MNCLHD

MNCLHD

Friday, February 23, 2024

New Options & Improved Outcomes in Diabetic Kidney Disease - Free Live Webinar


 

 

 

 

New Options & Improved Outcomes
in Diabetic Kidney Disease

 

TUESDAY 19th MARCH
7-8.30pm AEDT

 

Join Prof Richard MacIsaac and a panel of distinguished Australian experts to explore evidence and experience to date in this free, online webinar.
 

 

 

SPEAKERS

 

 

Prof Richard MacIsaac
Endocrinologist (Chair) Director,
Dept of Endocrinology & Diabetes,
St Vincent’s Hospital,
Professorial Fellow, University of Melbourne
Senior Principal Research Associate,
St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research

 

 

Prof Carol Pollock
AO Nephrologist Professor of Medicine,
University of Sydney.
Royal North Shore Hospital.
Chair, Kidney Health Australia

 

 

Dr Gary Gan
Consultant Cardiologist Westmead,
Blacktown and Ryde Hospitals,
Clinical Lead, Heart Failure Services,
Western Sydney Local Health District.
Clinical Lead, Cardiac Imaging,
Northern Sydney Local Health District.

 

 

Prof Elif Ekinci
Endocrinologist Head of Diabetes,
Austin Health.
Professorial Fellow,
University of Melbourne.
Director, Australian Centre for
Accelerating Diabetes Innovations (ACADI).

 

 

 

THEMES

  • DKD and management - where are we?
  • Role of MR blockade in reducing CV risk in DKD
  • New modalities in focus
  • Working together within the PBS framework Open Q&A

 

Pending approval for 2hrs CPD across EA and PR.
All registrants will receive a pre-event survey which informs the faculty discussion.

 

Proudly supported by Bayer Australia with the educational content independently selected and determined by the faculty.

Friday, December 08, 2023

Congratulations to MNCLHD who have published!


 Al-Timimi, Z., J. Huang-Lung, L. Keay, P. Healey, E. Yang and H. Dunn (2023). "A Systematic Review of Glaucoma Diagnosis in Prevalence Studies and Quality of Reporting." J Glaucoma. Jun 27. doi: 10.1097/IJG.0000000000002248. Online ahead of print.

Antonarakis, E. S., S. H. Park, J. C. Goh, S. J. Shin, J. L. Lee, N. Mehra, R. McDermott, N. Sala-Gonzalez, P. C. Fong, R. Greil, M. Retz, J. P. Sade, P. Yanez, Y. H. Huang, S. D. Begbie, R. A. Gafanov, M. De Santis, E. Rosenbaum, M. P. Kolinsky, F. Rey, K. Y. Chiu, G. Roubaud, G. Kramer, M. Sumitomo, F. Massari, H. Suzuki, P. Qiu, J. Zhang, J. Kim, C. H. Poehlein and E. Y. Yu (2023). "Pembrolizumab Plus Olaparib for Patients With Previously Treated and Biomarker-Unselected Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: The Randomized, Open-Label, Phase III KEYLYNK-010 Trial." J Clin Oncol: Jco2300233

Brown, K. and M. Clarke (2023). "First Nations women's health 2023." The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology 63(3): 275-277.

Friedlander, M., L. Mileshkin, J. Lombard, S. Frentzas, B. Gao, M. Wilson, T. Meniawy, S. Baron-Hay, K. Briscoe, N. McCarthy, C. Fountzilas, A. Cervantes, R. Ge, J. Wu and A. Spira (2023). "Pamiparib in combination with tislelizumab in patients with advanced solid tumours: results from the dose-expansion stage of a multicentre, open-label, phase I trial." British Journal of Cancer 129(5): 797-810.

Gandy, G., P. Y. Yip, A. Tognela, F. Hayat, W. Fox and P. S. Kok (2023). "Outcomes of extensive stage extrapulmonary small cell cancer." Internal Medicine Journal 53(9): 1556-1563.

Gleadhill, C., K. Dooley, S. J. Kamper, N. Manvell, M. Corrigan, A. Cashin, N. Birchill, B. Donald, M. Leyland, A. Delbridge, C. Barnett, D. Renfrew, S. Lamond, C. E. Boettcher, L. Chambers, T. Maude, J. Davis, S. Hodgson, A. Makaroff, J. B. Wallace, K. Kotrick, N. Mullen, R. Gallagher, S. Zelinski, T. Watson, S. Davidson, P. Viana Da Silva, B. Mahon, C. Delore, J. Manvell, B. Gibbs, C. Hook, C. Stoddard, E. Meers, M. Byrne, T. Schneider, K. Bolsewicz and C. M. Williams (2023). "What does high value care for musculoskeletal conditions mean and how do you apply it in practice? A consensus statement from a research network of physiotherapists in New South Wales, Australia." BMJ open 13(6): e071489.

Hong, A. M., A. Sundaram, G. Perianayagam, H. Lo, A. Lawless, D. Zhou, J. McDonough, S. R. Thompson, F. Maclean, E. A. Connolly, D. Coker, J. Mar, S. Lazarakis and A. Johnston (2023). "Surgery at specialised sarcoma centres improves patient outcomes - A systematic review by the Australia and New Zealand sarcoma association clinical practice guidelines working party." Eur J Surg Oncol.

Huijbers, J. C. J., P. Coenen, G. L. B. Burchell, M. W. Coppieters, I. H. M. Steenhuis, J. H. Van Dieen, B. W. Koes, D. H. R. Kempen, J. R. Anema, I. Kingma, L. Voogt, C. M. Williams, J. M. Van Dongen, H. P. Van der Ploeg, R. W. J. G. Ostelo and G. G. M. Scholten-Peeters (2023). "The (cost-)effectiveness of combined lifestyle interventions for people with persistent low-back pain who are overweight or obese: A systematic review." Musculoskeletal science & practice 65: 102770. 

Lavis, H., P. van Vliet and M. Tavener (2023). "Lessons Learnt by an Experienced Clinician-Novice Researcher Throughout the Process of Qualitative Research Interviewing." The Qualitative Report 28(6): 1665-1679.

Shakespeare, T. P., S. Z. L. Yap, M. Hsieh, A. R. M. Tahir and S. Armstrong (2023). "Prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography detected local failure after post-prostatectomy radiation therapy: Low rates of out-of-field recurrence validates current Australian prostate bed contouring guidelines." Journal of Medical Imaging & Radiation Oncology 67(6): 662-667.

Sidhu, V. S., T. L. Kelly, N. Pratt, S. E. Graves, R. Buchbinder, S. Adie, K. Cashman, I. N. Ackerman, D. Bastiras, R. Brighton, A. W. R. Burns, B. H. Chong, O. Clavisi, M. Cripps, M. Dekkers, R. de Steiger, M. Dixon, A. Ellis, E. C. Griffith, D. Hale, A. Hansen, A. Harris, R. Hau, M. Horsley, D. James, O. Khorshid, L. Kuo, P. L. Lewis, D. Lieu, M. Lorimer, S. J. MacDessi, P. McCombe, C. McDougall, J. Mulford, J. M. Naylor, R. S. Page, J. Radovanovic, M. Solomon, R. Sorial, P. Summersell, P. Tran, W. L. Walter, S. Webb, C. Wilson, D. Wysocki and I. A. Harris (2023). "Effect of Aspirin vs Enoxaparin on 90-Day Mortality in Patients Undergoing Hip or Knee Arthroplasty: A Secondary Analysis of the CRISTAL Cluster Randomized Trial." JAMA Netw Open 6(6): e2317838.

Taylor, R., D. Sullivan, P. Reeves, N. Kerr, A. Sawyer, E. Schwartzkoff, A. Bailey, C. Williams and A. Hure (2023). "A Scoping Review of Economic Evaluations to Inform the Reorientation of Preventive Health Services in Australia." Int J Environ Res Public Health 20(12).

Treloar, C., K. Beadman, M. Beadman, K. A. Smith, J. Christian, A. C. Jackson, B. Tyson, C. Anderson, L. Smyth, M. Walker, J. Heslop, G. Gahan, V. Tawil, F. Sheaves, L. Maher, J. Page, D. Tilley, A. Ryan, K. Grant, B. Donovan, A. Stevens, T. Slattery, K. Pearce, F. John-Leader, A. Walden, J. Lenton, M. Crowley and E. Cama (2023). "Evaluating a complex health promotion program to reduce hepatitis C among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in New South Wales, Australia: the Deadly Liver Mob." Harm Reduction Journal 20(1): 153.

The Library at MNCLHD collects all papers published all staff members. If you have published this year and haven't seen your paper mentioned in a blog or newsletter please let the library know.

Promoting Kidney Health in People with Type 2 Diabetes

This two-part series by Fiona Murphy and Gobnait Byrne delves into the escalating incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), intricately linked to the risk factors shared with type 2 diabetes.

Promoting kidney health in people with type 2 diabetes: part 1 - British Journal of Nursing V.32(18), pages 874-880. Part 2 V.32(20, pages 964-971.

The articles emphasize the critical role of nurses in employing primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies to mitigate the impact of these interconnected chronic conditions. Part 1 focuses on the significance of primary prevention, while Part 2 delves into secondary and tertiary prevention measures relevant to individuals with type 2 diabetes.

In Part 1, the articles explore the strong interconnection between CKD and type 2 diabetes, underscoring the importance of promoting kidney health. The discussion begins by describing CKD and type 2 diabetes, addressing their prevalence, and acknowledging the triple threat when combined with cardiovascular disease. The article advocates for primary preventive measures and provides practical examples to guide nurses in primary, community, secondary, and hospital care settings.

The need for mindfulness regarding the interrelationship between these long-term conditions is emphasized. Nurses are encouraged to take every opportunity to educate and empower individuals with type 2 diabetes, facilitating informed and active choices for their health outcomes and life goals. Part 1 discusses the relevance of primary prevention in promoting kidney health and highlights the strong interrelationship with cardiovascular concerns.

National and international best practice guidelines are cited, emphasizing the importance of promoting healthy lifestyles, including smoking cessation, alcohol reduction, maintaining a healthy diet, weight management, physical activity, and exercise. These guidelines are pertinent not only to promoting kidney health but also to diabetic and heart health.

Part 2 is previewed, promising a further exploration of promoting kidney health using secondary and tertiary preventive measures in individuals with type 2 diabetes. 

In Part 2, the article addresses the importance of timely diagnosis through screening for CKD, particularly in the context of diabetes-related CKD in low- and middle-income countries. Secondary prevention's role in reducing the estimated glomerular filtration rate decline is highlighted, emphasizing early referral to nephrology services.

The article continues to discuss the relevance of promoting kidney health using secondary and tertiary preventive measures in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Nurses are urged to screen for CKD, address major causes, and provide interventions for healthy lifestyles, obesity, and psychosocial care needs. Tertiary prevention is recognized as vital for enabling individuals to live well with these conditions, utilizing DSMES programs and pharmacological therapies to enhance quality of life and prevent complications.

In summary, this two-part series provides a comprehensive guide for nurses and healthcare professionals to navigate the complex interplay between CKD, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. By focusing on prevention strategies at various levels, the articles underscore the importance of a holistic and proactive approach when managing these interconnected chronic conditions.

Contact the library for a copy of these articles.






Monday, October 09, 2023

Congratulations! MNCLHD Staff Publications

Congratulations to MNCLHD staff 

who have had their papers published.

Anderson, M. A., R. Bennett, X. Badoux, G. Best, N. Chia, T. Cochrane, G. Cull, K. Crassini, R. Harrup, S. Jackson, B. Kuss, M. Lasica, T. E. Lew, P. Marlton, S. Opat, E. Palfreyman, M. N. Polizzotto, S. Ratnasingam, J. F. Seymour, A. Soosapilla, D. Talaulikar, C. S. Tam, R. Weinkove, J. Wight and S. P. Mulligan (2023). "Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia Australasian consensus practice statement." Intern Med J 53(9): 1678-1691.

Barnes, C., R. Sutherland, G. Jones, N. Kingon and L. Wolfenden (2023). "Development and piloting of a Community of Practice to support learning and improvement in health promotion practice within NSW local health district." Public health research & practice 33(3):3332326.

Cama, E., K. Beadman, M. Beadman, K.-A. Smith, J. Christian, A. C. Jackson, B. Tyson, C. Anderson, L. Smyth, J. Heslop, G. Gahan, V. Tawil, F. Sheaves, L. Maher, J. Page, D. Tilley, A. Ryan, K. Grant, B. Donovan, A. Stevens, T. Slattery, K. Pearce, F. John-Leader, A. Walden, J. Lenton, M. Crowley and C. Treloar (2023). "Increasing access to screening for blood-borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians: evaluation of the Deadly Liver Mob program's 'cascade of care' across nine sites in New South Wales, Australia." Harm reduction journal 20(1): 125.

Casten, M., S. Herbert, D. J. Smith, K. Petoumenos, C. Coorey and N. Edmiston (2023). "What are the predictors of change in multimorbidity among people with HIV? A longitudinal observational cohort study." HIV medicine 24(7): 807-817.

Cunningham, J., J. Bailie, S. Warner, A. Condon, D. Cheung, A. Minc, S. Herbert and N. Edmiston (2023). "Determinants of access to general practice in a shared care model for people living with HIV: a qualitive study of patients' perspectives in an Australian rural community." BMC Prim Care 24(1): 179.

Dummer, R., P. Corrie, R. Gutzmer, T. M. Meniawy, M. Del Vecchio, C. Lebbe, M. Guida, C. Dutriaux, B. Dreno, N. Meyer, P. F. Ferrucci, S. Dalle, M. A. Khattak, J.-J. Grob, K. Briscoe, J. Larkin, S. Mansard, T. Lesimple, M. Guidoboni, S. Sabatini, E. Richtig, R. Herbst, M. Lobo, M. Askelson, P. A. Ascierto and M. Maio (2023). "First-Line, Fixed-Duration Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab Followed by Nivolumab in Clinically Diverse Patient Populations With Unresectable Stage III or IV Melanoma: CheckMate 401." Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology 41(23): 3917-3929.

Hall, A., C. Lane, L. Wolfenden, J. Wiggers, R. Sutherland, N. McCarthy, R. Jackson, A. Shoesmith, C. Lecathelinais, P. Reeves, A. Bauman, K. Gillham, J. Boyer, P.-J. Naylor, N. Kerr, N. Kajons and N. Nathan (2023). "Evaluating the scaling up of an effective implementation intervention (PACE) to increase the delivery of a mandatory physical activity policy in primary schools." The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity 20(1): 106.

Le, T., S. Armstrong and T. P. Shakespeare (2023). "Outcomes of dose-escalated IMRT and ADT in Octogenarians with prostate cancer." Journal of medical imaging and radiation oncology 67(5): 539-545.

Philpott, L., E. Clemensen and G. T. Lau (2023). "Droperidol versus ondansetron for nausea treatment within the emergency department." Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA 35(4): 605-611.

Yap, S. Z., A. R. Mohd Tahir and T. P. Shakespeare (2023). "A Case Report of Kearns-Sayre Syndrome: Not an Absolute Contraindication for Radiotherapy." Cureus 15(7): e42229.


MNCLHD Staff Publications Database – Maintained & updated by MNCLHD Health Services Library.

Contact the Library to let them know about your publication. Find the Library under the Employee Centre on the MNCLHD Intranet site.


Monday, June 19, 2023

MNCLHD Staff Publications

Congratulations to the MNCLHD staff members, highlighted in the citations below, on their recent publications.


Casten, M., S. Herbert, D. J. Smith, K. Petoumenos, C. Coorey and N. Edmiston (2023). "What are the predictors of change in multimorbidity among people with HIV? A longitudinal observational cohort study." HIV Med.

Dubrava, A. L., P. S. P. Kyaw, J. Newman, J. Pringle, J. Westhuyzen, G. La Hera Fuentes, T. P. Shakespeare, R. Sakalkale and N. J. Aherne (2023). "Androgen Receptor Status in Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Does It Correlate with Clinicopathological Characteristics?" Breast Cancer (Dove Med Press) 15: 359-371.

Gibbons, E., M. Hoffmann, J. Westhuyzen, A. Hodgson, B. Chick and A. Last (2023). "Clinical evaluation of deep learning and atlas-based auto-segmentation for critical organs at risk in radiation therapy." Journal of medical radiation sciences 70 Suppl 2: 15-25.

Gleadhill, C., C. M. Williams, S. J. Kamper, K. Bolsewicz, A. Delbridge, B. Mahon, B. Donald, C. Delore, C. Boettcher, D. Renfrew, J. Manvell, K. Dooley, M. Byrne, T. Watson, A. Makaroff, B. Gibbs, C. Barnett, M. Corrigan, M. Leyland, N. Mullen, R. Gallagher, S. Zelinski, S. Lamond, T. Maude, S. R. E. Davidson, E. Robson, P. V. Da Silva and N. Manvell (2023). "Meaningful coproduction with clinicians: establishing a practice-based research network with physiotherapists in regional Australia." Health Res Policy Syst 21(1): 38.

Marsden, D. L., K. Boyle, J. Birnie, A. Buzio, J. Dizon, J. Dunne, S. Greensill, K. Hill, S. Lever, F. Minett, S. Ormond, J. Shipp, J. Steel, A. Styles, J. Wiggers, D. A. Cadilhac and J. Duff (2023). "Improving Practice for Urinary Continence Care on Adult Acute Medical and Rehabilitation Wards: A Multi-Site, Co-Created Implementation Study." Healthcare (Basel) 11(9).

Partridge, S. R., L. Reece, K. A. Sim, A. Todd, S. S. Jia, R. Raeside, T. Schirmer, P. Phongsavan and J. Redfern (2023). "An analysis of current obesity strategies for adolescents in NSW against best practice recommendations: Implications for researchers, policymakers and practitioners." Health promotion journal of Australia : official journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals 34(2): 390-397. 

Stephens, A. S., M. M. Dinh and L. Kinsman (2023). "Patterns of emergency department use in rural and metropolitan New South Wales by socioeconomic status: A population-based study." Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA 35(3): 489-495.

Yap, S. Z. L., S. Armstrong, N. Aherne and T. P. Shakespeare (2023). "PSMA-PET-guided dose-escalated volumetric arc therapy for newly diagnosed lymph node-positive prostate cancer: 5 Year outcomes following the FROGG and EviQ node-positive guidelines." J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol.

MNCLHD staff can request these or any article by contacting the Library Service

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Smartwatches for Chronic Disease Prevention?

A Step in the Right Direction: Exploring the Potential Role of Smartwatches in Supporting Chronic Disease Prevention in Healthcare

In their thought-provoking article, "A Step in the Right Direction: The Potential Role of Smartwatches in Supporting Chronic Disease Prevention in Healthcare," The authors shed light on the pressing issue of chronic diseases in Australia and the need for a paradigm shift towards preventive healthcare. The authors emphasise the potential of smartwatches in contributing to a predict-prevent model of healthcare, highlighting the importance of clinical regulation as a crucial first step. The article presents an insightful analysis of the current role of smartwatches in chronic disease prevention, regulatory frameworks in Australia, and proposes a roadmap for integrating these devices into a digitally enabled precision prevention model of care.

The concept of predict-prevent healthcare is explored, leveraging real-world data to predict risks, intervene, and prevent adverse clinical outcomes. The authors assert that digital health innovations, such as smartwatches, play a vital role in enabling this proactive model of care. Smartwatches generate real-world data and have gained popularity among Australians, offering the potential to provide health information in real time. While acknowledging the varying accuracy of smartwatch data across metrics and manufacturers, the article highlights the positive impact of patient-generated real-world health data in enhancing patient engagement, trust with care providers, and autonomy.

The article explores the ability of smartwatches to track various health metrics, such as step count, heart rate, sleep stage estimation, and heart rate variability. Although the evidence supporting the use of smartwatches in chronic disease prevention is limited, the potential for individualised care and early detection of deteriorations related to chronic conditions is emphasised. Smartwatches can complement the predict-prevent model of healthcare by facilitating disease physiology understanding and providing lifestyle recommendations based on user data. However, the article acknowledges that to date, only one study has demonstrated a reduction in all-cause hospital re-admission using a smartwatch-based digital intervention.

The authors touch on the regulatory frameworks surrounding smartwatch applications in Australia. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is responsible for regulating medical device software, including smartwatch applications. However, only a few smartwatch-enabled applications have received TGA approval, primarily as disease-focused diagnostic support tools. The example of the Apple Watch's electrocardiogram algorithm, which prompts users if an irregular heart rhythm is detected, is given. It clarifies that while this algorithm has potential diagnostic benefits, it cannot be used independently for diagnosis or treatment initiation. The need for improved accuracy, clarity, and trust in smartwatch applications, as well as the necessity for formal training for clinicians to interpret the vast amounts of data generated is emphasised.

To overcome the challenges associated with integrating smartwatches into existing models of chronic disease prevention, the authors propose a roadmap aligned with three horizons for precision prevention. The roadmap focuses on addressing issues such as data accuracy, interoperability, data familiarity, equity and accessibility, and implementation. The article highlights the importance of bridging the digital health divide between socio-economic groups to ensure equal access and benefits of digital health technologies. It also underscores the need for data protection laws to safeguard privacy and prevent financial discrimination by health insurers. 

In conclusion, the article provides valuable insights into the potential role of smartwatches in supporting chronic disease prevention in healthcare. It emphasizes the importance of clinical regulation and accuracy of smartwatch applications while outlining a roadmap for their integration into precision prevention models of care. By addressing the challenges identified and promoting further research and understanding, smartwatches have the potential to enhance autonomy, improve health outcomes, and contribute to the much-needed shift towards preventive healthcare in Australia. 

MNCLHD staff can read the full article via CiAP click on the tile linked below. SSO required.

A step in the right direction: the potential role of smartwatches in supporting chronic disease prevention in health care, by Mattison, Graeme: Canfell, Oliver J; Forrester, Doug; Dobbins, Chelsea; Smith, Daniel; Reid, David; Sullivan, Clair. Medical Journal of Australia, Issue: Volume 218(9), May 2023, p 384-388.

Friday, May 12, 2023

Honouring our Nurses.

 

In honour of International Nurses Day, it is important to highlight the crucial role that nurses have played during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two recent articles shed light on the challenges that nurses have faced during the pandemic and the need for their voices to be heard in decision-making processes.

The first article, "We're on mute! Exclusion of nurses' voices in national decisions and responses to COVID‐19: An international perspective" published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing in July 2022, highlights the exclusion of nurses from important decision-making processes during the pandemic. The article argues that nurses, who are on the frontlines of the pandemic response, have been marginalized and excluded from national discussions and decision-making processes. This exclusion has resulted in a lack of consideration for the practical realities of nursing care and has contributed to the burnout and frustration experienced by many nurses.

The second article, "The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australian hospital-based nursing and midwifery educators" published in Collegian in June 2022, focuses on the impact of the pandemic on nursing and midwifery educators in Australia. The article highlights the agility demonstrated by educators in adjusting to the fast-changing requirements of providing education during the pandemic. However, the article also emphasises the need for continued occupational and psychosocial support for educators during the pandemic, as well as inclusion in discussions to inform hospitals' preparedness for managing the education of nurses and midwives during future pandemics.

Taken together, these articles highlight the important role that nurses play in responding to pandemics and the need for their voices to be heard in decision-making processes. The pandemic has exposed the vulnerabilities and gaps in healthcare systems around the world, and it is essential that nurses are included in discussions to ensure that future responses are more effective and equitable. On this International Nurses Day, it is important to recognise the contributions of nurses and advocate for their inclusion in decision-making processes to ensure that their expertise is valued and utilized.

Both articles are linked to the full-text pdf.

Thursday, May 11, 2023

Celebrating International Nurses Day



International Nurses Day is celebrated annually on May 12th to honour the contribution of nurses towards improving the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities around the world. The theme for this year's celebration is "Nurses: A Voice to Lead - A Vision for Future Healthcare."

Nurses play a crucial role in the healthcare system, serving as the backbone of the healthcare workforce. They provide care and support to patients in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and home care. Nurses are responsible for a wide range of tasks, from administering medication and monitoring vital signs to providing emotional support and educating patients and their families.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of nurses in the healthcare system. Nurses have been at the forefront of the fight against the pandemic, working tirelessly to care for patients and save lives. They have faced numerous challenges and long hours of work but have continued to provide high-quality care.

This year's theme highlights the role of nurses as leaders in healthcare. Nurses have a unique perspective on healthcare and are well-positioned to advocate for policies and practices that improve patient outcomes. They can use their voices to push for changes that address the root causes of health disparities and improve access to care.

As we celebrate International Nurses Day this year, we should recognise the hard work and dedication of nurses around the world and reflect on the challenges they face and the need for greater investment in the nursing profession. By supporting nurses, we can build a stronger, more resilient healthcare system that delivers high-quality care to all individuals and communities.