Resources

Wound malodour is often an unpleasant side-effect experienced by patients with hard-to-heal wounds. The impact on mental and physical wellbeing is profound and can result in embarrassment, social isolation, depression and nausea. This list is not exhaustive and understanding the effect of malodour on an individual should be considered during holistic patient assessment. This article presents the findings of two surveys which aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the impact that malodour has on individuals and also the challenges experienced by healthcare professionals (HCPs) when treating patients with malodorous wounds. The patient survey was completed by 29 people, of which 76% (n=22) experienced wound malodour. The HCPs survey was completed by 789 respondents and challenges highlighted included lack of training and education, limited access to appropriate dressings and managing patient expectations.

Hard-to-heal wounds present a significant challenge in healthcare, requiring a comprehensive understanding of the wound healing process and effective management strategies. A survey was conducted by the Journal of Community Nursing among its registered online members to explore the current opinions and challenges faced by healthcare professionals (HCPs) who are involved in delivering wound care, including opinions on advanced wound therapies. The survey, which consisted of 14 questions, highlighted some interesting findings including several challenges experienced when treating patients with wounds. Results revealed that 69% (n=311) of participants indicated a lack of time and resources as the primary barrier. Patient compliance (67%, n=303), limited access to advanced therapies (47%, n=211), insufficient training (37%), and cost pressures (32%, n=145) were also significant concerns. Despite these challenges, most respondents (63%, n=281) felt ‘somewhat satisfied’ with their ability to manage wounds, but found the process frustrating due to the difficulties that they encountered.

Purple urine bag syndrome (PUBS) is reported to be a rare condition that occurs in people who have catheters, chronic constipation and bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI). While in most cases it is harmless, the purple colour of the urine (a result of the breakdown of tryptophan, an amino acid found in food, in the intestines by gut bacteria) can be alarming. The priority is to address any underlying infection and maintain good catheter hygiene. Much of the literature focuses on symptomatic treatment. This paper, based on a case history, uses a more holistic approach to explain what PUBS is, why it occurs, and how it can be treated.

This article explores the development of mental health first aid (MHFA) training and how the principles of first aid can be applied with a person experiencing mental health distress. MHFA was designed to reduce mental health stigma and improve the public’s awareness, but is suitable for nurses to complete to enhance their first aid response to both physical and mental health situations. This article seeks to encourage nurses to undertake MHFA training.

Parkinson’s disease at the end of life can present unique challenges both for patients and those caring for them. This article offers a guide for community nurses to understand the complexities of Parkinson’s disease and the importance of managing end-of-life care. Parkinson’s disease progresses differently for each individual and, as it advances, symptom control, especially regarding pain, motor difficulties and non-motor symptoms can become increasingly difficult. Nurses play a critical role in managing these challenges, ensuring that patients receive optimal care tailored to their needs. This includes advance care planning, where nurses can facilitate discussions and provide psychosocial support to both patients and their families. Coordinating with an interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals ensures a holistic approach to care, addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. These key aspects are explored here, highlighting the crucial role that community nurses play in delivering compassionate, effective care at this complex stage of the disease.

Diabetes in the UK has topped five million, of which 90% of those diagnosed have type 2 diabetes (Wise, 2023). These figures have demonstrated an increase of 148,951 from those recorded in 2020–22, with an estimate that potentially a further 2.4 million people are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes (Diabetes UK, 2023). The National Diabetes Inpatient Audit has shown that 18% of all hospital beds on any one day are occupied by people who have a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes (NHS Digital, 2020). Apart from healthcare costs attributed to age, financial costs of managing diabetes by the National Health Service is around £10 billion a year (NHS England, 2022), with late recognition of the condition being a contributory factor to rising costs (Diabetes UK, 2023). Those people with late recognition or poorly managed diabetes are at risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, which are the most prevalent cause of mortality and morbidity among people with type 1 and 2 diabetes (Orasanu and Plutzky, 2009; Ma et al, 2022). Achievement of good glycaemic control is fundamental to the prevention of complications due to diabetes — although worldwide it is recognised that only 50% of those with diabetes achieve good glycaemic control (Pastakia et al, 2017).

Welcome to 2025 and another exciting year for the Journal of Community Nursing. Over the coming year, as we do each year, we will keep you up to date with the latest information and current themes. We aim to support your education and development with our many learning resources, including journal articles, interactive education, product features and our JCN events. Remember — we are here for you, so please utilise all our online resources.

It’s that time again. A new government full of optimism and a freshly minted prime minister
bursting with new ideas, the honeymoon period yet to slip into acrimony and divorce.

Few sectors look set to benefit so completely from incoming technological advances than the healthcare sector. Developments and innovations in dermatology are the subject of a new programme, The Future of Dermatology: Spotlight on Skin, produced by ITN Business and the British Skin Foundation, which premiered in January this year. Among the different conditions highlighted is lipoedema, a condition that affects millions of women worldwide.

Currently, there are more than eight million people in the UK living with moderate to severely disabling pain and approximately 43% of adults, equating to almost 28 million
people, experiencing some form of chronic pain. It was recently reported by the Health Foundation thinktank that the ‘number of people with chronic pain in England [is set] to rise by 1.9m by 2040’ (Health Foundation, 2023).