This book examines the division of labour between nurses and other health professions and occupations. It connects classic sociological concerns with practical problems affecting the contemporary NHS, such as: skill-mix in hospitals; the emergence of new roles; the shifting boundaries between medicine and nursing; and the barriers to change that exist. The book contains a series of case studies illustrating tensions, conflict and accommodation observable when occupations, or sub-groups within occupations, negotiate new working relationships.

DAVINA ALLEN is a Research Fellow at the Nursing Research Unit, School of Nursing Studies, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff. DAVID HUGHES is Reader in the School of Health Science at the University of Wales, Swansea.