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<p>The Government has no plans to designate a group of healthcare professionals focused
on the prevention of rickets.</p><p>Rickets can generally be prevented by ensuring
that children have a healthy, balanced diet, spend some time outside in the sun and
take appropriate supplements containing ten micrograms of vitamin D. There is already
a range of resources available to increase awareness of the need for vitamin D supplements,
including advice on the NHS Choices website on the importance of vitamin D for bone
health, and supplements are readily available over the counter and through the Healthy
Start vitamins scheme.</p><p>In August the National Institute for Health and Care
Excellence (NICE) updated its public health guidance on increasing vitamin D supplement
use among population groups at risk of vitamin D deficiency, in the light of the 2016
Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition report on Vitamin D and health. A copy
of <em>Vitamin D: supplement use in specific population groups </em>is attached. This
guideline includes recommendations on how to: increase access to and availability
of vitamin D supplements, including for at-risk groups such as the BAME community,
ensure health professionals recommend vitamin D supplements, raise awareness of the
importance of these supplements amongst the population, and monitor provision and
uptake of vitamin D supplements. Local commissioners will wish to consider how best
to take forward these recommendations in respect of local BAME populations.</p><p>The
Government has made no formal assessment of the research referred to. Given the widespread
availability of vitamin D supplements and clear guidance to health professionals and
the public the Government does not believe there is a need for further strategies
to prevent rickets.</p><p> </p>
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