GPNs gather to share innovation and inspiration

More than 170 nurses from general practice across South Yorkshire came together in Sheffield in June for the second annual General Practice Nursing (GPN) Conference, hosted by the South Yorkshire Primary Care Workforce and Training Hub (SYPCWTH). Now established as a key fixture for the region’s GPN workforce, the event provided opportunities for knowledge exchange, networking, showcasing nurse-led quality improvement and celebrating long service. It also highlighted the vital contribution of GPNs to delivering the ambitions of the NHS 10-Year Plan.

The conference opened with a welcome from Emma Thompson, Nursing Director at SYPCWTH, and Cathy Winfield, South Yorkshire ICB Executive Chief Nurse. This was followed by a keynote address from Anna Young, who represents the Yorkshire and Humber region on the RCN’s Professional Nursing Committee.

Ms Young outlined how GPNs can stay informed, contribute to policy discussions and influence decision-making on service development and professional issues. She spoke with conviction about the importance of nursing perspectives in shaping effective delivery of the NHS 10-Year Plan, encouraging delegates to engage with her as their representative and as a route for sharing what matters most to patients, communities and nurses.

Clinical updates and inspiring practice
As well as updates on new clinical guidelines from nurse specialists, the programme featured a range of impactful talks addressing different health issues and population groups, spanning frailty, diabetes, COPD and men’s mental health. This year’s inspirational speaker was Hannah Peck, a GPN from Sheffield who, together with a group of playgroup parents, started a local baby bank to provide midwives with practical essentials for families in need. This single local branch became Baby Basics: a UK-wide network of centres estimated to support one in 14 children across the country.

The programme also highlighted the impact GPNs can have by getting involved in research on health inequalities that affect their patient population. GPN-turned nurse researcher Johanna White interviewed a research participant and patient, Greg, who is living with prostate cancer. Greg shared his experience of diagnosis and treatment and their moving conversation revealed the human story of the misconceptions and systemic factors that contribute to marked racial disparities in prostate cancer outcomes and survival.

Individual contributions, innovation and commitment were honoured through the nursing awards. Presented by Victoria Bagshaw, NHS England Regional Deputy Director for Workforce and Education, the awards recognised the impact of GPNs on patients and communities and included a long-service award for Joy Naylor, marking her 50-year career in nursing.

Reflecting on the day, Ms Thompson said: ‘This conference is the highlight of the year for us at the Training Hub. Bringing South Yorkshire’s General Practice Nurses together in such numbers to share knowledge, strengthen professional networks and celebrate one another is incredibly energising.

‘At the Training Hub, we work with nurses across the entire career pathway, from those just starting out to experienced leaders. Today is a powerful reminder that a resilient and sustainable GPN workforce depends on the sharing of experience, skills and wisdom across every stage of a career. When we create opportunities to learn from one another, our patients, practices and communities all benefit.

‘We’re already looking forward to planning next year’s event.’