<p>Forging links between theory and practice in a bid to affirm evidenced based practice (EBP) is a central component of clinical governance (Moores 1999). The nursing contribution to evidenced based medicine (EBM) and EBP is further established by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (2002) Code of Conduct; clause 6.5 specifies: ‘You have a responsibility to deliver care based on current evidence, best practice and, where applicable, validated research when it is available.’</p>