Mental Health Practice
Editor's choice
Using personalised music to enhance the well-being of people with dementia
Listening to music can reduce symptoms such as agitation in people with dementia

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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
Nurse who kicked patient in the head receives 12-month suspension
Nurse Kadiatu Jalloh, who expressed remorse, had been slapped and punched by the patient
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
Evidence and Practice
Using personalised music to enhance the well-being of people with dementia
Listening to music can reduce symptoms such as agitation in people with dementia
Professional self-disclosure and supportive relationships with foster carers
How approaches to self-disclosure changed during the shift to remote working during COVID-19
Compassionate care for people who self-harm: principles, tools and techniques
Learn about tools that can be used to provide compassionate care such as urge surfing
Supporting staff at a low secure mental health setting during the COVID-19 pandemic
Learn about some adaptations to practice adopted by a low secure mental health unit
Severe mental illness: why is physical health monitoring so vital?
Physical health monitoring helps nurses identify key risk factors in service users
Mental health service provision for single homeless people
Findings from a freedom of information-based study
Features
When your patient may have committed a crime: how to provide non-judgemental care
Any nurse may have contact with patients accused or convicted of an offence
When a patient won’t take their tablets: how to promote medication adherence
Why sensitively tailored conversations with patients can boost their concordance
Morale boost: leadership tips for supporting teams under pressure
How to help staff feel appreciated and heard amid unprecedented challenges
Living with autism: why my late-diagnosis was such a relief
Nurse Gerard Wainwright now wants to improve opportunities for neurodivergent people
What to do if your boss has their ‘pet’ people
Favouritism is too often a feature of nursing teams – but here’s how you can change that
How to find your voice and make it heard so you can stand out from the crowd
Finding your professional voice can help you forge your ideal career path
Opinion
Hot, healthy food at work: what the new NHS standards will mean for you
England’s trusts are to be held to higher standards of catering and food options
Let’s find common ground to end nurses’ strikes
Health minister Maria Caulfield wants talks on pay, conditions and workload to continue
What battle-weary nurses need right now is the certainty staffing ratios would bring
NHS is crying out for nurse-to-patient ratios as part of a system-wide workforce plan
Students
Dual registration degrees: what are the benefits?
How gaining knowledge and practical experience in two areas will boost your career choices
Social prescribing: what is it and how can nursing students get involved?
Using activities such as art, gardening and sport to boost mental and physical well-being
How I’m determined not to allow my inherited condition to stop me becoming a nurse
Nursing student’s inspiring advice on how to push back barriers to achieve your goals
Careers
Gambling addiction and recovery: what it’s like working in a pioneering NHS clinic
New clinics around the country are tackling the growth in problem gambling
Redeployed to an unfamiliar area: what is a floating shift and do I have to work it?
How to cope if your shift setting changes and ensure you work within your competency
Expedition nursing: an opportunity for thrill seekers to work while travelling
Job combines work with adventurous treks, sports trips or TV location shoots