
In Nursing Standard four days ago, the above claim regarding the stae of district nursing in Scotland is one of the most striking examples ill-informed journalism I’ve seen.1
This won’t take long.
NHS England has 7.4 district nurses per 100 000 population.2
Scotland has 77 or, if you are careful to avoid possible differences in definitions, 55 per 100 000.3
So, Scotland has at least 7 times as many district nurses per head of population as England does but the RCN’s Nursing Standard chooses to look at Scotland?
Sources:
- https://rcni.com/nursing-standard/newsroom/news/district-nursing-teams-demoralised-diluted-skill-mix-223081?utm_campaign=REG%20WEEKLY%20BRIEFING%2022.06.26&utm_content=ZONE%201%20LINK%201%20NEWS%20District%20nursing%20teams%20demoralised%20by%20%27diluted%27%20skill%20mix&utm_term=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Adestra
- https://www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/research/district-nursing-understanding-the-decline-and-mapping-the-future
- https://www.nursinginpractice.com/community-nursing/district-nursing-teams-seeing-diluted-skill-mix/
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I spent almost the entirety of January receiving wonderful in-hospital care at Crosshouse Hospital.
Since being released, my continuing treatment has involved regular weekly visits from the District Nursing team. These girls do a wonderful job, are almost cheerful and efficient and I look forward to their visits.
NHS Scotland, in my experience, does a great job.
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Thanks Matthew.
I hope all is well with you.
John
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Getting there John. I now have “Frequent Flyer” rights at Ayr Hospital.
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I’m glad you were pleased with your treatment. However it is the 21st century and ” girls ” is frankly misogynist. Btw I was a registered nurse for 28 years and my colleagues deserve better.
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