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GETTY X2 / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
WORKFORCE
Advanced nurse practitioner role now part of ARRS scheme
Advanced nurse practitioner is one of two new roles that have been added to the additional roles reimbursement scheme ( ARRS ) under a series of changes introduced through a new GP contract .
NHS England says it is adding advanced clinical practitioner nurses to the roles eligible for funding under the scheme from April , along with apprentice physician associates .
PCNs covering fewer than 100,000 patients will be able to hire a third advanced nurse practitioner , while those with lists larger than that will be able to hire six , double the current number . And networks will be reimbursed for the time that first-contact practitioners have spent out of practice training .
The changes are part of an imposed GP contract for 2023 / 24 , which focuses primarily on patient access but includes no new funding .
PCNs will also see all caps removed for hiring mental health practitioners ( MHPs ). Practices were previously only allowed to recruit two MHPs if they served fewer than 100,000 patients , or four if they served a larger population .
NHS England has also re-advised PCNs to offer ARRS staff permanent contracts ‘ where appropriate ’, as such staff are to be considered part of the core GP cost base beyond 2023 / 24 . bit . ly / 3JGb0jm
COMMUNITY
Overstretched community services ‘ failing older patients ’
Overstretched and underfunded community health services are failing older patients and contributing to the NHS crisis , an Age UK report has warned .
The charity warns longstanding problems in community healthcare and adult social care are making it more difficult for older people to access the support they need to avoid admission .
More joined-up care in the community and better staffing levels for key roles such as general practice nursing and district nursing would help to reduce pressure on hospitals , the authors argue , pointing out that half ( 49 %) of all people arriving at A & E by ambulance are over 65 .
The report states : ‘ Many older people rely first and foremost on the services provided out of GP practices , by doctors and practice nurses especially .’
The proportion of older people feeling supported to manage their health has fallen by 20 % since 2016 / 17 , and one in five over-80s has some unmet need for social care , the report says . bit . ly / 3LmIlB5
PROFESSIONAL
Nurses should be able to approve abortions , suggests UK study
Nurses and midwives should be able to approve abortions , a UK study has concluded .
The findings of the Shaping Abortion for Change ( SACHA ) report , led by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , has recommended significant changes in abortion healthcare law to bring legislation in line with current practice .
Current law , under the 1967 Abortion Act , requires abortions to be approved by two doctors . The way this law is currently interpreted means nurses are not allowed to perform vacuum aspirations for abortion , even though they are permitted to conduct the same procedures for miscarriages with patients who are up to 14 weeks ’ pregnant .
The study , which was funded by the National Institute for Health Research , suggests the regulations should be changed to allow nurses and midwives to authorise an abortion , prescribe abortion medication and perform vacuum aspirations .
Kaye Wellings , SACHA co-lead and professor of sexual and reproductive health research at LSHTM , says that ‘ as abortion provision is increasingly nurse-led , it makes sense for nurses and midwives to be able to sign off abortions instead of having to pass their paperwork to two doctors , who usually have no contact with the patient ’. bit . ly / 3l4XJr6
CLINICAL
Poverty linked to increased risk of dementia
People living in poverty are at an increased risk of developing dementia compared with people of higher economic status , regardless of genetics , according to a new study led by the University of Exeter .
It says low socioeconomic conditions , at individual and community levels , contribute to the risk of developing dementia . Living in a very disadvantaged neighbourhood poses a particular risk .
The findings , published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine , point to the affect of environmental influences on brain health .
The researchers analysed data from 196,368 UK Biobank participants aged over 60 and without a dementia diagnosis between 2006-2010 to assess who was genetically at risk of developing the condition .
The study data show an individual ’ s socioeconomic conditions and area-level conditions contribute to the risk . Participants with a moderate or high genetic risk were at a significantly higher risk of developing dementia if they lived in a deprived area . bit . ly / 3YNERdZ multidisciplinary management of overweight or obesity . Manufacturer Novo Nordisk is to confirm a UK launch date . bit . ly / 3JEmX99
NHSE chief apologises to nurse after racial discrimination case A black senior nurse who was the victim of racial discrimination at work has received a written apology from NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard , following a landmark legal victory .
An employment tribunal ruled that Michelle Cox was treated unfavourably by NHS England and NHS Improvement because of her race and willingness to speak out . Ms Pritchard praised Ms Cox ’ s ‘ courage and resilience ’.
RCN director for England Patricia Marquis said : ‘ This outcome must drive change – racial discrimination should never be acceptable or tolerated and must be rooted out .’ bit . ly / 40893Sa
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