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The role of the nutrition nurse specialist (NNS) is diverse and is usually integral to a wider, multidisciplinary nutrition support team (NST). Practice frameworks have been developed to identify competencies within the NNS role. A mind-mapping technique was used with the NNS team and the wider NST to explore the role of the NNS in the authors' intestinal failure tertiary referral centre. The results of this were further compared with the published competency frameworks. The mind maps from the NNS team and NST demonstrated commonality. It was encouraging to see that colleagues seem to have a similar understanding of the NNS role and contribution to the wider service. Published competency frameworks did not entirely reflect the expanded scope of practice that is undertaken within this particular team. It is important for clinical nurse specialist teams to evaluate their role and service provision and to compare this against published competency frameworks.

Reflections on the development of stoma care nursing practice through and beyond a global pandemic

Background: Internationally, clinicians face increased demand, pressure on resources and unmet patient needs. A community social support service was co-located within cancer clinics in Glasgow, Scotland to help address some of these needs. Aim: To analyse the impact of the service on clinical staff and to propose an explanatory theory of change. Method: Qualitative exploratory design, using thematic analysis of semistructured interviews with 8 nurse specialists and 2 medical oncologists from lung, breast, head and neck, and gastrointestinal oncology teams in Glasgow in 2018–2019. Findings: Four themes captured this process: ‘The conversation’, ‘A better experience’, ‘Freedom to focus’ and ‘Working hand in hand’. Conclusion: Together, these four themes explained the process of effective interprofessional working. This process would have been predicted by the J-curve literature on diffusion of innovations. Linking J-curve theory to this successful process provides new understanding that could prove essential for clinical teams who are implementing change within their practice.

Karen Morgan, National Lymphoedema Education and Research Specialist, Lymphoedema Network Wales discusses her 25-year nursing career and the broad-ranging responsibilities that form part of her role

Sian Fletcher, Viv Zinyemba and Samantha Richards, Great Western Hospital, Swindon, discuss their roles within a urology-oncology service and how they pull together as team to do their best for their patients