Exploring nurse leadership in general practice: organisational and workforce perspectives

Background

The role of nurses in UK general practice has expanded rapidly, encompassing advanced clinical care, prescribing, chronic disease management and leadership functions.1 Organisational system structures shaping these roles differ across nations, with England’s Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and Scotland’s Health and Social Care Partnerships (HSCPs) offering contrasting models of workforce integration and leadership. This research addresses healthcare workforce development, aiming to generate evidence that supports effective nursing leadership, optimises patient care and informs organisational and policy decisions. Strengthening nursing roles directly impacts patient outcomes, staff satisfaction and the sustainability of primary care services.2

Impact

A key challenge is understanding how differing organisational and system structures influence the enactment, integration and outcomes of extended nursing roles. Barriers include variability in employment models, limited formal leadership pathways and uneven professional development opportunities. Translating findings into actionable policy/practice guidance requires engagement with multiple stakeholders, including practice managers, nurse leads, clinical directors and policymakers. Tensions exist between system-level goals, local organisational capacities and workforce experiences.

What you hope to explore

Through discussion, we seek advice on navigating stakeholder engagement, demonstrating and sustaining impact, translating research findings into practical policy and organisational recommendations. Insights from facilitators/delegates will help refine methods for evidence-informed decision-making in complex healthcare systems.

Why this is a dilemma

The situation is challenging because extended nursing roles intersect multiple organisational layers, differing national policies and diverse workforce experiences. Balancing rigorous research with practical implementation, while ensuring meaningful impact for patients, staff and systems, creates ethical and methodological complexity for the researcher.