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<p>Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme was extended to general practitioner (GP)
practice nurses from September 1997, following an agreement reached with organisations
representing nurses and GPs. Prior to this date, GP practice nurses were excluded
because eligibility was originally limited to those directly employed by a National
Health Service body. GP practice nurses are employed directly by self-employed GPs,
rather than the NHS.</p><p>The pressure on NHS Pension Scheme costs, which are met
mutually across all members and their employers, meant that practice nurses could
not be offered retrospective membership for employment before 1997. This was accepted
by staff representatives at the time of the agreement, and remains the current position.</p><p>However,
GP practice nurses and their employers can make voluntary extra contributions to purchase
units of ‘Additional Pension’ and so boost their NHS retirement pensions.</p>
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