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News

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Mental health nurses’ care failures: Mill View Hospital in Brighton

Coroner criticises failures to check patient record before tragedy, the latest at the trust

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A group of health visitors in south Wales hold banners, flags and signs during strike action in March

Health visitors in south Wales set to strike after NHS employer ignores job evaluation appeal 

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A nurse writing notes on a clipboard

He also failed to take observations and record that he had altered the scores

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New NHS uniform: two nurses wearing different styles

Around 55,000 staff wear the uniform but this is less than 10% of the intended workforce

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Cut to placement hours: nurse with student on ward

Regulator invites feedback on proposals, but the RCN has concerns about student preparedness

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District nurse deputy team leader Lauren Heald uses a smartphone to take a picture of a wound on a patient’s foot

Community nurses have reduced healing times and saved money in remote monitoring trial

Analysis

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NHS Staff survey results: a nurse typing on a smartphone, with ratings speech bubble images hovering above it

The highest scorers in the NHS Staff Survey, based on flexible working, morale and more

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A nurse in uniform fills up her car at a petrol pump

Eligible staff will soon be able to claim back more money – find out what it means for you

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Nurse student loan debt: woman dressed in scrubs pushes boulder marked ‘debt’ uphill

Nurses speak out over fears career progression only worsens student loan burden

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Rise in numbers of senior nurses; a senior nurse explains something to two colleagues

Rising band 7 and 8 numbers mean senior nurses may now make up 25% of NHS nurse workforce

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NHS band 5 role reviews: Illustration of three nurses being viewed through a magnifying glass

Q&A on who is included, why rethink of nurses’ bandings is needed and when reviews start

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Illustration of a distressed-looking nurse facing unsolicited comments from an array of people pointing at her

Nurses share experiences of unsolicited comments and judgment about their appearance

Clinical update

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Guidance focuses on individualised care for pressure ulcers, lower limbs and surgical wounds

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Advice from NICE on how to care for patients with ongoing symptoms of the virus

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Updated guidance covers children with a tracheostomy or respiratory difficulties

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Updated RCN resource also includes information on pregnancy, continence and sexual health

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Up to 3,000 people with learning disabilities set to benefit from ‘life-changing’ device

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Prescribing

Updated online resource is a step-by-step guide for nurses considering a prescribing course

Policy briefing

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Public Health England has issued guidance for staff in care homes

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Picture shows two medics in discussion. Lack of personal protective equipment allows nurses to take a decision to protect themselves, RCN guidance says.

The implications for nurses of RCN guidance on care provision and inadequate PPE

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Picture shows mental health professional sitting at a table with a woman with Down’s syndrome woman. A national framework in Ireland aims to provide person-centred services for people with learning disabilities and their families and carers.

Ireland targets services for those with learning disabilities and their families and carers

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Nurses meeting to discuss and reflect following a difficult situation

The RCN has issued guidance on how to discuss and reflect on challenging incidents at work

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Glove awareness week

RCN Glove Awareness week stresses correct use of gloves and how nurses can protect their skin

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People with learning disabilities are living longer but will have specific health needs

Research news

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Picture shows a child scratching himself. Relying too much on observed stereotypical and repetitive behaviour may result in incorrect diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in people with a learning disability and sensory impairments, a study suggests.

People with learning disability and sensory impairments can be wrongly diagnosed as autistic

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Picture shows a young male who is autistic. Research shows nearly half of autistic children have anxieties specifically associated with autism and commonly related to sensory experiences.

Autistic children anxious over sensory experiences, phobias, unpredictability and change

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Picture shows an older woman talking to a therapist. A new study shows the wider lifestyle benefits associated with PBS-based approaches and the need to capitalise on these gains.

Study shows lifestyle benefits of PBS-based approaches and need to capitalise on these gains

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Picture shows a young male holding a smartphone. This article reports on a study showing social media presents opportunities for people with learning disabilities, but those supporting them must be alert to risks including cyberbullying and exploitation.

Use of social media presents opportunities, but also risks of cyberbullying and exploitation

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Picture shows a woman and a boy sitting on a hospital bed, reading a book together. Nurses interviewed about caring for children with learning disabilities in acute settings stressed the need to be adaptable and flexible

In interviews, nurses on acute paediatric ward stress need to be adaptable and flexible

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Parent peer support provides practical, social and emotional help

Journal scan

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Isolation and loneliness

More than 70% of young adults with learning disabilities reported feeling lonely ‘a lot of the time’, according to a campaigning organisation

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Inequalities

Systematic review finds that people with learning disabilities were less likely to access health screening and preventive healthcare such as immunisations

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Criminal

Study finds need to establish specialist forensic support teams to ensure best possible outcomes for offenders who have behaviours that challenge

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A pioneering test has revealed a link between autism and damage to proteins in blood plasma that could lead to earlier diagnosis of the condition, scientists say

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Two people talking in a training session

Of services where staff underwent training only 30% produced positive behaviour support plans that included all essential components

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Close up of someone preparing to take a pill with a glass of water

Research raises concerns about a lack of guidelines and review of prescriptions  

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