Megan Ford marks the launch of our manifesto for GPNs for 2024 and encourages more nurses to join the conversation on what the profession wants to see for the year ahead
With a new year comes new visions, priorities and hopes for general practice nursing. That is why Nursing in Practice will today begin publishing its GPN Manifesto for 2024. A 10-part plan, informed by 10 GPNs and outlining 10 key themes and issues those among the profession believe must be prioritised for the year ahead.
From improving employment terms and boosting the workforce; to prioritising mental health needs for both staff and patients; targeting vaccination uptake; and tackling inequalities – it is clear there is room for change and growth in the world of general practice nursing.
GPNs also told us that they needed more time for long-term conditions and health promotion, as well as for their own professional development; and that as the world continues to digitally evolve, so does general practice.
In the coming days and weeks, we will be publishing articles setting out the views of GPNs across these areas.
I hope that in reading this manifesto, you feel empowered to be a part of the change required. Throughout the months of 2024 we hope to analyse and explore how these priorities and visions can become reality. And we want to lobby those at the very top for the support and action you need.
As we continue to push this manifesto forwards and elevate the voices of GPNs, we will be looking to survey, interview and bring together our readers in focus groups, on the manifesto themes. We want to dive deeper into these key areas, and we need more nurses to become a part of the conversation.
This manifesto, which could have very easily exceeded 10 key points, is just the beginning.
I was told by a nursing leader recently that, amid concerns over workforce and the ARRS scheme, 2024 would be ‘the demise or the making’ of general practice nursing. What needs to happen to ensure it is the latter, and that this vital profession is valued, recognised and put on a stronger footing?
If you have experiences to share or issues to raise, please get in touch and help us continue to set the agenda for GPNs.
Megan Ford is news editor of Nursing in Practice
