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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Denis Campbell Health policy editor

Safety fears as UK hospitals use nurses to cover for doctors due to shortage of medics

NHS BMA Nurse United Kingdom Alison Mutch ANP NHS England
General view of staff on a NHS hospital ward
Some NHS trusts have told the BMA that they do use experienced non-medical staff with specialist skills in roles that doctors would usually perform. Photograph: Jeff Moore/PA

UK hospitals are using nurses to cover for doctors because of an NHS-wide shortage of medics, raising fears that “substitute doctors” may provide inferior care.

Health professionals known as advanced practitioners – who are mainly senior nurses – are undertaking roles usually performed by doctors in A&E, neonatal units, critical care and other areas.

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