Resources

Earlier this year, the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) announced the launch of a new membership scheme for organisations that provide community health services in England. This is the first time that the charity has operated such a scheme for organisations.

It is estimated that 1.5 million children and young people (Paediatric Continence Forum
[PCF], 2024), that is one in 12, across the UK battle debilitating, misunderstood and sometimes complex bowel or bladder conditions, including bedwetting, daytime
wetting, chronic constipation and soiling.

The importance of early diagnosis in cancer is better understood today than it has ever been. Spotting cancer in its earliest stages offers better treatment options and improved survival (Cancer Research UK, 2024). This is particularly stark for bowel cancer,
where more than nine in 10 people survive when diagnosed at stage 1, dropping dramatically to less than one in 10 at stage 4.

This case report is to help raise awareness of a rare autoimmune disorder, cold agglutinin disease (CAD), which is characterised by the premature destruction of red blood cells (haemolysis) (National Organisation for Rare Disorders [NORD], (2020). It can have a severe
physical and psychological impact on those suffering with it. Caring for patients with CAD can also be extremely challenging and even traumatic for clinicians. The importance of good multidisciplinary team (MDT) working both within hospital and when discharging
a patient to a community healthcare setting is also highlighted (NORD, 2020), as well as the importance of clear communication for the patient from medical staff on the expectations of treatment and prognosis. Approximately one person in 300,000 gets CAD, which is more prevalent in those aged 60 years and older. Women are also more likely to get it than men (Smith, 2021).

Patients with chronic wounds present a growing challenge to community practitioners. Adding to this growing burden is the fact that inconsistent and sub-optimal wound care is delivered in some cases resulting in hard-to-heal wounds that could heal with evidence-based care. Holistic patient assessment is an important first step in establishing the cause of the wound and identifying any barriers to healing. Wound bed preparation is a concept which prepares the wound for closure by systematically identifying potential barriers to non-healing within the wound, including the presence of devitalised tissue, excess exudate, increased wound bioburden, infection, inflammation and biofilm. Dressings are a key part of wound bed preparation in the community setting, and it is important that community practitioners are mindful of the properties and mode of action of products they use, so that optimal outcomes can be achieved. Suprasorb® Liquacel Pro is a hydroactive gelling fibre dressing and Suprasorb® Liquacel Ag is a hydroactive dressing with silver nanoparticles that can be used as part of wound bed preparation to promote a moist wound healing environment.

Diagnosis of low back pain can be intriguing and complex. Careful history-taking and physical examination are essential to ensure red flags (serious issues) are not missed, that treatment is appropriate, evidence-based and timely, and that follow-up and review are well documented and understood by the patient. This article covers some of the more common causes of back pain in primary and urgent care.

Laryngeal cancer falls under the umbrella term of head and neck cancers and is the second commonest cancer type within this group. The condition often presents with symptoms shared with those of other less serious diseases, making diagnosis challenging.
This article hopes to give nurses and non-medical prescribers an overview of symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis with the aim of raising awareness and helping to get an earlier diagnosis of this devastating disease.

Maintaining an ideal weight is difficult for many people. For those who have reduced energy requirements, such as people with a spinal cord injury (SCI), maintaining a healthy weight can be more challenging. There are many barriers, including difficulties with increasing energy expenditure. This article discusses these challenges along with the increased health risks of diabetes and coronary heart disease seen within this population. Through a review of the literature, some practical solutions are provided. These include having weight management programmes starting soon after injury, education including carers’, and focusing on behavioural change techniques as part of a multidisciplinary approach to encouraging a healthy lifestyle, lifelong.

This article explores the multifaceted landscape of mental health inequalities and proposes a comprehensive approach for community nurses to address these disparities. Drawing on
legislative measures, healthcare delivery reforms, and community engagement initiatives, the article emphasises the pivotal role of nurses in advocating for equitable access to mental health services and promoting inclusive care practices. Key considerations include the impact of social determinants of health, the need for collaborative multidisciplinary approaches, and the importance of addressing systemic factors perpetuating inequality within the healthcare system.

Dementia is a progressive neurodegenerative condition and poses significant challenges to an individual’s quality of life (QoL). As the global prevalence of dementia continues to rise, understanding and enhancing QoL for people living with dementia becomes even more 
important. This article explores the concept of QoL in the context of dementia, its application in community nursing practice, and the pivotal role nurses can play in improving QoL. An overview of the challenges, considerations, and evidence-based strategies to improve QoL are explored. Through person-centred care, education and advocacy, community nurses can make a significant difference in supporting the wellbeing and dignity of people living with dementia.