Plymouth University gains award at the General Practice Awards 2012
Published: 10 December 2012
Plymouth University has been named Healthcare Practitioner Education Provider of the Year at the General Practice Awards 2012.
The award was bestowed on the University for taking the leading role in the continuing professional development (CPD) for General Practice teams. Delivering education and training to over 300 General Practice nurses and healthcare assistants each year, through its range of courses and specialist CPD events. Courses include the Foundation degree in General Practice Nursing, which was the first external nursing programme accredited by the RCN.
The GP unit at the university is led by Fiona Cook and supported by Tricia Smith, both highly experienced practice nurses with teaching qualifications, who split their time between lecturing and working in general practice. They lead a team of 42 practice nurses and nurse practitioners all of whom mentor nurses new to general practice and some of whom teach their area of special interest to small groups.
Dr Ann Humphreys, Head of the School, said: “It is an honour to achieve such national recognition for the sustained way in which we have built this education provision, working with local partners to raise the standard of patient care in General Practices.
“Plymouth has only reached this position through the input of many local General Practice Nurses who contribute to the programme, as well as proactive partnerships with General Practices, GP’s, Practice Managers and Trust managers from across the South West, and so the award is shared by the entire South West primary care community.”
Jacquie Phare, Head of Nursing at Torbay and South Devon Health Care Trust, nominated Plymouth for the award. She said: “Many practices across the South West recognise the importance of this foundation programme in providing support to general practice nursing whose pivotal role is to deliver high quality, safe and effective care. The GP nursing course is a gold standard educational programme and is gaining recognition nationwide. The award is well deserved.”
Not resting on its laurels, the University is taking the work forward with an innovative new course, designed to meet the need for skills-focused programmes for healthcare assistants, while providing them with a high quality qualification to support their personal development.
For more information contact Fiona Cook on: fiona.cook@plymouth.c.uk
From the left: Andrea Spyropoulos , Dorf Roscoe, Jaquie Phare, Ann Humphries, Fiona Cook and Trisha Smith.