The human and economic burden of chronic wounds is increasing (Sen et al, 2009). In the United Kingdom alone, it is estimated that over 2.2 million wounds were treated by the National Health Service in 2012/13, at a cost of between £4.5 and £5.1 billion (Guest et al, 2015). Choice of wound dressing is therefore an important factor, not only in terms of comfort for the patient, but also in optimising clinical efficiency and thereby minimising treatment time and cost.
Sunlight exposure is the primary source of vitamin D in humans (Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition [SACN], 2016), but vitamin D deficiency is common worldwide (Bouillon et al, 2019; Mendes et al, 2020). Measures to contain the recent spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and to help prevent the Covid-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus may increase rates of vitamin D deficiency, as selfisolation is likely to prevent people from gaining adequate exposure to sunlight to meet their vitamin D requirement if they do not have a garden or balcony.
General practice’s unique position at the heart of the NHS is why it is so important that general practice nurses (GPNs) have the Freedom to Speak Up.
The current Covid-19 pandemic has raised the population’s reliance on the NHS, and on key roles such as general practice nurses (GPNs). The untapped potential of GPNs to lead and drive innovation has long been recognised, if not always by the nurses themselves (Hughes, 2006). NHS England and Improvement (NHSE/I) through the ten point action plan for general practice nursing (NHS England, 2017) and the CARE (connected, authentic, resilient, empowered) programme have recently played a key role in providing leadership development for GPNs. Indeed, new lead roles have emerged such as clinical directors of primary care networks (PCNs), primary care lead nurses, nurses who are partners in practice, and others leading on clinical specialities and workforce development within their PCNs. Now more than ever, it is important that GPNs are supported on their leadership journey, with a digital leadership support package.
The Covid-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges, particularly for the health service which has faced pressures like never before.
This, coupled with the breaking news that prostate cancer has become the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK (Prostate Cancer UK, 2020), means that it is now more crucial than ever that Prostate Cancer UK continues to support healthcare professionals managing prostate care.
Here, Jaqui Walker, chats about the highs and lows of general practice nursing and invites you to share your thoughts, frustrations and experiences.
The ability to recognise the need for debridement is a vital skill for general practice nurses (GPNs), since it is an important part of preparing the wound for healing. Debridement removes dead tissue within the wound that can otherwise provide a physical barrier to healing, while also providing an ideal environment for micro-organisms, increasing the risk of infection. In order for healing to progress, it is important to debride the wound promptly. Failure to do so can result in wound chronicity and an associated impact on resources and patient quality of life. While there are different methods of debridement available, this article focuses on autolytic and mechanical, explaining how they work and their benefits and limitations.
Despite the availability of effective treatments, uncontrolled asthma is associated not only with mortality, but also morbidity affecting health-related quality of life. The aims of asthma management are to achieve control of symptoms, reduce the risk of exacerbations, and limit the future risk of fixed airway obstruction. Poor asthma control can arise from inadequate treatment, poor adherence to medications, poor inhaler technique, poor perception of control, along with risk factors such as psychosocial/emotional and altered breathing patterns, as well as comorbidities such as rhinitis, depression or obesity. This article focuses on the role of general practice nurses (GPNs) in the management of asthma, with particular emphasis on medications. It also looks at the benefits and drawbacks of short-acting ßeta-2 agonists, inhaled corticosteroids and longacting ß2 agonists, as well as non-pharmacological interventions.
Hay fever and allergic rhinitis are common conditions seen in primary care which can have a huge effect on the quality of life of sufferers The most important step in diagnosing hay fever or allergic rhinitis is to take an allergy focused clinical history. There are many treatment options available, including allergen avoidance, antihistamines and nasal corticosteroids. Many medications are now available over the counter; patients need to know how to take their medication correctly. Asthma frequently co-exists with allergic rhinitis and can make asthma symptoms much worse. General practice nurses (GPNs) are ideally placed to offer advice and support to these patients. If initial treatments fail, patients should return to primary care as there are a wide range of therapeutic interventions which may help. For those whose symptoms are very severe or not responding, immunotherapy may be an option, and the patient should be referred.
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