Abstract
In the current climate of changing nursing and medical roles, discussions about the role of the operating theatre nurse have been rekindled, with particular emphasis being placed on the role of the nurse as 'assistant' to the surgeon. This article examines perioperative roles and identifies and discusses the factors that have stimulated their development. It is argued that these roles are not necessarily new and that their recent re-emergence may have as much to do with the sustained drive to reduce junior doctors' hours as the need to enhance the quality of patient care. However, they may offer operating theatre nurses clearer direction and purpose to practice. Provided they can improve the quality of patient care and are given careful consideration, they may prove to be an opportunity worth exploiting.
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