12 December 2019

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).

22 June 2017

Every stroke survivor deserves the chance to make their best possible recovery, and nurses have a crucial role to play in achieving this. The condition has a greater disability impact on an individual than any other chronic disease, and there’s no ‘one-sizefits all’ solution when it comes to supporting stroke survivors with their recovery.

22 September 2015

Last year 80,000 people died prematurely because they smoked. Today it will kill 200 people (Health and Social Care Information Centre [HSCIC], 2015). Despite progress in driving down smoking rates, it is still the leading cause of preventable death. For every person who dies from smoking, 20 more are living with life-limiting illnesses (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010). Recent Action on Smoking and Health (ASH, 2014) research estimates that smokers need the care of friends, relatives or social services on average nine years earlier than a non-smoker.

29 November 2024

This article critically analyses the process of clinical decision-making (CDM) and associated theories that contribute to safe clinical judgement, allowing trainee advanced clinical practitioners (tACPs) to expand their knowledge, skills and attitude to CDM at an advanced level. The case included is from the author’s own clinical practice and is a reflective
piece involving CDM which embraces the four pillars of advanced practice. The relevant professional, legal and ethical issues that assist tACPs to follow the ‘Code of Conduct’ (Nursing and Midwifery Council [NMC], 2018) are also discussed in relation to this complex CDM case.

29 May 2024

In the UK, approximately 1.5 million individuals aged 65 or older are believed to be affected by heart valve diseases, such as aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation. Projections indicate that this figure will double by 2046 and soar to 3.3 million by 2056. This is due to an ageing population (British Heart Foundation [BHF], 2018).

01 October 2019

Welcome to this latest issue of GPN. We are delighted to share the latest news in the world of Education for Health, and present opportunities for you to get involved with us as a student or partner. We have dedicated this issue to two key guideline updates and news about our new MSc offering and, as always, we hope that you enjoy this issue of the journal and our news update.

29 November 2018

01 December 2021

Salbutamol is the most widely prescribed bronchodilator belonging to a class of drugs known as beta-2 adrenoceptor agonists, more commonly known as short-acting beta agonists (SABA). Their role is to relax airway smooth muscle (ASM), thereby reducing symptoms of wheeze, shortness of breath or cough in airways diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Salbutamol is generally regarded as a safe medication when used correctly. This article looks at the history of this class of medications, how they work at a cellular level, and the associated risks if they are overused or incorrectly used. It includes a discussion on the most commonly used SABA-containing device — the pressurised metered dose inhaler (pMDI). An understanding of the clinical and potential cellular effects of overuse will be discussed in the context of associated risks, as well as discussion on the drive to reduce greenhouse gases to care for the planet, and how this can be achieved while providing best care for patients 

01 October 2019

Exudate is produced as part of the inflammatory phase of wound healing and assists the healing process by providing essential nutrients to the wound, promoting moist wound healing and naturally debriding the wound bed. However, exudate can also be detrimental to the healing process and managing excessive exudate in clinical practice is often challenging. The key to managing exudate is accurate assessment and identifying the underlying cause of excessive production. Accurate diagnosis and assessment will assist general practice nurses (GPNs) in selecting appropriate treatment options and strategies that can help in managing exudate efficiently. This article discusses what exudate is and its function in wound healing. It also explores the causes of excessive exudate production and what GPNs can do to manage high volumes to prevent skin damage and improve patient quality of life.

06 September 2024

Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) testing is a simple, safe, non-invasive test which is suitable for use in primary care provided it is carried out by a competent clinician who can interpret the results. Raised FeNO levels can only be found when type-2 airway inflammation is present (Wang et al, 2023). FeNO testing is currently regarded as an optional test to identify eosinophilic asthma for those with an intermediate probability of asthma. The question is, could FeNO testing lead to a more personalised approach for the management of airways diseases? This article discusses the current recommendations, the relevance of FeNO testing, along with the limitations and ways to utilise FeNO testing in a primary care setting.