Specialist nurses for older people: implications from UK development sites

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Healthcare Management
• Nursing Practice

Background:

• Concerns regarding healthcare for older adults in the UK.
• Development of a National Service Framework for older people.
• Emphasis on specialist staff skilled in geriatric care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the development of specialist staffing for older people.
• Investigate six case study sites in the United Kingdom.
• Understand perceptions of development, history, and impact.

Main Methods:

• Soft systems methodology employed in 2004-2005.
• Interviews conducted with 132 key stakeholders (nurses, providers, patients, carers).
• Data collected from six national case study sites.

Main Results:

• Specialist nursing service development appears driven by national policy.
• National policy may not directly align with the needs of older people.
• Participant-defined qualities for specialist nurses include knowledge, skills, and personal attributes.

Conclusions:

• Progress in establishing specialist posts for older people noted.
• Further exploration needed on roles, qualities, support, and preparation for specialist nurses.
• Theories of specialist nursing practice must address universal vs. local models and geriatric care specifics.