A health watchdog says some nurses may be better than doctors at carrying out some hospital duties.

John Godward, chief officer with Airedale Community Health Council, has spoken out over proposals to have nurses do tasks previously done by doctors. He believes patients may be happy with the arrangement if they were assured of the nurses' competence. And he even says some nursing sisters' clinical ability outweighs that of doctors.

The Audit Commission advocates easing a national shortage of anaesthetists by training nurses. The Department of Health, feeling this could reduce waiting lists, has set up a working party to look into the idea.

But Mr Godward, whose organisation protects NHS patients' interests, says there could be difficulties in winning patients' confidence.

In some countries nurses carry out early abortions and vasectomy, hernia, appendix and gall bladder operations. They are expected to be capable of replacing consultant anaesthetists in straightforward operations to free doctors for more complex cases.

Doctors nationally are acce-pting changes in working practices but warn that increasing the nurse's role might reduce standards. Mr Godward, though supportive of the idea, is concerned about the possible consequences of mistakes in more complicated procedures. He also says patients would have to be educated in the changes.

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