No abstract

The objective of this paper was to explore the challenges identified by four health professionals working with families who misuse drugs in relation to family parenting responsibilities. Participants included a midwife, a public health nurse, a general practitioner and a specialist addiction nurse.The paper explored self reflections by the participants of their practice in a primary care setting.Three challenges were identified: family focused care; ethical considerations; and the need for a supported learning environment.The paper proposes consideration of appropriately funded, mandatory joint training supported through a learning organisation approach within the NHS.

Mention Thrush to many women and the speckled songbird is not what springs to mind. Thrush is the common name given to the unpleasant condition of vaginal candidiasis. Approximately 50% of women of childbearing age will have experienced this condition at some time and up to one third of them will have the condition more than once (Seal, 1997). Although it tends to occur most often in sexually active women, it can also occur in those who are celibate or have not started sexual activity. Men can also develop candidiasis on their penis, although this tends to be less common.

Jane Bayliss addresses the medical and lifestyle issues that face a woman such as Marjorie as she approaches the menopause, and discusses the health advice that practice nurses can provide at that time