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Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK but it can be successfully treated if detected at an early stage. In 2006 the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme was introduced to everyone aged 60-74 years in England. This article describes how South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust community Learning Disability Service addressed the bowel screening needs of those people with a learning disability in Gateshead and South Tyneside. A project was developed to improve and increase the uptake of bowel screening for this population group.

Self care can help people with long-term conditions take control of their lives. However, their interest and ability to engage with it may fluctuate over the course of an illness and many need support to undertake self care activities. A team of community matrons in NHS South of Tyne and Wear helped to develop and pilot an e-learning tool for staff, to remind them of the importance of self care and give advice on ways to support patients. The tool has since been rolled out to all staff groups.

Improving care for people with long-term conditions has become a national priority and has led to many new--and often challenging--roles for nurses. This article describes the appointment of 12 community matrons to act as key workers and the use of their advanced clinical skills to improve the care offered to vulnerable patients with multiple long-term conditions.