Transforming Roles paper 6: role of the general practice nurse 2025

Links to national policy

The GPN has a contemporary role which is pivotal to current and future national health policy agendas. The role aligns with improving population health outcomes particularly around long-term condition management and more leaning into both the proactive and preventative care and wellbeing agendas. The GPN also plays a specific role in continuity of care. GPNs ensure that patients have improved access to general practice by enabling them to get the right care, at the right place, at the right time.

In summary, the GPN role links to a wide range of both existing policies and policies in development, and the Scottish Government General Practice Policy Division colleagues are ensuring GPNs and their representatives are integral in developing these to ensure they encompass their changing roles.

Having a clearly defined GPN role is critical to the ongoing reform and vision for future primary care and general practice services in Scotland.