Promoting better care

This article supports the front page story of RCN Bulletin issue 276.

The RCN is committed to promoting excellence in practice and supporting nursing staff to constantly improve patient care. The following resources are currently available.

The Principles of Nursing Practice

The RCN launched its eight Principles of Nursing Practice to describe what the public can expect from nursing practice in any setting. The Principles can be used in conjunction with measurement tools for the purposes of quality improvement and by nursing teams to aid recruitment and shape continual professional development. They enable providers and patients to know what quality nursing looks like. Find out about the Principles and how they’re being used.

RCN leadership programmes

The RCN offers a variety of leadership programmes that can enable nursing staff to enhance their practice and influence health and social care policy at local or national level. If you want to boost your political, strategic or clinical leadership skill, the RCN can help you develop. Read more. 

These additional programmes of work are also underway. They relate to specific areas of clinical practice

Dignity in dementia project

The RCN is currently facilitating a national project to influence and guide the provision of dementia care in acute care settings. Find out more or email rachel.thompson@rcn.org.uk

Standards for the treatment of older people in emergency care

The RCN has helped draw up draft standards designed to improve care for older people in emergency settings. They are yet to be published but a statement about the standards (PDF 142KB) [how to access PDF files] is available for download. For more email alan.dobson@rcn.org.uk

Improving medication safety for people in care homes

The RCN is working with the Health Foundation to develop tools to support safer administration of medicines to people in care homes. The project is currently underway and is looking to produce guidelines by January 2012. Find out more or email tanis.hand@rcn.org.uk

Selection and use of disinfectant wipes

The RCN has published guidance to help nursing staff understand and make informed decisions on the selection and use of wipes. Access the guidance (PDF 477KB). For more information email rose.gallagher@rcn.org.uk