards of Care enable nutrition and dietary assessment to be recognised as key components of high-quality care. They will assist in service planning and the development of robust referral pathways to dietitians.”
Professor Marc Lipman concluded: “We are particularly proud of the widespread endorsement of the Standards by UK professional bodies and societies, which recognises the enormous contribution made by so many to their development.”
The implementation of the new Standards will achieve:
The launch event in London was attended by a diverse group of healthcare professionals, researchers, and stakeholders, all committed to improving NTM care.
For more information or to download a copy of the Standards of Care, please visit the NTM Network UK website at: https://www.ntmnetworkuk.com/standards-of-care.
About NTM Network UK:
NTM Network UK is a multi-disciplinary group of over 500 healthcare professionals and researchers from more than 200 centres across the UK, who have an interest in NTM infections and patient care. The Network was established in response to the need for improved management of the rising number of NTM infections identified in clinical practice.
NTM Network UK provides a framework within which NTM infections and disease can be investigated, researched and managed using a systematic approach.
The overall goal of the Network is to improve the quality of care for people with NTM.
