Primary Nursing

It is often argued that the current organization of clinical nursing practice poses a dilemma for senior staff: to rise in the professional hierachy they must become managers and leave direct bedside nursing for which they are now highly skilled. More significantly, this may be detrimental to the quality of patient care. "Primary nursing" is a system of care which reinstates the skilled professional nurse at the forefront of practical nursing care. This book presents an argument, based on current literature and on the practice in the Burford and Oxford Nursing Development Units, to support the introduction of primary nursing and nursing beds in general hospitals. It focuses on the philosophy of individualised patient care delivered by a professional nursing service and based on a close, therapeutic relationship between nurse and patient. Innovations include the abandoning of stereotyped nurse uniforms, the sharing of mealtimes by patients and nurses, and the use of therapeutic touch and massage. These techniques were implemented and evaluated within the units, which established an international reputation.
This book is particularly directed towards ward sisters and clinical nursing officers, but will also interest any students or professional staff concerned with the quality of nursing care.