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Not only is the UK’s population increasing, it is also ageing (Barton et al, 2024). Men make up 45.8% of the current population in England and Wales, which is approximately  62 million. In 2022, 19% of the population were aged over 65, but this figure is projected to double over the next 50 years. By contrast, 50 years ago, those aged  over 65 made up 13% of the population (Office for National Statistics [ONS], 2025).

The recent deaths of people with learning disabilities, directly as a result of constipation, have been highlighted in the media  (Devereux, 2023) and the issue persists for people with learning disabilities. It is important to remember that deaths from constipation are avoidable and it is a treatable and manageable condition. No person with a learning disability should die as a result of constipation.

Getting sleep right in a care home is one of the sector’s greatest challenges. Unlike in our own homes, residents’ nights are shaped not only by their health conditions, but also by the routines, sounds, and safety practices of the whole setting. Dementia, chronic illness, anxiety and pain can all interrupt rest. At the same time, necessary routines – such as hourly checks, corridor noise, or call bells – may unintentionally makethe problem worse.

Welcome to our first issue of 2026! Of course, none of us knows what this year will hold, both professionally and personally, but we hope that all the work undertaken by everyone at the JCN will continue to support you throughout.

This issue’s ‘Community matters’ piece focuses on frailty and how it is affecting community care. Frailty is high on the government’s agenda and the statistics quoted within this article demonstrate why. Have a read to understand exactly what is meant by frailty, review the different ways in which it can be measured and consider potential solutions. Frailty is generally having a major impact on our caseloads, but if we are able recognise it early and suggest/ implement supportive measures, it may help us in the long term

According to the old saying, age is just a number, although exactly what that number is and how much time we have left is open to interpretation. Many of us might be satisfied to see three score and ten, while others hold onto their youth like the proverbial Peter Pan. Some among the so-called billionaire elite even imagine they can cheat old age through cryonics, freezing their bodies after death in the hope that technology might one day be advanced enough to revive them.

Whatever method we choose to keep age at bay, none of us are immune from the inexorable march of time and while UK government figures show that life expectancy is increasing (27% of the UK’s population is expected to be over 65 by 2072), longer lives come with their own issues (‘Preparing for an ageing society inquiry launched’ – committees.parliament.uk).

Do you treat people with wounds as part of your everyday caseload? Perhaps you need to deliver wound care education to your community nursing teams? If so, you will be all too aware of the challenges this can present. Microworld could be what you need to make both learning and delivering education about wounds easier and more enjoyable.

The presence of mould in the home environment can be a potentially serious health problem and one which needs early recognition, intervention and management.

District and community-based nurses are in a unique position to help recognise the link between mould allergy and its impact on health and support families affected by damp and mould exposure in their homes. Proactive intervention from community nurses not only improves patient health, but may also reduce the burden on the NHS in the long term.

Nurse-led projects are one of the most direct ways in which the Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing (QICN) helps nurses improve patient care. Since 1990, the QICN has funded around 350 innovative projects across the whole range of community nursing specialisms in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, through its Community Nursing Innovation Programme (CNIP). Nurses are given the time, support and confidence to develop ideas rooted in the realities of the communities they serve and often the projects become part of mainstream services.

Long-term conditions affect millions across the UK, yet the care people receive remains uneven (Future Health, 2023). Health outcomes continue to be shaped by housing, income, environment, identity, and access to services – factors that create stark inequalities in who receives timely, appropriate, and high quality care (GOV.UK, 2025). As the need for coordinated, evidencebased, person-centred approaches becomes increasingly urgent, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is launching a landmark event designed to accelerate progress: the RCN Long-Term Conditions Conference 2026, taking place on 17 June at Sheffield Hallam University.

Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a prevalent long-term condition associated with significant morbidity and healthcare input, particularly within community nursing services. It affects a substantial proportion of the adult population and is a leading cause of venous leg ulceration (Rabe et al, 2020). Venous leg ulcers represent up to 70% of chronic lower limb wounds and are commonly managed by community and tissue viability nurses (Guest et al, 2018). Healing is often prolonged, and recurrence rates remain high despite advances in compression systems and wound dressings.