Welcome to this latest issue of GPN. We are delighted to share the latest news in the world of Education for Health.
As always, we hope that you enjoy this issue of the journal and our news update.
Long-term conditions: asthma in children.
Respiratory tract infections, such as rhinovirus, can trigger asthma symptoms and lead to asthma exacerbations, which can constitute a medical emergency. Emergency admission data for asthma exacerbation in children reflect the dates of the return-to-school calendar, when children become more exposed to infection. While general practice nurses (GPNs) have recognised this pattern of asthma exacerbation in children for some time, there has been a lack of evidence around the factors that cause such alterations to patients’ airway pathophysiology. Unfortunately, avoiding exposure to viral respiratory infections is impossible, therefore this article examines how optimum asthma management is vital in reducing the impact of infection on the patient’s airways.
In each issue of the Journal of General Practice Nursing we investigate a topic currently affecting our readers. Here Lynne Bowers, independent health and care advisor, looks at resilience and asks "What it means for general practice teams".
Resilience has become a ‘tainted’ word associated with well-intentioned (or otherwise) taught sessions foisted upon bewildered staff.
Supporting patients with COPD to self-care.
By 2030, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is projected to be the third leading cause of death worldwide (World Health Organization [WHO], 2016). Within the UK, it is estimated that around three million people are living with COPD in England alone, with two million of these unaware that they are living with the condition (Department of Health [DH], 2012).
It is the fifth biggest killer in the UK overall, causing about 30,000 deaths each year (DH, 2011). The condition itself is associated with considerable disability, impaired quality of life and high utilisation of healthcare resources.
Ground breaking nurse-led lung cancer project.
A recent independent evaluation of Liverpool’s Healthy Lung programme, undertaken by Queen Mary University of London and the University of Liverpool, found that this nurse-led programme is improving early detection of lung cancer and undiagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Liverpool’s healthy lung programme was launched in April 2016 by NHS Liverpool clinical commissioning group (CCG), working in partnership with local hospitals, NHS England, Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support as part of the national ACE programme, with the aim of finding and treating as many cases of lung cancer and COPD as possible, and as early as possible.
Raising awareness to reduce the burden of COPD.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the major causes of death in the UK and worldwide. Although public awareness has increased over the last 20 years, many people have still not heard of it or know about the symptoms and disability it causes. World COPD day was established by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) to raise awareness of the condition.
Why reading can support patients' health and wellbeing.
The number of people in the UK living with long-term health conditions is rising, increasing the pressure on primary care services and staff as well as impacting on the quality of life of those affected. Primary care professionals, such as general practice nurses (GPNs), are responsible for a huge amount of the day-to-day care and management planning for these patients. Providing quality-assured information and support is an important part of this role, as is helping people to develop the right skills and knowledge to support self-care and self-management.
National charity, The Reading Agency, works in partnership with public libraries to provide Reading Well Books on Prescription, i.e. carefully curated book lists of qualityassured health information and support, to help people to understand and manage a range of health conditions. This includes a new strand, launched in July 2017, which supports those living with long-term conditions, such as arthritis, bowel conditions, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
Why NICE quality standards should be applied in practice.
Here, Nick Baillie, describes what quality standards are and who they are for, as well as how to get involved in their development.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) was established in 1999 and initially produced guidance, including technology appraisals and clinical guidelines for the NHS. Since this time, NICE has been asked to develop a range of other types of guidance, run different programmes of work, and support the implementation and use of its products. The scope of NICE has also been extended to cover the public health and social care sectors. Among all these developments, the NICE quality standards programme was established in 2009.
Product snapshot: NEW TWO-TONE COMPRESSION GARMENTS
medi’s World of Compression is now launching three fashion elements for mediven 550 flat-knit leg garments and toe caps in the UK. The new colours and patterns offer patients with oedema nine possible combinations. The fashion elements have already been distinguished with the iF Award in the 'Product Design' category, as well as the 2017 Red Dot Design Award.
Continuous maintenance therapy with medical compression garments can increase patients' quality of life. medi’s World of Compression healthcare concepts stand for product quality, reliable indication-adapted patient management solutions and a stylish look. These fashion elements in the treatment of oedema are now available for the first time ever. This helps to motivate patients even more to persevere with their maintenance therapy and thus achieve success.
With wound and skin care taking up a considerable part of general practice nursing time, the GPN 'nurse consultation' series follows the therapy chain for the management of patients with venous leg ulcers and looks at the skills needed to ensure safe, competent and professional consultations with patients.
Here, Helen Butterfield, leg ulcer/dermatology specialist nurse, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, looks at the third link, i.e. preventing the recurrence of venous leg ulcers and the importance of lifelong compression therapy to prevent wound breakdown, and the role that patient choice and self-care can play.
Success!