RCN competence framework for health professionals caring for people with liver disease
Liver disease is the third highest cause of premature mortality in the UK (Williams et al, 2014). The revised Royal College of Nursing (RCN) competence framework for health professionals caring for pe...
Allergic rhinitis: Practical tips and advice
Allergic rhinitis is a common long-term condition affecting around 20% of the UK population. Although some people seek support from health professionals, the majority self-manage their condition. Alle...
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy—genetic causes and ethical challenges for clinical care
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young adults and often occurs without warning as the primary disease event. The autosomal dominant inheritan...
Understanding illness perception as a barrier to cardiac rehabilitation uptake
This is an exploration of some of the evidence that supports the notion that negative illness perceptions are a barrier to accessing cardiac rehabilitation services for people with heart disease. The ...
Risks and benefits of antiplatelet therapies
This article will provide an overview of the key developments and advances seen within the field of antiplatelet therapies over the last decade. For each pharmacological agent currently used in clinic...
Prevention and management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are among the most frequently experienced toxic side-effects associated with chemotherapy. Although nausea and vomiting can result from surgery or radiotherapy, chemotherapy-induce...
The challenges of providing palliative care for people with intellectual disabilities: a literature review
People with intellectual disabilities are often marginalised from mainstream health-care services because of the complexities of their disability. They are under-referred to specialist palliative care...
Community matrons' experience as independent prescribers
Community matrons prescribe medications and treatments for arguably the most complex patients in the community setting, yet little is known about their experiences of prescribing. Drug events and inap...
The importance of good continence care for older people
Despite its taboos, high-quality continence management is an integral part of looking after older people in the residential home. Ann Yates describes this important aspect of care, from its causes in ...
Understanding how older adults living in deprived neighbourhoods address ageing issues
Older adults living in deprived areas are at risk of developing frailty and becoming care dependent. The aim of this qualitative study is to explore how community-dwelling, older adults living in depr...
The nurse prescriber's role in management of post-operative atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia that occurs after cardiac surgery (Mathew, 2004). Cardiac patients have a high incidence of post-operative AF which can be effectively managed by treati...
Development of an alcohol liaison midwifery service in a health Trust in Northern Ireland
Background Consumption of alcohol is integrated into the social fabric of UK society and the guidelines for drinking alcohol during pregnancy have only recently been updated in the UK to a zero appro...