The implementation of the named nurse concept.

Continuity of care is of central importance to the named nurse concept and the method of care delivery in many clinical areas will have to be reorganised in order to achieve it. Patients are empowered when they contribute to their own care-planning but this is often hindered by traditional attitudes. Nurses must embrace the concept of professional autonomy if they want the initiative to succeed. National-level auditing of the named nurse initiative is required.