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Survey reveals general practice nurses' worries about staffing

Queen's Nursing Institute head says number of GPNs planning to retire is of 'major concern' 

A survey of nurses in general practice shows that more than half feel their team does not have the right number of appropriately qualified and trained staff. 

The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) today published a report, A Time of Opportunity, based on the responses of 3,400 general practice nurses (GPNs).

Some respondents said their employers would not increase nurse numbers, while others noted they only had enough GPNs if no one was sick or on holiday.

Others feared for the future as older colleagues were nearing retirement age while recruitment efforts were non-existent or had been unsuccessful.

Data from the survey reveals that 33.4% of GPNs are due to retire by 2020.

Only 27% of employers offered placements for pre-registration nursing students compared with 61.5% for medical students, and only 35% of GPNs felt their salary reflected their role.

Respondents cited that demand for GPN services had increased due to the rising number of older and more acutely unwell patients attending GP surgeries.

QNI chief executive Crystal Oldman said: ‘The survey findings indicate some major challenges and opportunities that need to be addressed.

‘The role of nurses in general practice is expanding rapidly, and many of today’s nurses are now undertaking roles that were traditionally the reserve of GPs.

‘There is a huge opportunity for increased investment in the GPN workforce, to build capacity in primary care, transfer more care to the community and closer to people’s own homes, and ease the pressures on emergency departments.

‘The number of nurses planning to retire should be of major concern. We need to ensure enough nurses are attracted to the profession so that patients continue to receive high quality nursing care for themselves and their families when they attend the GP’s surgery.’

The QNI has launched a free online learning resource to support nurses new to general practice, which can be accessed here

The full GPN report can be downloaded from the QNI website here