Innovation:CBT-based support groups for postnatal depression.

Postnatal depression can have serious implications for mother/child bonding and damage relationships between parents. Approaches to treat it need to overcome barriers that have led to high attrition in some group or clinic-based postnatal depression treatment studies. This retrospective evaluation explored the benefits of offering postnatally depressed mothers group support based on cognitive behavioural therapy. It helped to improve women's self-esteem and self-worth and to make them feel safe and supported.

The changing face of manual handling in the community.

The changing manual handling needs of staff must be reflected in their training. In order to allow for professional development, it is essential that community nurses have dedicated time to attend educational sessions on manual handling, where problem solving is encouraged. A variety of familiar handling situations are discussed, and strategies to overcome them are suggested. The article focuses on several methods of assisting a patient from sitting to standing. Confusion may arise when selecting appropriate equipment or a method to assist. Guidance to aid selection of appropriate equipment is given in the form of an algorithm to aid community practitioners.

Evidence-based patient handling: systematic review.

BACKGROUND: This article summarises the findings of an international systematic review of patient handling. More than 880 papers were read, critically appraised and allocated a quality rating score. The evidence supports the provision of a minimal set of equipment for moving and handling patients, and multifactor intervention strategies based on risk assessment rather than those predominantly based on technique training. CONCLUSION: It is recommended that healthcare providers should review their current equipment provision and approach to managing risks and injuries associated with patient handling activities in the context of this research evidence.