The role of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Diabetes Nursing Forum

AH Kelleher RON FETCCM DIPMGT, Diabetes Nurse Manager, Wiltshire Health Care (NHS) Trust; and Chairperson, RCN Diabetes Nursing Forum

Correspondence to: Alexandra Kelleher, c/o RCN Diabetes Nursing Forum, 20 Cavendish Square, London W1 M OAB, UK

lntroduct ion The Royal College of Nursing (KCN) Dia- betes Nursing Forum exists to support nurses working within the field of diabetes (Table I). This article discusses the origins, function and achievements of the Forum, in an effort to inform other pro- fessionals working within diabetes of its existence.

The introduction of nurses working within the specialism of diabetes meant there was a need for peer support. Because of the nature of the job, most nurses worked solely within a health district and often felt very isolated. The Diabetes Nursing Forum started as a special interest group within the RCN ten years ago. Over the years it has grown in strength to a membership of 1,230. This enables the Forum to have two voting members at the KCN congress. It attracts not only diabetes nurse specialists, but other nurses working within the field of diabetes. As well as the main forum there is now a Diabetes Paediatric Special Interest Group with a membership of 100.

Elections for Chairperson and Treasurer are every two years, alternating with Vice- Chairperson and Honorary Secretary. Honorary officers can stand for two periods of two years (Table 2). The elect- ion process is by nomination from the Forum membership with two seconders.

Aims of the Forum Promote the specialist role of the

Encourage the development of diabetes nurse.

diabetes nursing through training, education and updating. Keep nurses informed about changes in practice and advances in technology to help their clinical and professional development.

advice and support.

of care.

concerns and views about diabetes nursing.

Act as a resource for professional

Define and promote higher standards

Provide an environment to share

Take part in and respond to national issues affecting the provision of care. Encourage links with other relevant organisations. Work with other KCN membership groups where there are shared interests.

aspects of diabetes care. Promote and support research into all

What the Forum offers A regular newsletter. Annual general meeting within a two day conference and study days. Publications related to clinical practice in diabetes care. Opportunity to be involved in working parties directed at improving patient care. A network of members who can be a resource for concerns about clinical practice in diabetes care. Support for regional groups of diabetes specialist nurses who can offer local study days on diabetes care.

Links with other organisations concerned with the care of people with diabetes. Links with other KCN membership groups. A special interest group in paediatric diabetes. Continuing education opportunities through the KCN’s Institute of Advanced Nursing Education and access to the full range of KCN membership. Benefits and services up to &1 million indemnity insurance covering all aspects of your professional practice. Access to counselling, advice on labour relations and career support. The lobbying influence of the world’s largest professional union of nurses, midwives and health visitors.

Achievements Over the years the working parties (Table 3) within the Forum have produced documents (Table 4). These are of great

Table 1. Objectives of the RCN Diabetes Nursing Forum

1. To develop the role of the diabetes specialist nurse 2. To educate and inform members on changes in practice 3. To provide a meeting place for the exchange of ideas and developments in clinical practice 4. To support nurses within their work place by providing a regional link of diabetes specialist

nurses

rable 2. Present members of the Committee of the RCN Diabetes Nursing Forum

Chairperson: Alexandra Kelleher Paediatric Special Vice-Chairperson: Ruth Davies Interest Group: Adele McEvilly Secretary: Beryl Hounsome Co-opted: Janice Tinlin Treasurer: Suzanne Redmond RCN Representative: Mark Jones BDA Representative: Kate Campbell

Table 3. Working Parties of the RCN Diabetes Nursing Forum

Past: Quality assurance Current: Research Sharps disposal Education Blood testing in clinical areas Pre-mixing insulin

I I

PracticalDiabetes International JadFeb 1995 Vol. 12 No. I 9

me role of the Royal College ofNursing (RCN) Diabetes Nursing Forum

Table 4. RCN diabetes nursing forum: published documents ~

Author Title ~~

Print Available from Price+ P&P

RCN Diabetes Nursing Nursing Forum

The Role of the Diabetes Speclalist Nurse

Eli Lilly & Co Dept. of Community Health, Royal College of Nursing, 20 Cavendish Square, London W1 M OAB, UK

A4 envelope +62pstamp (UK)

RCN Diabetes Nursing Forum Paediatric Spec. Int. Group

The Role of the Paediatric Nurse in Diabetes

Eli Lilly & Co Adele McEvilly, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Diabetes Day Care Unit Birmingham Children’s Hospital Ladywood, Middleway, Birmingham B168NT, UK

Department of Community Health, Royal College of Nursing 20 Cavendish Square London W1 M OAB, UK

A4 envelope +62p stamp (UK)

RCN Diabetes Nursing Forum

Guidelines to blood testlng in clinical areas

Bayer Diagnostics A4 envelope +lQpstamp(UK)

RCN Diabetes Nursing Forum

Guidelines to pre- mixing of insulin

Bayer Diagnostics Department of Community Health, Royal College of Nursing 20 Cavendish Square, London W1 M OAB, UK

A4 envelope +19pstamp (UK)

RCN Diabetes and Practice Nurse’s Forums

Diabetes Clinical Guidelines for Practice Nurses

Servier Department of Community Health, Royal College of Nursing 20 Cavendish Street, London W l M OAB, UK

A4 envelope +62p stamp (UK)

Mclntosh, J. (1992) Getting Started in Research- (Worksheet produced for RCN Diab. Nurs. Forum

From the British Diabetic Association

Suzanne Redmond, Director, Care Division, BDA, 10 Queen Anne Street, London W1 M OBD. UK

f1.50 +A5 envelope and 19p stamp (UK)

RCN Diabetes Nursing Forum

Quallty Assurance Fisherprint, Peterborough

Beryl Hounsome, 263 Ashley Road, Hale, Cheshire WA15 QNF, UK

f 1.50 +A5 envelope and 19p stamp (UK)

Free to members RCN Diabetes Nursing Forum Members

Rdsumd(Forum’s newsletter)

Bayer Diagnostics Circulated to all members automatically Spring and Autumn

help to members and to other non-nurses working with people with diabetes. Most documents listed are available from the

RCN Administrative Clerk to the Diabetes Nursing Forum. Along with nationwide links, conferences and peer support they

have made the Forum a recognised body to help diabetes specialist nurses’ battle in the forever-changing NHS.

“CONTRACTING FOR DIABETES CARE IN THE NHS” On the basis of a highly successful conference held in London in October last year, Practical Diabetes International in association with the British Diabetic Association has organised similar conferences throughout the UK during 1995 to cover the new NHS regions. The dates of these regional conferences are as follows:

1995 22 March : Bristol 7 June : Newcastle 26 September : Sheffield 27April : Cambridge 4 July : Chester 7 November : Birmingham 17 May : Brighton 12 September : Glasgow

Speakers and Chairmen will be from the regions involved, with the participation of national figures for certain topics. It is expected that each meeting will attract General Practitioners, Consultants, and senior management from Provider and Purchaser units. The presence of those from Public Health is considered important. Forfurther information contact: Leigh Sykes, Profile Reductions Ltd. Northumberland House, 11 The Pavement, Popes Lane,

London W5 4NG, UK. Tel: +44 (0)181566 1902. Fax: +44 (0)181579 9258

10 Practical Diabetes International JanJFeb 1995 Vol. 12 No. 1