The role of the practice nurse in primary health care: managing and supervising the practice nurse resource

This paper, by drawing on material from a qualitative study funded by the Department of Health and Welsh Office, examines the supervision and management of the practice nurse in general practice. In doing so it explores the perspectives of practice nurses, the GPs who employ them, representatives from FHSAs, those responsible for commissioning community nursing services, and managers of community nursing provider units. Within this context the paper explores the nature of the supervisory relationship between GP and practice nurse, and the wider role of the FHSA, commissioners of community nursing services and managers of community nursing provider units.