252 NURSE EDUCATION TODAY

Although this book has laudable objectives, it has not been ‘anglicized’ for the UK market - a major problem since many drugs have completely different names in the USA and the UK This is likely to lead to a major confusion if it is adopted for use with patients outside the USA. Fortunately, the British Medical Association produce the excellent ‘Guide to Medicines and Drugs’ which fulfils exactly the same role in a somewhat more exciting format.

NICKY CULLUM PhD RGN

Children’s Consent to Surgery Priscilla Alderson OU Press 1993 212pp ISBN: O-3351-57327 212.99

It is a pleasure to read this addition to Priscilla Alderson’s pioneering work. Children’s Gmsent to Szqety is an account of a major research project which, incidentally, offers many insights into the process of carrying out research with children and their families. Reading this book rais- es a wealth of questions related to children’s right-and need - to consent to their own health care. Dr Alderson illustrates her account with many direct quotations from children and their carers which makes the text vivid and highly readable. Although the book has a thorough index and is broken into chapters which organise the issue of children’s consent into important topics, the text is most helpful when read through from cover to cover. Consequently the book can be used for reference to questions of interest but the reader may find it difficult to grasp portions of the text out of con- text of the whole. As the catalyst for debate of this important and pressing issue of children’s self-determi- nation in health care this excellent book throws down the gauntlet to all health and welfare professionals working with sick children and their families.

J RICHARDSON

ABC of Child Abuse Roy Meadows, Ed

BMJ 1993 75pp illus ISBN: O-7279-0764-6 (pb) 512.95

The 1989 Children Act demands that nurses along with other health care professionals play their part in the protection of children. This short book provides an excellent underpinning to an understanding of this unpalatable phenomenon. Each chapter is succinctly written with accompanying illustrative photographs. The importance of what a child says is emphasised as is the need for professional diligence and sensitivity. At the end of each chapter the author suggests 3-6 papers or books for further reading on the topic. There are narticularlv excellent chapters outlining good practice

professionals fear appearing in the courts and there is a useful chapter which demystifies the conventions of court proceedings so that the giving of evidence need not be such an ordeal. This chapter is particularly help ful in outlining good practice in court appearances.

In summary, this is an excellent reference book which has been much improved in this second edition. I thoroughly recommend it to all nurses in practice with children and their families.

ALISON WHILE BSc MSc PhD RGN RHV Cert Ed

Nursing Workforce Planning Keith Hurst Longman 1993 128pp ISBN: O-528-21322-3 g65.00

Keith Hurst’s textbook is unashamably about how to make stafling equations work . at least, whilst acknowl- edging some limitations, such as the problems of mea- suring psycho-social care, patient education, and the decision making responsibilities inherent within the new systems of nursing. There is no pretence to substan- tial argument on the political and professional issues involved in addressing care through workforce plan- ning systems, nor a commitment to discuss what such systems might mean for the status of practice, education or nursing research in the future. Instead this is a manu- al based upon market pragmatism. Nursing is an expen- sive NHS commodity, and within the health care market place, it must be directed, decisively, rationally and with the most cost effective outcomes as central benchmarks. If nurses are unwilling, or unable, to think in these terms, then others will be prepared to complete the equations. It behoves the profession to understand the data, and the techniques, if we are to make the best case for appropriate stafftng, rather than to sit on the side- lines, and bemoan the fact that the game rules have been changed, and we cannot play.

Mr Hurst’s book proceeds in clipped and measured steps, outlining the workforce planning systems, the means to assess patient dependency and nurse activity levels. Vignettes illustrate the applications to a number of clinical settings, and the text is supported by large tables and a substantial glossary of key terms. To this extent, the author is to be congratulated on summaris- ing a substantial data base of material, in so compact a reference source.

Such a manual will prove a useful reference source then, to managers and senior nurses. It remains sad that the cost of the text, and its rather functional writing style will make it less accessible to a wider audience of nurses. Understanding the equations may prove critical in defending clinical decisions, staffing levels, and the less tangible aspects of professional practice.

I vv _

regarding case conferences, legal procedures for pro- tecting children and writing of medical reports. Many

BOB PRICE RGN BA MSc Cert Ed ARRC