Nasogastric tube insertion is a frequent intervention done on the wards to administer artificial nutrition and hydration. Misplaced tubes into the lungs or pleural space can have devastating consequences. NPSA alerts have been issued to highlight the risk and address this ‘Never Event’. This presentation will cover the history of nasogastric tubes, a review of the NPSA alerts, algorithms and troubleshooting techniques to deal with those problematic insertions.

Steve Mann, Consultant Gastroenterologist, Royal Free Hospital, London

Exploring the challenges and learning around a nurse lead quality improvement project aiming to increase access for patients to palliative care in a tertiary liver unit. How the introduction of a clinical nurse specialist in palliative care and liver disease is changing culture and perceptions across both specialities.

Catherine Carroll, Palliative Care and Hepatology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Royal Free Hospital, London

Metaphors can help to illustrate complex issues and can illuminate a description of cancer to the lay public. However, they are also capable of creating or perpetuating stereotypes and stigma. Historically and metaphorically, survival has been associated with war or laws of nature and in cancer it is metaphorically aligned with war, fighting battles and survival.

Dr Pat Black MBE, Associate Lecturer, Birmingham City University

Talk by Isobel Mason
Gastroenterology Nurse Consultant, Crohn's and Colitis UK

Isobel Mason, Gastroenterology Nurse Consultant, Crohn's and Colitis UK

Talk by Yvette Perston
Colorectal Clinical Nurse Specialist, University Hospitals Birmingham

Yvette Perston, Colorectal Clinical Nurse Specialist, University Hospitals Birmingham

Talk by Adrian Jugdoyal
Senior Lecturer, Middlesex University

Adrian Jugdoyal, Senior Lecturer, Middlesex University

Speaker to be confirmed

The recovery from major surgical complications is more than just physical.  This presentation will discuss the role of nurses in supporting patients’ emotional needs after surgical complications, including how a patient may need a nurse to act as an intermediary between them and their surgeon.

Susannah Hill, ,

This presentation will  focus on Genetic Haemochromatosis (GH); the MOST common inherited genetic disorder affecting Caucasians that most people have not heard about! Despite its prevalence with approximately 1: 120 with the disease, only 1:5000 people are diagnosed with it.

In GH the body absorbs excess iron and over time can lead to systemic iron overload causing inflammation and tissue damage. Early symptoms are nonspecific such as fatigue, abdominal and joint pain and as  such, can be considered inconsequential by health care practitioners. Once diagnosed treatment is lifelong!

This talk will discuss GH, the signs, symptoms and treatment as well as discuss some research findings from a small qualitative study on patients experiences of the disease.

Gerri Mortimore, Senior Lecturer, University of Derby

Over the last ten years, management options for individuals with locally-advanced (PRbTME- primary rectal cancer beyond TME plane) or recurrent rectal cancers have improved considerably. Traditionally, pelvic exenterative surgery involved has been described by three distinct types of operation; anterior, posterior and total pelvic exenterations. More recent procedures include an extended lateral pelvic side-wall excision (ELSiE) for a lateral recurrence and partial sacrectomy for sacral recurrences. The aim of surgical treatment is to achieve an en-bloc resection of the tumour with a clear resection margin (R0).

Patients must be carefully consented, and all potential complications discussed in detail so that they can make an informed choice about whether they wish to proceed with treatment. In addition to coping with physical challenges, such as pain and fatigue, all patients will experience emotional issues as they adjust to alterations in their body image and function. Skilled support to address their psychological, social and financial issues is needed. Input from a range of nursing specialists in pain management, nutrition, stoma care and continence will be required. Nursing care is therefore essential throughout all stages of these patients’ surgical care.

This presentation will discuss the key role nurses play in managing any potential post-operative complications, supporting patients through the transition from critical care, to ward care and discharge home.

Claire Taylor MBE, Macmillan Nurse Consultant , St Mark’s Hospital London

Talk by Jackie Glatter
Health Service Programme Manager, Crohn's and Colitis UK

Jackie Glatter, Health Service Programme Manager, Crohn's and Colitis UK

Ceuta is a Spanish city on the north coast of Africa, sharing a land border with Morocco. Due to the bad quality of health services in Morocco, population from the north of Morocco are used to visiting Ceuta to receive proper care. In this case, a 49 years old Moroccan woman who had colon cancer, went under surgery in Ceuta, where she used to work.

Concepción Capilla Díaz, Assistant Professor, University of Granada, Spain