Requesting by nurses and other appropriate healthcare practitioners is exactly what is envisaged in delivery of the NHS Plan. See Cabinet Office publication "Making a Difference: Reducing Burdens in Hospitals" published July 2002, url: http://www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/regulation/PublicSector/reports.htm In addition there is a lot of work regarding developing new roles going on under the auspices of the Dept of Health "Changing the Workforce Programme" part of which should be defining the relevant skills. Geoff Lester Clinical Biochemistry Royal Berkshire Hospital Reading ------ACB discussion List Information-------- This is an open discussion list for the academic and clinical community working in clinical biochemistry. Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and they are responsible for all message content. ACB Web Site http://www.acb.org.uk List Archives http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN.html List Instructions (How to leave etc.) http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/