title: Defining the unique role of the specialist district nurse practitioner.
abstract: Due to the reorganization of primary care trusts across the country, certain trusts proposed a reduction in the specialist district nurse practitioner numbers in favour of less qualified community nurses and health care assistants. Such proposals in one PCT were blocked, partly in response to documentation compiled by practitioners at the sharp end of nursing practice. With the new agenda of practice based commissioning, it is imperative that commissioners and management alike are aware of the scope of specialist district nurse practitioners. This is the first of a series of articles looking at specific case histories where the role of the district nurse is highlighted. It is the intention to stress the importance of the clinical expertise and confidence required by the district nurse to care for patients with complex needs in the community.
authors: Buckinghamshire PCT. anne.barrett2@nhs.net
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Barrett
authors: Dinah
authors: D
authors: Latham
authors: Joy
authors: J
authors: Levermore
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000451:nursing; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000458:organization & administration; D006285:Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010343:Patient Admission; D020415:Personnel Downsizing; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D011637:Public Health Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration; D006113:United Kingdom; D016526:Workload