Pre-operative visiting--making it work.

Abstract

Several key features are emerging about the management situation in the NHS which has an effect, in part, on the way a pre-operative visiting scheme must be introduced. Fewer nurses are being employed Technicians (ODP's) are being trained in ever greater numbers to take over the non-nursing duties of theatre nurses. Managers, even at theatre manager level, are increasingly coming from non nursing, non-medical or non-healthcare backgrounds. Budgets are being devolved down to theatre sister level. Theatre sisters are being downgraded to what was once a senior staff nurse grade. Two of the more significant concerns of managers are 'value for money' and 'quality at a given price'. It is very likely that clinical based nurses will be the ones who are trying to implement a pre-operative visiting system. If so, then they must take these factors into account in order to be successful. This requires an understanding of the management process and how to 'speak the same language' as a manager. The following paper is based on my experiences both in this country and abroad, and upon my perception of how the role of a clinical nurse interacts with the role of manager.