Getting it right

In a changing world, nursing has many constants says RCN Primary Health Care Adviser, Lynn Young.

This newsletter follows RCN Congress 2009, which was a pretty spectacular event for a number of reasons. Most significant was that, for the first time in the RCN's history, the Prime Minister attended, making his speech and answering delegates' questions. Gordon Brown was warm, gracious and generous in his praise of the nursing profession. He appeared anxious to listen to nurses and made it quite clear that although problems prevailed it was right for them to be explored with us, rather than without us. Partnership working between the government of the day and the RCN takes on a fresh momentum.

And there are many issues which need attention. The troubles at Mid Staffordshire Hospital have provoked widespread dismay, with a number of programmes in place to improve standards of care and patient safety.

It's sad that often it takes a disaster to truly focus our minds on system improvement and staff development in our drive to develop a world class NHS. Above all, when we and our loved ones are taken seriously ill, trust and reassurance in the people who provide care is essential for our speedy recovery. Being scared in hospital, when feeling terrible and uncertain about the future is normal, but a clean, calm environment with care from people who are kind, considerate and competent makes a tremendous difference to successful recovery.

Despite an economic slump, dodgy MPs and a political system in utter confusion, nurses continue to work hard in their efforts to improve the quality of care to their patients. Today's mission is to explore nursing metrics - ways of measuring the impact on patients of nursing care. Yes, metrics may be the fashion of the day, but resist feelings of cynicism and take a look at your work with your colleagues, to identify how metrics relates to TB specialist nursing.

TB nurses have many factors on their side. If we get it right, nurses can make a significant impact on reducing the spread of TB, as well as inordinate value in helping patients to comply with their medication regimes. More work needs to take place on the case management of TB and this is currently being planned at the RCN with forum members.

What strange times we are living in. But, the constants in nursing continue - the prevention of disease, promoting health and improved quality of life, and the provision of hands-on nursing care when people cannot look after themselves. Not to mention the best nursing care possible when patients are nearing the end of their lives.

Developing a TB action plan for Scotland

The Minister for Public Health has recently requested the Scottish Government and NHS Health Protection Scotland to develop a TB action plan. With a long-term aspiration to reduce the incidence of TB in Scotland, the intention is to provide a formal and strategic structure for the management of TB.

The clinical diagnosis and management of tuberculosis, and measures for its prevention and control in Scotland, are based on the NICE clinical guidance 33, which also represents the views of the Scottish TB guideline group. This document has been out for wide consultation to professionals across Scotland and is now available on line at: www.rcpe.ac.uk/policy/2008/tuberculosis.php

For more information, contact Susan Duthie, TB specialist nurse and a member of guideline group on: 01224 558440 or susan.duthie@nhs.net

New network for people affected by TB

The TB Action Group (TBAG) was formed in September 2008 to provide a voice to people in the UK who have been personally affected by tuberculosis and therefore have valuable insight into TB services.

Members have decided three main areas of activity: raising awareness of TB, peer support, and lobbying. Members are advocating to improve the UK's TB services by instigating change at decision-making levels, to better reflect the needs of affected people and communities.

Membership is open to anyone affected by TB, including those who are currently being treated for or have previously had TB, alongside those affected by TB through the illness of a loved one or community member. TBAG currently meets every two months in central London, with all expenses being met by TB Alert. TBAG members also communicate via email and conference calls, as well as our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/TB-Alert/20465909226

TBAG welcomes new members. For more information, contact Tessa Marshall, information officer, on: 01273 234770 or info@tbalert.org