Primary Care services have become an increasingly prominent part of substance misuse delivery in the UK. They expanded in thelast decade with many general practitioners catering for substancemisuse patients in primary care. Nurses have also played a valuable part in helping GPs to work effectively in this area through liaison services and latterly, nurse prescribing clinics. This paper will examine whether problematic drug users can be stabilised and introduced to the idea of recovery, through primary care drug-based services in Islington.
Jeff Fernandez, Nurse Consultant for substance misuse at Islington Primary Care
Mark Medjesi Jones, Deputy Manager for Primary Care alcohol and drug service at Islington Primary Care
Mental health is a serious public health issue that warrants attention and action by all involved in health and wellbeing strategies. The recent National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines for Common Mental Health Disorders highlights that Common Mental Disorders (CMD), such as anxiety and depression can be found in one in six people in the community at any one time. Of those identified, half will have significant symptoms that require interventions from healthcare professionals. In view of the suffering and impact that this has on the holistic aspects of the individual, family and society, it requires a whole systems proactive approach in detecting, managing and preventing further episodes.
Thomas J. Currid RMN, RNT, BSc (Hons) PGCE, Pg Dip (CBT), M.A., Senior Lecturer in Mental Health and Learning Disabilities, London South Bank University, London, UK
Marie Horgan RGN, RMN, Dip Mgt, CLTHE, MSc, Principal Lecturer in Mental Health and Learning Disabilities, London South Bank University, London, UK
Article accepted for publication: October 2011
In Fiona Roscoe’s second article, the author outlines research undertaken with the aim to explore qualities of nurse partners in successful general practices in the UK.
Objectives: to provide information regarding the professional and personal profile of the average nurse partner, to describe how nurse partners performed in their dual roles of practitioner and business manager, and to discuss qualities that may influence and facilitate a successful partnership agreement.
Method: Six nurse partners of average profile were selected for one to one semi- structured interviews. A qualitative grounded theory design was applied to data collection and analysis of transcriptions.
Results: Descriptive codes applicable to all six nurse partners were identified. There was sufficient evidence to suggest that the partners were operating at advanced levels in a humanistic existentialist paradigm and were also exhibiting transformational leadership qualities.
Conclusion: Personable qualities in addition to visionary and progressive traits qualify nurse partner for effective team working and leadership essential to the delivery of primary care services.
Fiona Roscoe RN, DN, ANP, MSc, Pgdip, BSc(Hons) Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Sett Valley Medical Centre, New Mills & Derbyshire Health United Out of Hours Service
Article accepted for publication: September 2011
Sharon Goodall & Mr Haytham Al-Khaffaf describe a study which evaluated primary care assessment of risk factors in patients with peripheral vascular disease.
Sharon Goodall RN, Dip (HE), BSc (Hons), PG Cert (Research) is a Vascular Research Nurse. Mr Haytham Al-Khaffaf MD, FRCS is a Consultant Vascular Surgeon, Burnley Healthcare NHS Trust.
Article accepted for publication September 2001.
Marina Bigger outlines the use of surveys within community care practice and offers an overview of the future role of surveys within primary care practice.
Marina T. Bigger MSc Primary Care & General Practice, BSc (Hon), RGN, RHV, Dip Asthma, PgD Asthma Compliance, Lecturer in Community Nursing, University of Ulster.
Article accepted for publication: July 2003
Marina Bigger looks at how the political context has extensively changed the face of primary health care over the last decade and how recently published discussion document, represents an abrupt change of policy, which has traditionally argued that doctors should be the first point of contact in the NHS. This article will present arguments debating the maintenance of the gatekeeper function of primary care as it currently operates in the UK
Marina T. Bigger, BSc (Hon), RGN, RHV, Dip Asthma, PgD, Asthma Compliance is a Lecturer in Community Nursing, University of Ulster. Article accepted for publication: September 2003
Maureen Benbow, Pauline Beldon, Martyn Butcher, Heather Newton, Sylvie Hampton & Helena Baxter discuss a project which was set up to investigate the extent of use of topical negative pressure therapy in primary care settings in the UK in 2004. The objective of this part of the project was to systematically review the available literature up to December 2004.
The systematic review was conducted by a group of tissue viability experts. The key areas explored in the review included clinical, operational, communication, support and safety/liability/governance issues. The review of the literature found that the articles were noticeably lacking in information regarding the five key areas investigated. This would make it difficult for clinicians to initiate effective service provision based on what was found in the literature.
Maureen Benbow, Senior Lecturer, University of Chester.
Pauline Beldon, Tissue Viability Nurse Consultant, Epsom & St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust.
Martyn Butcher, Skin and Wound Care Service Manager/TVNS, Derriford Hospital Plymouth, Devon
Heather Newton, Nurse Consultant, Tissue Viability, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, Truro, Cornwall.
Sylvie Hampton, Nurse Consultant Tissue Viability, Tissue Viability Consultancy Services
Helena Baxter, Service Development Manager, Hinchingbrooke Hospital, Cambridgeshire.
Article accepted for publication: February 2007
