The core elements of a National VTE Risk Assessment have been developed by the Implementation Working Group (IWG). With funding from Connecting for Health these core elements are being made available for stakeholder consultation.
Further information including details of how to take part will be available as soon as the formal consultation is underway.
The intention is that following this consultation the final draft of the national risk assessment will be drawn up by the IWG and presented to the CMO during spring 2008.
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
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.
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
The Venous Thromboembolism Implementation Working Group is asked to:
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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