These guidelines are an update for 2015 of the 2008 UK guidelines for the management of syphilis. The writing group have piloted the new BASHH guideline methodology, notably using the GRADE system for assessing evidence and making recommendations. We have made significant changes to the recommendations for screening infants born to mothers with positive syphilis serology and to facilitate accurate and timely communication between the teams caring for mother and baby we have developed a birth plan. Procaine penicillin is now an alternative, not preferred treatment, for all stages of syphilis except neurosyphilis, but the length of treatment for this is shortened. Other changes are summarised at the start of the guideline.

According to the holistic model of care, nurses must consider their patients' spiritual needs in order to provide total patient care (Govier, 2000). There is growing awareness of the contribution that spiritual wellbeing can make to a patient's actual and perceived health and quality of life (Chibnall et al, 2002; Mount, 2003). Spirituality and spiritual care has gained much momentum in the current nursing arena. Draper and McSherry (2002) assert that it has emerged from the shadows to occupy a prominent part of contemporary health care. Moreover, within the nursing profession, a focus on individuals as biopsychosocial-spiritual beings is gaining recognition. This notion is based on the premise that there should be balance of mind, body and spirit for the maintenance of health in a person (Stoll, 1989; Stooter, 1995). However, there is evidence that many nurses, including nurse educators, have difficulty with the concept of spirituality and consequently, may neglect this aspect of care (Greenstreet, 1999; McSherry, 2000). The aim of this article is to contribute towards clarifying the concept of spirituality.

Qualitative research methodology is a suitable approach for clinical inquiry into nursing practice, leading to theory development and advancement in clinical practice. Rigour is necessary to enhance the consistency and quality of qualitative research. It is the framework for demonstrating credibility and integrity of the qualitative research process. Methodological decisions regarding rigour can have implications for the quality, integrity and interpretability of the findings. Rigour, therefore, is a principle that should be present during all stages of the research study, from its inception to the writing of the final report. For qualitative researchers, reaching the desired goal and meeting the requirements of rigour become particularly problematic due to the considerable debate about what it means to do valid research in the field of qualitative inquiry. This article outlines methods that can be used to maintain rigour in a qualitative study, including member-checking, peer debriefing, audit trail and reflexivity.

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