Resources

19 December 2023
The first article in this two-part series looking at faecal incontinence (FI) outlined its effect on people’s quality of life, highlighted its prevalence, explained the different definitions
available and summarised the anatomy and physiology of the lower intestinal tract (Yates, 2023). Here, part two concentrates on the multiple causes/risks of FI, the knowledge and skills r equired to complete a basic assessment and initiate conservative therapies, including the role of medication and pelvic floor rehabilitation, and also discusses management options for FI.
Topics:  Risk factors
19 December 2023
There is a rising demand for health services due to an ageing population with  increasingly complex healthcare needs. Across the country, there are substantial  pressures on hospital beds, with people experiencing lengthy waits to be admitted and ambulances facing difficulties handing patients to emergency departments. Contributing
to this is the large number of people remaining in hospital despite being clinically ready to leave — referred to as a ‘delayed discharge’. In December 2022, an average of 13,440 patients a day remained in hospital despite no longer meeting the criteria to stay. This is 30% more than the daily average for December 2021 (House of Commons Library, 2023). As well as increasing pressures on hospital capacity, delayed discharges can lead to poorer outcomes for individuals and ontribute to a loss of independence. Having a method of discharging patients and preventing bed blocking is therefore essential in
managing patient flow and subsequently enhancing patient quality of life. The Care Act (2014) placed a statutory responsibility on local authorities to provide services which prevent or delay the need for care and support, or minimise the need for additional care and support (Department of Health, 2014). One such initiative that was reported to be commonplace among local authorities during this period is ‘singlehanded care’.
19 December 2023
This article provides a summary of the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) report published in 2021 for dermatology (NHS England, 2021a). It puts it into perspective within the national scene of reviewing National Health Service provision across the UK for various hospital-based medical and surgical specialties. It highlights the key concerns raised and the suggestions made to improve patient care for those presenting with dermatological conditions, with a focus on issues affecting those working within primary and community care settings. All the information can be found in the report itself. Further resources to support access to training and clinical pathways are listed in Box 1. The GIRFT report also highlights case studies and examples of services that have implemented initiatives and service redesign to address the recommendations made.
19 December 2023
Hypertension is common and is a cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. Many affected are unaware that they have a problem, and it is found opportunistically when their blood pressure is recorded during a consultation for another problem. If the disease is inadequately treated, it can have potentially fatal outcomes. Nurses and non-medical prescribers are likely to come across patients with raised blood pressure readings during routine clinic appointments. This article hopes to give them a better understanding of the condition, its treatment and complications, with the aim of reducing the risk of serious problems and improving outcomes for all those affected by this potentially dangerous condition.
Topics:  Treatment
19 December 2023
The population is ageing and so we are seeing an increase in the prevalence and incidence of age-related conditions, such as frailty and dementia. These two conditions can often go ‘hand in hand’, making it important to ensure appropriate recognition, assessment and then management of each when experienced together. This paper uses a case study approach to illustrate and discuss the issues as relating to community nurse practice.
Topics:  Dementia
19 December 2023
In 2012, the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) was introduced to standardise monitoring of vital signs and improve patient safety in acute hospitals. By 2017 around two-thirds of NHS hospitals were using NEWS and an updated version, NEWS2, was released. In 2019 all acute hospital trusts and ambulance services were required to use NEWS2. Now NEWS2 is being used increasingly in care homes and community settings. People living in care homes are often frail and have multiple healthcare conditions. NEWS was never designed to monitor the health of older people, but it has the potential to improve care by enabling staff to identify people who are becoming unwell and to provide care within care homes and the person’s own home. However, if it is not introduced with care, it could lead to an increase in the number of people attending accident and emergency departments. This article examines the emerging evidence base and concludes that appropriate support and advanced care planning are of crucial importance.
12 October 2023
I can still remember when I started my nurse training and attended my very first lecture introducing ethics into my nursing curriculum. I clearly recollect my concerns in relation to the enormity of the subject and wondered how I was going to relate the ethical principles to my daily practice. Years later, I often reflect on situations and feel that my own moral  principles and my need to respect others and their wishes has really supported my decisions.
Topics:  Editorial