FROM AN AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE
As the second Commonwealth Nurses Federation (CNF) conference gets under way in London this weekend, two of the organisation’s fellows reflect on a recent visit to the UK. Midwife Alice Mvuu-Mashiza and general/paediatric nurse Chido Katsambe from Chitungwiza General Hospital just outside Zimbabwe’s capital Harare travelled to the UK after they were invited to apply for a federation scholarship. The CNF is a focal point for development and education in a network of commonwealth nursing and midwifery organisations.
Approaches Zimbabwe could consider
NOTICE BOARD
Promotion of equal and respectful partnership working between nurses and doctors. A less judgemental attitude to patients and their circumstances. Individualised care for patients and women receiving antenatal care. A greater emphasis on quality of care.
BARNEY NEWMAN
Nurses on a visit to the UK draw comparisons with care at home, says Frances Pickersgill
Ms Mvuu-Mashiza and Mr Katsambe, pictured above, explain that they were invited by the RCN to learn about nursing and midwifery in the UK. Mr Katsambe says: ‘The Zimbabwe health system is based on the UK’s. We attended seminars and visited hospitals and GP practices. We also joined a social sciences study module at Birkbeck College in London, which contributed to our understanding of health inequalities.’ Ms Mvuu-Mashiza adds: ‘On one hand, I feel that UK nursing and midwifery are moving away
Mental health An audit by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence found that NHS trusts in England need to do more to support the health and mental wellbeing of their staff. Nearly a quarter of trusts do not monitor their staff’s wellbeing and only 57 per cent have a mental health wellbeing policy in place, even though mental ill-health is one of the leading causes for long-term sickness absence in the NHS workforce. A total of 73 per cent of trusts in England took part in the second audit of NICE public health workplace guidance carried out by the Royal College of Physicians. tinyurl.com/RCPHWB Open days To celebrate its 30th anniversary, The Children’s Trust is holding a number of events including two open
64 march 5 :: vol 28 no 27 :: 2014
from their hands-on caring foundations, blaming staff shortages. However, resources in Zimbabwe are much more limited compared with the UK. ‘On the other hand, I was impressed to find that time is allocated for women in the UK to discuss their problems with their midwife. I would like to change the way midwives care for women in Zimbabwe to reflect the UK’s individualised approach.’ Both nurses were interested to learn more about young people’s sexual health in the UK. ‘In Zimbabwe, family planning advice
days for nurses interested in working with children who have brain injury. The events on May 15 and November 13 will be at the trust’s premises in Tadworth, Surrey. Visitors can speak to the multidisciplinary team and see how the expertise and services have developed. The trust offers residential brain injury rehabilitation, transitional services for children dependent on technology, community-based support and education for people who have profound and multiple learning difficulties. www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk/opendays Digital health The King’s Fund is calling for papers for the International Digital Health and Care Congress to be held on September 10-12 at its London headquarters in Cavendish Square. The event will bring together
NURSING STANDARD
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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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As the second Commonwealth Nurses Federation (CNF) conference gets under way in London this weekend, two of the organisation’s fellows reflect on a recent visit to the UK. Midwife Alice Mvuu-Mashiza and general/paediatric nurse Chido Katsambe from Chitungwiza General Hospital just outside Zimbabwe’s capital Harare travelled to the UK after they were invited to apply for a federation scholarship. The CNF is a focal point for development and education in a network of commonwealth nursing and midwifery organisations.
Approaches Zimbabwe could consider
NOTICE BOARD
Promotion of equal and respectful partnership working between nurses and doctors. A less judgemental attitude to patients and their circumstances. Individualised care for patients and women receiving antenatal care. A greater emphasis on quality of care.
BARNEY NEWMAN
Nurses on a visit to the UK draw comparisons with care at home, says Frances Pickersgill
Ms Mvuu-Mashiza and Mr Katsambe, pictured above, explain that they were invited by the RCN to learn about nursing and midwifery in the UK. Mr Katsambe says: ‘The Zimbabwe health system is based on the UK’s. We attended seminars and visited hospitals and GP practices. We also joined a social sciences study module at Birkbeck College in London, which contributed to our understanding of health inequalities.’ Ms Mvuu-Mashiza adds: ‘On one hand, I feel that UK nursing and midwifery are moving away
Mental health An audit by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence found that NHS trusts in England need to do more to support the health and mental wellbeing of their staff. Nearly a quarter of trusts do not monitor their staff’s wellbeing and only 57 per cent have a mental health wellbeing policy in place, even though mental ill-health is one of the leading causes for long-term sickness absence in the NHS workforce. A total of 73 per cent of trusts in England took part in the second audit of NICE public health workplace guidance carried out by the Royal College of Physicians. tinyurl.com/RCPHWB Open days To celebrate its 30th anniversary, The Children’s Trust is holding a number of events including two open
64 march 5 :: vol 28 no 27 :: 2014
from their hands-on caring foundations, blaming staff shortages. However, resources in Zimbabwe are much more limited compared with the UK. ‘On the other hand, I was impressed to find that time is allocated for women in the UK to discuss their problems with their midwife. I would like to change the way midwives care for women in Zimbabwe to reflect the UK’s individualised approach.’ Both nurses were interested to learn more about young people’s sexual health in the UK. ‘In Zimbabwe, family planning advice
days for nurses interested in working with children who have brain injury. The events on May 15 and November 13 will be at the trust’s premises in Tadworth, Surrey. Visitors can speak to the multidisciplinary team and see how the expertise and services have developed. The trust offers residential brain injury rehabilitation, transitional services for children dependent on technology, community-based support and education for people who have profound and multiple learning difficulties. www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk/opendays Digital health The King’s Fund is calling for papers for the International Digital Health and Care Congress to be held on September 10-12 at its London headquarters in Cavendish Square. The event will bring together
NURSING STANDARD
Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Nov 23, 2015. For personal use only. No other uses without permission. Copyright © 2015 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.
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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