1. Challenges in Primary Care and the Role of The Nurse Manager

2. Primary Care is being put under an enormous amount of pressure from various areas
GP Recruitment
Financial Restraints
Increasing Elderly patient population
CCG expectations and policies

3. The NHS Long Term Plan (2019) has promised further investment to help support changes to primary care and workforce pressures and promote a more integrated working by introducing community multidisciplinary teams to work along side Primary Care Networks. The NHS Long Term Plan pledges at least a £4.5bn boost in funding for primary and community care over the next 5 years, meaning that for the first time, investment in primary medical and community services will grow faster than the overall NHS budget.
Changes to QOF framework has also come from this document which incorporates a new quality improvement element which will allow more personalised care.
The framework pushes more to early detection and intervention by using a more proactive approach.
Social prescribing is at the forefront of this plan allowing patient to benefit and be connected to local support groups which gives them support to manage their own health

4. It mentions different care systems such as integrated care systems and Primary care networks to help support GP practices to implement this plan but also acknowledges the need for workforce development and the shortage in Nursing and Doctors ‘offering a secure contract of employment alongside a portfolio role tailored – where possible – to the aims of the individual and the needs of the local primary care system. This will enable newly qualified nurses to consider primary care as a first destination role.’ The Long Term Plan funds specific evidence-based NHS prevention programmes, to cut smoking, reduce obesity, double enrolment in the Type 2 NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, and to limit alcohol-related A&E admissions. By 2023, an extra 110,000 patients will be offered annual physical health checks. The uptake of annual health checks for people with a learning disability will be increased to 75%. This year will see a fundamental review of GP vaccinations and immunisation standards, funding, and procurement. The goal is to improve immunisation coverage, by targeting variation and focusing on groups and areas with low vaccine uptake.

5. How can the nursing team impact Primary care
To be more time efficient-reduce GP burden
To maximise resources
To develop the team and allow for progression
To expose student nurses to primary care nursing
More joined up social and healthcare
Be proactive as opposed to reactive

6. To facilitate this, the Role of the Nurse manager is vital as they should:
Bridge the gap between management and the wider team
Act as an advocate for the wider nursing team
Have an understanding and influence on development
Be responsible for creating a safe, healthy environment that supports the Nursing Team
Be influential in creating professional development, and fostering a culture where the team members are able to contribute to optimal patient care and grow professionally

7. To conclude, poor leadership and management styles can lead to an impatient, defensive, unsupportive team making change difficult, where as a positive workplace management and leadership can change the team for a more positive outlook by initiating shared organizational goals, positive learning outcomes, career pathways (Olofosson 2003)