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Biomedical subjects

Frances A Hughes

Publications and source records attributed to Frances A Hughes.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Reconnecting with policy: requirements for survival as a mental health nurse.

This article discusses the disconnection between mental health nurses and policy, and the importance of reconnecting such relationships not only to benefit the consumers with whom we work but also to influence health care policies and, ultimately, contribute to strategies to improve the health of our nation. In this article, I draw on my own experiences and apply these to a discussion of how we, as mental health nurses, can influence and strengthen our relationships with nursing policy.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Mental health nursing in New Zealand primary health care.

International literature and New Zealand health policy is giving increased emphasis to the role of the primary health care sector in responding to mental health issues. These issues include the need for health promotion, improved detection and treatment of mild to moderate mental illness, and provision of mental health care to some of those with severe mental illness who traditionally receive care in secondary services. These developments challenge specialist mental health nurses to develop new roles which extend their practice into primary health care. In some parts of New Zealand this process has been under way for some time in the form of shared care projects. However developments currently are ad hoc. There is room for considerable development of specialist mental health nursing roles, including roles for nurse practitioners in primary mental health care.

Health Services Needs and Demand↗