Volume 8, Number 4

Gillian Earl RGN RHV MA Child Protection Senior Training and Development Consultant NSPCC (Health), National Training Centre, Leicester

The aim of this article is to look at, debate and highlight current trends and issues around child protection, as defined in Working Together to Safeguard Children,1 including appropriate use of policies and procedures. It carries on the theme that was begun with John Thain’s article in the last issue of the BJDN.2

Paul Affleck RGN Research Nurse, Division of Genetic Epidemiology, Cancer Research UK, Leeds Clinical Centre

Huge resources are being put into cancer research now. The charity, Cancer Research UK, alone spends more than £213 million a year on research into cancer.1 Research nurses play an important part in cancer research, particularly in regard to contact with patients. When the title of ‘research nurse’ is used, many people think of clinical trials and the testing of new drugs.

Tim Mitchell MBChB MRCGP DRCOG DPD Professional Executive Committee Member and Clinical Lead for Dermatology, Bristol North Primary Care Trust

As the new contract for GPs (GMS2)1 contains almost no references to diseases that affect the largest organ in the body, it would seem that it does not offer any opportunities for dermatology nurses. Taken at face value, it is disappointing that such a major revamp of the way GPs work, and the way in which they can offer extra or better services, has such a major omission.

Jane Salvage RGN BA MSc HonLLD Independent Health Consultant and Author

Dermatology nurses in the UK have a lot to teach and to learn from colleagues overseas. The International Skincare Nursing Group (ISNG), launched in 1998, provides opportunities to facilitate this exchange of information, ideas and support. At home and abroad, skincare nurses are demonstrating the value and excellence of nursing using the primary healthcare approach.

Julie Bowman, Editor

Miracles do happen. I am testimony to the fact that it is indeed possible to have children and survive. I was once a non-believer, a novice and there are many other innocents among us currently enduring parenthood.

Rev. Prof. Stephen G Wright FRCN MBE Faculty of Health, St. Martin’s College, Lancaster. Chairman, The Sacred Space Foundation.

Just how important is spiritual fulfilment in the workplace and what can employers do to help their staff find that sense of ‘wholeness’?

Kath Gilbanks ENB 998 DPSN Project/Audit Nurse, Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle

Hydrocortisone is a natural substance produced by the body, which has beneficial anti-inflammatory effects for a wide range of disorders. Topical steroids containing hydrocortisone have four levels of potency.

Kath Gilbanks ENB 998 DPSN Project/Audit Nurse, Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle

Topical steroids are used in the treatment of those inflammatory skin conditions that are not due to an infection. In particular, they are used to treat eczematous disorders. They are indicated for the relief of symptoms and for the suppression of signs of the disorder.1

Julia Soo MBBS MRCP Specialist Registrar in Dermatology, St George’s Hospital, London; Peter Mortimer MD FRCP Professor of Dermatology, St George’s Hospital, London

Varicose eczema is an endogenous eczema and occurs as a result of chronic venous insufficiency. Impaired venous circulation, from structural or functional abnormality of veins, leads to a rise in venous and consequently capillary pressure, which in turn produces the cutaneous signs that we commonly see.