Clinical nurse practitioner in a surgical team.

The role of a nurse taking on many of the duties of PRHO in a surgical team is described with the responsibilities, relationships and limitations. A nurse can carry out almost all of the elective activity of a PRHO and significantly relieve the pressure of work on others. She cannot completely substitute for PRHOs out of hours. As more consultants are appointed without additional medical members of the team, it is suggested that two consultant teams might be best served by one PRHO working with one Clinical Nurse Practitioner.