The role of the nurse consultant in infection control

Abstract

W ith the advent of the Controls Assurance Standards (NHS Executive, 1999), Clinical Governance (1999), The Management and Control of Hospital Acquired Infections in Acute NHS Trusts in England (Department of Health, 2000) and other circulars and directives, the role of the infection control nurse has never been so challenging, putting infection control firmly on the government and public agenda.

In line with this and the Health Service Circular 1999/217 Nurse Midwife and Health Visitor Consultants (Department of Health, 1999), it enabled the appointment of a nurse consultant in infection control at University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool.

This paper will review the background to the development of the role to date, how it applies to the discipline of infection control and suggest how to take the role forward in the future.