Employing a practice nurse: what sort of GP?

The general practitioners employing all 102 nurses known to be practising as practice nurses in the Republic of Ireland were sent a questionnaire for completion anonymously. A response rate of 51% was obtained. Practices employing practice nurses were found to be mostly single handed (28/52) in a town/rural setting (39/52) and participating in the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme (49/51)*. A substantial minority of practices (16/51)* derived more than 75% of their income from the GMS. Eighty five percent of practices felt that their practice "gained or would gain financially" through the employment of a practice nurse. (* = one non-respondent)