Joanna to drive development of nursing in county

Joanna Vinitis joins the CCG team as the first practice link nurse, bringing a wealth of frontline experience that will strengthen the professional links between GP practices and the CCG.

The practice nurse link is a commissioned role that supports the executive director of nursing, as well as quality and patient safety, in promoting and driving up the professional and clinical nursing standards within primary care.

Working closely with 38 GP practices in Northumberland, Joanna will lead on a range of initiatives aiming to retain and recruit practice nurses and healthcare support workers.

She said: “I’m so thrilled to be offered this opportunity. Practice nursing is my absolute passion.

“It’s so different from working secondary care in hospital settings as you get to know your patients and help them through each stage of their lives.

“Since I first started my nursing placement, I have wanted to dedicate myself to making training really invigorating and interesting for the new recruits so that they will love their career as much as I do.

“There’s so much to learn in practice nursing and I can’t wait to support the development of all of our new recruits.”

The link nurse will work with higher education institutes to promote and increase the number of nursing placements in general practice and will lead on the development and delivery of the Career Start Practice Nurse programme and Nursing Associates.

Annie Topping, executive director of nursing, quality and patient safety at the CCG, said: “I’m so pleased to welcome Joanna Vinitis to the team.

“Having worked as a senior nurse in Northumberland for the past five years, Joanna brings a fresh perspective on the continuous workforce development of primary care nursing teams, including the recruitment and also the support of trainee nursing associates.

“I’m excited to see how this evolves and develops in the future.”