Practice Nurses
Practice Nurses are employed by the General Practitioner working in the GP surgery. An important part of the role is using both listening and clinical skills to assess whether a patient can be appropriately treated by the practice nurse or whether the patient should be referred on.
Practice Nursing has evolved from a treatment room nurse covering assessment and treatment of minor injuries, ear syringing, health checks, wound dressings, phlebotomy, baby and routine adult immunisations, to specialist practitioners.
Depending on levels of training and expertise, the role now also encompasses well woman checks, including cytology or smears, general health and hygiene education, contraception and sexual health advice, assessment and advice on the menopause, travel planning, vaccinations and advice, assisting at minor operations.
Chronic disease management is also carried out in the surgery either by the practice nurse, or in conjunction with the GP. These include monitoring and treatment of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, hypertension, ischaemic heart disease monitoring and prevention.
The development of the practice nurse role continues, with training at degree level, as a nurse practitioner assessing, diagnosing and treating minor illnesses and the ability to use physical examination skills in the management of chronic diseases.
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