The Royal College of GPs (RCGP) is today (Thursday 5 November) launching a new initiative designed to support the professional development of primary care teams.
The General Practice Foundation (GPF) is aimed at members of primary care teams who are not GPs – specifically practice managers, practice nurses and physician assistants.
It aims to enhance the professional development of primary care teams by providing educational and peer support. The RCGP says the GPF will provide “a targeted package of benefits centred on education, information and networking”.
All registered practice managers, practice nurses and physician assistants in the UK are eligible, and the GPF will have three subgroupings within it:
- Forum of Practice Management.
- Forum of Nursing in General Practice.
- Forum of Physician Assistants.
The GPF has been established in the wake of RCGP concerns about inconsistency in the support and professional development available to the three professions.
Dr Maureen Baker, Honorary Secretary of the RCGP Council and Chair of the GPF Steering Group, said: “Primary care teams are playing an increasingly important role in supporting GPs and improving patient care.
“Having a Foundation within the RCGP that is dedicated to the support and development of general practice nurses, practice managers and physician assistants will ensure more quality and consistency in the professional development of the three professions, as well as giving them a stronger voice in the future development of general practice across the UK. This is good news for general practice and, most importantly, for patients.”
The Foundation has the backing of representatives for the three professions, including the Royal College of Nursing and the Institute of Healthcare Management, which were part of the Steering Group developing the proposals.
