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<p>The Department is not directly responsible for developing or reviewing clinical
guidance for identification and management of diseases and disorders. The National
Institute for Health and Care Excellence was established by the Government to develop
evidence based best practice for the National Health Service. Other organisations,
such as the clinical Royal Colleges, and charitable organisations also convene expert
groups to develop guidance for health professionals.</p><p> </p><p>A range of support
exists to help general practitioners (GPs) identify and manage fibromyalgia in primary
care. This includes an e-learning course developed by the Royal College of GPs and
Arthritis Research UK on musculoskeletal care, including fibromyalgia, and a medical
guide developed by the Fibromyalgia Association UK (FMUK) for health professionals.</p><p>
</p><p>People with fibromyalgia can usually be managed through routine access to primary
or second care provide via a GP or consultant. Treatment will depend on the severity
of a patient’s condition, but may include pain relieving medication; physiotherapy;
dietary and exercise advice; counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy. For patients
whose pain cannot be adequately controlled by routine access to NHS services, a referral
may be made to a specialist pain service or specialist fibromyalgia clinic, such the
Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath, subject to their having met
certain criteria.</p><p> </p><p>Information for the public can be found on the NHS
website and is also available in a patient’s information guide produced by FMUK. The
medical guide, patient information booklet and NHS choice webpage on fibromyalgia
can be found at the following links:</p><p><br> <a href="http://www.fmauk.org/dmdocuments/Medical%20Pack.pdf"
target="_blank">www.fmauk.org/dmdocuments/Medical%20Pack.pdf</a></p><p><br> <a href="http://www.fmauk.org/information-packs-mainmenu-58/booklet-mainmenu-135/490-patient-booklet"
target="_blank">www.fmauk.org/information-packs-mainmenu-58/booklet-mainmenu-135/490-patient-booklet</a></p><p><br>
<a href="http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/fibromyalgia/" target="_blank">www.nhs.uk/conditions/fibromyalgia/</a></p>
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