EMPLOYING A PRACTICE NURSE - WHAT SORT OF GP

The general practitioners employing all 102 nurses known to be practis ing as practice nurses in the Republic of Ireland were sent a question naire for completion anonymously. A response rate of 51% was obtained. Practices employing practice nurses were found to be mostly single ha nded (28/52) in a town/rural setting (39/52) and participating in the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme (49/51). A substantial minority of practices (16/51) derived more than 75% of their income from the GMS. Eighty five percent of practices felt that their practice ''gaine d or would gain financially'' through the employment of a practice nur se.( = one non-respondent).