Do anaemia co-ordinators have to be nurses?

The role of the anaemia co-ordinator has developed subsequent to the introduction of erythropoietin therapy for renal anaemia, and posts have been established at an increasing number of hospitals in the UK. While co-ordinators have previously tended to come from a nursing background, the post at our hospital has been held jointly by a pharmacist and a clinical nurse specialist since July 1997. This paper presents an informal evaluation of our experience of joint working, and has drawn on diary entries to outline the components of the service provided. The main focus is on the boundary negotiated between pharmacist and nurse responsibilities and expertise, involving as it does areas of potential conflict and complementarity. Through a critical examination of the assumptions and expectations associated with 'generic' pharmacist and nurse roles, we begin to clarify the respective contributions which the disciplines make to anaemia management.