Health care Resources

Children represent a significant proportion of primary care consultations in the UK, with up to 25% of general practice interactions involving young patients (Gill and Thompson, 2015). However, the nature of paediatric healthcare needs is evolving, while acute consultations for febrile illnesses remain common, serious bacterial infections are now rare (Wolfe et al 2013). Instead, there is a growing burden of non-communicable diseases, such as obesity and mental health disorders, which present new challenges for primary care providers (Di Cesare et al 2019; Fitzpatrick et al 2024). The changing spectrum of paediatric health issues demands, in the author’s opinion, that general practitioners (GPs and nurses) receive adequate and specialised training to manage these complexities effectively. This article highlights why specialist paediatric care is such a needed area of care, and spotlights two practitioners who are leading the way in providing high quality paediatric care in the community.

This article explores Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust’s (NHFT’s) innovative approach to addressing workforce challenges in the healthcare sector through apprenticeships and T-levels. NHFT offers various apprenticeship opportunities, ranging from entry-level healthcare support roles to pre-registration and post-registration nursing across different specialties. The article also looks at NHFT’s collaborations with local educational institutions and primary care training hubs to provide pathways for individuals who transitioned from different careers into nursing through apprenticeships. Additionally, the introduction of T-levels offers younger people practical experience in health care alongside classroom learning, opening pathways into nursing careers. The benefits of apprenticeships in providing financial support, practical experience, and career progression are highlighted. Overall, these alternative pathways play a crucial role in developing and retaining local healthcare professionals, addressing workforce challenges and reducing reliance on international recruitment.

A project in Leeds is improving health outcomes for Gypsies and Travellers. Here, Liz Keat, outreach nurse, Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust and Queen’s Nurse, and Ellie Rogers, deputy CEO, Leeds GATE, discuss what they have learnt about primary care nursing and Gypsy/Traveller communities.