Rheumatology Specialist Nurses: ??100 Million "added Value" To NHS Per Year, Wales

Every rheumatology specialist nurse increases efficiency in the NHS by a quarter of a million pounds each year according to new research published by the Royal College of Nursing at its annual Congress in Bournemouth.


By managing the bulk of the outpatient workload, rheumatology specialist nurses free up hundreds of appointments for new patients to be seen by a consultant - this represents a saving of ??175,168 per nurse each year through increased efficiency. Additionally, as a result of the telephone support specialist nurses provide, many GP appointments can be freed up for other patients, equating to a further ??73,588 saving per nurse.


The UK-wide study - Clinical nurse specialists: adding value to care - monitored the working pattern of rheumatology specialist nurses over a year using a software based modelling tool to determine how their time is spent.


The research published today also found that providing administrative support for rheumatology specialist nurses would free up more than six hours of their working week, meaning they could devote even more time to patient care, resulting in further savings to the NHS.


This latest study adds further weight to the College's recent warning that cutting specialist nurse services for people with long term conditions would be a false economy. The RCN is now calling for the methodology to be rolled out to cover all specialist nurses to identify the true extent of savings that could be made.


Specialist nurse posts save millions of pounds from health budgets through reduced complications, fewer hospital re-admissions and the expert long term management of conditions. They also provide many patients and families with a lifeline which no other service can offer.


In spite of this, a recent RCN survey of 60 leading health organisations representing thousands of people with a long-term condition found that only a third (36%) of respondents felt that everyone who needed specialist nursing currently received it. The survey also found:


- More than a third (37%) of respondents had seen cuts in services over the last 12 months

- More than half (57%) were concerned that posts will be threatened in the near future

- Almost all (95%) of the respondents who had seen cuts in services say it is the NHS, rather than other joint-funders, who have cut or reduced funding for specialist nurses


Tina Donnelly, Director of the Royal College of Nursing in Wales, said: "Specialist Nurses work in a defined area of practice - they may work at advanced levels in a specialist role or simply focus their practice in one particular area. The role is often about patient communication, teaching and support of self management of disease and illness, reviewing medication, and organising the patient pathway and access to other services. Patients with long term conditions frequently identify the specialist nurse as one of the most important healthcare professionals."


"This study looks at the value of specialist nursing in rheumatology; however, we know that similar findings could be found in other areas. Advanced and Specialist Nurses make a difference to patients lives and have a beneficial impact on the health service they work in. The roles bring many benefits to patients including continuity of care, access to expertise, improved clinical outcomes, and an excellent relationship between patient and healthcare professional. Another area of benefit is the accessibility and completeness of the services provided."


In its election manifesto, the RCN is calling for every patient with a long-term condition to have guaranteed access to specialist nursing care.


Notes


The study findings will be presented at the RCN Annual Congress 2010 fringe event "Capturing the essence and demonstrating the value of clinical nurse specialists" at 5:45pm on Monday 26th April 2010.


The study used Pandora, a software-based modelling tool, to record the complex activity of clinical specialist nurses working in the field of rheumatology between March 2009 and March 2010. It recorded the work of 99 rheumatology specialist nurses spread across the four countries of the UK.


Specialist nurses are dedicated clinical experts who are able to spend time with patients with a particular condition, and help them with everything from drug treatments to exercise plans, and help to ensure that patients have the highest possible quality of life.


Source

Royal College of Nursing (RCN)