Primary nursing is a system of care which reinstated the skilled professional nurse at the forefront of practical nursing care. Originally published in 1988, this book presents an argument, based on contemporary literature and on the practice in the former Burford and Oxford nursing development units, to support the introduction of primary nursing and nursing beds in general hospitals. It focuses on the philosophy of individualised patient care delivered by a professional nursing service and based on a close, therapeutic relationship between nurse and patient. Innovations included the abandoning of stereotyped nurse uniforms, the sharing of mealtimes by patients and nurses, and the use of therapeutic touch and massage. Having been implemented and evaluated, the units enjoyed an international reputation.