Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)
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Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a neuropathic pain condition occurring after amputation of a limb. PLP affects amputees' quality of life and results in loss of productivity and psychological distress. The origin of pain from a non-existing limb creates a challenging situation for both patients and nurses. ⋯ This knowledge will lead to reduced problems for patients by allowing them to talk about PLP and ask for help when needed. Understanding of this phenomenon will enable nurses to appreciate the unique features of this form of neuropathic pain and apply appropriate techniques to promote effective pain management. Performing accurate and frequent assessments to understand the unique characteristics of PLP, displaying a non-judgemental attitude towards patients and teaching throughout the peri-operative process are significant nursing interventions.
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The RCN will begin lobbying European Union politicians and officials in the autumn to exclude health services from a controversial free trade agreement being negotiated between Europe and the United States.
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Burgers, chips and fatty foods being served up in hospital canteens could soon become a thing of the past, if Simon Stevens gets his way.
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Essential facts [Figure: see text] HIV is a virus that weakens the immune system and leaves people less able to fight infection. According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), an estimated 98,400 people were living with HIV in the UK in 2012, but one in five of them did not know they were carrying the virus. If those people were identified and treated, then a further 3,500 cases of HIV transmission could be prevented within five years.