Sue Thomas

Diabetes

Nurses are pivotal in helping to stem the high rate of diabetes in the UK

A type 2 diagnosis should be an urgent wake-up for people to lose weight

Promoting self-management of multiple sclerosis in primary care

This article discusses the impact of multiple sclerosis on people newly diagnosed and those living with this long-term condition. It highlights the role that primary care nurses can play in ensuring that people with the condition have the help and information they need to take charge of their own care.

Parkinson’s disease, palliative care and older people: part 2

In the second of two articles on palliative care for people with Parkinson’s disease, the authors consider other aspects of care relevant to this complex stage. They conclude that better understanding of its complexity, its innate variability and the roles extended team members can play help to improve the care given to patients.

Parkinson’s disease, palliative care and older people: part 1

In the first of two articles on palliative care for people with Parkinson’s disease, the authors revise the common features of the disease, its different stages and the nature of palliative care for people who suffer from it. Next month, they consider management of common problems in late-stage Parkinson’s and various ethical issues that nurses may encounter.

Managing Parkinson’s disease in long-term care

Parkinson’s disease affects one in every 100 people over the age of 60 and one in ten nursing home residents. This article explores common problems associated with the disease and implications for nurses working with patients who display symptoms.

Epilepsy and services for older people

Although epilepsy can occur at any age, almost a quarter of people affected are over 60 years old. It is important for nurses working with older people to understand the full implications of a diagnosis of epilepsy, which can have a devastating effect on quality of life.

continence: an update on policy priorities and practice implications in primary care

Recent national policies have created new frameworks and guidance on the assessment and treatment of continence problems. This article offers an update on new policy initiatives relevant to nurses working with older people and discusses the implications for primary care.

Continence in older people: a priority for primary care

Many older people experience some form of incontinence and, as a large proportion will respond well to treatment, the problem should not be ignored.

Improving practice with a nurse nutrition team

This article describes how the introduction of a nurse nutrition team has led to improved staff morale and communication, as well as increasing the number of appropriate referrals to the dietician.

Continence in older people: a priority for primary care

It is often assumed that incontinence is an inevitability of older age and, therefore, wrongly accepted that nothing can be done about it. Current policy initiatives will ensure that continence is brought sharply into focus for practice nurses, district nurses and health visitors. This includes the recently published national continence guidance ( Department of Health 2000 ) and the National Service Framework for Older People, which is expected this autumn.

Good practice in continence services

The Department of Health, England, issued new guidance on continence services earlier this year. Sue Thomas examines the guidelines with a view to the future of continence care.

Investing in continence

A year of relentless lobbying by the RCN Continence Care Forum, supported by RCN Forum for Nurses Working with Older People, led to an announcement from Paul Boateng (then health minister) that there was to be a national review of continence services. New guidance for continence services will be with us this month. We must ensure that this review is not just a paper exercise and continue to lobby for investment in continence services. The RCN had two nurse representatives on the national working group developing the new guidance. We need all nurses to continue being proactive with the RCN campaign for the provision of minimum standards.