Flying the SOTN flag - letter from the Chair

Published: 29 July 2010

Elaine Collins reports on the latest ‘hot’ topics for SOTN and the wider orthopaedic community.

Writing in a heat wave, I would like to extend a very ‘warm’ welcome to you all! It certainly has been a very busy six months for SOTN and, following our planning meeting in January, our new committee members now have their feet firmly under the table. You will be able to read about both our ongoing and new projects in which they are engaged in this edition of Bare Bones.

Exciting projects

I am delighted to report that, following a successful project bid, the RCN has awarded £9,000 to develop a British consensus on pin site care. I would like to thank Maria Vincent in forwarding the initial proposal – this certainly demonstrates how SOTN members who have a passion for their area of expertise can use the forum as a vehicle to shape clinical practice nationally. More details on the project can be found within the newsletter. Other projects in the pipeline include the review of our Orthopaedic Nursing Competency Framework and developing plans for a national conference in 2011.

Networking

The forum continues to represent the voice of orthopaedic nursing nationally, including attending RCN Congress and two forums within the British Orthopaedic Association, called Casting and Musculoskeletal framework. Several committee members have been accepted to present at the first conference of the International Collaboration of Orthopaedic Nursing (ICON), of which SOTN is one of the partner organisations. We hope to see many of you in Dublin, as the programme is extensive and will provide the opportunity to share orthopaedic practice internationally and fly the flag for the UK.

Finally, here are a few ways you can help to raise the profile of SOTN: