ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION The aim of this chapter is to introduce the reader to recent developments in nursing practice, and how they have influenced nursing and health care. Constant changes in politics and everincreasing advances in technology have combined to present greater challenges than ever in meeting the health demands of the UK population. Therefore the need for practitioners to develop support mechanisms will be stressed. Nursing has a complex history and key landmarks are summarized in Table 3.1.These serve to complement the three main sections of this chapter, which are as follows:
• Developments in clinical practice • Research and development in nursing • Support for clinical excellence
DEVELOPMENTS IN CLINICAL PRACTICE: THE LYNCHPIN OF PROFESSIONAL NURSING This section stresses the importance of clinical practice to nursing, not only with a view to improving patient services, but also in terms of political power and the associated ability to shape
the future of the nursing profession rather than it being shaped by others. Examples of clinical innovations will be discussed, such as clinical supervision, clinical governance and evidence-based practice. Relevant publications will be identified to assist the student to grasp a foothold in the political and clinical environment which makes up the National Health Service (NHS). Key reports include the United Kingdom Central Council (UKCC) 1999 report Fitness for Practice with its stress on clinical support, and its recognition of the need for collaboration between the NHS and higher education.
