They lack the flexibility available in teaching hospitals with their higher staff numbers overall. Ways needed to be found to streamline the process and speed up patient management. A post for a laparoscopic nurse practitioner was set up to ensure that minimal invasive surgery was available to patients. Training was provided to enable the nurse practitioner to fulfil this role and to ensure that other members of the team understood it. A detailed clinical protocol defined standards of care, treatmen, and the roles of members of the clinical team.
Nurse practitioners have clinical autonomy and enhanced status within the clinical team.
Their presence enables clinical work to proceed even when the Consultant is away from the hospital, such as at training events or on annual leave. The development was not without problems - many an inevitable consequence of introducing a new member to the clinical team. Detailed analysis was required to ensure that the 'case' for the initial investment was strong - and successful. Nurse practitioners are now active in a range of situations in the hospital, in urology, and stoma and breast care. Better job satisfaction and appropriate rewards for nurse practitioners.