Meeting patients' mental health needs

‘Although mental health first aid has its place, this does not equip registrants who are caring for patients for extended periods’ .

Convexity in stoma care: developing a new ASCN UK guideline on the appropriate use of convex products

The correct choice of pouch is essential and should be based on the type of stoma (colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy) created. A stoma appliance, also known as a bag or pouch, is generally made up of a...

Multinational survey on living with an ostomy: prevalence and impact of peristomal skin complications

To date, this Ostomy Life Study 2019 is the largest global survey performed on this topic. The results presented here underline the high prevalence of PSCs and the associated challenges present within...

Focusing on achievements

“The flexibility of specialist nurses, who adapted to the ongoing situation … deserves high praise and recognition” .

Actinomycosis: a case report of two patients treated for the condition who required stoma formation

The bacteria are found in multiple locations within and on the body. They have been found inhabiting the nose, mouth, throat, oropharynx, oesophagus, stomach and intestine. Other places they can...

Novel stoma appliances to minimise complications and improve patient outcomes

A stoma is a surgical opening on the abdomen used to divert the passage of faeces (colostomy or ileostomy) or urine (ileal conduit) into an external adhesive pouch on the abdomen (Hill, 2020). The...

Stoma care services during the COVID-19 pandemic

The effect of COVID-19 on healthcare provision has been unprecedented. Elective surgery was cancelled in many hospitals due to lack of staff and beds (Fowler et al, 2020). Earlier this year even...

Is the RCN fit for purpose? Crisis at the college again

Community nursing: will new standards be a panacea?

Pelvic organ prolapse and pessaries, an alternative to surgery

This is sometimes called a prolapsed womb or prolapsed vagina. It is when the vaginal walls, vaginal vault, uterus or any combination of these prolapse and move down the vagina. It can also affect the...

Improving the pathway for men with suspected prostate cancer

Urology consultants, cancer managers and I met with the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to identify ways in which we could work towards achieving the best practice pathway. Referrals were being...

A brief overview of fetal alcohol syndrome for health professionals

Alcohol is a teratogen that has a toxic effect on the developing fetus (BMA, 2007a). FASD is seen as a non-diagnostic umbrella term (Riley et al, 2011; Nash and Davies, 2017; Blagg and Tulich, 2018)...

Exploring the benefits of structured medication reviews for frail older patients in advanced clinical practice

Frailty is a complex, multidimensional, dynamic process that is still not fully understood or clearly defined (Clegg et al, 2013). Many depict frailty as a health status related to the ageing process...

Student experiences of a return to practice programme: a qualitative study

The numbers of nurses and midwives leaving the profession have been rising at an alarming rate; more than 29 000 nurses or midwives registered in the UK left the register between October 2016 and...

The experience and psychological impact of a sharps injury on a nursing student population in the UK

The aims of this study were to explore the experience and psychological impact of sustaining a sharps injury within a nursing student population in the UK..