A SENSE OF MUTUAL RESPECT
NOTICE BOARD
Time was when healthcare professionals all knew their place. But during the past 20 years, roles have become increasingly blurred, with nurses taking on tasks that were traditionally the preserve of doctors. Fiona Lodge, who works as an advanced nurse practitioner in the emergency department at Newham Hospital in London, says she assesses patients in the same way a doctor would. While at first newly recruited doctors may be concerned about her abilities, ‘when my diagnosis concurs with theirs, they recognise I can make sensible decisions,’ she says. Although nurses and doctors may now enjoy more respectful relationships, there is room for improvement, as suggested in the Francis report’s recommendation that the professions should work more closely together. Ms Lodge adds: ‘The balance of power is still with doctors, so we need more nurses in senior positions to address this.’
CHRIS BALCOMBE
Nurses and doctors are forging new ways of working together as their roles evolve, says Kathy Oxtoby
MODEL OF CLOSER WORKING PRACTICES Nurse case manager in cardiac surgery Christina Bannister and consultant cardiac surgeon Steven Livesey (both pictured) work together at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust. Ms Bannister says: ‘Once Mr Livesey has discussed an operation with a patient, I pre-assess them. I discuss any issues with him and attend ward rounds alongside him. If Mr Livesy is unable to speak to the patient, I do that and share any concerns with him. ‘Good communication between doctors and nurses is easier in a specialist
Primary care The third annual conference of the Society for Academic Primary Care will be held on July 9-11 at the University of Edinburgh. The programme committee is welcoming submissions of abstracts for workshops, oral presentations, elevator pitches and ‘dangerous ideas’ on the theme of meeting global challenges. The conference will explore those challenges facing practitioners, researchers and educators. Online abstract submissions will be entered for a number of bursaries and prizes. Deadline for submission of abstracts is 10am on February 24. www.sapc.ac.uk/index.php/conf2014 Midwifery The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) will hold its annual education conference, Educating for a
64 february 12 :: vol 28 no 24 :: 2014
environment because one is working closely with medical teams. The model should be adopted in all specialities.’ Mr Livesey says: ‘As a consultant, I tend to focus on patients’ surgical care. But Ms Bannister is able to deal with problems and pressures before surgery and informs me of any issues. ‘Some consultants may prefer a secretary to deal with patients’ concerns. But specialist nurses are valuable as they not only have medical knowledge, patients may feel more comfortable with them.’
compassionate workforce, on March 31 at the Institute of Education in London. Conference topics include the Francis report and its implications for midwifery education; challenges for delivering compassionate care including the duty of candour, raising concerns and reporting near-misses; the RCM’s new education strategy; and a workshop on Nursing and Midwifery Council proposals for revalidation. tinyurl.com/RCMEducation Workshop The RCN Research Society will hold a half-day workshop for nurses involved in research, audit and service evaluation. Making research a reality will be held on March 14 at the University of Sunderland. RCN members £10, non-members £15; students go free. To book, email [email protected]
NURSING STANDARD
CAREERS
RESOURCES Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery (nursing section) tinyurl.com/SCTSnursing College of Medicine www.collegeofmedicine.org NHS Alliance chair Mike Dixon, who also chairs the College of Medicine, agrees that in some organisations, hierarchies create boundaries and old-fashioned attitudes still exist. ‘Some doctors do not appreciate just how much nurses’ roles have progressed,’ he says. Dr Dixon stresses the importance of ‘not letting management structures or political imperatives divert nurses and doctors from working together’ and proposes that a college bring together all regulated healthcare professionals to help break down barriers between them. Mutual respect is crucial to closer working. Andrew Rowland, consultant in paediatric emergency medicine at Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and honorary secretary of the British Medical Association’s North West regional consultants committee, says: ‘Doctors and nurses need to recognise the value of each others’ skills and remember that neither profession is better than the other’ NS Kathy Oxtoby is a freelance journalist
Measuring the effectiveness of the 6Cs in practice
Why research needs nurses As this year’s Florence Nightingale Foundation conference draws nearer, three of the event’s top speakers will be calling for more investment in some of the big questions facing nursing. One speaker is Christine Norton, a strong advocate for practice-based research in nursing. Like the other two nurses, she holds a Florence Nightingale Foundation chair, hers in clinical nursing practice research at King’s College London in partnership with Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and the foundation.
ARE 6Cs ENOUGH, OR DO WE NEED MORE THAN SIX? – Christine Norton
The other speakers are Leslie Baillie of South Bank University and University College London NHS Foundation Trust and Christie Deaton of the University of Cambridge and Addenbrooke’s NHS Foundation Trust. Their task is to create research programmes that advance clinical nursing practice, improve patient care and support nurses considering a career in research. Professor Norton is absolutely behind this latter objective. ‘The foundation is encouraging clinical nurses to dip their toes into research,’ she says. ‘Many nurses
Practice-based research The Foundation of Nursing Studies runs a practice-based research and development programme, which helps nurse-led teams work with patients, staff and others on action research projects in clinical settings. The programme offers support, including workshops and seminars, workplace facilitation and a two-year, £5,000 bursary. It is open to registered nurses, health visitors and specialist community practitioners in England and Wales. Closing date for applications is February 19. tinyurl.com/FONsR-D Revalidation NHS Employers has developed a series of tools and resources to help nurses and midwives prepare for revalidation. These include how to make a preparation checklist, keep a portfolio and a series of slides on revalidation
NURSING STANDARD
do not know where to start to develop their ideas and proposals for research. The foundation wants to use its funding to support nurses undertaking research arising from practice problems, such as how pressure ulcers can be an indicator of wider care standards and why and how patients become undernourished and dehydrated while in hospital.’ The three foundation chairs will be leading a conference masterclass asking how the effects of the 6Cs can be measured in practice and whether the broader issues of care and compassion can be subjected to research scrutiny. ‘Although intuitively, every nurse would sign up to the 6Cs values, we want to know if it is possible to link the 6Cs with evidence for their effectiveness in patient care,’ says Professor Norton. ‘We also want to know if the 6Cs are sufficient or whether there should be more Cs’ NS Christine Norton is chair of the Florence Nightingale Foundation RESOURCES The Florence Nightingale Foundation annual conference will be held at the Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre, London on February 27/28 www.florencenightingale.glasgows.co.uk Clinical academic careers programme tinyurl.com/CACsNHSCareers
that staff can use in discussions. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has agreed to proceed with a model that requires a third-party, such as an employer or manager, to confirm that the nurse or midwife complies with the revised code. To respond to an NMC consultation on these proposals, go to tinyurl.com/NMC-revalidation and for the NHS Employers checklist, see tinyurl.com/NHSE-revalidation Study day RCN Wales will hold a study day on interview skills on March 18 at the Conwy Business Centre in Llandudno. It is designed to help participants perform effectively at interview. Topics include actions to take before applying for a job, preparing for interviews, performing well at interview and what to do afterwards. The closing date for applications and payments is March 4. tinyurl.com/RCNinterviewskills february 12 :: vol 28 no 24 :: 2014 65
NOTICE BOARD
Time was when healthcare professionals all knew their place. But during the past 20 years, roles have become increasingly blurred, with nurses taking on tasks that were traditionally the preserve of doctors. Fiona Lodge, who works as an advanced nurse practitioner in the emergency department at Newham Hospital in London, says she assesses patients in the same way a doctor would. While at first newly recruited doctors may be concerned about her abilities, ‘when my diagnosis concurs with theirs, they recognise I can make sensible decisions,’ she says. Although nurses and doctors may now enjoy more respectful relationships, there is room for improvement, as suggested in the Francis report’s recommendation that the professions should work more closely together. Ms Lodge adds: ‘The balance of power is still with doctors, so we need more nurses in senior positions to address this.’
CHRIS BALCOMBE
Nurses and doctors are forging new ways of working together as their roles evolve, says Kathy Oxtoby
MODEL OF CLOSER WORKING PRACTICES Nurse case manager in cardiac surgery Christina Bannister and consultant cardiac surgeon Steven Livesey (both pictured) work together at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust. Ms Bannister says: ‘Once Mr Livesey has discussed an operation with a patient, I pre-assess them. I discuss any issues with him and attend ward rounds alongside him. If Mr Livesy is unable to speak to the patient, I do that and share any concerns with him. ‘Good communication between doctors and nurses is easier in a specialist
Primary care The third annual conference of the Society for Academic Primary Care will be held on July 9-11 at the University of Edinburgh. The programme committee is welcoming submissions of abstracts for workshops, oral presentations, elevator pitches and ‘dangerous ideas’ on the theme of meeting global challenges. The conference will explore those challenges facing practitioners, researchers and educators. Online abstract submissions will be entered for a number of bursaries and prizes. Deadline for submission of abstracts is 10am on February 24. www.sapc.ac.uk/index.php/conf2014 Midwifery The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) will hold its annual education conference, Educating for a
64 february 12 :: vol 28 no 24 :: 2014
environment because one is working closely with medical teams. The model should be adopted in all specialities.’ Mr Livesey says: ‘As a consultant, I tend to focus on patients’ surgical care. But Ms Bannister is able to deal with problems and pressures before surgery and informs me of any issues. ‘Some consultants may prefer a secretary to deal with patients’ concerns. But specialist nurses are valuable as they not only have medical knowledge, patients may feel more comfortable with them.’
compassionate workforce, on March 31 at the Institute of Education in London. Conference topics include the Francis report and its implications for midwifery education; challenges for delivering compassionate care including the duty of candour, raising concerns and reporting near-misses; the RCM’s new education strategy; and a workshop on Nursing and Midwifery Council proposals for revalidation. tinyurl.com/RCMEducation Workshop The RCN Research Society will hold a half-day workshop for nurses involved in research, audit and service evaluation. Making research a reality will be held on March 14 at the University of Sunderland. RCN members £10, non-members £15; students go free. To book, email [email protected]
NURSING STANDARD
CAREERS
RESOURCES Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery (nursing section) tinyurl.com/SCTSnursing College of Medicine www.collegeofmedicine.org NHS Alliance chair Mike Dixon, who also chairs the College of Medicine, agrees that in some organisations, hierarchies create boundaries and old-fashioned attitudes still exist. ‘Some doctors do not appreciate just how much nurses’ roles have progressed,’ he says. Dr Dixon stresses the importance of ‘not letting management structures or political imperatives divert nurses and doctors from working together’ and proposes that a college bring together all regulated healthcare professionals to help break down barriers between them. Mutual respect is crucial to closer working. Andrew Rowland, consultant in paediatric emergency medicine at Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and honorary secretary of the British Medical Association’s North West regional consultants committee, says: ‘Doctors and nurses need to recognise the value of each others’ skills and remember that neither profession is better than the other’ NS Kathy Oxtoby is a freelance journalist
Measuring the effectiveness of the 6Cs in practice
Why research needs nurses As this year’s Florence Nightingale Foundation conference draws nearer, three of the event’s top speakers will be calling for more investment in some of the big questions facing nursing. One speaker is Christine Norton, a strong advocate for practice-based research in nursing. Like the other two nurses, she holds a Florence Nightingale Foundation chair, hers in clinical nursing practice research at King’s College London in partnership with Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and the foundation.
ARE 6Cs ENOUGH, OR DO WE NEED MORE THAN SIX? – Christine Norton
The other speakers are Leslie Baillie of South Bank University and University College London NHS Foundation Trust and Christie Deaton of the University of Cambridge and Addenbrooke’s NHS Foundation Trust. Their task is to create research programmes that advance clinical nursing practice, improve patient care and support nurses considering a career in research. Professor Norton is absolutely behind this latter objective. ‘The foundation is encouraging clinical nurses to dip their toes into research,’ she says. ‘Many nurses
Practice-based research The Foundation of Nursing Studies runs a practice-based research and development programme, which helps nurse-led teams work with patients, staff and others on action research projects in clinical settings. The programme offers support, including workshops and seminars, workplace facilitation and a two-year, £5,000 bursary. It is open to registered nurses, health visitors and specialist community practitioners in England and Wales. Closing date for applications is February 19. tinyurl.com/FONsR-D Revalidation NHS Employers has developed a series of tools and resources to help nurses and midwives prepare for revalidation. These include how to make a preparation checklist, keep a portfolio and a series of slides on revalidation
NURSING STANDARD
do not know where to start to develop their ideas and proposals for research. The foundation wants to use its funding to support nurses undertaking research arising from practice problems, such as how pressure ulcers can be an indicator of wider care standards and why and how patients become undernourished and dehydrated while in hospital.’ The three foundation chairs will be leading a conference masterclass asking how the effects of the 6Cs can be measured in practice and whether the broader issues of care and compassion can be subjected to research scrutiny. ‘Although intuitively, every nurse would sign up to the 6Cs values, we want to know if it is possible to link the 6Cs with evidence for their effectiveness in patient care,’ says Professor Norton. ‘We also want to know if the 6Cs are sufficient or whether there should be more Cs’ NS Christine Norton is chair of the Florence Nightingale Foundation RESOURCES The Florence Nightingale Foundation annual conference will be held at the Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre, London on February 27/28 www.florencenightingale.glasgows.co.uk Clinical academic careers programme tinyurl.com/CACsNHSCareers
that staff can use in discussions. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has agreed to proceed with a model that requires a third-party, such as an employer or manager, to confirm that the nurse or midwife complies with the revised code. To respond to an NMC consultation on these proposals, go to tinyurl.com/NMC-revalidation and for the NHS Employers checklist, see tinyurl.com/NHSE-revalidation Study day RCN Wales will hold a study day on interview skills on March 18 at the Conwy Business Centre in Llandudno. It is designed to help participants perform effectively at interview. Topics include actions to take before applying for a job, preparing for interviews, performing well at interview and what to do afterwards. The closing date for applications and payments is March 4. tinyurl.com/RCNinterviewskills february 12 :: vol 28 no 24 :: 2014 65
