{"title":"Mobile cervical screening: using an opportunistic screening service to increase uptake in underserved communities.","authors":"Jill West, Emma Green","doi":"10.7748/ns.2026.e12781","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.2026.e12781","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Attendance rates for the cervical screening programme and the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme in England have fallen since 2022. Women and all people with a cervix from underserved communities are known to have lower screening attendance rates than other groups, so it is vital to address barriers to attendance to increase screening uptake. This article describes a service innovation pilot project in north west England involving the delivery of opportunistic cervical screening via a mobile screening unit sited in convenient community locations. The aim was to identify precancerous changes and promote early treatment for moderate-to-severe dyskaryosis by increasing attendance rates among underserved communities. A total of 2,283 clients completed a cervical screen during the pilot period (between July 2024 and March 2026). Analysis showed that a significant percentage (44%, n =994) of clients were from the two lowest deciles of the Index of Multiple Deprivation; half ( n =1,145, 50%) of completed screens were for clients designated as 'non-responders' to screening invitations; 101 (4%) clients were referred for colposcopy; and 18 (1%) clients were identified as having high-grade dyskaryosis. Patient experience feedback suggests that the opportunistic nature of the service was a significant incentive for clients to attend for screening. The project is ongoing and the service aims to expand to cover the whole of NHS England North West.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149271356","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Chronic pain: an overview of its assessment and management.","authors":"Rachael Quinn","doi":"10.7748/ns.2026.e12745","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.2026.e12745","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists beyond the expected period of healing, usually more than 12 weeks, and may continue in the absence of any obvious diagnoses or ongoing tissue damage. It is a multifaceted, complex condition affecting all aspects of an individual's life, including their physical, psychological and social well-being. This article supports nurses to understand chronic pain and its underlying mechanisms, as well as outlining the elements of a chronic pain assessment and discussing evidence-based person-centred management. The article also distinguishes between acute and chronic pain, outlines the biopsychosocial impact of pain and emphasises the importance of multidisciplinary patient care.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149182770","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Understanding respiratory rate as a predictor of clinical deterioration and mortality.","authors":"Hasan Hazim Alsararatee","doi":"10.7748/ns.2026.e12758","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.2026.e12758","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Respiratory rate (RR) is a fundamental physiological observation and a key component of early warning systems used to identify deterioration in hospitalised adults. Accurate RR measurement and interpretation, alongside other clinical observations and timely escalation of abnormal findings, are essential to ensure safe patient care. However, despite its clinical importance, RR remains one of the least reliably measured vital signs in practice and it is frequently estimated rather than counted accurately. This article explores the evidence on RR as a predictor of clinical deterioration and mortality, with relevance to nurses working across acute, emergency, surgical, medical and specialist care settings, as they will be involved in the assessment and monitoring of acutely unwell and potentially deteriorating patients. The author also discusses how to improve RR measurement in practice, emphasising the importance of strengthening awareness of the prognostic significance of RR and enhancing routine monitoring to support earlier recognition of deterioration and improved patient outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149170279","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Preventing sexually transmitted infections in gay and bisexual men who have sex with men.","authors":"Yvonne Wilson","doi":"10.7748/ns.2026.e12759","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.2026.e12759","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Gay and bisexual men who have sex with men (GBMSM) experience unique health challenges, including higher rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) compared with the general population. This article offers an overview of the treatment and preventive interventions used in sexual health and genitourinary medicine clinics to improve sexual health and reduce the risk of acquiring STIs, focusing on the sexual health of GBMSM. Preventive medicine is a proactive approach to reducing the risk of ill health by using medicines, vaccination and lifestyle support to prevent acquisition rather than treating conditions following diagnosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149112802","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"How to prepare for participating in a simulation activity.","authors":"Kayleigh McGinty, Nikki Leach","doi":"10.7748/ns.2026.e12755","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2026.e12755","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Rationale and key points: </strong>Simulation-based education is an increasingly integral part of preregistration nurse education. Indeed, in the UK, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) allows up to 600 hours of simulated practice learning to count towards nursing students' and nursing associate students' total practice learning hours. However, students can sometimes feel anxious about participating in simulation activities, which can have an adverse effect on their learning experience. • Preparation before participating in a simulation activity can help to mitigate feelings of anxiety and enable students to better engage with the activity. • Simulation facilitators should seek to create a psychologically safe environment for students, in which they feel able to express their ideas and concerns openly, ask questions, make mistakes and challenge others without fear. • The simulation pre-brief is a vital aspect of simulation-based education, providing an opportunity for students to clarify what will be expected of them during the activity. • Debriefing is also a critical component of simulation learning and can support students' psychological safety by providing a structured way of reflecting on their experiences, sharing insights and receiving constructive feedback on their performance.</p><p><strong>Reflective activity: </strong>How to articles can help to update your practice and ensure it remains evidence-based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of: • How this article might enhance your experience of participating in a simulation activity. • How you could use this information to assist others in preparing to participate in a simulation activity.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"37-42"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148795989","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Understanding, assessing and managing shock in adults.","authors":"Rachel Birch, Sam Turner","doi":"10.7748/ns.2026.e12685","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2026.e12685","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Shock is a potentially life-threatening condition characterised by impaired perfusion of tissues and organs and inadequate cellular oxygenation. If left untreated, shock can lead to organ dysfunction, organ failure and death. This article explores the pathophysiology of shock and its underlying causes, including key physiological concepts such as blood pressure, cardiac output, preload, contractility and afterload. It examines the different types of shock and their relationship to these physiological concepts, alongside strategies for assessment and management. The authors also discuss the crucial role of nurses in assessing and managing patients with shock as part of the multidisciplinary team.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"43-51"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148702135","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Overview of weight loss medicines and practical advice for patients.","authors":"Ruth Caroline Boocock","doi":"10.7748/ns.2026.e12753","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2026.e12753","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The use of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and dual GLP-1/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonists for weight loss has increased rapidly. These medicines reduce body weight through appetite suppression and metabolic effects. In patients with obesity, they are indicated for weight management as an adjunct to diet and physical activity. Access to weight loss medicines through the NHS is restricted to higher-risk patients, so a large proportion of people who take them receive treatment privately, which is likely to aggravate existing health inequalities with regards to obesity. This article outlines the mechanisms of action of weight loss medicines and the risks they entail, including poor-quality dietary intake, muscle loss and weight regain after the cessation of treatment. To enhance patient outcomes in the long term, nurses have a crucial role in supporting adequate micronutrient and protein intake, physical activity and behaviour change.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"59-65"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148866123","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effect of stigma and power imbalances on people with mental health conditions in general hospitals.","authors":"Angela Teece","doi":"10.7748/ns.2026.e12760","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2026.e12760","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Around one third of patients in general hospital settings will have a comorbid mental health condition, meaning that general nurses will likely be required to support a person with mental health issues at some point in their everyday practice. However, people with mental health conditions can experience social stigma and differential treatment when admitted to general hospital wards. This article explores the power structures that may be experienced by patients with mental health issues in general hospitals and how widely held biases about mental health can influence nurses' clinical decision-making. The author also discusses how nurse educators should provide more mental health information during adult preregistration nurse education programmes to dismantle the stigma and biased attitudes often experienced by patients with mental health issues.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"67-74"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148808998","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"How to calculate the dosage and infusion rate for administration of intravenous medicines.","authors":"Anthony Pritchard","doi":"10.7748/ns.2026.e12772","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.2026.e12772","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Rationale and key points: </strong>The administration of intravenous (IV) medicines, including calculating the required dosage and infusion rate, is a fundamental nursing proficiency. Mistakes in IV medicine dose and infusion rate calculations are a significant factor in medication errors, so it is essential that nurses, and other healthcare professionals who undertake this task, can make these calculations accurately. Nurses undertaking IV drug calculations must have the knowledge and skills required to do so safely and accurately and must work within their level of competence. • IV administration of medicines (which includes fluids and blood products) has several advantages over the oral route including faster onset of action, as therapeutic levels are more rapidly attained, and avoidance of issues that affect absorption via the gastrointestinal tract. • There is an increased risk of adverse effects if errors in IV dosage calculation or infusion rate are made because of the rapid onset of action of IV medicines with no way of reversing this. • To undertake accurate drug dosage and infusion rate calculations, nurses need to be confident in using basic mathematical principles and be familiar with the different types of equipment used to administer IV medicines. REFLECTIVE ACTIVITY: 'How to' articles can help to update your practice and ensure it remains evidence based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of: • How this article might enhance your ability to undertake accurate drug dosage and infusion rate calculations when administering IV medicines. • How you could use this information to educate nursing students or colleagues in making accurate drug dose and infusion rate calculations for the administration of IV medicines.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149069048","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Self-awareness in nurse leadership and its relationship with emotional intelligence and reflective practice.","authors":"Stephanie Louise Heyes","doi":"10.7748/ns.2026.e12773","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.2026.e12773","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Self-awareness is widely recognised as a core component of effective nurse leadership, influencing decision-making, communication and patient care. It also underpins emotional intelligence, an essential leadership skill that enables individuals to perceive, understand and manage their own emotions, and respond appropriately to the emotions of others. Self-awareness can be developed through reflection, enabling nurses to recognise how their values, emotions and behaviours affect others, particularly in complex and emotionally demanding healthcare environments. However, self-awareness and reflective practice are understood and demonstrated differently across individual and cultural contexts, meaning there is no 'one-size-fits-all' approach to its development. This article examines self-awareness in the context of nurse leadership, exploring its relationship with emotional intelligence and reflective practice, and considers some ways in which nurses and nursing students can further develop self-awareness. The author also discusses how cultural humility is one way in which self-awareness can be translated into nursing practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149012714","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}