Practice nurses are angry that they have not been consulted over plans for extended opening hours, despite GP leaders admitting they will be expected to work late or early shifts.

If we work weekends etc are we going to be paid unsocial hours????

i agree, will they (GP`s) want to pay for unsocial hours or will they incorporate this into your contracted working hours? and why do we (practice nurses) never get a say?

As a Practice Nurse who has had increased workload with QOF, with no financial incentive, no incremental pay increase or pay rise in over 2 years, I prefer not to be included. I suspect if we are involved, GP's may automatically assume the extended hours inculdes us, and we will yet again be expected to fill the breach. Just how far are Nurses expected to stretch their good will? I don't want to voice an opinon which serves to implicate me in yet another freebie I am expected to give. I want to be valued as a health professional for the excellent service I provide, and paid accordingly. Then perhaps my opinon may matter.

Practices are expected to increase their hours pro rata dependant on their patient list size. Our practice will be expected to find another 6 hourfor no additional funding. GP's may not ask nurses to be involved as it will involve them in even more financial loss. Just a thought!

Practices are expected to increase their hours pro rata dependant on their patient list size. Our practice will be expected to find another 6 hour for no additional funding. G.P's may not ask nurses to be involved as it will involve them in even more financial loss. Just a thought!

Nurses, if you are asked to work extra unsociable hours then it is down to you to negotiate with your employer the terms and conditions that you require.  We are our own worst enemy when it comes to this as nurses tend to just accept any offer that is made regardless of whether it is fair or not.  Speak up and let people know your value and all the good that you do.  Nurses need to do this for themselves and for each other, as the more nurses fight for what they deserve the more likely we are to be taken seriously.  Doctors fight for good pay and conditions, why shouldn't we. We are responsible for our own fate if we continue accepting deals we are not happy with but do not speak out.  Don't sign any contracts you are not happy with! Negotiate and get what is fair (ie enhanced rates for weekends etc).

Enhanced rates are a must if extra hours are expected. I dont know how I will invest the extra money.............

Dear Sir/Madam-

Nursesare backbone of primarycare  govt totally ignored to consult them ,whos is going to pay for them to work in extended hours ,waht i hear from nurses and my collegues practice nurse not willing to work for extended hours even if they are paid ,

Since nurses haven't been consulted on extended hours in general practice, Independent Nurse has decided to step into the breach - we are carrying out a survey of nurses' views on the issue. Anyone who takes part will be entered into a prize draw for £50 of M&S vouchers - you can find the survey here.

The survey is also available via the nurse homepage on Healthcarerepublic.com. Please take part, and encourage other practice-based nurses to follow suit.

Nick Bostock (news editor, Independent Nurse)

If practice nurses have to wrk extnded hours; then they would be working under un-social hours,which will affect they pay.

 Of course practice nurses were not consulted over extended hours. Nurses are not part of the government's plan to make GPs work longer hours. Nor has any thought been given to the services (or lack of them) during these extended hours such as laboratory, radiology and outpatient facilities. No point paying a nurse to be available if patients are still going to have to attend during the normal working day anyway. Defeats the object of late night surgeries.

 Plus nurses if working full time would be working against the EU working time directive surely?

 That seems logical. So why are GPs expected to work beyond it? Remember, this is not just providing appointments in the evening, it is providing additional surgeries over and above the normal daily ones. It will not be permitted to stagger surgery times into the evening. Gordon Brown's cage must have really been rattled for him to produce this stick to beat doctors with.

Nurses are not allowed to take the place of a doctor when it comes to the extended hours, so that may be a possible reason.  However staff will still need to be working; 2 receptionists at the least from a health and safety aspect. Doctors may also require a female chaperone, so this could be a nurse or HCA. I agree about negotiation on pay rates but quite often this proves futile, and the wording used in contracts is brought in to play in such a way as to make any attempts at negotiating unsocial hours rates difficult to achieve..

 As far as the EU working directive goes this seems to be very 'flexible' when it comes to the hours doctors work for the OOH service providers. It is not unusual fo the same doctor to be on shift for 24 hours and sometimes more; how are they allowed to get away with this when all other staff (nurses, drivers, call handlers, etc.) are not? Many expect to be able to get some rest and leave the call triaging to nurses - yet still get their full hourly rate of pay! But that is another topic for discussion I think.