14 March 2016

Welcome to this second issue of GPN for 2016. We are delighted to share the latest news in the world of Education for Health with you and hope to see you learning with us soon. 

We have some great opportunities for you to get involved with us – take advantage of our bursary offer, have a look at our new courses or find out more about the different ways you can study with us. 

As always, we hope that you enjoy this issue of GPN and our news update.

06 July 2016

Welcome to this latest issue of GPN, which we hope you enjoy reading. We are delighted to share our news with you and hope to see you learning with us soon. Please visit www.educationforhealth.org to find out more about us or follow us on Twitter and Facebook. 

Improving the care of people in the early stages of dementia

Dementia diagnosis and care has become a national priority, for it is estimated that the number of people with  dementia will double to 1.4 million by 2038. Linked to the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework — and delivered by expert clinicians with practical experience in dementia diagnosis and care — Education for Health’s one day workshop will help you to recognise the symptoms of dementia and to work with other providers to coordinate effective diagnosis  and support.

22 September 2016

23 November 2016

14 March 2017

Celebrating 30 years of improving lives

Welcome to this issue of GPN. We are delighted to share the latest news in the world of Education for Health, especially at the start of this very special year — we are celebrating our 30th anniversary!

This is an important milestone in our charity’s history and one we are looking forward to celebrating in 2017. During the year we will thank those who have contributed to our success, reflect on our achievements and make ambitious plans for the future. We plan to mark our anniversary with a number of activities in May and June.

06 July 2016

In each issue of the Journal of General Practice Nursing we investigate a topic currently affecting our readers. Here, Louise Ross, stop smoking service manager, Leicester, looks at: Nicotine: time for a rethink?

23 January 2018

As I write this editorial, Christmas is upon us and 2017 is drawing to a close. Here at Education for Health, there has been much to celebrate during our 30th anniversary year and planning is well underway for our course delivery in 2018. As a charity, we are driven by our mission to improve the lives of people living with long-term conditions. General practice nurses (GPNs) play a pivotal role in making this happen. We are hugely influential and significant people. As clinicians, we are all involved in some way with promoting healthy lifestyles, and for many people we are the linchpin to facilitate the achievement of effective, sustainable change. This issue of the journal includes some provocative articles that push boundaries and challenge thinking. Be sure to read Cate Wood’s thoughtful article on screening, which covers everything you need to know from background, definition and criteria through to ethical dilemmas (pp. 42–45).

Stroke remains a global killer. Prevention is key and we need to take action. Find out what we can do as GPNs from Esmee Russell, the Stroke Association’s head of prevention and campaigns (pp. 38–41).

When we think of Christmas and New Year, we think of social events and good times with family and friends. No one likes to feel left out, and in particular this can have a detrimental effect on our children and adolescents. Longterm conditions can inhibit, cause stigma and affect quality of life. You can check out the dilemma faced by many of our younger generation in our feature on asthma and adolescents, and pick up some top tips for how GPNs can help to make a positive difference.

In addition, this issue is packed with articles relevant to GPNs and the breadth of diversity of our role. 

2017 has brought many challenges and the remit of the GPN continues to expand. It is heartening that we now have a  national GPN framework with a sound career structure of clearly defined roles. 2018 looks to be the year of the GPN, and I wish each and every one of you joy and fulfilment in your work.

Happy New Year!
Rhian Last, editor-in-chief

09 July 2015

The introduction of revalidation for nurses and midwives from April 2016 will strengthen the renewal process with its new requirements.

Alongside the official NMC revalidation pilot projects, organisations are developing their own pilots to get ahead of the curve when it comes to revalidation to ensure that their workforce are fully prepared to meet the necessary requirements.

HeART, an online e-Portfolio based system which has been accredited by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), is being evaluated by participants in NHS England Central Midlands as a tool to help portfolio development.

General practice nurses are using HeART to ensure that they can meet revalidation requirements when the time comes to apply for revalidation.

02 October 2017

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.

23 September 2016

A review of a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by the general practice nurse (GPN) will usually include measures such as spirometry, smoking cessation advice, and a check of inhaler technique to name just a few. However, it also provides an ideal opportunity to assess the patient’s nutritional status and determine the level of risk this may pose. This article explores the need for nutritional assessment, how to stratify risk, how to plan interventions and, importantly, how to incorporate this vital element of care into everyday interactions with this group of patients.