Improving the effectiveness of the link system in an acute trust.

Link staff are a valuable asset to any ward area. They can disseminate information to their colleagues from the clinical nurse specialist, act as role models and identify strengths and weakness. However, many trusts are discovering that, although sound in theory, practice is quite different.

Using remifentanil in labour via patient-controlled analgesia.

Pain relief during labour is problematic. The expectations of the mother have to be balanced against compromising the baby. A new drug that has been used in labour is remifentanil.