Community health nursing

The paper examines the conversational and discursive processes that occur within domiciliary visits between community psychiatric nurses (CPNs) and relatives of chronically confused people. Three conversation formats are identified, through which talk between CPNs and carers is organised. In addition, various discursive practices are also identified within domiciliary meetings. The contribution of these conversational and discursive features to the work of CPNs is fully discussed in relation to what they accomplish within the visit. The data comprised 48 paired tape recordings.

More than 5 million informal carers provide support to individuals who wish to remain within their own homes. The role of informal carers in maintaining people within their own homes has been identified as crucial. This article considers the assessment of need of informal carers in the primary care setting, placing particular emphasis on the role of the district nurse as an advocate for informal carers when working with other health and social care service providers.

Alex Fox highlights the hidden struggles of young carers and the signs health practitioners can look out for to identify those who need support.