Chronic oedema is a perennial challenge for nurses in primary care, consuming a large proportion of time, energy and resources. Ironically, chronic oedema is both a contributory factor and a consequence of impaired mobility, infection, or wounds and delayed healing. With growing numbers of older people with multiple and complex conditions that limit their mobility, and obesity on the increase, the prevalence of chronic oedema is predicted to rise. With reports of a current prevalence of 6:1000 (National Lymphoedema Partnership [NLP], 2019), this is a depressing prediction.
People with common health conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, can keep their health condition invisible to the outside world. Unless they want to share their medical history, nobody else need know there is anything different about them. The same cannot be said for skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis and eczema, which, while not lifethreatening, can exact a serious toll on the self-esteem and confidence of people who experience them. While these skin conditions also involve significant discomfort, it is the psychological implications that can stay with people throughout their lives.
My personal experience of the impact smoking can have on loved ones has fuelled my interest in smoking cessation. Furthermore, the percentage of current smokers in Swindon where I live and work is above the UK average, and this may lead to higher numbers of deaths and hospital admissions directly related to smoking. This is worrying because it is the first time smoking prevalence in Swindon has risen above the UK average since records began in 2012 (Office for National Statistics [ONS], 2019).
Whether it is a family member or a friend, alcoholism can affect people physically as well as emotionally, mentally and financially. The severe impact of domestic abuse means that many victims struggle to talk about what they are going through; mainly because of fear, guilt and shame.
In July, the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) announced an exciting new leadership programme for clinicians in England.
Imagine a network, an online community, made by nurses, for nurses. That is exactly what is on offer with the Digital Nurse Network, which aims to create an inclusive space where nurses, healthcare assistants, midwives and members of the wider nursing team can come together and obtain trusted information on NHS England’s national programmes and digital initiatives. We want the network to be owned and driven by the people that make up its membership, guided by the two clinical nurse advisors — Helen and Ann.
An inspiring new campaign — We Are Undefeatable — has just been launched to support the one in four (15 million) people in England who live with one or more long-term health conditions (Department of Health [DH], 2012).
In 2017, UK expenditure on health care reached £197.2 billion pounds (Office for National Statistics [ONS], 2018). Many publicly recognised health challenges have been associated with estimated costs, for example, direct cost of diabetes treatment are £9.8 billion, while dementia care consumes £4.3 billion, and healthcare associated infections £1 billion annually (National Health Service, 2012; Alzheimer’s Society, 2014; National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE], 2017).
Here, Ellen Nicholson, course director/lecturer, School of Health and Social Care, London South Bank University, explores what the plan means for general practice nurses (GPNs) and how this key document will affect their role in general practice.
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