The chief executive of the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) is ‘disappointed’ that potential changes to a controversial accreditation scheme for advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs) working in general practice have not yet happened.
Dr Crystal Oldman said the digital badge scheme – which has been previously described as ‘discriminatory’ and ‘deeply flawed’ – has failed to retain ANPs and had instead done ‘the absolute opposite’.
Speaking to Nursing in Practice this week, she said she was confident that conversations were being held at a ‘national level’ and that she was ‘anticipating a change’ to the scheme that would make it potentially fairer for ANPs employed through the additional roles reimbursement scheme (ARRS).
But she was disappointed such a change was not happening sooner.
The digital badge scheme was launched by NHS England in 2022 as a way of evidencing the ‘accredited education and training’ of ANPs.
It is currently voluntary for all ANPs, apart from those seeking employment under the ARRS in general practice where it is required for employment.
This is unlike other advanced ARRS roles in general practice, where the badge is not required.
As exclusively reported by Nursing in Practice, a QNI report earlier this year suggested GP practices were at risk of losing ‘many’ experienced ANPs over the badge scheme.
ANPs have warned the process of obtaining a badge – by either doing an accredited Master’s programme or an ePortfolio which includes a 5,000-word essay – was causing significant stress, is ‘discriminatory’ and in some cases an ‘exit trigger’.
In October, the QNI had said NHS England was considering changes following concerns raised by the workforce.
Dr Oldman told Nursing in Practice this week: ‘I think we’ve lost the hearts and minds of nurses. I think that’s the problem.’
She added that issues around nurses accessing the portfolio route needed for the badge had meant ‘we have lost a good number of nurses in general practice because they’ve become despondent’.
The scheme had ‘worked in a reverse way’, she said.
‘It hasn’t helped with retention. It’s done the absolute opposite in losing some really good, experienced nurses.’
Dr Oldman said she was ‘confident’ that conversations were happening at a ‘national level’ around the scheme.
‘I’m anticipating that there will be change for nurses to bring the equality with our [allied health professional] AHP colleagues under the ARRS,’ she explained.
However, she stressed she was ‘disappointed that it’s not happening in year’.
An NHS England spokesperson said: ‘The NHS is continuing to work hard to ensure that anyone who submits a completed ePortfolio, and is eligible for an ‘advanced’ digital badge, receives one as quickly as possible.
‘We welcome the feedback from the Queen’s Nursing Institute and will work with them to address their concerns.’
The next cohort of ePortfolio applicants commence employer checks this month and those applicants will be liaising with their allocated education providers from January 2025 onwards.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that primary care networks (PCNs) are struggling to recruit ANPs through the ARRS.
