Benefits and barriers to implementing link-nurse systems, and the qualities and support healthcare staff need to be effective in the role

The role of the link nurse was introduced into infection prevention and control in the UK in the 1980s. Since then there have been many changes, and in 2012 the Royal College of Nursing produced a role framework. Despite this, there is a lack of research evidence for link nurses’ efficacy, and implementation of link-nurse systems can be problematic in primary care. This article considers the role of the link nurse, its evidence base, the qualities needed to take on the role and barriers to its effective implementation.