Since the publication of HC(84)13 following the report of the Griffiths' Management Inquiry, anxiety about the managerial and professional roles of nurses in the `post-Griffiths' era has been expressed by nurses throughout the NHS. The King's Fund convened a working party for invited participants under the chairmanship of Lady McCarthy in order to discuss possible guidelines for health authorities and others to be taken into account when new management arrangements and structures are being considered. It is hoped that this paper will provide a significant contribution to the debate and consideration of these matters.