Spring is here, bringing with it lots of exciting developments within endocrine nursing.

Our first article of 2020 has been written by Helen Loo from Oxford. Helen informs us of the innovative developments involving cortisol alert dogs and, importantly, how the addition of a dog to the patient clinical care pathway is improving patient outcomes. The charity Medical Detection Dogs helps to explain what a medical alert assistance dog does and how it works. I hope you enjoy the article and are inspired to bring this to your multidisciplinary team discussions. Helen plans to conduct further research with the team in Oxford, and I look forward to the outcomes.

Many of us are very aware of the Addison’s Disease Self-Help Group and the amazing work they do. The photo with Helen’s article shows her receiving the Annette Louise Seal Memorial Award from them, alongside Consultant Endocrinologist Helen Turner (Oxford), during the Society for Endocrinology BES conference 2019. As an endocrine community we congratulate her and all the team involved.

I hope you have registered for Endocrine Nurse Update in Birmingham on 20−21 April. Our fantastic programme reflects your feedback, and includes our new structure with advance practice sessions and research sessions. You can find it at www.endocrinology.org/events/endocrine-nurse-update/endocrine-nurse-update-2020/scientific-programme.

Do you have a colleague that you would like to nominate for the Society’s Endocrine Nurse Award 2021? I encourage you to do so: see www.endocrinology.org/grants-and-awards/prizes-and-awards/endocrine-nurse-award. The closing date is 6 July 2020.

Those of us who were lucky enough to know Nikki Kieffer know that she would have wanted us all to be proud of being an endocrine nurse. I thank Lisa for writing an obituary for Nikki, who will be sadly missed. Our thoughts and sincere condolences go to her husband and family. Best wishes

Anne Marland, Nurse Committee Chair