Making a difference: neurological support in the community

It is important that the patient is diagnosed and assessed as early as possible. Early warning signs are often missed but knowledge of early signs and symptoms will support the person to understand...

Stoma care and diet in the community

There are three main types of output stoma: a colostomy, ileostomy and urostomy. While the exact number of people living with a stoma in the UK remains unclear, it is estimated to be about 1 in 350...

Better preparing people with learning disabilities to navigate healthcare

The challenge of longevity

‘Achieving healthy ageing in later life requires sufficient physical activity, a good diet, mental engagement and emotional wellbeing incorporated into daily life. This is easier for some people, as...

Research Roundup

Digital health and self-management among patients with chronic disease have been gaining in popularity over recent years. The number of people living with diabetes in particular is steadily on the...

The realities of work/life balance in palliative care

The notion of work/life balance creates an important problem in itself because of the assumption inherent in it, that a clear and neatly divisible split between work and life exists or is possible to...

Respecting patient autonomy: legal and professional considerations

In this month's Policy column, Iwan Dowie explores patient autonomy – a concept largely embedded within the community nursing setting. Through legal cases, a history of laws relating to patient...

Hope and dementia

Hope is a very personal construct, meaning different things for different people, and it is likely to change over the course of time. We are all able to think of things which give us hope when things...

Frailty and nutrition

Early identification of frailty enables healthcare professionals to develop an appropriate care plan that is designed to meet specific needs of older people, so it is important to ask, how can we...

Type 2 diabetes post pandemic: enabling your patients to regain control

‘…a chronic, metabolic disease characterised by elevated levels of blood glucose (or blood sugar), which leads over time to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves.’ .

Compassion fatigue in community nursing: what is it, who is susceptible, and what can be done?

‘Losing your ability to show care and compassion because you're just so overwhelmed with the amount of support you've been giving to people – patients, relatives, colleagues.’ .

Can supplementing vitamin B12 improve mental health outcomes?: a literature review

The World Health Organization (WHO) (2014) defines mental health as a state of wellbeing, in which an individual recognises their own potential and has the ability to cope with normal life stresses...