Nursing and Midwifery
Recent Submissions
-
Developing a specialist clinic for monitoring, educating and supporting patients at risk of skeletal-related eventsPatients with bone metastases are at significant risk of skeletal-related events such as metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC), pathological fractures and hypercalcaemia. There is increasing evidence to support the early recognition of, and intervention for, skeletal-related events resulting from bone metastases. To enable early diagnosis and treatment, patients and families need to know what signs and symptoms to look out for and be aware that they must promptly report them if they appear. This is particularly the case of MSCC, which is an oncological and palliative care emergency. This article outlines the development of a multidisciplinary palliative care bone metastases review service in England which provides monitoring, education and support to patients with bone metastases. The service has not yet been formally audited but initial achievements and feedback are promising.
-
Care close to home : a spotlight on the newborn and infant physical examinationThis article is the final in a five-part series exploring the Newborn and Infant Physical Examination (NIPE). It focuses on the role of the practitioner and how this can contribute to continuity of carer and improving the postnatal experience of women and birthing people. Furthermore, this article will provide suggestions to support undertaking the NIPE in the woman's own home and how maternity services can support early transfer back home following birth in a hospital setting.
-
Women's experiences of induction of labour during the COVID-19 pandemic : a cross-sectional surveyBackground/Aims Induction of labour is an increasingly common intervention. This study's aim was to explore women's experiences of induction, in particular of decision making and choice. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out with women who were induced with live, term infant(s) in two urban trusts. Their experiences were assessed using a postal survey that included the birth satisfaction scale and open questions on women's experiences. Chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests were used to test for associations between aspects of the induction process and women's characteristics (age, parity, ethnic group). Qualitative data were analysed thematically. Results Half (52.9%) of the respondents reported waiting to start induction. The majority felt sufficiently involved in decision making (62.1%) and choice (59.6%). Most reported having enough information about the reason for (82%) and process of (83%) induction. The qualitative themes were emotional response, communication, feeling unheard, quality of care and the negative impact of COVID-19 policies. Conclusions Women's overall experiences were positive. Improvements should focus on reducing delays to induction.
-
The pandemic's impact on a lymphoedema service : reflections of a lymphoedema clinical lead nurse specialistLouise Rooney has worked in the NHS for 34 years in various roles, but her passion is the treatment of lymphoedema and how best to support patients with this underestimated and debilitating chronic condition. She has been working as a lymphoedema clinical nurse specialist since 2009; in 2019, she became the lymphoedema clinical lead at the Walsall Palliative Care Centre, Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust. In this article, Rooney elaborates on the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lymphoedema service, her own practice and that of her colleagues.