Nursing associates within primary care
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Perspectives on the nursing associate role within primary care
IRAS ID
362365
Contact name
Cecilia Vindrola-Padros
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2025/07/185, Data protection reference number
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
The research team are conducting a research study to explore the perceptions and experiences of nursing associates (NAs) within primary care in England and the factors acting as enablers and barriers in the safe and effective roll-out of the role into the primary care workforce.
The study will consist of interviews with up to 115 participants from a range of stakeholder groups, to understand their experiences and perspectives of the nursing associate role within primary care. The stakeholder groups will consist of:
- Nursing associates employed within GP practices in England.
- Other healthcare professionals and staff employed within GP practices in England that have adopted the role.
- Stakeholders from senior leadership teams within GP practices in England that have not adopted the nursing associate’s role.
- Stakeholders from national bodies such as the Royal College of Nursing, Nursing and Midwifery Council, local health authorities (the integrated care board ICB) and leaders within NHS England.Additionally, a qualitative survey will be conducted with patients registered with the GPs sampled who have been cared for by a nursing associate, to understand their experiences and perspectives of the role.
The findings of this study will contribute to an intended publication to provide further context into the role of nursing associates within primary care in England.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/EE/0049
Date of REC Opinion
3 Mar 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion