BMJ  2005;330:1084 (7 May), doi:10.1136/bmj.330.7499.1084-a

Letter

Nurse led care

Nurses are autonomous professionals delivering expert care

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR—It is true that non-medical healthcare professionals, mainly nurses, have recently taken on a variety of roles that are traditionally viewed as the province of doctors. Clinical evaluations have generally been positive, indicating that the skills of the healthcare team are being more effectively used and that similar patient outcomes can be achieved by different approaches.^{1 2} Unfortunately the thinking of some professionals has been slower to change, as exemplified by Cullum and Spilsbury's editorial on nurse led care.³

We object to the statement that doctors are "delegating" their work to nurses, and the subsequent implication that only simple activities will be appropriate for nurse led care. This statement reinforces the commonly held medical view that nurses are appropriate to fill in where junior doctors are in short supply and the required tasks menial, such as pre-assessment clinics and routine procedures, but not to act as autonomous professionals initiating . . . [Full text of this article]

Jonathan.Benger@ubht.swest.nhs.uk, Emergency Department, United Bristol Healthcare Trust, Bristol BS2 8HW

Emergency Department, United Bristol Healthcare Trust, Bristol BS2 8HW

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