The role of Clinical Support Workers in reducing junior doctors' hours and improving quality of patient care

AIM: The aim of the study was to see if the introduction of Clinical Support Workers (CSWs) at a teaching hospital could reduce the medical work intensity for junior doctors without compromising the quality of patient care. BACKGROUND: The 'New Deal' and 'European Working Time Directive' have prompted hospitals to take a close look at junior doctors' hours and work intensity in order to make posts compliant. Following the Department of Health's publication 'reducing junior doctors' hours', it was felt that certain clinical duties could be shared with nursing staff. METHODS: Two audits were undertaken 8 months apart. The first was to determine the areas where the introduction of CSW would make the biggest impact. The second was to determine if this impact had had an effect on the intensity of work carried out by the junior doctors. FINDINGS: The CSW greatly reduced the number of cannulations and venepunctures performed by the doctors without any compromise to patient care. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study shows that other allied health professionals can be trained to carry out certain tasks that previously were only performed by doctors. This not only reduces the impact on junior doctors' hours but can also improve patient care, with fewer delays encountered when patients are waiting for a procedure.