A Research Portfolio: Transformational change by nursing, midwifery and care staff across health and care.

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Finnegan, A. P. & Aitkenhead, S. (2020). A Research Portfolio: Transformational change by nursing, midwifery and care staff across health and care. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 76, 7-8., which has been published in final form at 10.1111/jan.14228. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.It is widely accepted that nursing research is paramount to help address the challenges facing the international nursing workforce in caring for a growing and ageing population. Nursing, midwifery and care staff make up the largest proportion of the workforce across the NHS. In the UK, there are over 693,000 registered nurses and midwives (Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2018), all striving to prevent and tackle health inequalities and improve the care experience for patients, individuals and populations. The role that nursing, midwifery and care staff play should not be underestimated and specifically in this editorial, we describe a new research portfolio which signposts to examples of nursing, midwifery and care staff led research to demonstrate the significant academic contribution of these professions to transformational change across the health and care system. The Research Portfolio (NHS England, 2019a) showcases examples of research studies that demonstrate leadership in research and practice, all aligned to the key priorities outlined in the NHS Long Term Plan (LTP) (NHS England, 2019b). Evidence underpins so much of what we do and there is a huge opportunity to quantifiably demonstrate the contribution staff bring to the LTP, harnessing intelligence in closing gaps and addressing unwarranted variation in health and care

An Evaluation of Management Placements for nursing students in UK General Practice

General practice is facing a shortage of nurses and it can be difficult to recruit and retain staff. Nursing students need exposure to primary care nursing roles if they are to consider them in their future career and to develop the skills needed for this environment. A study was designed explore the experiences and perceptions of students on their final placement in general practice. The data were thematically analysed and three themes were derived from the data: myth busting, the teaching and learning environment, and attaining competency

Nurses’ attitudes to supporting people who are suicidal in emergency departments

YesThe aim of this study is to determine emergency nurses’ knowledge about, and perceived ability to support, people who are suicidal. A questionnaire consisting of 34 questions was sent out to 113 adult emergency nurses employed in two emergency departments. A total of 38 responded. Findings highlight differences in attitudes and show a correlation between suicide prevention training and nurses’ perceived competence to triage people who are suicidal. The article makes recommendations for future research, as well as nurse education and training on suicide prevention, to improve attitudes and increase emergency nurses’ ability to respond effectively to people who are suicidal

Inhaler and nebuliser technique for people with a learning disability

Healthcare professionals who support people who require an inhaler or nebuliser need to know how to use the devices, monitor and assess patients’ inhaler techniques effectively. Often, people have inadequate inhaler techniques, which can lead to poor management of their respiratory condition, increased signs and symptoms, reduced quality of life and increased use of primary/secondary care services and treatment costs. This article explains how to use inhalers and nebulisers appropriately and considers some of the challenges for children and adults with a learning disability. It also describes some devices and assessment tools, and explores assessment/review methods to help ensure people use their inhalers/nebulisers successfully

What should we assess in practice?

Aim: This article reports on a PhD study and follow up work undertaken to review and develop a tool for assessment of practice. Background: The assessment of practice in nursing and midwifery education and, other health professions has been the source of concern, criticism and research for a number of years with the conclusion that it might not be possible to develop an assessment tool that could encompass all aspects of professional practice. Methods: A qualitative evaluation study was undertaken using the naturalistic method of inquiry. A combination of tools was used in order to collect the data and enable progressive focusing and cross checking of the findings. These included documentary analysis, a questionnaire and focus group and individual interviews. The data was collected from documents analysis, focus group interviews, individual interviews and questionnaires. Results: The results showed that the assessment tool in use at the time did not encompass all criteria assessors used and six areas were identified as those to include in any future tool. Conclusion: The six areas identified by subjects as those to include in any assessment tool were further developed with specific statements so that they could be used within a tool. Implications for nursing management and education: Within the changing nature of health care there is a need to review whether the tool used for assessing pre-registration education of nursing and midwifery students practice is ‘fit for purpose’

Mobile translators for non-English-speaking women accessing maternity services.

noIt is becoming increasingly common for midwives to care for women who do not speak English, and UK interpreting services are often inadequate and underused. Persistent language barriers have been found to contribute to maternal and perinatal mortality thus it is essential that these barriers are overcome to provide safe maternity care. This article reports on a two-stage study undertaken to address this. The study aimed to: • Identify difficulties midwives experience when communicating with non-English-speaking women. Through undertaking a group interview with 11 senior students, four themes emerged: accessing interpreters, working with interpreters, cultural barriers and strategies to address persistent language barriers • Explore the feasibility of using mobile devices with a translation application to communicate in clinical practice. Google Translate was tested in a simulated clinical environment with multi-lingual service users. Google Translate was not adequately developed to be safely used in maternity services. However, a maternity-specific mobile application could be built to help midwives and women communicate in the presence of a persistent language barrier

Spiritual leadership and spiritual care in neonatology

AIM: This article aims to explore spiritual care in the neonatal care environment in addition to highlighting the importance of spiritual leadership of a health team in that context. BACKGROUND: Neonatal care is an ethically demanding and stressful area of practice. Babies and families require spiritual needs to be recognized in the context of holistic care. Literature around spiritual leadership is explored to nurture workplace spirituality. EVALUATION: Analysis of a range of sources provides a theoretical reflection on spiritual leadership and spiritual care in neonatal care settings. KEY ISSUES: The literature identifies that the carers should consider carefully on how care given may affect the infant and family. Themes relating to the baby's and family's spiritual needs and those of the staff in this area are identified. Spiritual leadership by the manager will provide support to the staff and help spiritual need to be met in this area of practice. CONCLUSION: Spiritual needs should be acknowledged within neonatal care whether these are of babies, families or the team itself. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Managers have responsibility to ensure that spiritual care is carried out for babies and their families and to care for the team as spiritual leaders