Primary Care Network

Nursing Associates

Our Nursing Associates are skilled healthcare professionals who work as part of the nursing team to provide hands-on, person-centred care. They support patients of all ages across a variety of settings, including general practice, community care, and social care services.

Nursing Associates bridge the gap between healthcare support workers and registered nurses, helping ensure safe, high-quality care while supporting the wider nursing team.

What They Do

Nursing Associates can:

  • Deliver direct patient care, including monitoring, observations, and routine treatments
  • Support patients with daily healthcare needs, such as wound care, medication administration, and health checks
  • Assist with care planning and record keeping, working closely with registered nurses and other clinicians
  • Help patients understand and manage their health, providing education and support
  • Support the nursing team by allowing registered nurses to focus on more complex clinical work

How It Works

  • Nursing Associates are part of the multidisciplinary team, working alongside GPs, nurses, and other healthcare professionals
  • They support patients directly, while contributing to safe, efficient, and coordinated care
  • They also provide a pathway for healthcare assistants to progress in their careers toward graduate-level nursing

Why This Matters to You

With a Nursing Associate:

  • You receive hands-on, person-centred care from a trained healthcare professional
  • Your nursing team has more capacity to focus on complex or urgent health needs
  • Care is well-coordinated, with Nursing Associates working closely with GPs, nurses, and other staff
  • You benefit from a stronger, more skilled nursing workforce within your practice
  • Patients experience safer, more timely care, with greater support for daily healthcare needs