News

RCN updates nurses’ pocket guide to women’s health

Free-to-download guide helps non-specialist nurses recognise common women’s health issues

Free-to-download Women's Health Pocket Guide helps non-specialist nurses recognise common women’s health issues

Cover of Women's Health Pocket Guide from the RCN

A pocket guide on women’s health for nurses and midwives who are not specialists in women’s conditions has been updated by the RCN.

The Women’s Health Pocket Guide provides a handy crib sheet to help nursing staff care for women and covers a range of conditions and issues, including contraception, gynaecological cancers, menstrual disorders and menopause, as well as mental health issues.

Updated women's health guide will increase awareness of symptoms of disease

It was previously published in three separate parts but has now been collected into one resource.

The updated version of the guide now includes information such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder, which is an extreme form of premenstrual syndrome.

RCN professional lead for midwifery and women’s health Carmel Bagness
Carmel Bagness: ‘Women should be able to get treatment for conditions they are putting up with’

RCN professional lead for midwifery and women’s health Carmel Bagness said: ‘Far too often some symptoms can be difficult to identify and result in women waiting longer for a diagnosis that will lead to the help or treatment they need.

‘We want women to be able to get treatment for a condition that they may have been putting up with because they don’t know what is wrong.

‘This guide will support healthcare professionals and make it as easy as possible for them to recognise and treat these conditions,’ she explains.

An aid to early diagnosis and treatment

RCN Women’s Health Forum chair Katharine Gale said: ‘Women’s health issues are unfortunately still seen as a taboo subject and women may feel embarrassed about initially seeking help.

‘It’s important that women do seek healthcare advice about concerning symptoms and they deserve to be seen by nurses that have some knowledge and understanding of women’s health issues.

Ms Gale added: ‘The pocket guides are for nurses and midwives to increase awareness and provide them with specific information that could help them identify women’s health conditions with more confidence. We know that early diagnosis of illnesses means quicker and more effective treatment.’

Find out more

RCN – Women's Health Pocket Guide


In other news


Jobs