The key role of an ‘acute neurology triage nurse’ in transforming emergency neurology services

Abstract

We describe a seemingly novel UK approach to managing acute neurological problems presenting to a district general hospital by using an acute neurology triage nurse as the coordinator of the acute neurology service. We describe in detail how the post works, and present 4-year data comparing 2014–15, the year prior to the nurse starting, with 2015–17, the first 3 years of the service. The nurse, based in the acute medical admission ward, assessed all patients within 2 hours of referral. Key improvements were a dramatic rise both in number of patients seen, and the percentage of patients seen on the day of referral. Early discharge was facilitated, where possible, by urgent ‘hot’ clinic appointments by the nurse, both in person or by telephone, at present 5–6 times per week. The success of this model in Croydon leads us to believe it is worthy of wider consideration.