Resources

02 February 2024
A lthough we are all both constantly and consistently busy all day every day, I am sure you will agree that at this time of year demand on services escalates even further and the challenges we face increase even more. How can this be possible we ask, but each year it is!
Topics:  Editorial
02 February 2024
For the general public, community staff such as district nurses and health visitors are in danger of becoming a fond memory, much like those other pillars of society we didn’t know
we needed until they were gone — neighbourhood policeman say, or a functioning post office.
02 February 2024
ERIC, The Children’s Bowel & Bladder Charity, helps thousands of families struggling with continence issues, including through their free helpline. But, they could not do it without the generosity of volunteer nurses.
Topics:  Viewpoint
02 February 2024
In order to instil confidence in your patients, you yourself need to feel confident in the care you’re providing — including the products you use.

This is why we’re publishing the results of a recent randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing the efficacy of Exufiber® with the market leading gelling fibre dressing, in exuding venous and mixed aetiology leg ulcers.
02 February 2024
A new report on palliative and end-of-life care in the community has been published by the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) and Marie Curie.

The report by the two charities is based on a national survey of health and care staff undertaken in 2023. The majority of survey respondents were community nurses. The findings reflect how palliative and end-of-life care is delivered today, and shines a light on the challenges being faced by nurses. People at end of life need high-quality holistic care and support but worryingly, 9 out of ten respondents to the survey reported being unable to meet the needs of the people they care for, or those close to them, at least in part.
Topics:  End of Life Care
02 February 2024
There is an old saying about ‘thinking outside the box’. The basic idea is that we are often
caught in conceptual thinking boxes which stop us seeing and discovering new ways of life and work.

Despite the phrase being widely used, the sad truth is that we often keep doing the same old things and are surprised when we get the same old results. The eminent Jungian
therapist James Hollis shared how a client said, ‘This isn’t working, but I do it very well’.
02 February 2024
Normal wound healing follows four distinct phases: haemostasis, inflammation, proliferation and finally, maturation. If any barriers to healing occur within these four phases, the healing process will be delayed or may even stall (Mitchell, 2021). One of the common barriers to healing is hyper or overgranulation, or ‘proud flesh’. Hypergranulated wounds can cause concern to both patients and healthcare professionals, and, although common in wound care, there is a limited evidence base and currently no guidelines for management. This article discusses the causes of hypergranulation, with suggestions on how it can be managed.
Topics:  Management
02 February 2024
Necrotising fasciitis (NF) is a life-threatening condition, consisting of a soft-tissue infection with rapidly progressive, widespread fascial necrosis and sepsis. Prompt diagnosis and  treatment are essential, but in the early stages, it is difficult to differentiate from other skin conditions such as cellulitis. A high level of suspicion and a low threshold for surgical referral are essential to avoid significant mortality. Following often lengthy hospital treatment, patients will be discharged for management in the community — usually with extensive wound care needs. As part of recovery, supported self-care is an option for some patients and the benefits may help improve outcomes.
Topics:  Treatment
02 February 2024
The vast majority of wound care is undertaken by community nurses (Dhoonmoon, 2023), with £941 million attributed to venous leg ulcer care and a further £836 million spent on unspecified leg ulcer management (Guest et al, 2017). If signs and symptoms can be 
recognised and a diagnosis made, a plan of care can be drawn up and treatment implemented quickly and efficiently to reduce costs escalating further. More important though, the patient’s condition will improve quickly and deterioration in quality of life can be avoided. Nursing staff are currently encouraging patients to take a more active role in their own care, guiding them in how to look after their own long-term conditions, which can promote long lasting healing and independence.
Topics:  Management
02 February 2024
This article provides an update on the dietary management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) for community nurses. Dietary change can greatly modify the trajectory of T2DM. Weight changes are a key factor, as significant weight loss can put the condition into remission, and even less dramatic weight loss can have positive effects on glycaemic control and cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with T2DM. Protein intake supports various aspects of glycaemic management and is an especially important nutrient for older adults, who are more prone to T2DM. Carbohydrate restriction is widely advised in clinical practice, although current guidelines do not support this as the sole dietary management strategy for T2DM; it is simply one of various potentially effective measures. Carbohydrate quality is important and high fibre carbohydrates are the preferred source. Excessive alcohol intake can exacerbate T2DM via its damaging effects on the liver. Knowledge of the dietary management of T2DM is vital for community nurses, as it allows them to offer advanced and comprehensive care to their patients.
Topics:  Weight loss