Background Using a traffic light case load system, the needs of community palliative patients who are stable and mostly self-caring (green category) are coordinated by the Clinical Care Tracker (CCT). Amber represents a progression of disease or a period of instability. Red represents a complex, unpredictable deterioration of patients or progression towards end of life care. Amber and red category patients are monitored and supported by the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) and medical members of the team.

Aims This service evaluation will allow the role of the CCT to be banded and replicated in other Marie Curie hospices and throughout the UK.

Methods The following methods were used:

• an audit of CCT records

• observation of the working practices of the CCT and

• attendance at team and multi-disciplinary meetings

Findings and conclusions The CCT was fully meeting the requirements of the proposed role and demonstrated a specific and integral skillset in terms of telephone communication and assessment skills. The CCT provided patient support and carried out appropriate transitioning and rapid triaging and urgent needs of higher dependency patients. This freed up CNS time to carry out more highly skilled clinical duties required by those patients in the greatest need.