[Guidance] Talking about sex, sexuality and relationships: for those working with young people with life-limiting conditions

The guide has been published by the Open University in partnership with Together for Short Lives.  It aims to help break down the taboos and enable professionals to gain skills and confidence in exploring sexuality for young people, safely and legally.  It includes case studies to show how the law applies in practice and the views of young people on the specific challenges they face.

Open University & Together for Short Lives, 2015. Talking about sex, sexuality and relationships: for those working with young people with life-limiting conditions.

Available to loan from the library or click on the title to download

[Article] The mentor as a role model and the importance of belongingness

This article looks at the importance of role modelling and belongingness in practice and how mentors and other healthcare professionals  influence pre-registration student nurses.  The article discusses the attributes of a good role model and the importance of making students feel part of the team.

Vinales, J. J. 2015. The mentor as a role model and the importance of belongingness.  British Journal of Nursing, 24 (10) p 532-535.

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[Article] Autistic spectrum conditions: the essentials for healthcare assistants

This article seeks to give a brief overview of autism.  Issues covered include it's symptoms, treatments and how to work and how not to work with those who have an autistic spectrum disorder.

Wallang, P., Elmer, D. & Woodage, J. 2015.   Autistic spectrum conditions: the essentials for healthcare assistants.  British Journal of Healthcare Assistants, 10 (2) p 62-65.

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[Article] Wound dressings: absorbent dressings

One of the biggest challenges in wound care, is the management of wound exudate, with the aim to provide  a wound healing environment that offers the optimal amount of exudate to promote healing.  The aim of this article is to look at absorbent  dressings and their role in the management of wound exudate.

Lloyd-Jones, M. 2016.  Wound dressings Part 3: absorbent dressings.  British Journal of Healthcare Assistants, 10 (1) p 9 - 12.

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[Article] Managers' role in maximising investment in continuing professional education.

Continual Professional Education (CPE) plays a major part in ensuring staff maintain and develop their knowledge and skills, however there is little evidence on it's effect on healthcare outcomes.  This article reports the results of a study that explored a range of stakeholders' perceptions of CPE on practice.  The study showed that CPE can improve care, but requires a positive organisational culture, and supportive learning environments to maximise learning.  The articles discusses how managers have a pivotal role creating positive cultures where CPE can flourish.

Draper, J., & Clark, L. 2015.  Managers' role in maximising investment in continuing professional education.  Nursing Management, 22 (9) p 30 - 33.

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[Article] Findings from a clinical learning needs survey at Ireland's first children's hospice

This article reports the main findings from a Clinical Learning Needs Survey conducted at LauraLynn, currently Ireland's only children's hospice.  The study had 2 main aims: a) to assist clinical staff to identify their own learning priorities in children's palliative care, and b) to inform the design, and delivery of a range of workshops, programmes and study sessions.  The findings identified key learning needs as end of life care; palliative emergencies, communication skills and bereavement support. 

Quinn, C. & Hillis, R. 2015.   Findings from a clinical learning needs survey at Ireland's first children's hospice.  International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 21 (12) p 596-601.

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[Article] The Care Certificate: Standards 1 and 2 - Your role and Personal Development

Published in the British Journal of Healthcare Assistants, this is the first in a series of articles that will address all 15 standards of the Care Certificate.  This article focuses on the healthcare assistants role and why personal development is key in offering care to people that is safe and effective.   It discusses the Personal Development Plan (PDP), improving knowledge and skills, and lifelong learning.

Peate, I. 2015.  Care Certificate Standards 1 and 2: your role and your personal development.  British Journal of Healthcare Assistants, 9 (10) p 496 - 501.

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[Article] Care Certificate Standard 3 and 4: Duty of Care and Equality and Diversity

This article discusses the 3rd and 4th standards in the Care Certificate: duty of care, and equality and diversity.  It discusses accountability and responsibility, delegation of duties, discrimination and prejudice.

Peate, I. 2015. Care Certificate Standard 3 and 4: Duty of Care and Equality And Diversity.  British Journal of Healthcare Assistants, 9 (12) p 600 - 604.

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[Article] Care Certificate Standards 5 and 6: Working in a Person-Centred Way, and Communication.

3rd in the series of articles from the British Journal of Healthcare Assistants.  The article discusses person-centred values and the 9 values this incorporates including individuality, independence, choice, dignity, privacy, partnership working and rights.  Under the communication standard, it discusses the key elements of communicating effectively and being self aware of how we also communication via body language and gestures.

Peate, I. 2016.  Standards 5 and 6: Working in a Person-Centred Way, and Communication.  British Journal of Healthcare Assistants, 10 (1) p 36 - 42

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[Article] It's like being a member of a club I didn't want to join: Reflections on a support group for bereaved dads

Research from Helen and Douglas House, the article offers a different perspective on dad's grief and on the use of support groups for bereaved dads.  The dads powerfully articulate  the extreme nature of their losses, explaining "nothing can solve the problem".  On the other hand, they stress that within the context of this research, the tiny improvements they feel and experience make coming to the group worthwhile and important.

Davies, K., Murray, M. & Whitworth, T. 2015.  [Article]  It's like being a member of a club I didn't want to join: Reflections on a support group for bereaved dads.  Bereavement Care, 34 (3) p 92-95.

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[Guide] After the loss of a child: a resource for parents of a child in palliative care

After the Loss of a Child looks at common issues and processes occurring both before and after the death of a child, and provides information and provides suggestions for navigating the grief experience of parents and families both immediately and in the long term.  The resource is divided into sections, so that it can be easily referenced as needed.

Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement: 2015. After the loss of a child: a resource for parents of a child in palliative care.  29 pages.

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[Article] The characteristics and experiences of anticipatory mourning in caregivers of teenagers and young adults

This article reports a systematic review of the literature undertaken to identify characteristics and experiences of anticipatory mourning  in caregivers of teenagers and young adults with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions. The review focused on six studies that met the criteria. The review suggests that there are a number of unique characteristics and experiences to this age group and the consideration of anticipatory mourning is important in offering holistic care.

Griffiths, R., Davies, K. & Lavender V. 2015.  The characteristics and experiences of anticipatory mourning in caregivers of teenagers and young adults.  International Journal of Palliative Nursing 21 (11) p527-533.

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[Article] When is a seizure not a seizure? Part 1 - the younger child

Paroxysmal non-epileptic (PNEs) events are common and occur in all age groups.  The key to diagnosis is a detailed history and careful observation, however a few can pose diagnostic challenges. Although the vast majority have a benign nature, they can be a source of parental anxiety and unnecessary investigations.   This review discusses the common PNEs which occur in infants and pre-school children, including a practical diagnostic approach.

Bakiker, M. & Prasad, M. 2015. When is a seizure not a seizure? Part 1 - the younger child. Archives of Disease in Childhood, Education & Practice 100 (6) p 295-296.

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[Article] When is a seizure not a seizure? Part 2 - the older child

Paroxysmal non-epileptic events (PNEs) refer to episodic changes in behaviour, sensation or consciousness that leads to unusual movements which may resemble epileptic seizures but are not.  This review discusses common PNEs presenting in school age children and adolescents, alongside the clinical approach to differentiate from the epileptic seizures.

Bakiker, M. & Prasad, M. 2015. When is a seizure not a seizure?  Part 2 - the older child.  Archives of Disease in Childhood, Education & Practice 100 (6) p 295-296.

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[Article] Switching between different types of opioid analgesic

An overview of prescribing the same opioid by a different route of administration, and in addition, conversion of common oral opioids to an equi-analgesic dose of oral morphine.  Includes tables, conversion calculations and examples.

Eggleton, A. 2015.  Switching between different types of opioid analgesic.  Nurse Prescribing, 14 (1) p 14-50. 

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[Article] Medicine doses in children: it's not child's play

Paediatrics is a complex clinical specialty, ranging from newborns to 18 year olds in which all patients require different doses.  Prescribers need to be aware of the pharmacokinetic differences between children and adults and how to effectively use unlicenced medicines.  A useful article for all nurse prescribers.

Tomlin, S. 2015.  Medicine doses in children: it's not child's play.  Nurse Prescribing, 13 (7) p 352-356.

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