ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the advantages of closer integration between general practice nurses and health care assistants (HCAs) and other community health care staff. It highlights how this can be achieved and how it can contribute to the delivery of enhanced services. The chapter discusses advantages of a united nursing approach for the purpose of practice-based commissioning, and emphasis the benefits of sharing nurses' knowledge and skills to improve the effectiveness of patient care. Working in partnership with other health care professionals and related organisations is vital for practices to achieve effective services for patients, but it is important to recognise that joint working must adhere to primary care trust (PCT) policies. Practice nurses are eligible to become nominated members of the Professional Executive Committee for the PCT. Practice-based commissioning has been introduced as a way of allowing practices to be in charge of ordering appropriate health services that are ideally tailored to fit the needs of the local population.
