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The VTE Implementation Working Group

  • Last modified date:
    18 September 2008

The core elements of a National VTE Risk Assessment have been developed by the Implementation Working Group (IWG) in close consultation with key partners and stakeholders.  With funding from Connecting for Health, risk assessment is now subject to consensus development due for conclusion in mid 2009 at which point it will be embedded into National Health Service IT systems.

The IWG is collaborating with NICE on developing appropriate implementation tools for clinicians and on other areas of joint activity to prevent avoidable death from VTE. The IWG have also worked closely with NICE throughout the development of the risk assessment to ensure that it is compatible with new national clinical guidelines for the prevention of VTE in all hospitalised patients, due in September 2009.

VTE exemplar sites

VTE exemplar sites are being identified by the VTE IWG in order to share best practice on the prevention of VTE in hospitals.  The characteristics of a VTE exemplar are:     

1. Chief Executive agreement
2. A mechanism in place for risk assessing patients for VTE
3. An audit trail – evidence of prevention management across organisation
4. An element of education/awareness raising activity
5. Multidisciplinary team approach
6. A willingness to spread good practice and receive visitors who wish to learn more.

Current exemplar sites

King’s College Hospital, London – contact Dr Roopen Arya
The London Clinic – contact Amanda Hallums

NHS Trusts and hospitals, whether in the NHS or independent sector, interested in becoming a VTE exemplar site should contact Dr Roopen Arya

VTE IWG terms of reference

The Venous Thromboembolism Implementation Working Group is asked to:

  • work with Sir Muir Gray and DH/NHS stakeholders to develop a national VTE risk assessment toolkit which would form part of Connecting for Health, and to present the developed tool to the Chief Medical Officer by end of 2007;
  • provide oversight and leadership to the work required by the Healthcare Commission, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, NHS Litigation Authority, National Patient Safety Agency and other NHS partners and the wider healthcare sector to implement a VTE strategy over a timescale be agreed and reviewed by the Chief Medical Officer but likely to be for a period up to 2009; and,      
  • provide the Chief Medical Officer with written quarterly updates on progress.

VTE IWG membership

Dr Anita Thomas OBE (Chair)
Professor Ajay Kakkar
Mr Alistair Flowerdew
Squadron Leader Dr Ed Nicol RAF
Dr Roopen Arya
Dr Trevor Baglin

For further information on the work of CMO’s VTE Implementation Working contact Tim Brown – VTE Implementation Coordinator.

The work of the IWG is being supported on behalf of the Department of Health by  Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust and the Thrombosis Research Institute, London.

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