Changes and sticking points in adult safeguarding: a discussion

The care and treatment of vulnerable adults was the subject of regular public and media concern in 2011. This article discusses the potential impact of these concerns on community nursing practice and reflects on the ways in which such concerns may be discussed in professional development activities. It alerts nurses to the importance of considering the effects on patients and carers of exposure to negative findings from inquiries and inspections. It identifies ways in which professional development opportunities can be used to update general skills in safeguarding practice. These are likely to be of growing importance to the work of community nurses in the context of an ageing society and occasional potential conflicts between patients and carers. Keeping abreast of legal frameworks will be required of nurses if they are to advise and to advocate for their patients.