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The government, in its plan for reforms in the NHS, recognizes the importance of nurses and midwives undertaking new roles and breaking down old demarcations (Department of Health, 2000). in response to feedback from women and in order to provide safe and effective care for women who experience birth by caesarean section at a central London teaching hospital it was decided registered general nurses (RGNs) and nursery nurses (NNs) were recruited to provide support for midwives in caring for women postnatally. The nurses would support the women with their specific nursing needs while they recovered from surgery and nursery nurses would help women care for their babies. The aim was to free up more time for midwives to spend giving specific midwifery care. A postal questionnaire was sent to women who gave birth by caesarean before and after the nurses and nursery nurses were recruited. The introduction of these new roles appears to have improved care for women who experienced birth by caesarean section. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]