Newsroom

Cervical smears at work help busy nurses who struggle to keep screening appointments
‘Come on the nurses, I’m on your side!’ says Rod Stewart
Reducing drugs errors: would colour-coded trays help nurses avoid mistakes?
News
Cervical smears at work help busy nurses who struggle to keep screening appointments
Nurse set up screening service for NHS colleagues to help them prioritise their own health
‘Come on the nurses, I’m on your side!’ says Rod Stewart
Sir Rod speaks out on conditions in the NHS that are ‘heartbreaking for the nurses’
Reducing drugs errors: would colour-coded trays help nurses avoid mistakes?
Researchers found the dishes made it easier to select the correct item and to spot errors
Nurses’ COVID-19 deaths ruled as industrial disease by coroner
Campaigners hope ruling paves way for better financial support for nurses with long-COVID
Menopause leave in the NHS: hopes dashed for trial of structured time off
Offer of special time off could have boosted retention of highly experienced nurses
UK nurses could face difficulty working in Ireland after changes to NMC standards
Regulator’s amendments may affect UK nurses practising in EU countries, says council member
Analysis
How you can help women with learning disabilities through menopause
Nurses need to make the most of resources available and ask questions related to menopause
Staff shortage: how it affects learning disability inpatients on mental health wards
Lack of specialist staff is leaving people in hospital for longer with inadequate care
Pay offer: how it breaks down and what nurses need to know
Met with a decision to ballot on industrial action, NHS offer is among most complicated ever
Can an end to long-term segregation now become a reality?
A positive intervention programme aims to overcome barriers keeping people segregated
Learning disabilities and autism training: why change was needed
Two tragic deaths were the catalyst for the programmes to improve skills, support and care
Why are nurses more likely to be bullied than other NHS staff?
Advice for staff when faced with a toxic culture that poses a risk to them and patient care
Clinical update
Wound care: what the framework for standardised treatment means for your patients
Guidance focuses on individualised care for pressure ulcers, lower limbs and surgical wounds
Long-COVID: what it means and how to manage the longer-term effects
Advice from NICE on how to care for patients with ongoing symptoms of the virus
Managing aerosol generating procedures in school for children with complex medical needs
Updated guidance covers children with a tracheostomy or respiratory difficulties
Menopause symptoms and period pain: identify women’s health conditions with confidence
Updated RCN resource also includes information on pregnancy, continence and sexual health
Diabetes care: how a coin-sized device can monitor blood glucose levels continuously
Up to 3,000 people with learning disabilities set to benefit from ‘life-changing’ device
Preparing to Prescribe toolkit: becoming a non-medical prescriber
Updated online resource is a step-by-step guide for nurses considering a prescribing course
Policy briefing
COVID-19: how to make PPE less daunting for people with learning disabilities
Public Health England has issued guidance for staff in care homes
COVID-19: when you can refuse to treat a patient due to inadequate PPE
The implications for nurses of RCN guidance on care provision and inadequate PPE
Putting person-centred care at the heart of learning disability services
Ireland targets services for those with learning disabilities and their families and carers
Helping nurses to ‘defuse’ after difficult situations
The RCN has issued guidance on how to discuss and reflect on challenging incidents at work
Correct use of gloves and how to protect your skin
RCN Glove Awareness week stresses correct use of gloves and how nurses can protect their skin
Identifying the needs of older people with learning disabilities
People with learning disabilities are living longer but will have specific health needs
Research news
Beware diagnosis of ASD based on stereotype behaviour
People with learning disability and sensory impairments can be wrongly diagnosed as autistic
Exploring anxiety in young people with autism spectrum disorder
Autistic children anxious over sensory experiences, phobias, unpredictability and change
Lifestyle gains linked to positive behaviour support
Study shows lifestyle benefits of PBS-based approaches and need to capitalise on these gains
Nurses need more exposure to children with learning disabilities
In interviews, nurses on acute paediatric ward stress need to be adaptable and flexible
Parent peer support is important for families with children who have LDs
Parent peer support provides practical, social and emotional help
Social media risks for people who have learning disabilities
Use of social media presents opportunities, but also risks of cyberbullying and exploitation
Journal scan
Scottish survey reveals the scale of social 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
Long-term conditions management
Systematic review finds that people with learning disabilities were less likely to access health screening and preventive healthcare such as immunisations
Secure settings: what makes for a good outcome when people move on from inpatient...
Study finds need to establish specialist forensic support teams to ensure best possible outcomes for offenders who have behaviours that challenge
Blood plasma test could lead to earlier diagnosis of autism
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
Study raises questions about clinical outcomes associated with positive behaviour...
Of services where staff underwent training only 30% produced positive behaviour support plans that included all essential components
Psychotropic medication often given in the absence of multidisciplinary assessments
Research raises concerns about a lack of guidelines and review of prescriptions
Podcast
What all nurses have to gain from learning disabilities training
Our podcast looks at what's behind mandatory training, plus strategies from specialist nurses
Sponsored
Sponsored: Mölnlycke’s clinical consensus statement ‘Healthy skin, safe patients'
This article explores Mölnlycke’s clinical consensus statement and the fight against healthcare-associated infections
Sponsored: When is a swelling not an allergy?
This sponsored article describes emergency care for people with hereditary angioedema
Sponsored: How to improve leg ulcer practice and patient outcomes
This webinar, sponsored by HARTMANN, seeks to address variation in practice and outcomes for lower limb wounds
Sponsored: High ‘face fit test’ pass rate on smaller face shapes with FFP3 respirator
UK-made respiratory protection for healthcare helps reduce environmental impact
Sponsored: Wales offers a great quality of life for the newly qualified nurse
Newly qualified Mental Health Nurse Luke Pybus, from Somerset, is delighted he made the career move to work in Wales.
Sponsored: Working in Wales can really take you places in your career
Sian Thomas, a Consultant Nurse for Child Health in South Wales, and Nurse of the Year 2016, talks about why everyone looking for a rewarding nursing career should put Wales at the top of their list.