NICE Guidelines
NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) have issued guidance and quality standards (QS62) for the diagnosis and management of constipation of unknown cause in children and young people. It includes the following quality statements:
Statement 1:
Children and young people with constipation receive a full assessment before a diagnosis of idiopathic constipation is made.
Statement 2:
Children and young people with idiopathic constipation receive oral macrogols as first-line treatment.
Statement 3:
Children and young people with idiopathic constipation starting disimpaction therapy have their treatment reviewed by a healthcare professional within 1 week.
Statement 4:
Children and young people with idiopathic constipation starting maintenance therapy have their first treatment reviewed by a healthcare professional within 6 weeks.
Statement 5:
Children and young people with idiopathic constipation starting laxative treatment, or their parents or carers, receive written information about laxatives.
Statement 6:
Children and young people with idiopathic constipation that does not respond to initial treatment within 3 months are referred to a healthcare professional with expertise in the problem.
Childhood Constipation Service Referral Requirements
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We will only accept referrals via a GP or Consultant.
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We require the child or young person you are referring to have been consistently taking a Macrogol as a first-line treatment for a minimum of 6 weeks prior to them being referred to our service.
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We will only accept referrals from GPs if a fully completed Childhood Constipation Service Referral Template is submitted alongside their medical history. Please note: if the "other relevant information" section is submitted blank, the referral may be rejected.
Please click on the button to download a copy of our Childhood Constipation Service referral template.