Refugees who have fled war zones have a substantially higher risk of psychotic disorders than non-refugee migrants, suggests a recent study. Many refugees with mental health problems do not receive specialist help. Experts say nurses may be better placed than GPs to pick up mental health problems in refugees.

Nursing Standard is marking the RCN’s centenary year by celebrating the astonishing range of modern nursing roles and the often unheralded great work by nurses across the regions. In this series opener, Alison Whyte talks to nurses in the south west.

Freedom from Torture is a UK-based organisation that treats and supports torture survivors. Since its inception, more than 50,000 people have been referred for help. Its chief executive Susan Munroe says nurses in any specialty may encounter patients who have been tortured.

A suspected deep tissue injury in a frail older patient alerted senior sister Gemma Smallman to potential shortcomings in pressure ulcer management on her new ward. She introduced a range of measures to improve standards and, importantly, to engage staff in making sure vulnerable patients’ needs were met.