title: Nurses are not part of the 'medical profession'.
abstract: I welcome the RCN's call for recognition by the Crown Prosecution Service of RNs as professional witnesses (News July 1). The issues are complex, not least because of differences between expert and professional witnesses. A professional witness gives evidence of fact, while an expert witness gives an opinion in a professional capacity.
authors.affiliation: East London.
authors.forename: Gerry
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bolger