Rheumatology 2001; 40: 563-564
© 2001 British Society for Rheumatology
Paediatric Rheumatology |
British Paediatric Rheumatology Group News
Paediatric Rheumatology/Series Editor: P. WooConvenor: H. Venning
The BPRG now has many active members participating in the group with activity in many areas. The open Committee structure, introduced during the convenorship of Professor Tauny Southwood, has become well established and useful work has been produced. All members are welcome to attend any of the meetings and contact with the coordinators can ensure that you are on the mailing list as a corresponding member, if not a regular attendee.
Subcommittees
Adolescent Committee Coordinator—A. Hall
This group successfully undertook an audit of transition services that was recently published in this journal. This laid a foundation for a successful project grant with Karen Shaw Coordinating a study addressing the issues of transition to adult care. A successful workshop was held at Wexham Park in the summer of 2000 with lively discussions and sharing of ideas.
Clinical Affairs Sub-Committee—Coordinator R. Hull
This group has produced clinical guidelines for the management of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and currently those for drug monitoring for children. These will be, where possible, in a similar format to the BSR guidelines for adults. The licensing of Etanercept has also expedited the drawing up of guidelines for the use of this drug.
The British Paediatric Association (predecessor to the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health) published guidelines for service specifications. Although produced less than 10 years ago, it is now outdated since the introduction of Calman trainees and increased intensive medical therapies. New service specifications and job descriptions for paediatric rheumatologists need to be produced.
CSATS (Clinical Specialists and Therapists)—Coordinator B. Jarvis
This is the new term for professionals allied to medicine. This is convened by Bobbie Jarvis and is the most rapidly expanding section of the BPRG. There are now enough members for professional groups (nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists) to be meeting together and sharing clinical experience and guidelines.
Patient information leaflets are being produced as well as information promoting the work of the BPRG.
Research Committee—Coordinator J. Davidson
There are now various collaborative projects being undertaken on behalf of the BPRG. The randomized trial of medium- vs high-dose methotrexate is just coming to an end. This was a PRINTO (Paediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organization) trial with Dr Kevin Murray as the National Coordinator. Details of ongoing trials are collated and distributed through the membership.
Training—Coordinator T. Southwood
The details of the training portfolio for Paediatric Rheumatology are progressing. In parallel there is a review of the work that trainees are doing in centres around Britain and these are being assessed for what they can offer. The predicted number of consultants is not clear and therefore the balance of trainees to future posts is still a ‘guestimate’.
The BPRG has valued its working along with the BSR and BLAR. These links have become increasingly important with the development of new therapies as well as increasing activity surrounding public awareness for patients with arthritis.
The requirement to have a register of all patients treated with biological therapies has been an impetus for collaboration and the development of a regional infrastructure. The guidelines require children to have failed on parenteral methotrexate prior to being treated with biological therapies and controls from this group will be collected as well as those on biological treatments (Etanercept currently the only biological therapy licensed for children).
BLAR held a reception in the House of Commons to encourage knowledge about rheumatological conditions and I went to ensure that Paediatric and Adolescent Services were discussed. This appears to have been very successful and follow-on work is continuing.
The CHAT Alliance is a new development with Young Arthritis Care, CCAA (Children's Chronic Arthritis Association) and the Lady Hoare Association working together, and we have an interface with this successful group.
PRES (Paediatric Rheumatology European Society) was started by Professor Pat Woo, who is currently the first President. Within Britain we are also represented by Professor Tauny Southwood, who chairs the training committee. The CSATS are represented by Kath Hickman and Elaine Murphy.
The first PRES meeting was held in Geneva last year with a good attendance by British members and an annual meeting will continue.
The Spring Meetings of the BPRG continue to be held in York in April, details of which are available on the RCPCH Website. This year will see a training workshop, as well as sub committee meetings, an annual general meeting and presentations.
The Autumn Meeting hosted by Dr Sue Wyatt and Professor Ann Chamberlain in Leeds last year has continued to be a successful meeting. Dr Dan Lovell from Cincinnati came to talk about his experience in using biological therapies. A section organized by trainees on controversies in paediatric rheumatology addressed ‘Funding of Etanercept’ by Dr Janet Gardner-Medwin, ‘Diet and Arthritis’ by Dr Gavin Cleary and ‘Immunizations in JIA’ by Dr Karen Shaw. The specialist group within the BSR spring meeting addressed transition care issues coordinated by Dr Clarissa Pilkington.
Current members of the Executive Committee of the BPRG are, Convenor Dr Helen Venning, Secretary Dr Sue Wyatt, Treasurer Dr Anne Jenkins, BSR Representative Dr Richard Hull, CSAT Representative Bobbie Jarvis, Ordinary Member Dr Joyce Davidson, Trainee Representative Dr Janet Gardner-Medwin, Training Advisor Professor Tauny Southwood.
The posts of Trainee Representative, BSR Representative and Convenor elect will become vacant this year.
The BPRG would like to thank the following hard working and long serving members who have retired from office on the Executive recently, Dr Ann Hall BSR Representative, Dr Alison Leak Treasurer, Dr Clarissa Pilkington Trainee Representative and Professor Pat Woo past Convenor and Training Representative.
Diary of future events
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