Professional and political reflections on the 'grand round': a critical case study

This case study presents a critical reflective account of a change to working practices in one NHS Trust. To promote quality care and effective clinical decision making, a 'grand round' was introduced in the orthopaedic department. Implementation presented frustrations and challenges for members of the multidisciplinary team. These are explored using transformative learning and critical reflection, enabling connections to be made between micro-level interactions of clinical care and macro-level structures that frame healthcare services. It is important that nurses recognise the escalating impact of a neoliberal agenda, and new public management, that drive UK health policy and politics. The value base of nursing is threatened by a corporate culture that measures performance in terms of institutional targets rather than individual care.