2022 was another tough year for all. This appears more evident for general practice, receiving bad press in the tabloids and on other media platforms for difficulties in patients accessing appointments and the perceived lack of face to face appointments. Again, it was disappointing that general practice nurses (GPNs) were not mentioned at all, even though GPNs have continued to see patients throughout. Are we invisible?
With rising flu cases and COVID-19 infections continuing to increase in England, Wales and Scotland in the week ending 5 December 2022 (Office for National Statistics, 2022), we may be in for a bumpy start to the year. The estimated percentage of people living in private households (those not in care homes or other communal establishments) testing positive for COVID-19 was: 2.01% in England (1 in 50 people), 1.84% in Wales (1 in 55 people), 2.11% in Northern Ireland (1 in 45 people) and 1.91% in Scotland (1 in 50 people) (Office for National Statistics, 2022).
On top of this, scarlet fever and strep A cases are increasing, we have new polio vaccination programmes, changes to childhood vaccination schedules, enhanced access, outpatient appointments are being cancelled and increased demand for general practice appointments all impacting on our workload. This causes increasing stress on an already tired workforce, who unfortunately become unwell and need time off work, again increasing workload, and general practice does not have the luxury of relying on agency nurses.
GPN pay, terms and conditions continue to be the ‘elephant in the room’, with access to human resources variable. I don't want to repeat myself from my previous editorial (Brown, 2022), but as we work in the independent sector, GPNs cannot strike, and maybe don't want to, but we have not been asked so who knows what the answer would be! Inequity? Yes.
It saddens me, but of course, I support my colleagues who voted to strike. How do GPNs get the same opportunity: exposure to highlight the ever increasing inequalities faced by GPNs in comparison to our NHS-employed colleagues?
Nursing was the most trusted profession again in 2022, as stated by the Ipsos Veracity Index, which is the longest running poll on trust in professions in Britain (Ipsos, 2022). We don't want to loose the public's trust. Is it time to showcase our value?
As we wave goodbye to 2022, and welcome 2023, it is time for reflection, to be proud to be a GPN, to work in general practice, being the best you can be, knowing you have made a difference, and supporting others to be the best they can be.
Kelly and I want to thank you all for your support and look forward to hearing your views, feedback and stories in 2023. Please get in touch at pn@ markallengroup.com
‘Practice Nursing provides nurses working in general practice with the tools to reach their full potential and deliver the best possible care to their patients. Our monthly journal informs and inspires by providing up-to-date, evidence-based clinical articles, highlighting key professional issues and promoting the latest research in general practice.’