Endocrine Abstracts

Acromegaly is a rare clinical condition resulting from prolonged and excessive release of GH from an adenoma within the pituitary gland. Somatostatin analogues are synthetic versions of Somatostatin, a hypothalamic peptide that inhibits pituitary GH release and is administered by monthly injection. This case describes a 31 year old gentleman with treated Acromegaly who was well established on a Somatostatin Analogue (Somatuline Autogel) on the home injection programme, suddenl...

Introduction: Our endocrine service introduced a nurse led parathyroid clinic to provide an efficient pathway for patients referred with hypercalcaemia.This benefits patients and clinical staff.Materials/Methods: Patients referred with a raised calcium level are vetted by the endocrine consultants and directed to the nurse led clinic. The patients are seen within 6 weeks using a standard proforma and checklist. Relevant investigations to include renal fu...

The Competency Framework for Adult Endocrine Nursing was launched at the Society for Endocrinology (SfE) BES conference in March 2013 and was made available to Endocrine nurses and Endocrine centres in the UK. It was also made accessible via the SfE website. Questionnaires were sent out 6 months later to audit its use.Results: 80.4% of nurse respondents had heard of the document and 69.6% had read it. 100% of those who had read it found it easy to use an...

Using nurse led clinics (including telephone and virtual reviews) in NHS Grampian to improve patient satisfaction following a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism.Aims: To reduce waiting times for patients with hyperthyroidism, nurse led clinics were introduced. Telephone and virtual follow up reviews are offered after commencement of thyroid treatment (e.g. anti-thyroid medication or radioactive iodine (RAI)). Nurse-led thyroid clinics aim to i...

The Society for Endocrinology Nurse Committee provides national, international and local guidance, support and networking for nurses working in Endocrinology. Following review and revalidation of the endocrine nurse certificate, the Nurse Committee looked to explicate adult endocrine nurse competencies. The need for core competencies to standardise role expectations was a concern voiced from nurses and committee members. Up to the introduction of paediatric endocrine nurse com...