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Click on this link to register with us! Registered members may borrow up to 10 books at one time.

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Register - Medway NHS Knowledge and Library Services

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All Medway NHS Foundation Trust staff, students on placement at the hospital and other NHS staff working across the Medway health economy, may apply to register.

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Click on this link to find our Literature Search Request Form, just complete this and one of our Librarians will support.

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The LKS can conduct literature searching to find the evidence you need for an informed decision.

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MFT Knowledge & Library Services Website

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MFT Knowledge & Library Services Website

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Medway NHS Knowledge and Library Services (KLS)

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The Medway NHS Knowledge and Library Service KLS offers the best resources to support clinical decision making, research, and lifelong professional development.

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The NHS Knowledge and Library Hub connects NHS staff and learners to high quality knowledge and evidence resources in one place.

Funded by Health Education England, it includes:

journals, books and databases

clinical decision support resources including NICE Guidelines and BMJ Best Practice

policy and management information and research literature

resources purchased nationally and locally

one-click links to full-text, request a copy or contact an NHS library

Full access is free to all NHS staff and learners using your NHS OpenAthens account.

Don’t yet have an account?  Register for NHS OpenAthens

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The NHS Knowledge and Library Hub connects health cares staff and learners to high quality, NHS-funded, knowledge and evidence resources in one place, using a single search.

The 'Hub'

includes all journal articles, e-books, guidelines and evidence summary tools provided nationally and by your local NHS library team

provides seamless access to full text, as an immediate download or on request from an NHS library

avoids the less-reliable sources you might find in a general web search.

Easier access to e-journals

For seamless links, where you want them, install LibKey Nomad on your PC or laptop. Choose your library (or type NHS England) and find your links in PubMed, Google Scholar and many other sites. Or use BrowZine to browse and read the journals you have access to.

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The NHS Knowledge and Library Hub connects health cares staff and learners to high quality, NHS-funded, knowledge and evidence resources in one place, using a single search.

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QR Code for initial placement checks for all students 

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QR Code for initial placement checks for all students 

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Pre-Placement Preparation:
You are expected to read the Nursing Associate student pack and prepare a brief set of learning objectives prior to your placement.

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Pre-Placement Preparation:
You are expected to read the Nursing student pack and prepare a brief set of learning objectives prior to your placement.

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Algorithm for Out of Hours Task Allocation -

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Critical care outreach and d rapid response teams: Are they the panacea to all hospital patient deterioration problems?

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Critical care outreach and d rapid response teams: Are they the panacea to all hospital patient deterioration problems?

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Author links open overlay panelNatalie Pattison

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Critical care outreach and rapid response teams: Are they the panacea to all hospital patient deterioration problems?

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BTS Guideline for Oxygen use in Healthcare and Emergency settings 

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BTS Guideline for Oxygen use in Healthcare and Emergency settings 

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Escalation Pathway for Deteriorating patient.

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Escalation Pathway for Deteriorating patient.

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Any patients of concerns (even with a NEWS 0) - Please refer to ART on 725

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Please note that the Policy was due to be reviewed on the 1st May 2025

Key Points:

5.2 Cardiac arrest calls are not affected by this policy.

5.3     Urgent clinical review requests can be made directly by the ward staff to the medical on call doctors, if needed to avoid delays in care. Peri-arrest calls via 2222 to be done for patients needing emergency care by medical staff.

5.4      Increased NEWS2, indicating escalation to medical staff or ART to be excluded from bleep filtering to avoid delays in care.

Any Increased of NEWS - Please escalate to ART on 725

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Manual Blood Pressure Measurement – Clinical Skills

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Manual Blood Pressure Measurement – Clinical Skills

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Manual Blood Pressure Measurement – Clinical Skills

Equipment Needed

Manual sphygmomanometer (BP cuff + gauge)

Stethoscope

Alcohol wipe for hygiene

Preparation

Explain the procedure to the patient

Ensure the patient is calm, seated, with back supported

Arm should be bare, supported at heart level, palm up

Allow the patient to rest for 3–5 minutes before measurement

Cuff Placement

Select appropriate cuff size for the patient’s arm

Wrap cuff snugly around the upper arm (2–3 cm above the antecubital fossa)

Ensure bladder of cuff is centred over the brachial artery

Taking the Measurement

1. Palpate the brachial artery at the antecubital fossa

2. Inflate the cuff 20–30 mmHg above the point where the radial pulse disappears

3. Place stethoscope over the brachial artery, just below cuff edge

4. Deflate cuff slowly (2–3 mmHg per second)

5. Listen for Korotkoff sounds:

First sound = systolic BP

Disappearance of sound = diastolic BP

6. Record BP (e.g., 120/80 mmHg)

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Please share learning

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These standards set out the entry and practice learning requirements, curriculum, length of programme, methods of assessment and the level of award for NMC-approved nursing programmes. They have been designed so that students can get the most out of their education and learn the skills they need to become safe, effective and kind professionals.

Our updated standards for pre-registration nursing programmes were approved by our Council at its meeting on 25 January 2023 and can now be implemented by Approved education institutions (AEIs).
The updated standards
The updated standards

If you want to print the standards without using too much ink and paper, we have printer friendly versions available below:

Our pre-2023 standards for pre-registration programmes can still be used until January 2025. However, we encourage AEIs to make relevant changes to their programmes in line with our updated standards as soon as they can.
Find our pre-2023 standards for education and training here.
If you can't find what you're looking for, feel free to email educationandstandards@nmc-uk.org

Why our standards are important

Our education and training standards help nursing, midwifery and nursing associate students achieve the NMC standards of proficiency and programme outcomes.

All nursing, midwifery and nursing associate professionals must practise in line with the requirements of the Code, the professional standards of practice and behaviour that nurses, midwives and nursing associates are expected to uphold.

The standards for education and training includes the Standards framework for nursing and midwifery education, Standards for student supervision and assessment, and programme standards specific to each approved programme.

Our standards for education and training are set out in three parts:

Our standards framework

Our Standards for pre-registration nursing programmes follow the student journey and are grouped under the following five headings:

Selection, admission and progression
Standards about an applicant's suitability and continued participation in a pre-registration nursing programme

Curriculum
Standards for the content, delivery and evaluation of the pre-registration nursing programme

Practice learning
Standards specific to pre-registration learning for nurses that takes place in practice settings

Supervision and assessment
Standards for safe and effective supervision and assessment of students on pre-registration nursing programmes

Qualification to be awarded
Standards about the academic award and registering the student's award with us.

Supporting information

We have written supporting information for some of our education and training standards, which includes information about simulated practice learning, safeguarding and midwifery practice placements. This information is updated regularly.

Our supporting information sets out possible ways that our standards may be met, but they are not a series of expectations for what 'must' be done. They are merely a guide to help AEIs in providing programmes that will give students the right skills and knowledge to meet our standards of proficiency.
Visit our standards for education and training supporting information hub
We have also written supporting information for some of our standards relating to student supervision and assessment. This information is updated regularly.

Visit our SSSA supporting information hub

We also have information and resources which are aimed to help you put our Standards of proficiency for midwives into practice.
Explore our nursing proficiency resources
Our education programme standards webinars

We hosted a series of webinars to help outline the changes we made to the education standards in 2023 following the departure of the UK from the EU.
The updated standards for pre-registration nursing programmes: what do the changes mean for you?
This webinar was designed to clearly outline and explain the changes made to nursing and nursing associate programme standards so that AEIs have the ability to make relevant updates to their programmes as outlined in our new standards.

Please find the slide deck and recording of the webinar below:
The new standards for simulated learning: what do the changes mean for you?
This webinar was designed to clearly outline and explain the changes being made to simulated practice learning for nursing programmes only.

Please find the slide deck and recording of the webinar below:

How our standards were developed

Since 2016 we have been developing our standards with input from stakeholders across the UK.

Find out more about how our standards were developed

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Standards for pre-registration nursing programmes - The Nursing and Midwifery Council

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Part 3 of our standards for education and training

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Standards for student supervision and assessment - The Nursing and Midwifery Council

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Part 2 of our standards for education and training

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Practice placements

Practice placements are an essential part of nurse training and will equip you with the skills needed for a successful nursing career.

Placements are arranged by your University. When allocating placements they will take into account your circumstances such as where you live, whether you have dependants, and whether you have access to a car. Your University will have placement information online or in your student handbook. In it, you'll find information about claiming expenses, supervision and assessment arrangements, and what to do if you cannot attend your placement.

You may have the opportunity to go on an elective placement overseas - this will give you invaluable experience.

Raising concerns about placements

A lot of your time as a student will be spent on placement and seeing the theory being put into practice can raise many questions.

If you have concerns while undertaking your placement, firstly speak with your supervisor or mentor. Also, read your placement or student handbook to find out how to deal with these difficulties.

Contact us on 0345 772 6100 if you have followed your university's guidance and the problem still exists. Please also see our Raising concerns guide for RCN members.

Failures, resits and appeals

If you fail your practice assessment, you should have been made aware of your development needs earlier in the placement.

You are entitled to additional time to address your learning and practice needs if you did not receive a mid-point interview or feedback about your need to develop.

If you fail an assignment, placement or examination, you would usually be offered an opportunity to re-sit.

If you still fail to meet the required standard following the attempts allowed under the course regulations, you can consider an academic appeal.

You can't appeal against academic judgement, but you could appeal if you believe that the judgement was not made fairly or in line with university process. You would need to follow your university's academic appeal regulations.

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Student nurses | Advice guides | Royal College of Nursing

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Practice placements are an essential part of nurse training and will equip you with the skills needed for a successful nursing career. Placements are arranged by your University. When allocating placements they will take into account your circumstances such as where you live, whether you have dependants, and whether you have access to a car.

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Watch videos instantly on Bing—enjoy direct playback, discover related clips, and dive into trending content all in one place.

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NHS England Safe Learning Environment Charter

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Benefits of RCN membership

For just 84p per month, we'll see you through your student journey with Europe's largest nursing library and e-library, financial advice, careers guidance, and support from our team of experts.

As a member, you'll gain access to:

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Student membership | Royal College of Nursing

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Find out about the benefits of RCN student membership and what it includes, as well as the membership costs and how to join.

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Acutely ill adults in hospital: recognising and responding to deterioration

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Acutely ill adults in hospital: recognising and responding to deterioration

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Clinical guideline

Reference number:CG50

Published:

25 July 2007

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Recommendations | Acutely ill adults in hospital: recognising and responding to deterioration | Guidance | NICE

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This guideline covers how patients in hospital should be monitored to identify those whose health may become worse suddenly and the care they should receive. It aims to reduce the risk of patients needing to stay longer in hospital, not recovering fully or dying. It doesn’t specifically cover the care of children, patients in critical care areas or those in the final stages of a terminal illness

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Are breathing very fast

Have a 'fit' or convulsion

Look mottled, bluish, or pale - on darker pigmented skin, colour changes may show on the inside of the forearms or palms

Have a rash that does not fade when you press it

Are very lethargic or difficult to wake

Feel abnormally cold to touch

Call 111 or contact your GP if you are worried about an infection. Call 999 or visit A&E if a child has one of the sepsis symptoms and Just Ask: Could it be Sepsis?

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Are breathing very fast Have a 'fit' or convulsion Look mottled, bluish, or pale - on darker pigmented skin, colour changes may show on the inside of the forearms or palms Have a rash that does not fade when you press it Are very lethargic or difficult to wake Feel abnormally cold to touch Call 111 or contact your GP if you are worried about an infection.

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Are breathing very fast

Have a 'fit' or convulsion

Look mottled, bluish, or pale - on darker pigmented skin, colour changes may show on the inside of the forearms or palms

Have a rash that does not fade when you press it

Are very lethargic or difficult to wake

Feel abnormally cold to touch

Call 111 or contact your GP if you are worried about an infection. Call 999 or visit A&E if a child has one of the sepsis symptoms and Just Ask: Could it be Sepsis?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Are breathing very fast Have a 'fit' or convulsion Look mottled, bluish, or pale - on darker pigmented skin, colour changes may show on the inside of the forearms or palms Have a rash that does not fade when you press it Are very lethargic or difficult to wake Feel abnormally cold to touch Call 111 or contact your GP if you are worried about an infection.

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Sepsis can be difficult to spot for the individual, for the loved one and for health professionals, particularly in the earlier stages. There is no single sign and no single diagnostic test - symptoms can also present differently in adults and children.

Sepsis is a medical diagnosis and requires a full clinical assessment.

A patient who is unwell and has signs or symptoms of an infection should be evaluated for the presence of sepsis by looking for one or more organs not working as they should be - this will involve vital signs monitoring and blood tests. Some hospitals use the term Red Flag Sepsis (developed by the UK Sepsis Trust) to help often junior health professionals identify people with likely sepsis rapidly. This is not an official definition of sepsis but suggests the patient is at high risk and therefore requires prompt medical attention.

People who have sepsis require hospital admission (unless they are too frail to be considered for hospitalisation) and some may require treatment in Critical Care. This may include the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and/or High Dependency Unit (HDU).

Antibiotics and control of the source of infection remain the mainstays of treating sepsis as a consequence of bacterial infection - antibiotics will not treat fungal or viral infections. If the source of infection is unknown, then a 'broader spectrum' antibiotic may be used until a source is identified.

If a fungal infection is suspected, antifungal treatment should be started as a matter of urgency initially using broad spectrum drugs. Antiviral therapies are of less proven benefit in patients with viral sepsis, for whom the mainstay of treatment is organ support.

Delivery of prompt antibiotics is part of a bundle of care developed by the UK Sepsis Trust known as the Sepsis Six.

THE SEPSIS 6

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Got a question about sepsis? We've tried to address some of the most frequently asked questions on this page.

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Sepsis can be difficult to spot for the individual, for the loved one and for health professionals, particularly in the earlier stages. There is no single sign and no single diagnostic test - symptoms can also present differently in adults and children.

Sepsis is a medical diagnosis and requires a full clinical assessment.

A patient who is unwell and has signs or symptoms of an infection should be evaluated for the presence of sepsis by looking for one or more organs not working as they should be - this will involve vital signs monitoring and blood tests. Some hospitals use the term Red Flag Sepsis (developed by the UK Sepsis Trust) to help often junior health professionals identify people with likely sepsis rapidly. This is not an official definition of sepsis but suggests the patient is at high risk and therefore requires prompt medical attention.

People who have sepsis require hospital admission (unless they are too frail to be considered for hospitalisation) and some may require treatment in Critical Care. This may include the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and/or High Dependency Unit (HDU).

Antibiotics and control of the source of infection remain the mainstays of treating sepsis as a consequence of bacterial infection - antibiotics will not treat fungal or viral infections. If the source of infection is unknown, then a 'broader spectrum' antibiotic may be used until a source is identified.

If a fungal infection is suspected, antifungal treatment should be started as a matter of urgency initially using broad spectrum drugs. Antiviral therapies are of less proven benefit in patients with viral sepsis, for whom the mainstay of treatment is organ support.

Delivery of prompt antibiotics is part of a bundle of care developed by the UK Sepsis Trust known as the Sepsis Six.

THE SEPSIS 6

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Got a question about sepsis? We've tried to address some of the most frequently asked questions on this page.