Lymphoedema is a debilitating condition that results in significant discomfort for patients and has no cure. However, with careful assessment and accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment can relieve symptoms such as swelling and pain and improve patients’ quality of life. This article outlines the physiology of lymphoedema, before exploring the assessment and treatment measures, which include compression therapy to reduce oedema, skin care, manual manipulation of lymph fluid and exercise.
Long-term conditions: compression therapy and venous leg ulceration.
Compression therapy is the recommended treatment for the prevention and management of venous leg ulceration and lymphatic insufficiency (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network [SIGN], 2010; Harding et al, 2015; Wounds UK, 2016). Various methods of delivering compression are used in the UK, including bandaging, hosiery and Velcro® wraps. Selecting the correct device can be challenging for clinicians. This article explores the different compression systems available to help general practice nurses (GPNs) make appropriate choices for their patients, i.e. an option which is acceptable to the patient and can be applied safely and proficiently.
Dementia is a progressive loss of the cognitive functions that are necessary for a person to live safely and independently. These include loss of memory, the ability to think logically and communicate effectively with others, and being able to care for yourself. In 2009 a national dementia strategy for England was launched in order to improve public and professional awareness, and to ensure high quality care at all stages, including early diagnosis and treatment (Department of Health [DH], 2009).
The strategy outlined a care pathway for people living with dementia and their families and carers from diagnosis through to end of life. This article will enable the reader to understand the importance of the dementia care pathway in supporting people to live well with dementia, to consider how the pathway is being developed and implemented in primary care and how general practice nurses (GPNs) can add value within their professional role.
This article provides an overview of eating disorders and the vital role of general practice nurses (GPNs) and primary care teams in identifying, assessing and referring on. It also looks at the role of GPNs and the primary care team in providing supportive care and physical risk management. People with eating disorders are relatively heavy users of primary care services, however it is more likely that they will initially present with another mental health issue. The GPN team can help to support specialists, patients and patients’ families with the management of eating disorders through the development of a compassionate, therapeutic relationship that understands and empathises with the patient and yet maintains firm boundaries, is vigilant about risk and is firmly pro-recovery. GPN teams can be ‘critical friends’ to someone who they may know well, gently encouraging healthy behaviours and being alert to potential warning signs in patients and/or concerns raised by parents/significant others.
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