Training Hub Facilitators

We have two active Nursing Facilitators at STW; Helen Hutton, GPN Facilitator and Patsy Clifton, Advanced Practice Facilitator. Helen and Patsy can be contacted by emailing stw.traininghub@nhs.net

The GPNF role focuses on supporting, guiding, and leading nurses in their daily practice by facilitating access to relevant Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities, mentorship, and restorative supervision.

Key activities include:​

  • Leading the GPN workforce strategy within primary care.​
  • Ensuring high standards of clinical practice.​
  • Developing clinical supervision opportunities.​
  • Serving as an approachable expert for advice and guidance.​
  • Demonstrating enthusiasm for general practice nursing and its development.​
  • Possessing strong knowledge of primary care nursing.​
  • Promoting primary care as an attractive career path for all nursing roles, including students.​
  • Networking to support GPNs and reduce professional isolation.​
  • Collaborating with the Integrated Care System (ICS) team.​
  • Creating pathways for nurses to enter primary care.​
  • Developing protocols and sharing evidence-based practices.​
  • Supporting nurses with revalidation.​
  • Developing the workforce to meet changing demands.​
  • Aiding in recruitment and retention.​
  • Delivering induction programs.​
  • Promoting continuous professional development.​
  • Constructively addressing poor practice.​
  • Supporting universities with their accredited courses.​
  • Championing the role of student nurses in primary care, offering them insights into this specialized field.​

Stay informed with our WhatsApp Community of Practice!

Helen and Patsy run a WhatsApp group for all STW Nursing professionals including General Practice Nurses, Health Care Assistants, Nursing Associates. Please join the group!

Join the Primary Care Women’s Health Interest Group! Click here or use the QR code below.

​Education Forum

Helen and Patsy have regular face to face and online educational forum sessions. Please click here to see our calendar and book!

The GPN Forum serves as a vital platform for the ongoing professional development and networking of General Practice Nurses. These forums typically offer structured educational sessions on diverse topics relevant to primary care, encompassing clinical updates, best practice guidelines, and evolving healthcare policies. Beyond formal learning, they foster a collaborative environment where GPNs can connect with peers, share experiences, discuss challenges, and exchange insights, thereby reducing professional isolation and promoting a sense of community. By facilitating access to expert knowledge, promoting continuous professional development, and supporting revalidation requirements, GPN education forums play a crucial role in enhancing the confidence, competence, and overall capability of the General Practice Nursing workforce, ultimately contributing to high-quality patient care within primary care settings.​

Professional Nurse Advocate (PNA) Support

Working within general practice can be an exciting and rewarding job, yet we are faced with ever increasing workload and complexity of care. This contributes to staff becoming more at risk of burnout and stress.​

To support you, the Training Hub can put you in touch with one of our PNAs who are trained to hold Restorative Conversations (aka restorative clinical supervision (RCS)). PNAs have the skills to be able to listen, support and challenge colleagues to improve their ability to cope and manage in stressful situations. PNA video

​Asthma/COPD and Spirometry Shadowing offer

Julie Hewitt is an experienced GPN who focuses on asthma/COPD and Spirometry. She is happy to arrange shadowing of her respiratory clinics. Please contact stw.traininghub@nhs.net