Module Summary
Dr Ivan Camphor explains how using your practice nurse more effectively can cut workload and maximise income
Learning Objectives
This module will update you on:
- How to share nurses’ skills or training costs with neighbouring practices
- How to help the nurse develop into an independent prescriber
- How to involve nurses in managing directed enhanced services and local enhanced services
After reading this article you will be asked to record your learning points and some action points to earn a suggested 1 CPD credit. Below are some suggested questions to reflect on as you work through the module:
- Do your nurses have particular areas of expertise that aren’t being exploited? Are there areas that interest them that they would appreciate training in and which would be helpful to the practice?
- Have you analysed the working week of your nurses to see which roles or tasks might be delegated to a healthcare assistant?
- Are there aspects of your QOF, DES and LES workload that might be delegated to your nurses?
- Are any of your nurses prescribers? If not, are they interested in attaining a nurse prescribing qualification? Is this possible development worth costing for discussion at your next practice meeting?
- Are you in a federation or informal cluster of practices that could consider pooling nursing expertise?
- How near are your nurses to retirement? Have you ensured a succession plan?
Author
Dr Ivan Camphor is medical secretary at Mid-Mersey LMC, and a GP in the Wirral
Date module published
May 01, 2017
Log in to access the full CPD module and track your progress toward certification.