Three practice nurses have been appointed in strategic positions to improve education and professional support for practice nurses in England, based at NHS England, HEE and the CQC.
Three practice nurses have been appointed in strategic positions to improve education and professional support for practice nurses in England, based at NHS England, HEE and the CQC.
They will work with stakeholders to create a national career pathway for practice nurses, systems to ensure better access to professional development and clearer pathways into general practice for nursing students.
Anne Moger became practice nurse advisor at NHS England on 1 September 2014. Previously programme director for general practice nursing at Health Education Wessex and Thames Valley, Ms Moger will work with the CQC, practice nurses and others to support practice nurses to achieve high standards of patient care.
Karen Storey has been appointed chair of the General Practice Nursing workforce subgroup of Transforming Nursing for Community and Primary Care, at Health Education England. In addition to her role as lead for primary care nursing at Health Education West Midlands, Karen will work with colleagues to develop a national career pathway for the whole general practice nurse workforce.
An education service specification for commissioners will also be created to improve access to education for practice nurses.
The third appointment is Elaine Biscoe, who has become national nursing advisor at the CQC. In addition to working as a locum practice nurse, Elaine will support general practice inspections, and work with NHS England to support practice nurses to deliver high standards of care.
Jeannett Martin, regional director, RCN South West, said: 'If general practice is to have enough nurses to provide the care that patients need in the future, then plans need to be put in place now to ensure that nurses and healthcare assistants that want to work in general practice are supported to do so. This needs to include a career framework for general practice nursing with access to funded education and professional support. These three national appointments will be an important part of enabling this to happen.'