News

The scope and remit of liver nurses is diversifying year on year and we remain constant in the care and management of people with and at risk of liver disease. Our diverse skills that we possess, such as being person centred, collaborative, advocates, being solution focused and proactive and demonstrating emotional intelligence in response to changing needs continues to be showcased by liver nurses locally across all four nations of the UK.

The BLNA are seeking liver nurses with a drive and enthusiasm to be involved on a national level in supporting, educating and demonstrating leadership for the liver nurse community.

The BLNA Committee require 3 new committee members from April 2023 due to planned demitting, and are now seeking nominations for the following posts:
• 2 x 2-year tenure posts
• 1 x 3-year tenure post

This is an exciting opportunity for liver nurses to get involved with our friendly committee and share their skills and experience. You will gain experience working collaboratively and strategically at a national level to ensure that the needs of people with or at risk of liver disease and liver nurses are represented at the highest levels in the UK. The BLNA are key participants in the UK Liver Alliance, IQILs refresh, BSG liver section etc.

Please read some of the testimonials from BLNA members who have joined the committee >  Download BLNA Committee Testimonials 2023.pdf

Committee members are expected to attend a monthly committee meeting held via Zoom, these take place usually on either the first or second Monday of each month from 12:00 – 13:30pm. In addition commitment is also requested from committee members to attend 2-3 other meetings each year, these may be held face to face or virtually.

If you are interested in joining the BLNA Committee, you must be a registered nurse with an interest in liver care and be a BLNA member.

Nomination Process
Candidates wishing to be considered for election require one BLNA member to propose them, and a second BLNA member to confirm their suitability for the role in writing, by email.

Please note to be eligible to nominate, both the proposer and seconder must be a registered nurse and any nomination should include your NMC PIN number.

Email your nominations, including your NMC PIN number, to Judy at the BASL Secretariat at judy@basl.org.uk by the deadline of 09:00 on Monday 30th January 2023.

It would be helpful when proposing a candidate if you can advise if they prefer to stand for a 2 year or a 3-year tenure.

A personal statement, containing no more than approx. 300 words, may be requested from the candidates following nomination. Permission will be requested to share the personal statements with the BASL BLNA membership. (Personal statements are intended for this purpose only.)

If more than 3 candidates are nominated, the BASL Secretariat will arrange for an election of all BLNA members. Three candidates will be elected by a simple majority of those BLNA members voting.

Important -
• Newly elected BLNA committee members will be required to attend an on-boarding meeting via Zoom on Friday 31st March 1:30 - 3:30pm.
• Newly elected BLNA Committee members will take over in post from 1st April 2023 and will be expected to be available to join the monthly committee meeting via Zoom, (due to Easter) is taking place on Monday 17th April 2023 from 12:00 – 13:30pm.
• Newly elected BLNA Committee members will be required to attend an additional face to face meeting in London on 3rd May 2023 where the focus will be on working towards refreshing nursing aspects of IQILS.

Michelle Clayton, Chair of the BLNA, is happy for members who are interested in joining the committee to contact her if they have any questions, you can reach Michelle at M.Clayton@leeds.ac.uk ; or you can speak to one of the BLNA committee members, see the testimonials for members contact email addresses.

BASL is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of its work. It is actively promoting equal opportunities and access for all our members regardless of their background. We would, therefore, encourage you to consider joining the BLNA committee to help to shape the future of BASL, BLNA and liver nursing in the UK, and increase our inclusivity/inclusiveness.

The RCN Foundation NHS Education Fund supports the education and training of nurses, midwives and health care support workers working within the NHS from all corners of the UK.

Any individual working in an NHS nursing or midwifery team can apply.

Grants of up to £1,600 will be awarded to cover the cost of a wide range of educational courses. This might include for example, postgraduate modules, clinically-focused courses and shorter training courses.

Details about how to apply for the grant can be found by clicking here .

The fund opened for applications on Monday 7 March 2022 and will be reviewed on Tuesday 19 April.

Enter the 2018 BJN Awards today!

The British Journal of Nursing is delighted to welcome nominations into the BJN Awards 2019. A showcase of nursing excellence, the BJN Awards recognise and celebrate the individuals going above and beyond in delivering their care.

The nurse who goes above and beyond. The nurse who puts patient care at the heart of their role. The nurse who inspires you. The nurse who drives the profession. The nurse who deserves to be celebrated. We all know that nurse.

Please nominate for the Hepatology / Liver Nurse of the year category. 

By nominating that nurse, you will not only be gaining them the recognition and reward they deserve, you will be doing your part to highlight the critical contribution nursing makes to healthcare.

Entries close on 19 November 2018 so nominate a colleague today by visitng the BJN website by clicking > here.

On 28 November 2017, the project leads for the Shared Care Liver Project (SCLP) held a showcase event in Basildon to highlight and disseminate the joint work of St Luke’s Hospice and Basildon Hepatology team.

The SCLP has been running since 2015 and is a unique and innovative project which offers early palliative care interventions and support to patients with Advanced Liver Disease (ALD) and their carers.

The award winning project was funded by The Health Foundation and supported by Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Unit (MCPCRU) and has played an important part in informing the national picture on the care of those with ALD.

More than 50 attended from both the Hospice/palliative care and hepatology disciplines. The afternoon included speakers from The Health Foundation and MCPCRU.

The quantative outcome data was presented and highlighted that the project cohort demonstrated improved compliance and often stabilised when offered a multi-disciplinary supportive care approach from the Hospice in addition to their Hepatology services. Significantly, 100% of the cohort had end of life conversations and 68% completed planning documents which included Preferred Priorities for Care documentation and DNACPR documentation.

Qualitative outcome data highlighted themes such as ‘improvement in continuity of care’ and ‘not feeling judged’.

Both the Basildon Hepatology and Hospice teams highlighted the wealth of reciprocal learning gained throughout the project, with enhanced communication being highlighted as key to the success of the project.

The project team will now be focusing on publication of their findings and further dissemination. Further funding is also being sort to continue with development and dissemination of the model.

Virginia Campbell – Advanced Nurse Practitioner St Luke’s Hospice Basildon – co-project lead
virginiacampbell@stlukeshospice.co.uk  

Sharon Quinn – Assistant Director of Clinical Care & Quality – St Luke’s Hospice, Basildon – co-project lead
sharonquinn@stlukeshospice.co.uk . 

There are 25 nurse travel bursaries available to attend the BASL Annual Meeting and Nurses Day which is taking place from 20th - 22nd September 2017 at Warwick University, Coventry. 

To apply for a bursary you must be a member of the BASL Nurse Forum and submit an electronic and a paper copy of the Application Form by 17:00 on Friday 30th June 2017.

Full details can be found in the Guidance Document below and you must apply on the Application Form, also downloadable below:

Download BASLNurseBursaryGuidanceDocument_2017.pdf

Download BASLNurseBursaryApplicationForm_2017.pdf

If you have any questions please contact judith@execbs.com .