Adapting practice during the pandemic

In January of this year, we were anticipating all the activities and opportunities to celebrate 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, discussing what a wonderful year it was going to be to showcase general practice nursing and to demonstrate the very significant contribution of GPNs to the health of every citizen of our country.

Whilst the planned celebrations, ceremonies and conferences have all been put on hold for the foreseeable future, the current COVID-19 pandemic has brought general practice nursing into the spotlight like never before. General practice has been recognised for its expertise in serving the residents of every village, town and city in the UK and for its agility in adapting to the current crisis in ways that are unprecedented in primary care.

In a matter of days, practices changed the way consultations are conducted, and now, wherever possible, individuals can consult with their general practice nurse by telephone or video link. Many primary care networks rose to the challenge and organised ‘hot hub’ sfor consultations with people suspected of being infected with COVID-19, with other practices offering face to face appointments with patients without the symptoms of the virus.