The following are the core responsibilities of the practice nurse. There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks. This will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels: a. To develop, implement and embed health promotion and well-being programmes b. To implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for chronic disease patients c. To provide chronic disease clinics, delivering patient care as necessary, referring patients to secondary/specialist care as required d. To identify, manage and support patients at risk of developing long term conditions, preventing adverse effects to patients health e. To provide routine nursing care to patients as required in accordance with clinical based evidence, NICE and the NSF f. To provide wound care (ulcer/Doppler etc.) to patients g. To provide travel medicine services when appropriate h. To request pathology services as necessary i. To process pathology results as required j. To provide cervical cytology when trained k. To provide ear irrigation to patients when trained l. Administer immunisations and injections within own competency and level of training m. To maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with extant legislation n. To ensure read codes are used effectively o. To maintain chronic disease registers p. To chaperone patients where necessary q. To assist GPs with minor surgery when required r. To prioritise health issues and intervene appropriately s. To support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies t. To recognise, assess and refer patients presenting with mental health needs u. To implement vaccination programmes for adults and children v. To support patients in the use of their prescribed medicines or over the counter medicines (within own scope of practice) w. To liaise with external services/agencies to ensure the patient is supported appropriately (vulnerable patients etc.) x. To delegate clinical responsibilities appropriately (ensuring safe practice and the task is within the scope of practice of the individual) y. To support the clinical team with all safeguarding matters in accordance with local and national policies z. To understand practice and local policies for substance abuse and addictive behaviour, referring patients appropriately aa. To deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate In addition to the primary responsibilities, the practice nurse may be requested to: a. To participate in providing effective Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) with in the practice and to work to the IPC Policy providing audits, training, support and evidence of compliance as required b. Develop and review audit protocols and process effectively utilising the audit cycle c. Develop, review and implement nursing protocols in conjunction with colleagues, partners and managers d. Monitor and ensure the safe storage, rotation and disposal of medicaments e. Support junior members of the nursing team, providing guidance when necessary f. Participate in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care g. Support and participate in shared learning within the practice h. Continually review clinical practices, responding to national policies and initiatives where appropriate i. Participate in the review of significant and near-miss events applying a structured approach, i.e. root cause analysis (RCA)