The number of healthcare assistants employed within the NHS has risen in accord with policies supporting the growth and increasing scope of practice of the assistant workforce. Healthcare assistants are a vital component of the community nursing team. This article presents an overview of findings of a National Institute for Health Research funded study into the roles of community nursing assistants (at bands 2, 3 and 4) working in community nursing provider organisations in England. The findings are based on national workforce data and the experiences and perceptions of senior managers, service leads and caseload holders, who employ or work directly with community nursing assistants to provide adult services nursing care.
Alison Mathew & Val Newall describe a joint initiative between health and social services.
Janet Knott reviews the literature and identifies a lack of clarity within both the health sector and social services sector as to whose role it is to provide basic footcare services to older people living in the community.
Acknowledgement: The author is grateful to Dr Christine Smith, Senior Nurse Research (at the time of writing), Carmarthenshire NHS Trust for guidance and support with proof reading this article.
Caroline Davies discusses the effect of government legislation on district nursing services. Caroline Davies BSc(Hons), DipHE, RN, is a Registered Specialist Practitioner - District Nursing and First Assessment Co-ordinator and District Nurse Team Leader, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale PCT, Lancashire. Article accepted for publication: October 2002
Frank Booth gives an overview of the state of continence provision and services in the UK.
Frank Booth RGN, DN Cert, is a Continence Services Manager Windmill Mews, Blackpool.
Article accepted for publication: March 2003
Frank Booth gives an overview of the state of continence provision and services in the UK
Frank Booth, RGN, DN Cert. is a District Continence Advisor/Continence Services Manager with the Fylde Primary Care Trust. Article accepted for publication: May 2004
