1. PRACTICE NURSE DEVELOPMENT SANDY TINSON Programme Director For General Practice Nursing (Oxford Deanery)

2. The Current Situation A significant shift in activity from secondary to primary care GPNs have become key members of the primary care team, taking on many roles formerly undertaken by Drs. 50% of practice nurses are over 45 years and a significant % will be retiring in 10 years There is no mandatory training for practice nurses Nursing will become an all graduate profession from 2013

3. contd Many of the skills of practice nursing are not part of general nurse training or experience There are problems in recruitment – a catch 22 exists -- no skills, no job- no job, no training. Access and quality of training is variable and is at an additional cost to the practice There is no accurate record of the number of GPNs (and HCAs) employed in General Practice

4. The GPN Foundation Pilot Programme 2008-10 34 nurses completed the 1 year foundation programme in line with band 5 competencies Placed in training practices in Oxford and Wessex Deaneries 1 year assessed, accredited programme at Level 6 (graduate) Work based assessment Course provided by Plymouth University (Year 1) and Bucks New Uni (Yr 2)

5. Evaluation Provided nurses with necessary skills to function as GPNs Nurses had confidence and competence Challenges in funding and support structures Variations in employment Benefits in training nurses as mentors A need for a standardised, accessible and structured education framework for GP non medical workforce All were employed but there were challenges

6. Challenges Terms and Conditions Hours of work available Supervision – assessment of competencies Role of clinic room nurse – growth of HCA Unfamiliarity of General Practice Not seen as a career pathway

7. Whats happening now? SHA has funded for 1 year: A CPD programme for GPNs Health Care Assistant Training Introduction to GPN Pack for newly appointed nurses A Foundation Programme Specialist and Advanced practice awards My post

8. What do we need to do? Improve communication Identify what the GPN nursing workforce looks like – how many? Age? Level? Ensure all practices have information for accessing training Establish mentors in general practice Establish pre reg placements for nurses

9. How can I help? Provide advice and support for work force planning and development Advice for professional accountability, development, quality and standards Support new models of working Facilitate access to education opportunities Ensure funding can be secured for the future

10. My Contact details Sandy Tinson Programme Director for General Practice Nursing (Oxford Deanery) Southern House Sparrow Grove Otterbourne Hants SO21 2RU 07826 890 826 sandy.tinson@wessexdeanery.nhs.uk