NHS Health Check certificate

On my last day of my insight placement, I was able to experience a full day of wound care learning activities. I found the first half of the day improved my knowledge on the types of wounds, wound causes and severity of wounds. I learnt the ‘TIMES’ assessment; Tissue, infection, moisture, epidermal advancement and surrounding skin, to be a very useful tool when determining what dressing would be appropriate for the wound and how regularly this would need to be changed. The second half of the day was very engaging and interactional with my peers. I did a question answer board game which had questions relating to everything we had learnt in the first half of the wound care session. This was so much fun to play and felt rewarding guessing answers right, but also learning the answers to questions I did not know. I also engaged in scenarios which really helped utilise my assessment techniques and determine the right dressing for the wound. Lastly, we got a chance to practice on each other, which I really enjoyed the interaction and a chance to practice putting dressings on a person. I think the planning of the day was well thought through and the learning experience was fantastic. I would really enjoy having more sessions on wound care at this level as it helped me to remember everything that was taught in the day. I now feel more confident in the delivery of wound care management.Wound care RHU

Medicine management reflection

On Wednesday the 14^th of June, our insight day was medicine management and practice assessments on safe medicate. I found this was crucially needed. I feel that although I have access to safe medicate and I follow the tutorials which are very useful, having assessments allocated allows me to practice medication management. Throughout this session I completed the assessment and although my score was good, I missed a few points. Looking back, I can see where I went wrong. At the time of the assessment, I picked the traditional method over the drop rate denominator (DRD), for IV medicine management. Therefore, I did not need to work out the drop rate denominator for IV. Before we started the assessment, we covered both methods of calculation for IV and so when the assessment came to the IV section instead of writing the number of drops per mill, I was calculating the DRD. At the time I was aware of the two methods interlinking but I thought that was the right calculation at the time. This was a big learning experience for me and from this I am able to identify the two methods separately and calculate IV correctly for both methods. I also liked that Caroline (practice supervisor) was continuously present for myself and group to ask questions if needed. Caroline offered incredible support and assisted further when I emailed regarding extending the amount of assessment time so that I could have more practice on the weekend. Overall, I am really happy we had the opportunity to practice medicine management within our insight placement.

Practical proficiencies in cannulation and venepuncture was held on Wednesday 14^th of June in the Mary Seacole clinic room at Roehampton University. This provided a great opportunity to reconsolidate and strengthen my cannulation and venepuncture practice. Although I have done venepuncture and cannulation before, it was great to go over both again and in such detail. I really liked the detailed demonstration from both Luke and Nira, which was given before we practiced. There was so much care in delivering step by step processes and talking through each stage in detail that really resonated. It was nice to have our own mannequin arm each to practice on multiple times, without having to wait for someone to finish so you can use. This helped in the reconsolidation process as once we were shown we were given the opportunity to practice straight away. Overall, I would say this was a great learning experience and practice. It would be useful to have further venepuncture and cannulation practice sessions as I am not always given the opportunity to practice in placement. If the session arose again, I would like to think I have remembered the stages we covered within this session confidently.

Mental Health Awareness for Mental Health Professionals

Mental health awareness for practice nurses

Insight Placement Reflection w1

Nikkita worked with me in Kingston Single Point of Access team for 2 days to gain experience of assessments and understand the referral pathway from primary care.

Nikita participated in comprehensive assessments which included risk assessment and signposting.

Nikita was enthusiastic and motivated to learn. She demonstrated knowledge of different mental health conditions and was reflective in the clinical formulations.

Joanna Barker

Joanna Barker

Community Mental Health Nurse

Kingston Single Point of Access team (KSPA)

Office telephone – Mon fri- 9-5

0203 513 1733

Mobile- Mon- Fri- 9-5

0793 317 2163

joanna.barker@swlstg.nhs.uk