Unit Three

Competences of general practice nurses

Key Messages

Once you have read this Unit, you should have an understanding of:

  • why it is important to differentiate between levels of competence
  • how to measure competence
  • how to link the various general practice nurse (GPN) roles to current frameworks.

Many GPNs are extending their scope of practice in order to meet the demands of the new General Medical Services contract for modern primary-care services. National directives for nursing [eg The NHS Plan, (ref 1) Making a Difference (ref 2) and Liberating the Talents (ref 3)] also support the development of advanced practice. There is therefore an increasing need for clear differentiation between varying levels of nursing in general practice. Clear differentiation can be provided by identifying the required competences for a particular role. One way this could be undertaken is by using the competence frameworks developed by the Skills for Health, the sector skills council for the health care sector (www.skillsforhealth.org.uk). Proven competence is important for clinical governance as it significantly reduces risk.

Methods of ensuring both safety and quality of service provision:

  • benchmarking certain criteria for levels of practice within general practice nursing is a way of facilitating a safe, quality service
  • defining standards for GPNs will equip practices with a safe, effective workforce with clearly identified training requirements.

The tools within this Unit provide a competence benchmark by linking GPN roles to the Knowledge and Skills Framework. (ref 4) This not only provides clarity of role, but will also facilitate the adoption of Agenda for Change (ref 5) for practices.

GPNs will opt to work at different levels and they will all have a unique contribution to care. However, the importance of identifying their levels is fundamental in creating an effective and efficient, quality service.

References

  1. Department of Health. The NHS Plan – a Plan for Investment, a Plan for Reform. London: Department of Health; 2000. Available at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/05/57/83/04055783.pdf.
  2. Department of Health. Making a Difference: Strengthening the Nursing Midwifery and Health Visiting Contribution to Health and Healthcare. London: Department of Health; 1999. Available at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/07/47/04/04074704.pdf.
  3. Department of Health. Liberating the Talents, Helping Primary Care Trusts and Nurses to Deliver the NHS Plan. London: Department of Health; 2002. Available at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/07/62/50/04076250.pdf.
  4. Department of Health. The NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework. London: Department of Health; 2004. Available at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/09/08/61/04090861.pdf.
  5. Department of Health. Agenda for Change: What Will it Mean for You? London: Department of Health; 2004. Available at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/09/08/59/04090859.pdf.

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