The future of primary care in Wales is ‘at risk’ amid an ageing general practice nurse (GPN) workforce, according to a new report.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in Wales told Nursing in Practice it was ‘deeply concerned’ over the number of GPNs in the country nearing retirement age.
A new report from the college suggested more than half of nurses working in GP settings are at least 50 years old (54%).
One in five (20%) are aged 60 or above, while most of the remainder are between 30 and 49 years old (42%), the RCN said. Just 4% of general practice nurses (GPNs) in Wales are aged 29 or younger.
The college said it was concerned because nurses approaching 55 and above are more likely to be thinking about leaving the workforce as they near retirement age.
The RCN once again warned this could have a ‘devastating impact’ on the delivery of primary care and urged the Welsh Government to take action to ensure nursing in general practice is seen as an ‘attractive career option’ for newly registered nurses.
According to the annual report, which sets of the ‘strengths and vulnerabilities’ of the nursing workforce in Wales, states there are 1,039 full-time equivalent registered nurses working in general practices in Wales, in comparison to 1,592 GPs.
RCN Wales executive director Helen Whyley told Nursing in Practice the college was ‘deeply concerned that the age profile of nurses working in GP settings is not being addressed’.
She warned the figures in the report ‘highlight an urgent need for investment in recruiting and enabling nurses to fill the gaps as many of these experienced professionals approach retirement’.
Ms Whyley also urged the government to ‘consider what more is needed to attract new talent and retain existing nurses’, warning that the ‘future of primary care in Wales is at risk’.
She acknowledged that Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) has invested in ‘primary care academies in every health board’ and that there has been ‘some success’ in recruiting new nurses.
But she warned ‘nurse numbers on these programmes must be increased to make this a more attractive career’.
Ms Whyley also noted HEIW funding for GPN practice education facilitator roles to ‘increase student nurse placements’, but highlighted that ‘funding is only temporary’.
‘RCN Wales calls on policymakers to prioritise the sustainability of our nursing workforce, ensuring that patients continue to receive safe, high-quality care across GP practices in Wales, she said.
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: ‘We greatly value the nursing workforce in Wales and remain committed to providing the NHS with the workforce it needs.’
And they said more than £280m was being invested to increase the number of nurse training places.
The issue of an ageing GPN workforce was also raised by HEIW in its recently published Strategic Workforce Plan for Primary Care 2024/25-2029/30, created in partnership with the Strategic Programme for Primary Care (SPPC) and in collaboration with a range of stakeholders.
The Welsh Government spokesperson said this plan ‘focuses on enhancing workforce planning, embedding multi-professional collaboration and directly supporting nurses within GP practices to ensure a healthy, engaged, and resilient primary care team’.
The RCN Wales’ Nursing in Numbers 2024 report raised concerns about the nursing workforce more widely, including that NHS Wales health boards had 2,000 registered nurse vacancies.
Earlier this week it was revealed that RCN members in Wales had voted to reject the Welsh Government’s 5.5% pay rise for those working in the NHS.
