It's #Stoptober - a great time to focus on #quitting smoking, whether cigarettes or vapes visit your pharmacy for advice. It's also worth understanding the sneaky "tricks" of the tobacco industry to get people hooked, according to @who.int @helendon-rn.bsky.social @adewilliams.bsky.social

It’s #BackCareAwarenessWeek and #FridayFactSheet time! Back pain is more common than you think - affecting 8 in 10 of us at some point in our lives, so let’s care for our backs. bit.ly/2tiBs9K @thecsp.bsky.social @physiopoduk.bsky.social @shelleymoseley.bsky.social @helendon-rn.bsky.social

It's #HealthLiteracyMonth & here is a new poster from our LSCS study which highlights a lack of understanding of basic NHS advice. Teaching children health ed early can help increase health literacy levels. bit.ly/4o8PvsK @shelleymoseley.bsky.social @helendon-rn.bsky.social @adewilliams.bsky.social

October is #healthliteracymonth. Health literacy is the knowledge, skills, understanding & confidence to use health info. Poor health literacy directly impacts health outcomes. @pharmacistdaz.uk @pharmrj.pharmsky.app @helendon-rn.bsky.social @helensalisbury.bsky.social @helenebedford.bsky.social

It's #WorldPharmacistsDay - which should probably be #WorldPharmacyTeamsDay! Our pharmacies are #invaluable health hubs on the high street serving communities with a range of advice and services. @adewilliams.bsky.social @pcpa-uk.bsky.social @pharmayci.bsky.social @helendon-rn.bsky.social

29 September was #heartday and coronary heart disease - CHD - is the leading cause of death worldwide and yet it is largely preventable. Here are some more worrying statistics about #CHD from @thebhf.bsky.social. @clivenicholson1.bsky.social @helendon-rn.bsky.social @helensalisbury.bsky.social

Great blog by @helendon-rn.bsky.social rallying those working in health to see #SelfCareWeek as a national opportunity to empower communities for better health. Read the blog here bit.ly/47GGzG3 @adewilliams.bsky.social @theqicn.bsky.social @nurseeverafter.bsky.social @firogers3.bsky.social

It's #eczemaawarenessweek so our #FridayFactSheet is our #eczema resource. Eczema can start in childhood, it can come and go. 60% of children are clear of it by aged 11. Although some people have it for life. More info here bit.ly/2tiBs9K @eczemasupport.bsky.social @helendon-rn.bsky.social

This is your 10 week reminder to plan for #SelfCareWeek to help widen its reach and ensure more people understand how to take better care of their #Mind&Body. bit.ly/2UM6V0m @pifonline.bsky.social @copescotland.bsky.social @helendon-rn.bsky.social @cent1pcn.bsky.social @readingagency.bsky.social

It's #KnowYourNumbers week. High blood pressure is also called the silent killer because it rarely has symptoms. Find out if you have it by getting it checked, many pharmacies offer this service. Or make an appt with your nurse. @helendon-rn.bsky.social @thebhf.bsky.social @adewilliams.bsky.social

It's #FridayFactSheet time and here the spotlight is on #heartburn and #indegestion - also known as #dyspepsia, a burning pain or discomfort in the chest or upper abdomen. More info here bit.ly/2tiBs9K @adewilliams.bsky.social @helendon-rn.bsky.social @drjomaher.bsky.social @rcndcnforum.bsky.social

Safe Vaccine Administration - join us for the book launch in London on 23 October at RCN HQ - register your place here: www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-eve... @helendon-rn.bsky.social @helenebedford.bsky.social

Significant changes to the UK's national vaccination programme are coming into effect. In our latest blog, @helendon-rn.bsky.social explains all. Thanks also to @helenebedford.bsky.social Read it here: qicn.org.uk/all-change-t...

Huge thanks @howardcatton.bsky.social supporting our new book with the foreword link.springer.com/book/10.1007..., practical guidance on safe vaccines administration, written for and by nurses and midwives. Vaccination is essential for public health #vaccineswork @helenebedford.bsky.social

Delighted to promote this new book edited by QN @helendon-rn.bsky.social and @helenebedford.bsky.social - read a summary of its objectives, 12 chapters and key info here: link.springer.com/book/10.1007...

Huge thanks @howardcatton.bsky.social supporting our new book with the foreword link.springer.com/book/10.1007..., practical guidance on safe vaccines administration, written for and by nurses and midwives. Vaccination is essential for public health #vaccineswork @helenebedford.bsky.social

Great to see this published #Vaccineswork @springernature.com Safe Vaccine Administration. Practical Guidelines for and by Nurses and Midwives Eds. @helendon-rn.bsky.social @helenebedford.bsky.social bit.ly/4mcdLsV @rcn.org.uk @theqicn.bsky.social @selfcareforum.bsky.social @ukhsa.bsky.social

Great to see this published #Vaccineswork @springernature.com Safe Vaccine Administration. Practical Guidelines for and by Nurses and Midwives Eds. @helendon-rn.bsky.social @helenebedford.bsky.social bit.ly/4mcdLsV @rcn.org.uk @theqicn.bsky.social @selfcareforum.bsky.social @ukhsa.bsky.social

Just published @SpringerNature.com Safe Vaccine Administration. Practical Guidelines for and by Nurses and Midwives Eds. @helendon-rn.bsky.social & @helenebedford.bsky.social bit.ly/4mcdLsV Offers information on practical aspects of managing immunisation programmes and clinic management @rcn.org.uk

It's #AlcoholAwarenessWeek and @alcoholchangeuk.bsky.social is reminding us that NHS advice is to drink no more than 14 units a week spread out across 3 or more days. That's 6 pints of beer or 6 medium glasses of wine. More info here bit.ly/4nY3cLZ @rhianlast.bsky.social @helendon-rn.bsky.social

We are proud to partner with @pifonline.bsky.social and PCI in calling for credible, personalised health information to help people take control of their health - our research shows this is lacking and a barrier to #selfcare and better health outcomes. @helendon-rn.bsky.social @rhianlast.bsky.social

Along with SCARU @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social we ran one of the largest #selfcare studies. 3k+ people took part, the results showed a gap between what patients want & what professionals think. Read more: bit.ly/3G8FCuM @helensalisbury.bsky.social @rhianlast.bsky.social @helendon-rn.bsky.social

This week is #WorldContinenceWeek — an important time to raise awareness and encourage open conversations about bladder and bowel health. We have a factsheet with symptom advice and other helpful info here: bit.ly/2tiBs9K @rhianlast.bsky.social @bladderboweluk.bsky.social @helendon-rn.bsky.social

Have you applied for our #selfcare awards yet? If you support people's #selfcare practise consider it. A £1500 prize pot is available to share with winners. Apply by 31 July. bit.ly/4hJyRfB @rhianlast.bsky.social @qniscotland.bsky.social @nationalvoices.bsky.social @helendon-rn.bsky.social

We have signed a partnership agreement with the International Council of Nurses (ICN) to boost nurse education and continuing professional development. The collaboration aims to influence the quality of nurse education and professional development on offer to nursing staff globally. Read more ⬇️

The importance of sleep.. great to be with @thesleepcharity.bsky.social at the Houses of Parliament. Understanding the safety risks from lack of sleep. Good sleep so important for safety but lack of sleep rarely documented as root cause of error.

‘Look after nurses’ #icn2025 Thank you Christine Hancock for saying this so clearly.

It's #LonelinessAwarenessWeek and the Marmalade Trust is inviting us to have open conversations about our feelings of loneliness - often people feel embarrassed but talking about how we feel can help us realise it's normal. @adewilliams.bsky.social @rhianlast.bsky.social @helendon-rn.bsky.social

May is #WalkingMonth and a perfect time to give Japanese Interval Walking a go. It's a science-based method of walking which helps to burn fat and lower blood pressure. More info here bit.ly/3Z4mTqu @livingstreets.bsky.social @exerciseworks.bsky.social @rhianlast.bsky.social @helendon-rn.bsky.social

We are accepting entries for our #SelfCareAwards. If you support people, groups, or organisations to take care of their health we want to hear from you. Please share this post. More info: bit.ly/4hJyRfB @theqicn.bsky.social @clivenicholson1.bsky.social @helendon-rn.bsky.social @rhianlast.bsky.social

One of our most popular fact sheets is for back pain, perhaps because 8/10 people in the UK experience back pain at some point in their life. Staying mobile is important, for more advice visit our website. bit.ly/2tiBs9K @rhianlast.bsky.social @helendon-rn.bsky.social @copescotland.bsky.social

@dramandayoung.bsky.social @stephlawrence.bsky.social @helendon-rn.bsky.social @charlottefry.bsky.social

@firogers3.bsky.social @helendon-rn.bsky.social @dramandayoung.bsky.social @stephlawrence.bsky.social www.justgiving.com/page/rebecca...

Calling all UK community nurses - How much of your work involves end-of-life care, does any of this safety critical work need to be deferred. Please complete 10-min survey to help shape future policy @theqicn.bsky.social @cambridgeuni.bsky.social Study cambridge.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

If you read one blog this month, make it #ExtraordinaryQN Jane Cook’s inspiring reflection on her career in #InclusionHealth. Inspired by her father’s work as a leprosy specialist, Jane shares how this led to a 40-year career supporting excluded people. Read her story: qicn.org.uk/a-career-in-...

We’re proud to announce the opening of our new Centre for Professional Development named after Dame Elizabeth Anionwu – celebrated nursing leader and QICN Vice-President. To mark the opening, 2 scholarships for nurses from the global majority will be awarded soon: qicn.org.uk/news-and-eve...

Calling community nurses involved in end of life care! In partnership with @Cambridge_Uni we’re exploring how much of your work as a UK-based community nurse involves end-of-life care. Please take our 10-minute anonymous survey and help shape policy: cambridge.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

It's still #StressAwarenessMonth and studies show reading for just 6 minutes reduces #stress. If you're looking for material to manage mental health conditions try @readingagency.bsky.social. More here bit.ly/2Vr5J69 @rhianlast.bsky.social @helendon-rn.bsky.social @jasonwarriner.bsky.social

My first ever post on Bluesky! Here is my latest blog on the value of volunteering: www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-eve... @rcn.org.uk @nursingstandard.bsky.social @helendon-rn.bsky.social @ruthrgnbrighton.bsky.social @hannakaur.bsky.social

Psychiatry UK's blog explains how stress can be a "cunning enemy" but, if managed well "eustress" can be a positive addition to our life. bit.ly/3N6dARI #stressawarenessmonth @familydoctoruk.bsky.social @rhianlast.bsky.social @helendon-rn.bsky.social @helensalisbury.bsky.social @mentalhealthbway.org

It's #stressawarenessmonth. 2023 research by The Tab found that 61% of students experience #anxiety, more worrying 39% had suicidal thoughts. Expert SelfCare has free #studenthealth apps bit.ly/33LNhsU @stuvoiceshm.bsky.social @rhianlast.bsky.social @fonscharity.bsky.social @helendon-rn.bsky.social

7 April is #WorldHealthDay and the WHO is promoting the importance of maternal and new born health with its "Healthy beginnings and hopeful futures" campaign calling for an end to preventable maternal and new-born deaths. @who.int @rhianlast.bsky.social @helendon-rn.bsky.social @ippin.bsky.social

@ukhsa.bsky.social has launched new campaign #andibiotic to educate young people on safe #antibiotics use. Aiming to protect their effectiveness for future generations. More here bit.ly/43RSxut @helendon-rn.bsky.social @rhianlast.bsky.social @antibioticdoc.bsky.social @ukhsasouthwest.bsky.social

Great to be at the clinical post COVID society PAIC conference 2025 #LongCovid here for @theqicn.bsky.social long covid network

Great to be at the clinical post COVID society PAIC conference 2025 #LongCovid here for @theqicn.bsky.social long covid network

Interested to know, but have any of the #LongCovid charities been invited to this conference? Clinical Post Covid Society (CPCS) 2025 annual conference, in Birmingham, on 26 March 2025 www.clinicalpcs.org.uk/cpcs-2025-an...

#NutritionAndHydrationWeek puts a focus on the importance of good nutrition and hydration. Healthy eating is essential for #hearthealth - it's not about cutting out foods or focusing on specific ones, it's about balance. @burningpounds.bsky.social @helendon-rn.bsky.social @leicnut.bsky.social

We are currently accepting applications for our #SelfCareAwards. If you support individuals, groups, or organisations to better take care of their health we want to hear from you. bit.ly/4hJyRfB @rhianlast.bsky.social @helendon-rn.bsky.social @cent1pcn.bsky.social @copescotland.bsky.social

If you take just 1 thing from #HeartMonth make it "Know your blood pressure numbers." #HighBloodPressure can lead to stroke + heart attacks, so visit your pharmacy, GP, or buy a monitor. It could save your life. #KnowYourNumbers @rhianlast.bsky.social @helendon-rn.bsky.social @bhfpolicy.bsky.social

In it's "broken-hearted" report @ippr.bsky.social said fewer health conditions are as preventable as #CVD and with 480 deaths each year, progress has stalled. For #heartmonth assess the risk factors + take care of your #hearthealth. @rhianlast.bsky.social @helendon-rn.bsky.social @niadla.bsky.social