title: Advanced nurse practitioner-led referral for specialist care and rehabilitation.
abstract: In response to the need for appropriate and timely care of frail older patients admitted to hospital, a dedicated advanced nurse practitioner (ANP)-led referral service was developed. The service has continued to evolve over the 13 years since its implementation in accordance with changing service demands. This article describes the role of the ANP in care of the elderly/rehabilitation medicine and focuses on one area of clinical practice developed by the team: an ANP-led referral service. The aim of developing the service was to ensure that patients who required specialist care and rehabilitation could be identified and assessed as soon as possible after admission, with the premise that they could be transferred to a bed in care of the elderly medical wards. This was perceived by the ANPs to be advantageous for patients, who would receive care from a specialist team, and for care of the elderly staff who could use their knowledge and skills appropriately and safely.
authors.affiliation: Care of the elderly medicine, Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend, Wales, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mashlan
authors.affiliation: Care of the elderly medicine, Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend, Wales.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.affiliation: Care of the elderly medicine, Neath Port Talbot Hospital, Port Talbot, Wales.
authors.forename: Ceri
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016330:Frail Elderly; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D063127:Secondary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: advanced nurse practitioner; older people; rehabilitation; secondary care; service improvement