Developing telemedical facilities for emergency nurse practitioners in nurse-led minor accident treatment services

In January 1996 a nurse-led Minor Accident Treatment Service (MATS Unit) opened in Wembley Community Hospital London. A telemedical link was implemented, connecting Central Middlesex Hospital (CMH) Accident and Emergency Department of Wembley MATS, to facilitate and support the emergency nurse practitioners (ENPs) working there. Two years on, the unit continues to treat rising numbers of patients while ENPs have become proficient in the application of telemedicine. The telemedical link has enhanced service delivery for the ENP.