Dr. John Farrell:

I thank the Deputy for his question. The ICGP and the IMO are hugely supportive of our practice nurse colleagues, who have really stepped up to the mark in delivering the vaccine programme and the booster programme over Christmas and the new year. They are wholly responsible in most practices for delivering all of the childhood vaccines, as well as dealing with women's health issues, cervical screening and chronic disease management programmes. General practice would be lost without them and we hugely value them. Obviously, the terms and conditions are up to each individual practice but we try to look after them as best we can because they are hugely valued members of the team. We need more of them in the general practice setting to provide the quality of care that we wish to provide.