Practice nurses maintain patient services, but get little credit

Media-led clamour over face-to-face GP appointments ignores the dedication of practice nurses in maintaining services and has adversely affected staff morale

Recent anti-general practice media coverage has provoked anger among the public and put staff at risk of abuse. This coverage demanded GPs return to face-to-face appointments – at the patients request rather than through clear clinical need.

Throughout general practice such negative attention has had a clear effect on morale, as well as recruitment and retention, which has been widely recognised in the health press.

However, what has been infuriating for