Establishing a minor illness nurse in a busy general practice.
OBJECTIVE
To study the feasibility of a practice nurse caring for patients with minor illnesses.


METHODS
Nurse given training in dealing with patients with minor illnesses. Patients requesting a same day appointment were offered a nurse consultation.


METHODS
Group practice in Stockton on Tees.


METHODS
Number of consultations which required a doctor contact, treatment, and rate of reconsultation.


RESULTS
Of 696 consultations in six months, 602 (86%) required no doctor contact. 549 (79%) patients did not reconsult about the episode of illness, and 343 (50%) patients were given advice on self care only.


CONCLUSIONS
Trained nurses could diagnose and treat a large proportion of patients currently consulting general practitioners about minor illness provided that the nurse has immediate access to a doctor.
Marsh
G N
GN
Norton Medical Centre, Stockton on Tees, Cleveland.
Dawes
M L
ML
D000208:Acute Disease / Q000451:nursing*; D004739:England; D017050:Episode of Care; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000078329:Workforce; D016526:Workload