Nurse-led Projects Aim to Improve Men’s Health

The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) has announced eleven new nurse-led projects that will benefit from funding and a year long professional development programme.

All the projects are focused on aspects of physical and mental health for male patients. The new projects are part of the QNI’s Fund for Innovation and Leadership scheme, though this is the first time the nursing charity has focused on the health needs of one part of the population.

The QNI has been supporting nurse-led projects in the community since 1992, over which time 250 separate projects have received funding. The QNI’s Director of Programmes, Anne Pearson, has led the programme for the past 12 years. Anne commented:

‘The difference that these projects make in improving the lives of patients is remarkable, and independent research has shown that many of them make a long lasting difference in improving nursing practice far beyond their original goals.

‘This latest round of projects show the diversity of challenges facing healthcare for men, and the innovative approaches that community nurses are trialling to address those challenges around the country. Many men are living with long term conditions and community healthcare is vital in helping them to manage those conditions effectively. However, it is well established that men of working age are less likely to access healthcare services, which can lead to them becoming more unwell.

‘By bringing those projects together, sharing knowledge and problem-solving collectively, we can help increase the reach and capacity of the projects to improve the health of many individuals, and improve learning and leadership.’

Notes to Editors:

1. Projects will run until March 2018 and the QNI will publish project outcomes following completion.
2. The QNI’s Fund for Innovation and Leadership is supported financially by the Burdett Trust for Nursing.
3. Each project receives funding of up to £5000.