Using RightCare to engage general practice nurses in Liverpool

This article has been double-blind peer reviewed

In this article…

• The role of nurses in driving change in general practice

• Ways of getting practice nurses to think creatively about improving care

• Benefits of using data to promote appreciative inquiry among nurses

Author Sharon Poll is primary care clinical advisor; Kerry Lloyd is deputy chief nurse and deputy head of quality; both at Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group.

Abstract The NHS England RightCare programme can help tackle the challenge of local unwarranted variation in the care provided at general practice level. Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group is using the RightCare approach to engage nurses working in its 92 GP practices, prompting them to discuss what can be done to improve care and reduce variation. This article describes this approach, in which the use of relevant and meaningful data is key. It is published in parallel with an overview of RightCare and the role of nursing, midwifery and care staff in exploring unwarranted variation (see page 28).

Citation Poll S, Lloyd K (2018) Using RightCare to engage general practice nurses in Liverpool. Nursing Times [online]; 114: 1, 31-33.

Key points

In Liverpool, the NHS RightCare programme helps engage nurses working in general practice

Practice nurses need to be able to engage with each other to understand the local challenges

Bringing nurses together outside the practice allows them to think creatively about improving care

Strong nurse leadership at all levels allows nurses to influence commissioning decisions and care pathways

Discussing local data that is relevant to nurses helps them to tackle unwarranted variation