A new scheme to support the health and wellbeing of practice nurses and other general practice staff has been launched in Scotland.
The scheme, which has received £920,000 of funding, means that everyone who works for a GP practice will be able to access their local health board’s occupational services free of charge. The funding will be made available annually beginning from this year.
Scottish health secretary Shona Robison made the commitment as a recognition of the contribution that primary care staff make to the health service.
Ms Robison said: ‘This additional funding will mean that our general practice staff will be able to benefit from more effective occupational health. I acknowledge that working in GP surgeries has its challenges and therefore it’s quite right that these valued members of the NHS family are able to take full advantage of these services. It will also help us to create a more sustainable workforce in the long-term.’
NHS Scotland’s occupational health service will help staff with issues like posture, recovering from injuries, back pain, returning to work after illness and workplace assessments. General practice employees will be able to access a range of specialists including occupational health nurse practitioners, physiotherapists, consultants and specialist registrars.