The 7th UK Stroke Forum commenced on Tuesday in Harrogate. The National Stroke Nursing Forum took the opportunity to hold an Annual General Meeting, and to host a training session for nurses and those interested in nursing issues.
The training session included a range of issues, prompting lively questionning and debate which continued over a glass of wine (or two).
Professor Robert Teasell provided an inspirational overview of the challenges associated with delivering evidence-based stroke rehabilitation, and specifically the importance of developing and implementing guidelines. Providing a North American perspective, the influence on stroke care of our different policy frameworks for organising and delivering healthcare provided food for thought.
Dr Liz Boaden provided an example of truly inter-professional working through the development of competency frameworks for all health care professionals supporting patients with dysphagia.
Reflecting on her career as a nurse in stroke care, Dr Jane Williams highlighted the importance of the nursing contribution to stroke services. Her presentation highlighted the increasing range of opportunities for nurses to develop clinical and other careers within UK stroke nursing.
As an old hand within stroke nursing, Dr Bernard Gibbon challenged us to reflect on how we support the development of the next generation of nurses. Picking up the recent debates within the UK media about nurse education and training, Bernard provided insights into how we can bring the 'taught' and 'placement' aspects of graduate nurse education closer together. Sometimes it's important to reflect on the considerable breadth and depth of knowledge and skills that nurses need to have in today's NHS, and to challenge the view that you can be too clever to look after people when they are at their most vulnerable!
Dr Louise Connell provided an inspirational overview of opportunities for nurses to develop clinical academic careers. At the heart of the multi-disciplinary team, it's essential that the care that nurses provide for patients and families is evidence-based, and the challenge is for us to participate in actively developing that evidence.
Insights into the challenges for patients and families in 'getting out of the house' were provided by Dr Pip Logan, highlighting the need for us to help those affected by stroke cope with the consiequences of stroke for travel for leisure and work. Continuing this theme, Dr Kate Radford provided an update on legislation around driving after stroke, and the best ways that problems with driving can be identified.
A big thanks to all speakers for an interesting afternoon!
