A university course that prepares nurses who are new to working in general medical practices is the first to receive a prestigious endorsement.

The Foundations of General Practice Nursing course at Plymouth University has now been accredited by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP).

The RCGP award recognises the course`s importance in improving nurse`s knowledge and understanding. Only a few institutions deliver the course in the UK, which trains those in GP nursing jobs to safely carrying out vital clinical competencies.

Fiona Cook, lecturer in general practice nursing from the university`s School of Nursing and Midwifery, said: "It has been an exciting journey developing the role and scope of the General Practice Nursing team in the South West.

"We are hopeful that national recognition through the RCGP and the support we are providing initiatives across the UK will further encourage the development of programmes across the country so that the provision of high quality, competence-focussed education becomes the norm, rather than the exception, for general practice nurses."

The course is taught in Exeter and has been nationally praised as a model of excellence.

Copyright Press Association 2012