A Practical Example

The challenge

To increase capacity within the practice nursing team.

The role of the WAT

Identified workload activity for the nursing team.

The solution

Two tasks currently carried out by the practice nurses could, with training, be done by healthcare support workers (HCSWs):

• assessment of foot pulses in diabetic patients; and
• first-line intervention in smoking cessation.

Result

Two HCSWs trained in foot pulse assessment. Freed up 23 hours of practice nurse time per month. New pathway implemented – HCSW first-line intervention for smoking cessation.