Viewpoints Resources

When things go wrong, we need to make sure that lessons are learnt and improvements made. If we think something might go wrong, it’s important that we all feel able to speak up so that potential harm is prevented. Even when things are good, but could be even better, we should feel able to say something and should expect that our suggestion is listened to and used as an opportunity for improvement.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is among the most common paediatric problems and it is commonly assumed to resolve with age. Consequently, parents and clinicians often adopt a ‘wait and see’ approach to childhood UI (Berry, 2006). A significant proportion of children, however, continue to suffer from persistent UI into adolescence (Swithinbank et al, 1998; Hellstrom et al, 1995; Yeung et al, 2006; Heron et al, 2017). For example, the authors’ research using data from a large birth cohort (Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children — www.bristol.ac.uk/alspac/) found that 4.2% of females and 1.3% of males experienced UI at the age of 14 years (Heron et al, 2017).

During Self Care Week (16–22 November), which is the national awareness week to promote the benefits of self care, I want to remind colleagues in the nursing profession to ‘live self care for life’. This year it is more important than ever, with all health and care workers managing the extreme pressures brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. It is essential that we look after our own health and wellbeing.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, community nursing services have had to adapt rapidly to the regulations and clinical requirements. To learn how nurses have changed their services, with colleagues and new technology, the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) has been gathering examples of new practice in community and integrated healthcare services. Here, we share some of the stories to help promote learning and to drive improvements across the health and social care sector.

Community nursing services have had to adapt radically to the needs of individual and population health, because of Covid-19. The reduced opening of some GP practices was just one of the most obvious public impacts, as primary care moved to telephone consultations and other means of advising and signposting patients. Inevitably, some non-urgent care has been deferred and the impacts of this remain to be examined and assessed.

Community nursing services have had to adapt radically to the needs of individual and population health, because of Covid-19. The reduced opening of some GP practices was just one of the most obvious public impacts, as primary care moved to telephone consultations and other means of advising and signposting patients. Inevitably, some non-urgent care has been deferred and the impacts of this remain to be examined and assessed.

Community nursing services have had to adapt radically to the needs of individual and population health, because of Covid-19. The reduced opening of some GP practices was just one of the most obvious public impacts, as primary care moved to telephone consultations and other means of advising and signposting patients. Inevitably, some non-urgent care has been deferred and the impacts of this remain to be examined and assessed.

Current Covid restrictions have forced many healthcare professionals to embrace technology and work in very different ways. Indeed, the traditional telephone has allowed the Newcastle continence service to provide a service to patients referred with all types of urinary incontinence. But, is it even possible to assess someone’s continence and devise a treatment plan over the telephone?

It is estimated that one in 12 children and young people in the UK suffer with a wetting or soiling problem, which can have a devastating impact on their family life, social life and self-esteem (NHS Modernisation Agency, 2003). Afraid of wetting themselves in class or on a school trip; too many children and teenagers are missing out on sleepovers and camping trips, being bullied and constantly trying to hide the signs of their ‘secret’.

Food fatigue is a psychological condition which results in lack of motivation or enthusiasm to consume food. Left untreated, this can lead to malnutrition, lack of energy and dehydration. In a bid to alleviate food fatigue for customers, including those individuals who may have been clinically shielded or especially vulnerable through the Covid-19 pandemic, home meals delivery company, Wiltshire Farm Foods, has collaborated with leading chefs in the South West and launched a new and inspirational summer kitchen range giving added variety, freshness and choice.