Managing director Rhonda Oliver Editor Graham Scott Deputy editors Elaine Cole, Janet Snell Assistant editor Roger Evans ART&SCIENCE Editor Gwen Clarke Deputy editor Tanya Fernandes Acting deputy editor Noreen Begley Clinical editors Beth Knight, Ed Rowe NEWS & VIEWS News editor Sarah Harrison Acting news editor Sally Gillen Acting deputy news editor Kat Keogh Reporters Alistair Kleebauer, Katie Osborne Development editor Frances Pickersgill Features editor Thelma Agnew Reflections editor Clare Lomas PRODUCTION & DESIGN Head of production Fiona Maclean Senior production editor Julie Hickey Production manager Arnie Beeson Production editors Sarah Howe, Jennifer Oldfield Deputy production editor Justin Stevens Sub editors Yvonne Byron Nour, Joyce McKimm, Jennifer Saunders Art directors Ken McLoone, Paul Swainson Deputy art director Minesh Parmar Designer Sujata Aurora Picture editor Philip Brecht Deputy picture editor Helen Jones Assistant picture editor Karen Gordon Production assistant Annette Taylor-Anderson Ad production executives Sally Gauntlett, Sue Horn IT AND NEW MEDIA Technology director John Day ITC manager Alex Oldfield Web editor Amanda Carter IT assistant Kerry Taylor ADMINISTRATION Administration manager Maria O’Brien Editorial administrative assistants Sarah Musisi, Jane Yates BUSINESS UNIT Commercial director Tony O’Rourke PA to commercial director Kim Sanders Head of marketing Helen Sumner Deputy head of marketing Michelle Day Events executive Rachel Weeden Subscriptions manager Beryl John Group educational projects manager Laura Downes RGN Advertisement and sponsorship sales manager Neil Hobson Senior sponsorship and advertising specialist Julia Gomersall Advertisement and sponsorship executives Rachel Fisher, Kelly Smith Classified sales manager Andy McCallum Sales project specialist Freddie Collier Classified sales executives Mandy Croggon, Shona Gethin, Pamela Gethin, Stephanie Mackrill
Editorial Graham Scott EDITOR
@NSeditor
We need to help nurses practise what they preach Are you heavier than you would like to be? Nurses would no doubt respond in much the same way as any other group of people, with many saying ‘yes’ in response. The question is whether healthcare professionals should feel obliged to set a good example by living healthy lifestyles. The issue has long been debated, and came to prominence again recently when the new NHS chief executive, Simon Stevens, gave an interview in which he called on health service managers to help their staff lose weight. He acknowledged that this is easier said than done, given the dubious fare on offer at some hospital canteens. Mr Stevens might have added that community staff can find healthy eating equally difficult, as they snack on the run between appointments.
COMMUNITY STAFF CAN FIND HEALTHY EATING DIFFICULT AS THEY SNACK ON THE RUN
It is hard to argue against the idea that nurses, healthcare assistants and other staff in the NHS and independent sector should strive to practise what they preach, whether that be by eating a balanced diet or resisting the temptation to smoke, take drugs or drink alcohol to excess. The reality is different. Most of us turn to food, cigarettes or booze at some time or other, usually when we are experiencing stress or feel we have earned a treat.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Personal rates from £76.80 a year. Telephone +44 (0)345 772 6100 Institutional rates from £675 a year. Send all enquiries to [email protected] Visit www.nursing-standard.co.uk for details. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS
The Heights, 59-65 Lowlands Road, Harrow-on-the-Hill, Middlesex HA1 3AW Tel: +44 (0)20 8423 1333 Fax: +44 (0)20 8872 3197 ISSN 0029-6570 Email: [email protected] You can email staff at Nursing Standard in the following way: (first name).(second name)@rcnpublishing.co.uk Nursing Standard is published every Wednesday by RCN Publishing Company Ltd, the publishing company of the Royal College of Nursing. It seeks to promote professional excellence, and encourage creativity and innovation in nursing, midwifery and health visiting practice. Nursing Standard also aims to enhance nurses’ and healthcare assistants’ career development and to help them achieve and maintain a healthy and rewarding working environment. Nursing Standard is editorially independent and the opinions expressed are not those of the RCN or of the contributor’s employing organisation unless specifically stated. Acceptance of an advertisement does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement of a product or service, either by the RCN or RCN Publishing.
Changing these habits will take more than improving the food on offer in the hospital refectory, although that would be a start. Banning smoking in hospitals has not been popular with everyone, but it has prompted some people to quit. Other proactive measures should be considered to help nursing staff make changes to their habits that are sustainable in the long term. Nursing Standard would love to hear your suggestions on how nurses can live as healthily as they would like. There is a lively debate already on our Facebook page, you can tweet using @NScomment or write to letters@ rcnpublishing.co.uk See reflections page 26 and letters page 32
Have your say by joining our weekly Twitter debate. Every Thursday from 12.30 to 1.30 use #NScomment and share your views with other nurses on a hot topic of the day
www.nursing-standard.co.uk :: vol 28without no 51 permission. :: 2014 3 Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Nov 17, 2015. For personal useaugust only. No20 other uses Copyright © 2015 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.
Editorial Graham Scott EDITOR
@NSeditor
We need to help nurses practise what they preach Are you heavier than you would like to be? Nurses would no doubt respond in much the same way as any other group of people, with many saying ‘yes’ in response. The question is whether healthcare professionals should feel obliged to set a good example by living healthy lifestyles. The issue has long been debated, and came to prominence again recently when the new NHS chief executive, Simon Stevens, gave an interview in which he called on health service managers to help their staff lose weight. He acknowledged that this is easier said than done, given the dubious fare on offer at some hospital canteens. Mr Stevens might have added that community staff can find healthy eating equally difficult, as they snack on the run between appointments.
COMMUNITY STAFF CAN FIND HEALTHY EATING DIFFICULT AS THEY SNACK ON THE RUN
It is hard to argue against the idea that nurses, healthcare assistants and other staff in the NHS and independent sector should strive to practise what they preach, whether that be by eating a balanced diet or resisting the temptation to smoke, take drugs or drink alcohol to excess. The reality is different. Most of us turn to food, cigarettes or booze at some time or other, usually when we are experiencing stress or feel we have earned a treat.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Personal rates from £76.80 a year. Telephone +44 (0)345 772 6100 Institutional rates from £675 a year. Send all enquiries to [email protected] Visit www.nursing-standard.co.uk for details. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS
The Heights, 59-65 Lowlands Road, Harrow-on-the-Hill, Middlesex HA1 3AW Tel: +44 (0)20 8423 1333 Fax: +44 (0)20 8872 3197 ISSN 0029-6570 Email: [email protected] You can email staff at Nursing Standard in the following way: (first name).(second name)@rcnpublishing.co.uk Nursing Standard is published every Wednesday by RCN Publishing Company Ltd, the publishing company of the Royal College of Nursing. It seeks to promote professional excellence, and encourage creativity and innovation in nursing, midwifery and health visiting practice. Nursing Standard also aims to enhance nurses’ and healthcare assistants’ career development and to help them achieve and maintain a healthy and rewarding working environment. Nursing Standard is editorially independent and the opinions expressed are not those of the RCN or of the contributor’s employing organisation unless specifically stated. Acceptance of an advertisement does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement of a product or service, either by the RCN or RCN Publishing.
Changing these habits will take more than improving the food on offer in the hospital refectory, although that would be a start. Banning smoking in hospitals has not been popular with everyone, but it has prompted some people to quit. Other proactive measures should be considered to help nursing staff make changes to their habits that are sustainable in the long term. Nursing Standard would love to hear your suggestions on how nurses can live as healthily as they would like. There is a lively debate already on our Facebook page, you can tweet using @NScomment or write to letters@ rcnpublishing.co.uk See reflections page 26 and letters page 32
Have your say by joining our weekly Twitter debate. Every Thursday from 12.30 to 1.30 use #NScomment and share your views with other nurses on a hot topic of the day
www.nursing-standard.co.uk :: vol 28without no 51 permission. :: 2014 3 Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Nov 17, 2015. For personal useaugust only. No20 other uses Copyright © 2015 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.
