Primary care nurses are still facing unacceptable variation in their pay, a survey of practice nurses has found.

GP surgeries are private businesses and not therefore forced to implement AfG pay. Also there is no guidance from the NMC or unions as to what pay scale practice nurses and nurse practitioners should be o, so GPs will only pay what they are prepared to pay, if nurses are unhappy then they are at liberty to find another job as far as GPs and Practice Managers a re concerned. It's incredible that there is such a wide diversification in hourly pay scales - and I know of no ANPs on such a high hourly rate - most are kept in the band 7 scale, and GPs use this to justify paying more \( why should they if their peers are not?). So, until GPs are 'encouraged' more aggressively to reward nursing staff then I doubt very much if things will change. Also other practice staff may be disgruntled at any pay increment given to nurses when they contribute towards meeting targets by record keeping, etc.

In reply to Martin-surely it is in the interests of a business to attract and retain staff -this gives the impression that you do not value the work of your staff and i would look elsewhere-this is not good for any business!Not good for patients,staff morale,continuity,professional development etc. The RCN have given guidance regarding pay scale for nurse practitioners at Band 8a for those working in General Practice.I think as a business you could be more proactive -others are and reward staff on merit. Nurses are in a good position to work for practices who are competitive. Of course, there is always someone to fill our shoes when we leave but my focus would be to retain and develop good staff and reward them as a valued member of the team. All i want is to be paid and rewarded for the job i do according to the qualifications and skills i have and AfG provides a standardised approach. It is a shame you have to wait to be 'encouraged aggressively" to reward nursing staff or any other members of the practice team. Lets hope with the emergence of more nurse partners we can engage on equal terms within the pay debate.

i am glad i dont work for the above GP

As a matter of fact I'm NOT a GP! I was trying to highlight the excuses, etc. that are used BY practice managment to NOT pay higher salaries.  How many practices pay their nurses on AfG rates? Not many, otherwise this debate would not exist would it?

ANPs on band 8a only get awarded this if their role entails some managerial responsibility under AfG guidelines; not every practice HAS any managerial tasks for their ANPs so we do not qualify for the higher banding. If you are one of the few lucky ones that do so then spare a thought for the majority of us that are less fortunate through no fault of our own.

As for nurses negotiating higher salaries when GPs are being threatened with a 10% cut - if it was your business what would your attitude be?