Objectives and progress of the UK Clinical Mycology Network

Defining different levels of mycology provision in the UK

Ongoing through membership of the UKCMN.

Liaison between mycology centres

Through annual meeting and representation on UKCMN

Development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and/or Examination procedures (EP)

• Review current SOPs/EPs
• Draft SOPs where necessary
• Review the provision of testing, including new tests.

Horizon Scanning

To be included in meeting agendas

Funding initiatives

Collaborative work and bids

Organisation of the UKCMN annual meeting

Organisation of the 2009 UKCMN annual meeting

Development of mycology training programmes

Ongoing

For the HPA the UKCMN has undertaken:

a. To keep under review the current status of fungal infections and their management in England and Wales

b. To advise the relevant HPA programme lead on appropriate research, development and surveillance work which might be undertaken

c. To advise the relevant HPA programme lead on those reference and diagnostic service facilities which might most appropriately be offered at local, regional or national level by the Health Protection Agency.

Regular fungal Surveillance update at meetings

Get HPA recognition and appropriate sponsorship to allow feedback of advice.

As above.

Maintaining an HPA supported website to publicise the activities of the UKCMN.

• Secretariat to continue to update and maintain website.
• Evaluate a central web resource and enhance the web presence of the UKCMN.

To establish working relationships with a number of other organisations including: the Health Protection Agency (HPA), United Kingdom National External Quality Assessment Service (UKNEQAS) (Mycology, Serology and Anti-fungal), Clinical Pathology Accreditation (CPA) and the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST).

• Ongoing through professional contact and representation.
• Review of Clinical Knowledge Summaries (CKS) to be undertaken once available.
• Appraisal of other relevant guidelines to be undertaken
• A route to obtain clinical advice through the UKCMN to be formalised.

With support from the Workforce Development Confederations, the Training Programme Steering Group to designate new training posts in the regional centres. Posts in other parts of the UK would need to be funded from other sources. Encourage appropriate candidates from these centres to embark on mycology training via the British Society for Medical Mycology Diploma course.

Ongoing

2.1 Amend established reporting network (CoSurv) for the capture of antifungal susceptibility results.

An arrangement for CoSurv capture of antifungal susceptibility results is ongoing.

2.2 Audit arrangements for provision of mycology diagnostic services in NHS hospitals and other clinical units.

Undertake an electronic audit of the range of diagnostic mycology tests currently offered by NHS Hospitals.

2.3 Set up pilot research studies to examine the prevalence of dermatophyte infections and causative dermatophyte species in the primary care setting. Results to be compared with Centre for Infections data on dermatophyte species reported.

Data had been received from the Royal London Hospital. This objective would now be completed in 2008/09 and should also include data on tinea capitis.

3.1 Audit/inspect implementation of standards of service at regional centres.

An audit of standards at regional centres could be included with the main audit of NHS hospitals (above).

3.2 Review results of ongoing inter-laboratory survey of molecular diagnostic methods. Prepare SOPs if appropriate.

To be undertaken

3.3 Build on the existing national surveillance scheme to develop a prospective sentinel based system allowing the capture of reports from regional and national reference centres

UKCMN will build on previous work and prepare UK wide roll out.