The value of primary care nursing

The value of primary care nursing has never been recognised or valued more than it has over the last year. Recognition, credit and appreciation from the public is at an all-time high. Applications to study nursing are up by 30% (Department of Health and Social Care, 2021). Our general practice nurses (GPNs) are working on the front-line and living through what will one day be written in the history books.

The Queen's Nursing Institute (QNI) was commissioned by NHS England and NHS Improvement to undertake a survey of nurses working in general practice during the first wave of the pandemic in the spring of 2020. This has now been published (QNI, 2021). In total, 3177 GPNs shared their insights and aspirations for general practice.

This has given a platform to hear the voices and views of our GPNs – thank you, QNI. There were many positive responses and these are acknowledged. However, some GPNs will identify with the concerns expressed by respondents and captured in the survey, which are given below: