New roles

Here you will find good practice case studies that show how the introduction of new roles can make improvements for patients, NHS organisations and NHS staff.

East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust

Doctors in A&E at East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust are able to use their time more efficiently to see more patients and treat more complex cases, thanks to the introduction of a paediatric emergency nurse practitioner (PENP). As a result of introducing the PENP role, doctors care for more patients that only doctors can treat, their time is redirected to treat more complex cases, which helps to reduce waiting times for patients, and fewer medical professionals are needed to be involved in the care of each child. Additionally the PENP is able to provide more timely and relevant health promotion advice to parents, helping to prevent further admission to A&E and the trust has more help to meet their four-hour wait target.

For further information, please contact Kath Evans, lead for children's services, East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust on or 01438 781 437 extension 5539 or email kath.evans@nhs.net.