Fresh concerns have been raised over what has been described as a ‘broken’ pay system for general practice nurses (GPNs).
Those among the profession in England have aired concerns over whether they will or will not receive a pay rise this year – following confirmation that a 6% uplift to the GP contract should be used to increase the salaries of GPNs.
It comes after the government accepted the recommendations of the NHS Pay Review Body to uplift the salaries of NHS staff on Agenda for Change contracts in England by 5.5%.
Separately, the Doctors and Dentists Remuneration Body (DDRB) has recommended a pay rise of 6% for GP partners and salaried GPs.
According to the government, the ‘pay element’ of the GP contract will be uplifted by 6% on a consolidated basis – which is made up of a 4% increase on top of a 2% interim uplift in April.
And it was confirmed on Wednesday that this award is intended to also cover a 6% increase for salaried practice staff, including GPNs.
There was a similar promise to GPNs in England last year – but due to funding issues many nurses did not receive a 6% pay rise – or any rise at all – for 2023/24.
GPN fellowship lead at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Training Hub, Jan Gower, said: ‘”Should” does not translate into “will”. We saw that last year.’
Because of the complex funding formula used for general practice – which allocates funding per patient based on various factors such as demographics – it meant some practices could afford the rise while many others could not.
Ms Gower said this ‘led to inequity across practices’ and that ‘few GPNs got the recommended amount, and many got nothing’.
GPN fellowship lead at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Training Hub, Jan Gower, said it was now ‘crisis time’ for GPNs.
She added: ‘GPNs are getting as rare as hen’s teeth to recruit and this just makes it harder.’
Meanwhile, primary care advanced nurse practitioner Sandra Dyer stressed that parity to at least Agenda for Change pay and conditions was required for GPNs, funded through a permanent contract change.
‘The mechanism for contracting and paying GPNs is broken and needs an overhaul,’ she told Nursing in Practice.
Lead GPN in Lincolnshire, Ali Nixon, said: ‘Whilst GPNs more than deserve the same uplift as secondary care, most of us are unlikely to receive it.’
She told Nursing in Practice: ‘I think that we now need to wait and see what happens with this situation.
‘There is a phrase that a lot is riding on – “should cover”.
‘I really hope that all GPNs are given the full 6%, unlike last year.’
Earlier this week, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) vowed to take action to ensure GPNs are given a pay rise ‘at least’ in line with NHS staff.
As GP practices are self-employed contractors to the NHS, it is for GP practices to determine uplifts in pay for their employees.
It is understood that the Department of Health and Social Care will consult with the British Medical Association (BMA) on the uplift to the GP contract and that further information will be available following these discussions.
