Six months after the implementation of the new general practitioner contract in April 1990, practice nurses employed in greater Glasgow were surveyed using a self completed postal questionnaire. Of the 165 practice nurses employed in greater Glasgow 153 (93%) were identified and surveyed. Of these, 131 responded to the questionnaire (86%). The practice nurses were well qualified and experienced. Sixty per cent were under 40 years of age, 68% had been recruited within the previous year and 70% were employed for five sessions or more per week. Many carried out extended nursing duties, including health promotion activities. Many described inadequacies of their employment contract, practice facilities and the functioning of the primary health care team. If service quality is to be assured in practice nursing and practice nurses are to function as key primary health care team workers, then it is important that their role, professional skills, and working facilities are defined, supported and monitored. This should be addressed by general practitioners, practice nurses, and their professional bodies, in collaboration with the health board.
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