Communication Resources

Patient safety can be considered similarly to safeguarding, something which is everybody’s responsibility. Indeed, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) ‘Code of Conduct’ states that risk and escalating concerns form a key part of the nurse’s role to preserve safety (NMC, 2018). Nurses have the most regular contact with patients and therefore play an important role in the identification, recognition and reporting of risk and incidents, the response and escalation of potential harm, and the ongoing patient support throughout and post incident. This article discusses the importance of being familiar with the ‘NHS Patient Safety Strategy’ and how it incorporates risk, incidents and education. And essentially, how it relates to nursing and the need for all nursing interactions to be considered from a patient safety perspective. The topics covered include incident reporting, risk management,  learning from harm, quality improvement, and information sharing. The piece also highlights the significance of record-keeping.

The annual review of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a routine element of practice care. With an average practice having a coronary heart disease (CHD) register of around 5% of the practice population (Health and Social Care Information Centre, 2015), along with those living with other conditions that make up the spectrum of CVD (Figure 1), this accounts for a significant requirement of clinical time. The Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) lists a number of clinical indicators to be attained in this population and in most practices the nursing team delivers much of the routine care. This article looks at how to make the most of CVD reviews to ensure that the clinical benefits are optimal and patients receive a quality service.

Statistics suggest that one in four adults are obese, and up to 33% of school-aged children are overweight or obese (National Obesity Forum, 2015). Thus, on a daily basis, it is likely that general practice nurses (GPNs) will engage in consultations with patients who are overweight or obese, quite often while presenting for advice for another condition. This article explores how to broach this sensitive issue and the GPN’s role to reduce weight stigma in line with the new Nursing and Midwifery Council Code (NMC, 2015). Practical advice for GPNs to support patients in managing their weight, and identifying appropriate onward referrals, including for bariatric surgery and eating disorders, will also be discussed.