CAREERS
and contraceptives are not available for schoolchildren,’ explains Mr Katsambe. ‘Parents consider that sex education for young people is taboo even though teenage pregnancy is a problem.’ Both nurses noted the UK’s systematic assessment of patients’ individual social and health needs. ‘In many African countries, patients have extensive family networks,’ says Ms Mvuu-Mashiza. ‘People expect to receive treatment in hospital, rather than compassion. In the UK, many people do not have that family network and a person receives care only when they become ill – then they rely on nurses.’ Mr Katsambe is determined to undertake paediatric nurse training and a master’s degree in public health ‘to address the big consequences of child abuse, child poverty and the lack of a social welfare system’. For his colleague, individualised care of women is the priority NS RESOURCES The second Commonwealth Nurses Federation conference will be held on March 8-9 at the Royal College of Physicians in London www.commonwealthnurses. org/conference2014 Zimbabwe at a glance www.who.int/countries/zwe/en RCN international alliances tinyurl.com/ozg54ho
Catharine Sadler meets a pioneering MS nurse specialist
A decade full of achievements Consultant multiple sclerosis nurse Bernadette Porter from the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London was finishing an outpatient clinic when she received a telephone call telling her she was to be made an MBE for services to nursing. ‘I thought I was dreaming,’ she recalls. Appointed the first MS nurse consultant in the health service in 2003, Ms Porter’s award crowns several achievements, including raising the profile of MS nurse specialists, improving care quality and helping patients manage their condition. ‘MS mainly affects women between 20 and 40 years old and I found the way these women managed their relapses and disability so uncomplainingly, truly humbling – and still do,’ says Ms Porter. Once appointed to a specialist post Ms Porter was able to support patients from the day of diagnosis. Since 2009, she has been running a three-pronged initiative to give patients more control over their lives, comprising: NeuroDirect – a specialist triage and assessment helpline serving around 100 patients each week. Neuroview – a video link between senior neurology teams, patients and local clinicians. NeuroMail – GPs can email neurologists for rapid advice. Ms Porter says her current nurse consultant role gives her more protected
researchers, policymakers, practitioners and innovators who are interested in the design and application of new technologies in digital health, mobile health, telehealth and telecare to support improvements in the care of people with long-term conditions. Abstracts for oral and poster presentations on policy development, original research and innovations should be submitted by March 31. Go to tinyurl.com/KFDHCC Dementia care The Triangle of Care attempts to find ways of improving engagement between professionals and carers, and of involving carers in hospital care. The design of this collaboration between the RCN and the Carers Trust has been informed by working with carers, people who have
NURSING STANDARD
Bernadette Porter Established MS Nurses Association in 1997. Challenged the Department of Health to make Beta Interferon available. Persuaded DH to create more MS nurse specialists. With MS charities, clarified MS nursing competency levels. Established home-based MS relapse service. time to work strategically. ‘While providing leadership to our nurse specialists, I also have enough seniority at board level to influence MS nursing practice. Most importantly, I can listen to patients’ needs and create new care models. ‘Next, I hope to create a web platform enabling patients to self-manage using their notes and a goal-oriented care plan.’ Ms Porter is also planning to study for a PhD, exploring how technology can improve patients’ self-management. ‘Hopefully, my MBE will raise the profile of the UK’s 250 MS nurse specialists and the exciting new, tailored treatments and care models for MS’ NS
dementia and practitioners, with the support of Uniting Carers and Dementia UK. The best practice guide, The Triangle of Care: Carers Included, is available at tinyurl.com/Triangle-care Research grants The General Nursing Council for England and Wales Trust is offering grants worth up to £20,000 to support nursing research projects. Successful applicants will be able to demonstrate that they can make a contribution to nursing policy, practice and education. Projects should address a defined research question using a recognised research methodology. The closing date for applications is March 24. For details go to www.gnct.org.uk/apply-for-grant march 5 :: vol 28 no 27 :: 2014 65
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and contraceptives are not available for schoolchildren,’ explains Mr Katsambe. ‘Parents consider that sex education for young people is taboo even though teenage pregnancy is a problem.’ Both nurses noted the UK’s systematic assessment of patients’ individual social and health needs. ‘In many African countries, patients have extensive family networks,’ says Ms Mvuu-Mashiza. ‘People expect to receive treatment in hospital, rather than compassion. In the UK, many people do not have that family network and a person receives care only when they become ill – then they rely on nurses.’ Mr Katsambe is determined to undertake paediatric nurse training and a master’s degree in public health ‘to address the big consequences of child abuse, child poverty and the lack of a social welfare system’. For his colleague, individualised care of women is the priority NS RESOURCES The second Commonwealth Nurses Federation conference will be held on March 8-9 at the Royal College of Physicians in London www.commonwealthnurses. org/conference2014 Zimbabwe at a glance www.who.int/countries/zwe/en RCN international alliances tinyurl.com/ozg54ho
Catharine Sadler meets a pioneering MS nurse specialist
A decade full of achievements Consultant multiple sclerosis nurse Bernadette Porter from the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London was finishing an outpatient clinic when she received a telephone call telling her she was to be made an MBE for services to nursing. ‘I thought I was dreaming,’ she recalls. Appointed the first MS nurse consultant in the health service in 2003, Ms Porter’s award crowns several achievements, including raising the profile of MS nurse specialists, improving care quality and helping patients manage their condition. ‘MS mainly affects women between 20 and 40 years old and I found the way these women managed their relapses and disability so uncomplainingly, truly humbling – and still do,’ says Ms Porter. Once appointed to a specialist post Ms Porter was able to support patients from the day of diagnosis. Since 2009, she has been running a three-pronged initiative to give patients more control over their lives, comprising: NeuroDirect – a specialist triage and assessment helpline serving around 100 patients each week. Neuroview – a video link between senior neurology teams, patients and local clinicians. NeuroMail – GPs can email neurologists for rapid advice. Ms Porter says her current nurse consultant role gives her more protected
researchers, policymakers, practitioners and innovators who are interested in the design and application of new technologies in digital health, mobile health, telehealth and telecare to support improvements in the care of people with long-term conditions. Abstracts for oral and poster presentations on policy development, original research and innovations should be submitted by March 31. Go to tinyurl.com/KFDHCC Dementia care The Triangle of Care attempts to find ways of improving engagement between professionals and carers, and of involving carers in hospital care. The design of this collaboration between the RCN and the Carers Trust has been informed by working with carers, people who have
NURSING STANDARD
Bernadette Porter Established MS Nurses Association in 1997. Challenged the Department of Health to make Beta Interferon available. Persuaded DH to create more MS nurse specialists. With MS charities, clarified MS nursing competency levels. Established home-based MS relapse service. time to work strategically. ‘While providing leadership to our nurse specialists, I also have enough seniority at board level to influence MS nursing practice. Most importantly, I can listen to patients’ needs and create new care models. ‘Next, I hope to create a web platform enabling patients to self-manage using their notes and a goal-oriented care plan.’ Ms Porter is also planning to study for a PhD, exploring how technology can improve patients’ self-management. ‘Hopefully, my MBE will raise the profile of the UK’s 250 MS nurse specialists and the exciting new, tailored treatments and care models for MS’ NS
dementia and practitioners, with the support of Uniting Carers and Dementia UK. The best practice guide, The Triangle of Care: Carers Included, is available at tinyurl.com/Triangle-care Research grants The General Nursing Council for England and Wales Trust is offering grants worth up to £20,000 to support nursing research projects. Successful applicants will be able to demonstrate that they can make a contribution to nursing policy, practice and education. Projects should address a defined research question using a recognised research methodology. The closing date for applications is March 24. For details go to www.gnct.org.uk/apply-for-grant march 5 :: vol 28 no 27 :: 2014 65
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