We are a 16-bed renal ward at a tertiary hospital servicing a wide geographical area. Our ward has been described as an ‘emergency department for renal patients’.
For many years the ward has operated using a patient allocation model which is loosely based on the primary nursing model. Our ward is one of three chosen to participate in a pilot programme commissioned by the director of nursing and midwifery to explore new ways of working. The goal of the project is to devise a collaborative/shared care nursing model that releases nurses to care and takes into account the unique needs of our client group. The nursing research and development unit is providing us with expert guidance and support.

This presentation will outline the design, implementation and evaluation of our own ward model of care, and what we have learned along the way.