FEATURE ARTICLES

The importance of being comprehensively and determinedly patient focused in the perioperative setting and linked areas was emphasised at the Association for Perioperative Practice (formerly NATN) Congress held at Harrogate in October. NICHOLAS MARSHALL and JASON RAYFIELD report.

A factual and lighthearted look at the work of Dr ANDREW TAGG, senior doctor on board South Pacific cruise ship Pacific Sun.

BEN TROKE, solicitor at Browne Jacobson, an NHS Litigation Authority panel firm, explores the balance of patient choice and medical paternalism in end of life decisions.

Questions are arising as to how Clostridium difficile should be detected and prevented. IAN R POXTON profiles current knowledge.

Current developments in pre-operative assessment are outlined by director of Perigon, AMANDA BASSETT, who argues that the energy and commitment for change can be gained by winning the support of healthcare workers from a range of backgrounds.

President-elect of the Royal College of Pathologists, PROFESSOR ADRIAN NEWLAND, outlines the challenges of his new role to The Clinical Services Journal, and discusses the future of pathology service delivery in the face of modernisation and regulatory change.

Requirements for concerted effort to reduce healthcare associated infection were brought into sharp focus at a conference held in London recently. JASON RAYFIELD reports.

TONY PHELPS, market development manager at Unomedical, outlines the need for products which reduce needlestick injuries in critical care.

The increasing number of people living with heart disease has highlighted the requirement for specialist heart nurses to offer much needed support. CSJ reports on the work of British Heart Foundation (BHF) nurses, and looks at a day in the life of a heart nurse.

In the May issue of The Clinical Services Journal, Judy Hargadon and Jackie Younger outlined how role redesign and new ways of working can result in benefits for patients and clinical services. In this complementary article, CHRIS WINTLE, lead workforce designer for emergency care with the Modernisation Agency, discusses in detail the role of the emergency care practitioner.

One in 10 NHS patients are said to be involved in some type of adverse incident or medical error – incorrect identification of patients plays a part and The Clinical Services Journal reports from a recent meeting which aimed to help ensure that those being cared for are correctly identified at all times.

CHRIS EARL BA(Hons) RGN, nurse surgical practitioner, Renal Transplant Unit, Manchester Royal Infirmary, describes the rationale behind the creation of his highly specialised role.

Analysis by MARION TAYLOR RGN Dip.N BEd (Hons), senior lecturer in mentorship and resuscitation at Middlesex University.

Improvements in the diagnosis, treatment and long-term monitoring of people with coeliac disease were called for at a recent conference which brought over 300 patients, researchers and healthcare workers together under one roof. JASON RAYFIELD reports.

TONY BURNETT, partner at diversity consultancy Performance Through Inclusion, explains how diversity training can help the NHS tackle many of its issues relating to health inequalities.

The first prize in the Oxoid Infection Control Team of the Year Awards has recently been awarded to Kingston Hospital NHS Trust. Here PAT CATTINI, clinical nurse specialist infection control, reports on the work of the team and what contributed to its success.

The importance of developing a supporting infrastructure to facilitate the growth of digital imaging in healthcare is discussed by DOUG BARNES, managing director of Planar Europe.

JOHN BEESLEY BA RGN NEBOSH, Advanced Scrub Practitioner, explores the modern definition of the ASP role and the competencies required. He also reviews guidance for practitioners working in the dual ASP and Surgical Care Practitioner role and the employer’s responsibilities for ensuring this role is managed effectively to prevent any risk to patients.

The infection prevention and control issues driving this year’s Infection Control Nurses Association (ICNA) Conference and Exhibition are set out by CLAIRE KILPATRICK, nurse consultant infection control, Health Protection Scotland.

The Chief Executive’s Report to the NHS, delivered halfway through implementation of the NHS Plan and immediately after the recent General Election, serves to re-focus attention on key healthcare issues after months of political rhetoric and mud-slinging. Jason Rayfield reports.