A summer or Christmas work party is among the top three most common employee benefits offered to general practice nurses, Management in Practice’s salary survey report has shown.
Almost half (49%) said this is a perk provided by their employer, with only membership of the NHS pension and free parking coming in as more popular.
Based on a survey of 552 general practice nursing staff, the report General practice nurse pay: A salary survey of the profession 2025, produced together with our sister title Nursing in Practice, reveals the range of benefits GPNs are given as part of their employment packages.
Protected time off for study is offered to more than two fifths of nurses (42%), while flexible working is a benefit given to a fifth (see also boc below).
Much less common are ‘private sector style’ benefits such as an employee assistance scheme (6%); private healthcare (2%); and discounted shopping or vouchers (2%).
And enhanced maternity leave pay is only given to 5% of survey respondents.
The findings show that GPNs are on fairly standard employment packages, and offered fewer enhanced benefits unlike those under Agenda for Change terms and conditions, the report said.
One GPN respondent commenting in the survey pointed out the ‘shocking’ difference in benefits they experienced when they moved from an NHS role into general practice. She said: ‘I did not realise that many of the benefits from the NHS are not reflected in general practice jobs. There is no one rule for all, but rather GPs manage their team as they see fit, which can be so inconsistent when you look at other practices.’
However, the Institute for General Practice Management (IGPM) said the situation is unsurprising – despite making it harder for surgeries to attract and retain practice nurses – since they face so many pressures with funding.
Chair of the IGPM Kay Keane said in the report: ‘Practices would love to offer enhanced terms and conditions for practice nurses and wider allied health professionals, as well as admin and clerical teams. Sadly, we are simply not funded to do so.
‘Any practice that offers more is in the minority, unfortunately. Unlike NHS Trusts, which receive centrally allocated funding linked to Agenda for Change (AfC), GP practices do not, meaning we often can’t match AfC pay scales or enhancements such as unsocial hours payments or high-cost area supplements.’
Ms Keane points out the benefits primary care does have to offer. ‘For those looking for a better work-life balance and the opportunity to deliver continuity of care in a holistic, community setting, general practice nursing is a deeply rewarding career. Practice nurses work with a high degree of autonomy, and many go on to specialise in clinical leadership, chronic disease management, or advanced clinical practice.’
The salary survey report, which can be seen in full here, also showed that the average salary of a full-time (or full-time equivalent) practice nurse in the UK is £35,057.
What are the top 10 employee benefits that general practice nurses receive?
According to the report, General practice nurse pay: A salary survey of the profession 2025, they are:
- Membership of NHS pension scheme -91%
- Free parking – 57%
- Summer/Christmas party – 49%
- Protected time off for study -42%
- Occupational sick pay (i.e. over and above statutory sick pay) – 32%
- Payment to cover indemnity – 26%
- Enhanced annual leave (ie more than the usual approx. 28 days) – 23%
- Expenses for mileage – 23%
- Flexible working – 20%
- Extra training – 19%
