Why you should read this article:

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To recognise the challenges that community nurses commonly experience in practice

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To learn about the benefits of implementing a named nurse model of care in community settings

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To be aware of the challenges with introducing changes in practice such as the named nurse model

The named nurse model has the potential to promote person-centred, high-quality care in the community setting, while also enhancing the job satisfaction, morale and retention of community nurses. By giving responsibility for a small group of patients to a named community nurse, any deterioration in their health can be identified quickly, resulting in a reduction in patient safety incidents. Additionally, the continuity of the named nurse model can foster therapeutic relationships, enhancing experiences of care for both patients and nurses. This article details a service evaluation project in which the named nurse model was introduced across a trust-wide community nursing service. Following the introduction of the model, the capacity of the service increased, and the quality of care provided by nurses improved. However, it was identified that some community nurses experienced moral distress when reprioritising patient care to maintain service capacity.