Primary Health Care

18/07/2024

‘I keep putting off claiming mileage as completing my visits and documenting them takes me my entire shift, plus several hours of my own time already, so I don’t have time to fill in the mileage as well’

Sound familiar?

This Primary Health Care article on NHS mileage rates explores the need for nurses to get a fairer deal.

When nurses must use their cars to travel to patients and service users in the community, they may find themselves out-of-pocket – so something’s got to give

23/05/2024

This interactive webinar will give you the facts about measles and its potential impact on children’s health, as well the safety and efficacy of the MMR vaccine.

It will give all nurses insight into the barriers preventing parents from vaccinating their children, and practical tips and advice to overcome vaccination concerns through effective communication.

The event is for UK healthcare professionals only. MSD has no influence on the webinar agenda.

Click here for more details - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tackling-measles-nursings-role-in-supporting-vaccination-tickets-875891915297

23/04/2024

Caring for people who inject drugs.

This article from Primary Health Care looks at the experiences of nurses who care for people who inject drugs.
The article, by practice nurse Jenny Hayden, identifies knowledge gaps in current practice. Four main themes were identified: lack of knowledge, emotional challenges, stigma, and fear and safety.

Click the link to learn more

Exploring nurses’ experiences of caring for people who inject drugs with a physical health condition: an integrative literature review

30/03/2024

Sickle cell disease: a guide for primary care nurses

Around 17,500 people in England have sickle cell disease and the majority of them are of African and Caribbean heritage.

Find out everything you need to know, from the symptoms to management options.

Sickle cell disease is a lifelong blood disorder which can leave people at risk of serious complications, nurses can support patients and boost quality of life

19/03/2024

Checking nasogastric tube safety in children care for in the community: a re-examination of the evidence base

This article discusses a revised approach to nasogastric feeding, which can reduce delays and missed administration of fluids, feeds, and medicines.

Checking nasogastric tube safety in children cared for in the community: a re-examination of the evidence base

17/02/2024

Although UTIs can be mild and easily managed, they can lead to serious infection, sepsis, and even death

This Primary Health Care article offers tips on prevention, diagnosis and timely treatment to improve quality of life, reduce risk of adverse behavioural symptoms and outcomes including sepsis.

Discover more > https://rcni.com/primary-health-care/newsroom/analysis/utis-older-people-risks-symptoms-and-nursing-management-203176c

15/01/2024

Patient safety: we need action on community nursing’s red flags

Could 2024 be the year when the concerns of nurses working across community start to see some serious recognition and even action?

Red flags raised by community nurses can be ignored, but issues such as workload pressures and huge caseloads are urgent and complex, and affect patient care

03/01/2024

New end of life community sepsis tool: a nurse’s guide

Learn about the latest version of the Sepsis Six tool and what care it recommends.

The UK Sepsis Trust and Marie Cure's latest version of the Sepsis Six tool helps nurses in the community to assess risk to patients and guide decision making

08/12/2023

Injection techniques in diabetes care: latest guidance for nurses

Primary care nurses are increasingly managing injectable treatments in diabetes care.

Click for tips on how injections should be given and how to support patients doing self-injection >

Increasing numbers of patients need to administer regular injections to manage their diabetes and they should be encouraged to follow best practice

18/11/2023

Inspirational primary care nurse wins RCN Nurse of the Year

Julie Roye leads a team who use co-production and innovative ideas to improve smear uptake rates for diverse groups, including non-English speakers, sexual abuse survivors, and those with a learning disability.

Click here to read more about her work >

Julie Roye of East London NHS Foundation Trust used co-production and innovative ideas to improve smear uptake rates for diverse groups and is Nurse of the Year

10/11/2023

Congratulations to Carol Betteridge - WINNER of the Community & GP nursing category in the RCN Nursing Awards.

The retired Royal Navy nurse launched Veterans Clinical Services (VCS), which has supported 2,013 veterans, mainly in the community. These include 29 very seriously injured veterans who are receiving lifelong support from a dedicated complex clinical case manager and occupational therapist, helping them thrive rather than just survive.

Congratulations Carol.

https://rcni.com/nurse-awards

23/09/2023

Efforts have been made to attract newly registered nurses to general practice but there is still a workforce deficit.

This article discusses the experience of nurses who switched to general practice from other roles.

Exploring the views and experiences of nurses who switched to general practice nursing from other roles

26/07/2023

Are virtual wards and hospitals at home the future of frailty care?

Services to keep people out of hospital are seeing a major expansion as part of a new NHS plan.

Find out more about how virtual wards work:

Services aimed at keeping older people out of hospital, with a focus on those living with frailty or at risk of falls, can benefit nurses and patients alike

07/07/2023

‘Access to supervision is critical to retaining the general practice workforce’

‘It can support and promote personal resilience and enhances recruitment and retention as staff in more isolated positions feel valued’

Click here to read this editorial >

Supervision is proving successful in making primary care nurses feel more valued and more likely to stay in the specialty despite overwhelming pressure

02/07/2023

Self-management of long-term conditions is empowering and enhances holistic care, but it is not suitable for everyone.

Find out how nurses can identify which patients can self-manage, and how to involve the wider family:

Self-management of long-term conditions is empowering and enhances holistic care but it is not suitable for all older people and monitoring is essential

22/05/2023

Community and social care nurses have a vital role to play in helping older people with frailty remain independent and mobile.

Find out how early interventions can reduce hospital admissions:

Community and social care nurses have a vital role to play in helping older people with frailty remain independent and mobile, and reduce hospital admissions

16/05/2023

Why general practice nurses are so special and unique

The knowledge and skill sets of general GPNs can often be undervalued, but the role covers so much in primary care and offers many opportunities.

The knowledge and skill sets of general practice nurses can often be undervalued, but the role covers so much in primary care and offers many opportunities

29/04/2023

‘The cost of running a care is one of the biggest issues facing community nurses. In some circumstances, nurses may have been subsiding the service’

What does it cost to be a nurse where you live in the UK?

Nurses’ salaries are not keeping up with rising prices and the gap is wider for some than others:

Childcare, housing, transport and utility costs make it hard for many nurses and students to stick with the profession, and the financial burden varies across the UK

11/04/2023

Respiratory care: a nurse’s guide

Find out all you need to know about asthma and COPD, from diagnosis to treatment:

Advice for nurses on diagnosis, treatment and care of people affected by the two most common lung conditions, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

27/03/2023

Are you ready to shine?

Then enter the RCN Nursing Awards 2023.

We are eager to see applications from nurses in community, general practice, and public health settings > https://rcni.com/primary-health-care/opinion/editorial/are-you-ready-to-shine-then-enter-our-rcn-nursing-awards-2023-194401

The awards are open to nurses, midwives, health visitors, students and nursing support workers to celebrate your contribution to improving care

23/03/2023

A nurse’s guide to a new end of life community sepsis tool:

The UK Sepsis Trust and Marie Cure's latest version of the Sepsis Six tool helps nurses in the community to assess risk to patients and guide decision making

15/03/2023

Can community nurses successfully appeal against parking tickets?
What's your experience?

That yellow envelope on the windscreen will make your heart sink, but our helpful guide to the nuances of parking fines will help you to deal with it

14/03/2023

All community nurses deserve the highest praise for the work they do, but do you know a nurse or a team who is extraordinary?

RCN Nursing Awards judges are looking for an innovative nurse who has made a positive impact in the work they do.

This award recognises individual community nurses or teams who have used their initiative, insight and skills to make a real difference to the health, well-being of people in the community.

Enter or nominate a nursing colleague now to share the impact community nurses have had in improving patient care.


For more information go to > www.rcn-nursing-awards.co.uk

10/03/2023

LGBT+ cancer screening: a nurse’s guide to increasing uptake

Advice on removing barriers and ensuring services are more inclusive so LGBT+ people feel comfortable accessing potentially life-saving cancer screening

06/03/2023

Henoch-Schönlein purpura: a nurse’s guide

Advice for nurses on how to identify this disease affecting a child’s small blood vessels, and also rule out other possibilities such as sepsis and meningitis

02/03/2023

How will proposed practice standards affect community nursing?

The draft standards cover specialist community nursing practitioner qualifications in six fields with details of what each role involves and learning guidance

02/03/2023

Recognising sepsis: a guide for nursing students

Find out how to spot the symptoms and what action to take to ensure patients get timely treatment.

What nursing students need to know about recognising signs of sepsis in adults and children, and next steps if you suspect a patient is at risk

27/02/2023

Families of children requiring home ventilation to survive are among those most seriously affected by rising energy bills.

Find out how nurses can advocate for these families as they face rising home care costs:

Nurses can act and advocate for children and families as they face rising home care costs, argues complex care advanced clinical practitioner Emma Wallace

20/02/2023

Children’s respiratory illness: a guide for nurses

This winter has seen a resurgence in traditional respiratory infections.

Click here to find out what the key signs are and how nurses can advise parents:

Winter has seen a resurgence in traditional respiratory infections and nurses are encouraged to be inquisitive in their interactions with children and families

15/02/2023

Earwax removal: what nurses need to know

Wax build up is more common in older people and those with ear conditions

Find out what treatment is recommended and what the risks are:

Many areas lack NHS earwax removal services, so how can nurses help patients with problematic earwax build up that, if untreated, could lead to hearing loss?