The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has launched an updated set of workforce standards, laying out expectations for nurse staffing in UK health and social care services. At the college’s annual congress, held in Liverpool last week, the 2025 RCN Workforce Standards were published. “Fewer nurses in health care settings leads to poorer patient outcomes” Lynn Woolsey The document, an update to the college’s inaugural standards created in 2021, makes demands for nurse-to-patient ratios above “critical” minimum levels, guaranteed continued professional development for nurses, among others. The revised 14 standards cover three key themes: responsibility and accountability; clinical leadership and…
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General practice nurses (GPNs) will continue to leave their jobs if role substitution, poor pay and other fundamental issues are not addressed, a study has concluded. The new report, published in journal GMC Primary Care this week, surveyed dozens of nursing staff in general practice across England and Wales to investigate what keeps them in their jobs – and what could force them out. “Nurses in general practice experience factors which leave them vulnerable and underserved” Study Lead author Dr Helen Anderson, Queen’s Nurse and University of York qualitative research fellow, said GPNs were being pushed to a “breaking point”…
Home health providers have turned to screening for dementia as a standard part of their health assessment, finding meaningful clinical and operational benefits. Home dementia screening promoted previous diagnosis and personalized care pathways, with industry experts talking to Home Health News and identifying potential candidates for additional home services. Early detection of dementia may improve clinical outcomes, but according to a national poll on aging, 80% of adults aged 65 to 80 have not been screened for cognitive issues in the past year. “If you suspect cognitive impairment but have no diagnosis on the file, home screening can connect important…
An external review into the way the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) handled stripping a UK midwifery course of its accreditation has been completed. This review, a summary of which has been published in NMC Council papers, found failings on the part of both the university and the regulator – recommending more transparency and better communication should a similar situation arise in the future. “They are in a very, very different and positive place” Paula Holt In 2023, the NMC withdrew its regulatory approval of Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU)’s midwifery degree course – the first time it had ever…
A new framework setting out the skills required of specialist cardiology nurses has been launched in Scotland. The national Specialist Nursing in Cardiology Framework aims to help more nurses reach advanced practice level amid rising patient demand. “The framework supports the ongoing professional development of nurses within cardiology across Scotland” Leeanne Macklin It has been developed in collaboration between the Scottish Government, nursing representatives from all NHS health boards and NHS Education for Scotland. Launching the resource, public health minister Jenni Minto said: “This innovative framework will help cardiology nurses obtain advanced skills to ensure more timely diagnoses, improved management…
Proposals to cut health insurance programs in the budget bill, promoted through Congress by President Donald Trump, could put hundreds of thousands of healthcare jobs at risk. Congressional Republicans are moving forward with a budget plan that will cause nearly 8 million Medicaid people to lose health insurance coverage, according to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office.Less Medicaid funds and fewer people have health insurance means fewer doctors' office visits, prescription refills and medical procedures. As a result, fewer workers are required to support these types of services. An analysis by George Washington University and the Federal Fund shows that…
The new vaccine advisors from US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. meet next week, but their agenda suggests they will skip some expected topics, including voting for Covidshot, while gaining long-standing targets for anti-vaxin groups.The Advisory Committee on Vaccination Practices recommends how to use the country's vaccine, how to schedule vaccines for children, and adult shot advice. Last week, Kennedy suddenly rejected an existing panel of 17 experts and carefully selected eight alternatives, including several anti-vaccine voices.The agenda for the new committee's first meeting, posted Wednesday, shows that it will be shorter than expected. The Covid Shots discussion opens…
Although not always easy, testing may help predict how many years a person will remain, according to athletic researchers who have tracked thousands of middle-aged and elderly people over a decade. The sitting test requires adequate balance, muscle strength and flexibility, and is unable to sit on the floor without using your arms, hands or knees and then stand up again. According to a new report published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology on Wednesday, the movement is a way to determine non-anarobic fitness and uncover potential issues that may otherwise be missed.The team at the Exercise Medicine Clinic…
Scientists have long tried to discover whether popular supplements can slow aging by taurine. Evidence suggested that the levels of nutrients found in meat and shellfish decreased after middle age of people. In other words, taurine can be considered a marker of healthy aging. An international study in 2023 confirmed that taurine decreased with age, indicating that taurine supplements can slow the aging process in some animal types. Now, a new study published in Science on Thursday found that taurine levels did not decline with age, but rather remained unchanged throughout adulthood, and also increased in some older adults.The apparent…
Joellen Zembruski-Ruple swallowed the first three chemotherapy drugs to treat her squamous cell carcinoma on Jan. 29 while caring for New York City's famous Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, her family said. They didn't realize that the drug could kill her.Six days later, Zembruski-Ruple went to Sloan Kettering's emergency department to treat pain in the mouth and stop the swelling around the eyes. The hospital diagnosed an oral yeast infection and sent her home, her sister and partner said. Two days later, they said she was admitted, returning to suffering from severe diarrhea and vomiting. “Enzyme deficiency,” Zembruski-Ruple texted a…