Nurses

Welcome to the Nurses Webpage

Introduction

Over the last few years the role of the Paediatric Rheumatology Clinical Nurse Specialist (PRCNS) has become increasingly central to the speciality of paediatric rheumatology. Historically PRCNS's, within the British Society of Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology (BSPAR), have been grouped together with Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists under the umbrella of Allied Health Professionals (AHP’s). Whilst continuing to work closely with our AHP colleagues it has been increasingly necessary to also distinguish ourselves as a separate entity, in order to develop and promote the role of the PRCNS's where we have the very real potential to influence practice. 

Predominantly PRCNS's are based in Tertiary Centres and share care with colleagues in both secondary and primary care ensuring that children and young people with rheumatological conditions have expert specialist care and can be manage as near to their own homes as possible. Many of the PRCNS's are members of the RCN, Children and Young People’s Rheumatology Community. The CYP rheumatology community is now grouped into the CYP Specialist Care Forum and further information can be found at www.rcn.org

Aims of Group

Link Members for BSPAR

Helen Strike is the Chair of the BSPAR and RCN nurses group. In this role Helen is also the nurse representative of the BSPAR executive representing the Nurses group.
Helen works as a PRCNS in Bristol. 

Her contact details are:
helen.strike@UHBristol.nhs.uk

Telephone:01173420133 mobile: 077861502

Gill Jackson is secretary to both BSPAR and RCN nurse groups, taking minutes for the meetings and maintaining up to date membership records. Gill also circulates queries and questions via emails on behalf of the BSPAR nurses group
Gill works as a PRCNS at Leeds.

Her contact details are:
gill.jackson@leedsth.nhs.uk

Telephone: 0113 392 6199

Ruth Wyllie is the Steering Group Representative for the RCN CYP Rheumatology Community. Ruth will keep members of the CYP rheumatology community informed of the community’s activities. Ruth works as a PRCNS in Newcastle.

Her contact details are:

Ruth.Wyllie@nuth.nhs.uk

Telephone: 0191 282 0373

Liz Stretton is currently responsible for disseminating RCN related information around the nurses group. Liz works as a PRCNS at Nottingham. She is also an Ordinary Member of the BSPAR executive.

Her contact details are:
Liz.Stretton@nuh.nhs.uk

Telephone: 0115 9345003 (Mailbox) 

Meetings

BSPAR

Nurse Group Meetings

Minutes of nurse group meetings

These meetings have in previous years been generously supported by an educational grant from Wyeth. Next year’s meeting is being sponsored by Abbott.

September 2011 minutes:    Nurses_minutes_09_11[1].doc

DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL GUIDELINES

Members of the group have been involved in the development of several guidelines, working parties and patient support groups. 

• BSPAR (2008) Standards of Care available on BSPAR Website
• Royal College of Nursing (2009) London: RCN.
  Assessing, Managing and Monitoring Biologic Therapies; guidance for rheumatology practitioners. London: RCN. Available at www.rcn.org.uk
  Lead Paediatric Author, Liz Hutchinson.
• Royal College of Nursing (2004)
  Subcutaneous Methotrexate in Inflammatory Arthritis. London: RCN.
  Available at www.rcn.org.uk
  Lead Paediatric Author, Polly Livermore PRCNS Great Ormond Street.

USEFUL RESOURCES

The above and many other useful resources can be found on the USEFUL LINKS section of the BSPAR website

REFERENCES

BSPAR is a Charitable Company registered in England and Wales. Company number 06978211.
Registered office: 105, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Herts, AL1 3EJ.