We caught up with the Nurse/Nursing Team of the Year Award shortlist ahead of this year’s General Practice Awards ceremony to be held on 6 December at the Novotel London West.
The South Yorkshire Primary Care Workforce and Training Hub nurse educator team has formed a backbone of nursing excellence in the region, shaping the next generation of general practice nurses (GPNs) and nursing associates (NAs) through dedicated training programmes and mentorship.
By creating a structured pathway for new and experienced nurses alike, the team has addressed critical workforce shortages and set a high standard for primary care training.
The team’s Vocational Training Scheme (VTS) Preceptorship Programme, launched in 2019, has already produced 99 fully qualified GPNs, with the majority employed as GPNs within the region. There are currently 89 nurses in different cohorts of the VTS programmes, and 16 of these are newly qualified nurses.
Through initiatives such as protected study time, tailored clinical supervision and mentoring from experienced legacy nurse mentors, the programme equips nurses with the confidence and competence they need to deliver high-quality patient care. Testament to this is the fact that the VTS Preceptorship Programme was recognised with the National Preceptorship Interim Quality Mark in 2024 for its training.
By extending its reach to include smaller practices that often lack in-house training capacity, the team has significantly widened access to professional development, helping to create a consistent standard of care across the region. The ethos is one of empowerment, building nurse leaders who are well-prepared for advanced roles and future challenges in primary care.
As one practice manager commented: ‘The VTS programme has been crucial to recruitment and retention within primary care… It has ensured that we have a workforce that is strong, not just in numbers but in experience, enabling a smooth transition for patient care.’
This sentiment is echoed by other participants who have benefited from the programme, with one nurse stating: ‘I had no idea just how valuable the support from the nurse educator team would be in my journey into primary care, and how much their wise input would shape me as a nurse.’
Since its inception, the team has continued to innovate. A Microsoft SharePoint platform has been developed to complement the VTS programme, offering an accessible space for online learning and communication that has strengthened connections between practices. In addition, group clinical supervision sessions encourage reflective practice and equip nurses with the skills to evaluate their own work and build resilience.
Recognising the importance of collaboration, the team has introduced education sessions on diverse topics such as transgender health and menopause, promoting dialogue between different professional groups.
To ensure a strong pipeline of future primary care professionals, the team has partnered with a local university to create a module that introduces pre-registration nursing students to general practice. This proactive approach addresses the limited exposure to primary care in many undergraduate programmes and provides students with a realistic view of career opportunities in this field.
Over 200 students have undertaken the module so far, setting the stage for a new wave of nurses entering the profession with a clear understanding of what general practice nursing entails.
Emma Thompson, lead nurse at the training hub, says she is ‘immensely proud’ to be in her position.
She adds: ‘Each nurse is an inspirational role model and together we strive to deliver excellent training for GPNs across South Yorkshire.’
