Feasibility of the Namaste Care Programme to enhance care for those with advanced dementia.

Many individuals approaching the end of life with advanced dementia will live in a care or residential home. A wide spectrum of care is required and physical and safety needs may be prioritised above all other requirements. The Namaste Care Programme is designed to provide a holistic approach to meeting the needs of those with advanced dementia.

Care of patients with dementia in an acute trauma and orthopaedics unit.

Aim To increase awareness of the needs of patients with dementia in the trauma and orthopaedics unit of one acute hospital, and to collaborate with staff on the unit to identify ways of improving the care experienced by these patients and their families. Method An action research approach was used and three action research cycles were completed. Data were obtained retrospectively for 20 patients with dementia who were admitted to the unit for treatment.

Protecting an endangered species: the contribution and constraints of nurses working in a specialist role.

Aim: The project aims to assess current specialist practice in relation to the new and ever-changing healthcare climate and explore some of the issues that specialist nurses encounter.

Background: The current financial recession is driving a range of economic policy changes and consequently service provision, in particular the work and impact of nurses working in a specialist role, being examined. This has resulted in many specialist nurses feeling very vulnerable.

Parental experiences of cleft lip and palate services.

In 1995 a cleft liaison service was developed in a health and social care trust which comprises primary and secondary care. The service team includes hospital and community midwives, health visitors and a consultant orthodontist who had a particular interest, and experience in the care of children born with a cleft and often this work was in addition to their existing roles. Anecdotal evidence indicated that the service was of great help to parents but it had never been formally evaluated.