Resources

Cannabis has been around for millennia and is a popular recreational drug. A recent survey found that it is the most frequently used substance in the 16–59-year age group (Home Office, 2018). Recently, it has been approved for medicinal purposes and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, 2019) has published guidance for specialist medical staff on prescribing cannabis. There have been studies on the potential beneficial effects of cannabis on pain, particularly in conditions such as multiple sclerosis and terminal cancer (Calignano et al, 1998; Russo, 2008; Whiting et al, 2015). There have also been publications on the use of cannabis in some dermatological conditions (Whiting et al, 2015), but very little published evidence on how or whether cannabis impacts on wound healing. With the widespread use of cannabis, it is likely that healthcare professionals will care for cannabis users who also have wounds. This article discusses some of the current available evidence to establish if and how cannabis may affect the wound healing process in order to advise patients on how to optimise wound healing.

Eczema, also known as dermatitis, is a very common skin condition. There are several different types of eczema, affecting people throughout their lifespan. General practice nurses (GPNs) will see children and adults with eczema regularly and they are well placed to assess, manage and support them. Eczema is a chronic conditon and can have devasting effects on quality of life and mental health. GPNs can play an important role in supporting patients with eczema and their families in understanding how to self-manage this long-term conditon and help with coping strategies. This article outlines eczema as a long-term condition and provides practical advice for GPNs on assessment and treatment in primary care. Psychological effects and intervention and referral guidelines for eczema are also discussed.

The first piece of this two-part series explored the context for leadership in general practice nursing, our role as leaders, and perceived barriers to nurses fully utilising their leadership potential in the general practice setting. Here, Jaqui Walker, general practice nurse/advanced nurse practitioner (GPN/ANP), Falkirk, explores why we should lead, who can lead, leadership styles and behaviours for ANP/GPNs, and how to develop leaders. Written from the political setting of Scotland, this article is applicable to nurses across the four nations of the UK and suggests, as part of our leadership skills, we should all make ourselves aware of the context within which we work.

In each issue of the Journal of General Practice Nursing, we investigate a topic currently affecting our readers. Here, Kate Upton, representative for Nursing Professions on the Crisis, Disaster and Trauma Psychology Section of the British Psychological Society, looks at - Recognising compassion fatigue and protecting wellbeing.

It seems that the focus for many is now on potential Covid-19 vaccines, with people understandably seeing a potential end in sight to the current pandemic. It is worth celebrating the pivotal role that general practice nurses (GPNs) already play in delivering vaccine programmes to people throughout their lives. The majority of vaccine programmes in the UK are delivered in primary care or wider community settings, and GPNs are crucial to the successful delivery of these. Although most of the vaccines in the routine schedule (Public Health England [PHE], 2020a) are recommended to infants and children to provide protection against infections as soon as possible, vaccines remain necessary for people at all stages of their lives. Indeed, for many vaccines, people are never too old to have them. Thus, it is essential for nurses in general practice to make sure adults at all ages are protected throughout their lives.

Here, Kirsty Armstrong, ANP in OOH, Urgent Care and GPEA looks at why telephone triage is an art, and how its importance and skill is underestimated. Alongside this word search, which contains some red flags that triagers need to consider, there are some reasons listed as to why these are red flags and the speed with which patients need to be referred, or seen face to face, when presenting with these symptoms. Additionally, there is guidance on those symptoms and conditions that have the option of watch/wait or monitor.