Inaugural conference brings local general practice nurses together

More than 150 general practice nurses from across South Yorkshire came together this summer for a conference that celebrated their vital role in delivering person-centred care and provided a much-needed opportunity to network, learn, and exchange ideas.

The first ever summer conference, organised by the South Yorkshire Primary Care Workforce and Training Hub (SYPCWTH) featured addresses from NHS England Primary Care Nurse Lead Louise Brady and NHS South Yorkshire’s Executive Chief Nurse Cathy Winfield. Both leaders praised the contribution of practice nurses in sustaining generalist primary care during ongoing NHS reorganisation, in establishing new roles, integrating digital processes, and navigating the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Looking ahead to the NHS Long Term Plan, Ms Brady encouraged practice nurses to recognise and voice their deep understanding of patient and community health needs, especially around long-term conditions. ‘Practice nurses possess a unique knowledge base that must be heard in developing integrated neighbourhood healthcare,’ she urged.

Ms Winfield endorsed the essential role of generalist nursing in meeting NHS objectives and acknowledged the uncertainty facing South Yorkshire as it waits to learn the future shape and function of ICBs, and what it might mean for general practice.

One of the day’s standout moments came from Blerta Ilarzi, who shared her inspirational journey from teenage Kosovan refugee to a qualified nurse. Ms Ilarzi has started up ‘ReSTORE’, a programme designed to support refugee nurses in gaining entry to the NMC register and finding employment in the UK.

The conference also provided clinical updates, including on the latest asthma guidelines, women’s health, and injectable diabetes medication. Attendees also voted on posters presented by year two GPN Vocational Training Scheme participants, showcasing quality improvement projects. The winning poster, by Amy Wilson, detailed a project mapping the workflow of urine ACR sample collection in annual diabetes reviews and introduced failsafe measures to address delayed diagnosis of microalbuminuria.

SYPCWTH Nurse Director Emma Thompson hoped the value of the conference would extend beyond the clinical content: ‘General practice is not like the acute sector where you are embedded in a large nursing workforce. The scale and proximity of that community gives you ready access to role models and support and guidance from peers. Practice nursing teams can be small or even a sole nurse. The adoption of online delivery for many training events has diminished that space for community to form and sustain itself, that can be isolating, which is a real risk for retention.’

Jane Emerson, Senior Nurse Educator with SYPCWTH and Lead of the New to GP programme for nursing associates, reflected on the day: ‘To have roughly a third of South Yorkshire’s general practice nursing workforce in conference together has been uplifting. The engagement, exchanges and energy in the room were remarkable, especially considering current workload pressures and organisational uncertainties. It demonstrates the appetite for in-person events where the practice nurse community can come together, learn, share, and network.’

The conference concluded with the announcement of a new community of practice for all nurses working in general practice across South Yorkshire, backed by the Training Hub. Organisers also committed to hosting the event again in 2026.