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Issues are presented concerning the standard of care which should be given to elderly people requiring acute hospital care. Deficiencies in care and the factors needed to create a feeling of well being in patients are discussed.

Caring for victims of leprosy has been the focus of the Bethany Colony in India, where up to 350 people live. The community is made up of people who have suffered from leprosy but are now cured, mainly with the help of Western medical technology. The introduction of multidrug therapy has helped sufferers overcome the illness in as little as six months. Up to 500,000 people are affected by leprosy each year, mainly in Indonesia and India, although up to 300 people in the UK are known to be affected.

UK district nurses need the support of specialist diabetic professionals in providing support and medical care for diabetic elderly people who are affected by mobility problems. Housebound elderly people may miss out on advances being made in the diabetic medical treatment field, which could have long term consequences for the health of an individual as well as an economic impact on health service provision. A project set up to help elderly people become more involved in their treatment showed changes in diet and support provision can make a difference.

Achievements and contribution of NHS to the field of nursing since 1950 is highlighted.

Avian Influenza is the latest epidemic to pose a serious threat to the health across the South East Asia. It has crossed the barriers between poultry and humans. Nurses involved in giving travel advice need to be aware of the latest developments in this area.

Nursing guidelines for helping patients stop smoking are presented. The smoking cessation program offered by the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation is presented and a newly published guide is offered.

A study conducted from 1999 to 2000 found that care of older people in south-east England formed the basis for asking basic questions about dignity for patients.

The National Health Service has set for itself the goal of allowing patients to see GPs within 48 hours, and a primary care physical within 24 hours. To that end, nurses will be critical.

This article discusses a British district nursing services annual screening program for housebound patients with diabetes. The author focuses on annual reviews, audits, the patients, the results and future developments.

Information regarding a new online training service for nurses in Scotland to utilize in the care of elderly patients is given. The online service can function as a web based college which can enable nurses to collect share best practice with other nurses.

The Commission for Health Improvements and the Audit Commission jointly presented a report on NHS cancer services in England and Wales. The report addresses issues raised in the Calman-Hine report. The new report further pointed out that cancer centers need more clinical nurse specialists, and also inconsistencies in medical care. Some nurses even reported problems in obtaining information about patients.

Issues are presented concerning the services which are being offered by a nurse-led clinic to patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The influence of the clinic in reducing general practitioners' workload is discussed.

A step-by-step description is presented of the procedure which should be adopted for the performance of bladder ultrasounds by nurses. Patients most at risk of suffering from voiding problems are discussed.

Issues are presented concerning the management of the nurse-led clinic for the treatment and care of patients diagnosed with lung cancer which has been set up at the Northampton General Hospital.

The UK government is providing 9 million pounds sterling to help recruit extra nurses to help carry out a vaccination programme which should cover up to 15 million people. School nurses will spear head the campaign which will introduce a newly developed meningitis C vaccination. Nurses will be required to offer advice to parents who may be anxious about vaccinations being given to their children.

Nurse operators working for UK 24-hour medical helpline NHS Direct found they required additional skills in communication, computer literacy and patience when dealing with medical queries from the public. Each nurse was given an intensive 11-week teaching course, with much of the training focused on how to obtain information from callers regarding medical queries. The system is fully back up by specialist services, such as the police and ambulance service.

Research into the public's reaction to the introduction of a 24-hour medical helpline in the UK shows the majority of people welcome the reassurance and advice they receive from the service. There are several pilot schemes running throughout the country and the researchers found a varying degree of discrepancy when it came to medical advice and the way in which callers were asked for information. NHS Direct provides an opportunity for nurses to work directly with the public, offering advice, support and reassurance on medical matters.

The successful development of a self-management programme for patients suffering from rheumatology problems has lead to UK nurse sister Pat Cole being awarded a leadership award by the Foundation of Nursing Studies. Cole is a strong believer in the psychological and physical benefits gained by patients who decide to take control of their illness through education and information. Cole has been recognized for her ability to motivate people through positive leadership.

Safety issues must be examined and strategies implemented when setting up a 24-hour service run by district nurses. All aspects of nursing care may be required on a 24-hour basis, making it essential for a dedicated team of nurses to be on call. A wide range of nursing specialities has developed to provide a fully functional care package for clients who require 24-hour nursing.

The UK government established the 24-hour medical helpline, NHS Direct with a grant of 50 million pounds sterling, with the expectation of millions of pounds sterling savings made in doctor and hospital costs. The helpline is designed to provide a 24-hour medical service for users who have queries regarding medical matters. Nurses running the helpline claim the service would be improved if they were given more time to study and undertake research. The average salary for a telephone nurse is 18,000 pounds sterling per year, including share options.

Practice nurses have developed a wide range of skills to ensure adequate health care provision for patients. Practice development nurses can help in the extension of learning opportunities within care units by evaluating services and the assessing the role which nurses can play in the implementation of patient care. Clear communication lines and positive inter-personal skills are essential for the job of practice developement nursing.

The role of practice development nurse (PDN) needs to be properly established within a practice to ensure success in the long-term. The practice needs to take into account factors such as finance, skill mix, management support and accountability when establishing a PDN role. The main advantage of a PDN is making developments in education, professionalism and practice a priority within the health care facility.

People with impaired capacity need to cared for in a paternalistic way to avoid risks, although nurses must be able to weight up the element of risk involved before deciding to intervene in decision making. Institutionalization may by the best option for some people with impaired capacity, however a strategic nursing regime will help many to avoid this fate.

Socially deprived inner-city areas of the UK are being provided with quality health care services led through the provision of Primary-Care Act Pilot Schemes (PCAPS). The focus of PCAPS is to ensure deprived groups, such as travellers, drug addicts and young people living on the streets, receive health care advise. Underlying causes for social illness are addressed by PCAPS, such as housing and education. Nurse-led care aims to empower and educate people.

The United Kingdom government might eliminate nursing homes and replace them with other services. The government is considering services that people can have access to from their homes.

Health professionals in Glasgow, Scotland are learning to cope with the social, psychological and medical problems associated with Kosovo refugees who have been relocated to the area for their own safety. Ensuring every family is aware of the services available to them is essential to the success of providing public health to people who have no work nor speak English. An immunisation programme is underway for children, while family planning services are establishing a programme which takes into account the strict religious background of ethnic Kosovo refugees.

Several medical organisations have been providing nursing care for people affected by the war in Kosovo region of the Baltics. The area is under constant threat from Serb forces who shell villages day and night. The International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have provided clinic facilities and nursing staff for villages where shelling has been the most destructive. Influenza, pneumonia and dehydration are dealt with at the clinics as well as providing care for people who are severely traumatized or wounded.