Transforming Roles paper 6 - role of the general practice nurse 2025: associated document for GPs and general practice managers

Transforming Roles Paper 6: Role of the General Practice Nurse – 2024: Associated Document for GPs and General Practice Managers

Preface

This paper is to be read in conjunction with the following two documents:

• Transforming Roles Paper 6 – Role of the General Practice Nurse – 2025, which sets out the role of the General Practice Nurse (GPN),
• NHS Education for Scotland (NES) GPN Knowledge and Skills Framework, which describes the knowledge and skills required by GPNs at each level of working.

This paper aims to enable employers of GPNs to use the above documents to ensure the appropriate skill mix of GPNs are employed within the practice to meet population health need.

Why do practices need GPNs?

GPNs play an important role in the day-to-day co-ordination and delivery of care. They provide holistic care to their patients, taking on board psychosocial needs alongside physical needs while considering particular circumstances, and enable self-directed care by the best means available. They provide an interface between other healthcare professionals within and outside the practice.

What do GPNs do?

The refreshed Transforming Roles Paper 6 sets out the role of the Level 6 Senior GPN as follows:

• highly adaptable clinical leaders, change agents and champions of quality improvement
• experienced in proactive health engagement, health promotion and health management
• providers of comprehensive and personalised care to individuals across their lifespan
• experienced in long-term condition management and women’s health.

The accompanying NES GPN Knowledge and Skills Framework outlines the skills and abilities at each level of working. The Framework includes Level 5: Entry Level GPN, Level 6: Senior GPN and Level 7: Advanced GPN.

What Level of nurse does the practice population need?

Using the NES GPN Knowledge and Skills Framework, you can identify the level of practitioner(s) needed within the practice. You can assess what gaps in GPN provision you have, based on population health need. Existing GPNs should also be able to advise on the gaps in nursing provision within the practice, as well as your professional GPN Lead.

What are my responsibilities?

Any GPNs employed within the practice, including locums, must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), with appropriate professional indemnity arrangements in place. The professional responsibilities of employers are outlined on the NMC website.

It is the responsibility of practices as employers to ensure that GPNs employed by the practice have the right skills to deliver the role they are employed to do. GPNs should therefore be able to access the right resources to develop relevant knowledge, understanding and skills, such as those provided by NES. Information on educational resources for GPNs can be found via the NES GPN website.

The GPN Knowledge and Skills Framework developed by NES illustrates the transition of nursing roles and the progression of skills that can be adapted to your practice population need.

Further responsibilities include:

• ensuring that job descriptions set out the key tasks of the GPN and are aligned to population health need, using the NES GPN Knowledge and Skills Framework where appropriate
• having a thorough induction process for any new GPNs recruited to the practice
• understanding how to employ locum GPN and/or ANPs to practice, should you need to, which includes checking appropriate qualifications
• ensuring that GPNs can access training, such as non-medical prescribing, where appropriate for their development
• ensuring annual reviews and appraisals are complete
• having awareness of your roles and responsibilities with regards to the NMC revalidation process
• either providing or signposting GPNs to appropriate peer support, including knowledge of who your Board’s professional GPN Lead is
• considering succession planning, should you have a GPN who is close to retirement or is considering leaving the practice
• consider providing practice placements for undergraduate nursing students to promote general practice nursing as an attractive career option

Role of the Board or HSCP Professional GPN Lead

Professional GPN Leads are employed by Boards or HSCPs to provide leadership, guidance and peer support to all GPNs in their area, whether the GPN works in a 2C, 17C or 17J practice. The GPN Leads meet with the Scottish Government Primary Care Directorate regularly to raise important issues and feed into policymaking. The contact details for all GPN Leads can be found on the Scottish Government General Practice website.

Resources

• Transforming Roles Paper 6 – Role of the General Practice Nurse – 2025
• NHS Education for Scotland (NES) GPN Knowledge and Skills Framework
• NMC – Guidance for Employers
• NMC – Revalidation – Information for Employers
• NES GPN Education and Development Opportunities

Acknowledgements

With thanks to:

• NHS Education for Scotland:
  • General Practice Management Team
  • Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Directorate
  • Medical Education Directorate
• Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland
• Royal College of General Practitioners (Scotland)
• Royal College of Nursing
• Scottish Community Nursing Leadership Group
• Scottish Executive Nurse Directors
• Scottish General Practitioner Committee
• Scottish GPN Professional Leads
• Scottish Practice Managers Development Network
• The ALLIANCE
• The Transforming Roles Paper 6 Oversight Group
• The Transforming Roles Steering Group