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The Royal College of Nursing Diabetes Nursing Forum represents diabetes nursing on a number of national groups and committees as well as within the RCN.

‘Who’s in Control?’- Forum Conference 1999 I’m pleased to announce that the Forum’s Annual Conference will be held from 2pm on Friday 17th to 5pm on Saturday 18 September at the Forte Posthouse Hotel, Birmingham City. Details are available from the RCN Conference Unit at the address below. This conference is designed for all nurses working in diabetes care, and both RCN and non-RCN members are welcome. The programme will include sessions on ‘What’s Control? ‘ from a patient, professional and educational perspective, ‘insulin resis- tance’ and ‘meeting the challenges’, with speakers from the UK and New

specialist nurses in the provision of quality care, but the apparent lack of value which is sometimes placed on specialist nurses by the NHS. We are nervous but delighted to have had our submission accepted for presen- tation at such a big event. You may see us on the tv!!

Guidelines on the premixing and preloading of insulin by community nursesfor patients to give at a later time These guidelines have been updated and reissued and are available from RCN Direct on 0345 726100.

Education Working Party Work continues apace on the four groups within this Working party - namely current course availability, quality assurance, the role of the DSN and nurseprescribing.

York leading workshops on strategies for effective behaviour change. Also, the tantalising question ‘do specialist nurses disempower general nurses?’, the presentation of the Forum Awardsfor Innovation in Diabetes Care, an after-dinner entertainment and of course, the not-to-be-missed AGM! Definitelyadateforthediary. Contact Lena KirtonattheConference Unit, RCN.

RCN Congress, March 1999 -Matter for Discussion As I write, we will be presenting a matterfor discussion to RCN Congress on the subject of ‘only specilist nurses have the skills to facilitate effective care in chronic disease’, highlighting the need for both general and

Further details of these and all the Forum’s activities, such as represen- tation ofdiabetes nursing on national working groups and committees, can beobtainedbycontactingme via AnneSynnottat theaddress beloworon e-mailrosebud*btinternet.com

Rosemary Walker, RGNFETC, Chair

The Royal College of Nursing: The Voice of Nursing 20 Cavendish Square, London Wl M OAB. Telephone: 01 71 409 3333 Fax: 0171 647 3435

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46 Practical Diabetes International MarcWApril I999 Vol. 16 No. 2