Maintain pressure on reforms to protect NHSAnalysis archive
Analysis archive
Murder suspect nurse released on bail
A 46-year-old male nurse suspected of murdering three hospital patients at Stepping Hill Hospital has been released on police bail.
South West Yorks FT nurse to advise NICE
A mental health nurse from South West Yorkshire Partnership Foundation Trust has been chosen to help shape national guidance on the treatment of young people with schizophrenia and psychosis.
Half of NHS staff would prefer cuts to pay over pensions
Almost half of local NHS workers would prefer their pay to be cut rather than their pensions, according to an opinion poll.
Trespassers on medical ground?
With a government review, increased autonomy, advanced roles and working time laws contributing to nurses taking on junior doctors’ tasks, Clare Lomas looks at how the boundaries between the professions have become blurred.
Risks and benefits: changing the nursing skill mix
Healthcare assistants have taken on more and more core nursing tasks in recent years. Sally Gainsbury investigates the impact of this blurring of professional boundaries in the current economic climate
Is nursing’s great challenge care of the elderly?
A recurring theme in negative reports about nursing quality in the NHS seems to be the care given to older patients. Clare Lomas investigates what can be done to meet the challenge
Nurses with HIV: fear and loathing on the frontline
A survey carried out by the National AIDS Trust has found that staff with HIV working in the health service face discrimination. Charlotte Santry looks at the findings and reports on the legal rights of nurses working with the virus, their colleagues and patients
Trauma tsar has nurses at the centre of his plans
Professor Keith Willett has been set the task of redesigning and improving NHS trauma care. Richard Staines and Steve Ford report on his plans and how they will affect nursing
A room of their own
Patient and political demand for single rooms in hospital is growing. In their favour are privacy, dignity and infection control. But could there be downsides - and would they create work for nurses? Graham Clews investigates
The Knowledge and Skills Framework: creating careers – or creating a monster?
The Knowledge and Skills Framework was set up to ensure strong staff skills in the NHS. In the third in our series on Agenda for Change five years on, Richard Staines reveals exclusive research on how trusts are acting on the the KSF
Agenda for Change: Have hopes for fair pay faded?
Agenda for Change has failed to deliver fair pay, according to the majority of over 1,000 respondents to a Nursing Times survey. In the second in our series on AfC five years on, Richard Staines reports on its effects on pay and careers.
Fair pay to the NHS? - Agenda for Change five years on
It is almost five years since the Agenda for Change pay system was introduced to unify pay across the third largest workforce in the world. Richard Staines asks the system’s architects about its successes, failures and future challenges.
Nurse prescribing: The next steps
Nurse prescribing powers have grown from small beginnings to cover the entire formulary today. But area is still not without its concerns and difficulties. Clare Lomas reports on barriers facing nurse prescribers
Have you had a eureka moment?
Health minister Lord Darzi has called for more innovation in the NHS. Nurses already have a proven track record in coming up with practical solutions to everyday problems on the frontline. Jo Carlowe reports
Primary care urged to implement new end-of-life guidelines
Primary care services will face an ‘avalanche of need’ among dying patients if they do not act now to improve end-of-life care, a leading expert in end-of-life care has warned.
Defining quality in end of life care
This month sees the launch of two major new documents on end-of-life care that could affect the majority of nurses at some point in their career. Clare Lomas reports on the Department of Health’s new core competences and principles for working with adults at the end of life and the Gold Standards Framework Centre’s updated guidelines on end-of-life care.
Have nurses been freed? Exclusive survey on a year of NHS reforms
In the second part of Nursing Times’ investigation into the government’s NHS Next Stage Review one year on from its publication, nurses give their opinions on its impact and progress. Steve Ford reports
Lord Darzi on why clinicians must be in charge of reform
With the first anniversary of the publication of NHS Next stage Review coming up this month, Richard Staines talks to the architect of the plan, health minister Lord Darzi, on progress so far and priorities for the future
Beyond getting the message – why the NHS is adopting social marketing
Realising that just telling people about healthy living won’t necessary make them change, the NHS is employing social marketing. Clare Lomas looks at how this idea, with its more targeted and even informal approach, can lead to people acting on public health messages
Working time directive tsar says the 48-hour week is good for nursing
Wendy Reid, the national clinical lead for the European working time directive, talks to Steve Ford about why she thinks limiting doctors’ working hours to no more than 48 hours a week is good for nurses and their patients
What does the 48-hour week mean for nursing?
As doctors’ hours are reduced, will this mean greater career opportunities for nurses – or just more work being dumped on them? Steve Ford investigates how nurses think the European working time directive will affect their roles and standards of care.
Is the overseas nursing market recession proof?
There have been warnings that the recession has made the UK less attractive to overseas workers. With the UK having long relied on nurses from abroad, Graham Clews examines the challenges facing overseas nurses and those who employ them
An end to violence?
It is now nearly 10 years since the government launched its Zero Tolerance campaign to put an end to violence against NHS staff. Richard Staines investigates whether the health service is now a safer place to work for nurses
The new face of regulation: what will the CQC mean for nursing
The new super-regulator, the Care Quality Commission, took up its powers at the start of last month, marking the beginning of a raft of changes in healthcare regulation. Alastair McLellan talks to its chief executive, Cynthia Bower, about what the commission has in store for nurses
The big issues in nursing
Nursing seems to be facing more changes and challenges than ever before. Earlier this year, Nursing Times held its annual summit at which the key issues affecting the profession were debated. Steve Ford reports on a special round-table meeting, held in April, to update this discussion
Swine flu: what every nurse should know
With the NHS gearing up to tackle a potential swine flu pandemic, Graham Clews looks at advice from the key agencies and examines the crucial role that nurses must play
How safe are patients in primary care?
Most initiatives to improve patient safety have so far focused on the acute sector. But what about patient safety in community and general practice settings? Jo Carlowe investigates
Can you measure compassion?
Compassion is often held up as a basic tenet of nursing. But a perceived lack of this quality in the modern profession has sparked new efforts to ensure nurses embrace it as a core value. Helen Mooney investigates current developments in the compassion debate
The nurse who will bring quality to the NHS
Last summer the government announced that its future health policy would be heavily focused on driving up the quality of NHS services. Graham Clews talks to the nurse charged with advising ministers on how to ensure this happens
Shedding pounds: nursing and obesity
The problem of growing obesity levels is never far from the headlines. Nurses across the UK are involved in a range of innovative projects designed to tackle the problem, including a controversial scheme that pays people to lose weight. Clare Lomas investigates
More nurses equals better care
A week after a healthcare watchdog identified staffing shortages as a key reason for failings at an acute trust, Nursing Times has obtained new evidence confirming a direct correlation between patient outcomes and nursing workforce numbers. Steve Ford investigates
Why nurses are vital to beating cancer
NHS cancer services have developed significantly in the last decade. Clare Lomas talks to cancer tsar Professor Mike Richards about how nurse-led services have been at the heart of these advances and the future role that all nurses can play in tackling the disease
First response to the Prime Minister's Commission
In the week following Nursing Times’ exclusive report on the Prime Minister’s Commission on the future of the profession, Steve Ford finds out what nurses think about the review
The sick leave service
What would you think if in future you had to telephone a call centre if you were sick and couldn’t go in to work? And how would you feel about this service if you knew it was saving your trust the cost of a brand new Ferrari every month?Nurses may find they are increasingly required to notify a private company when they want to take sick leave to have their ‘absence managed’. Steve Ford investigates.
A Christian nurse suspended for offering to pray has sparked health care and religion debate
The case of a community nurse suspended at the end of last year for offering to pray for a patient has sparked fresh debate on the relationship between health care and religion. Helen Mooney finds out what nurses think about the issue
How theatre nurses can make surgery safer
Theatre nursing is at a crossroads. While it is struggling with target pressures, image difficulties and staff shortages, two major initiatives promise to raise its profile and extend its remit. Richard Staines investigates
Act now on health visitors to prevent another Baby P
As the dust settles on the Baby P scandal and the child health strategy looks set to be finally unveiled, Helen Mooney puts the government’s pledges on the role of health visiting under scrutiny
How to use social networking sites safely
Recent cases have put the current vogue for social networking websites under scrutiny. Jo Carlowe reports on how nurses can use social networking sites safely
Are you ready to screen your patients for MRSA?
MRSA screening for elective patients is to be compulsory in England. Clare Lomas finds out if the NHS is ready
HPV, MMR and what's next on the virus-vaccine hotlist
With nurses across the UK on the frontline in delivering the first HPV vaccinations and others planning MMR catch-up campaigns Steve Ford investigates the upcoming virus candidates on the vaccine hotlist
The lethal legacy of asbestos
A rising number of nurses are dying from the effects of asbestos, Kathy Oxtoby reveals
Creating a ‘new culture of leadership’
Clare Chapman is charged with overseeing the NHS nursing workforce. She tells Steve Ford about developments in nurse leadership, education and why the economic downturn could be good for the profession
How to ensure good clinical engagement with new quality indicators.
The government wants to introduce quality indicators to measure nurses’ performance. Helen Mooney looks at how to ensure good clinical engagement with the new metrics
Is confusion a sign of wisdom in health promotion?
Health promotion is often presented in a one-size-fits-all message, yet it is rarely that straightforward, says Aldo Mussi
How Christmas festivities and pressures can damage health and well-being
Christmas may be a time for celebration but nurses are also likely to deal with some of the negative consequences the festivities have for patients. Nerys Hairon investigates
Will the PCTs' split into purchaser and provider benefit nursing?
In 2009 a shake-up of primary care services will see PCTs officially split into purchaser and provider branches. Richard Staines considers the benefits and disadvantages for nursing.
Nursing Times speaks to Professor Tony Hazell about the rehabilitation of the NMC
Professor Tony Hazell is charged with the rehabilitation of the NMC, and hopes that nurses will soon see it as supportive. For a start, he tells Alastair McLellan, nurses don’t need revalidation
Patient safety alerts: Failing to reach the frontline
Recent research has found that patient safety alerts are routinely not being implemented. Louise Hunt looks at the barriers that prevent the NHS learning from its mistakes
Coming clean on infection control
Only one in ten trusts comply fully with the government’s hygiene code. Should this give patients cause for concern – or is this actually a success story? Richard Staines reports
Emerging threats: five diseases nurses need to know about
What are the likely contenders for emerging diseases over the next five years in the UK? Nerys Hairon investigates the conditions that could make an impact on nurses' work
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Public health in a recession
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What happens when your trust is taken over?
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A blueprint for better care?
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What will changes to top-up fees mean for nurses?
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Can nurses expect a new deal on pay?
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Will RCN professional forum limits reduce peer support?
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How happy and healthy are nurses?
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Patient restraint under scrutiny
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Will shock tactics work?
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Transforming nursing roles
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A leader who appreciates the value of HCAs
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Will regulation be fair to HCAs?
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What’s it really like to work as a HCA?
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HCAs are the backbone of the health service
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Are we really beating MRSA?
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Why are nurses still paying to park?
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Planning a workforce fit for the capital
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Computer power on the ward
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Would you stop to provide care?
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Tools to find the work you want
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Great Expectations
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Making the most of nurse training
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Dealing with debt
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This student nurse life
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Champions of equal rights
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Practice in the 80’s
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Nursing student in ‘76
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Is nursing ready for graduation?
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Do dress codes lead to discrimination?
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What is secure psychiatric care?
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Care homes told to improve services to BME patients
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The rise of the walk-in centre
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Should past crimes stop you nursing?
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Analysis: Targeting nurse care
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Can employee screening protect vulnerable patients?
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Why hospitals are becoming cleaner
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Can the NHS ever be green?
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The lure of nursing in Alberta
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What lies ahead for community nurses?
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How NT won the training campaign
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Food Champions
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Acting for vulnerable adults
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News analysis: Building a quality workforce fit for the future of nursing
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News Analysis: Tories unveil plans for NHS
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Are we failing overseas nurses?
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Directors of nursing uncovered
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News Analysis: Judgement delivered on NMC
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Are modern matrons making a difference?
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Is it time to get rid of targets?
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Predicting the future
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Valuing the NHS
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Millennium Nursing
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Are nurses who fail to blow the whistle on bad practice protecting themselves?
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News Analysis: Patients have their say
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Will telecare aid independence?
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Analysis - Do health visitors have a future?
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What will pay deal mean for you?
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Nursing in the 1980s
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The great training robbery
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Was the deep clean worth it?
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Take Charge of Your Career
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Is patient power good for nurses?
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News Analysis: NMC under scrutiny
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News Analysis: Could Colin Norris have been stopped?
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Clinial News Analysis- Can a new pension scheme prevent staff shortages?
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News Analysis
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News Analysis: Is it worth working as an agency nurse?
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News analysis: Will short-term workforce thinking derail NHS plans?
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News Analysis: Are relationships with patients always out of bounds?
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News analysis: Brown sets out strategy for a preventive NHS
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News analysis: Sixty years on - what nurses think about the NHS
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How nurses will tackle the flu pandemic
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Tough road lies ahead on nurse pay
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What exactly can nurses expect from new sick pay proposals?
