How Alison Ayliffe-Jessup is Inspiring Change in Primary Care
Nursing Associate, Southwell Medical Centre | Nursing Associate Ambassador for NATH
Alison Ayliffe-Jessup brings a unique and inspiring perspective to Primary Care. Before qualifying as a Nursing Associate in January 2024, Ali was a reception teacher for 13 years. After raising her two children, she made a bold career move into healthcare, joining Southwell Medical Centre where she worked as a Health Care Assistant for over a decade. In January 2022, she began the Nursing Associate Apprenticeship, a decision that opened new doors and allowed her to grow into a leadership and ambassadorial role.
With her background in education and her hands-on experience in patient care, Ali is now a passionate advocate for the value of Nursing Associates in primary care teams. She actively promotes the role as a legitimate and rewarding career path, not just a stepping stone to becoming a nurse. Her vision is to empower other NAs and raise awareness of how the role supports better outcomes for both patients and practice teams.
To help you explore and understand the Nursing Associate journey, we’ve curated both a podcast and a virtual event featuring Alison has designed to inspire, inform, and support Primary Care teams at every level.
Meet the Role: A Day in the Life of a Nursing Associate
Just a Sharp Scratch -The impact of the Nursing Associate
📍 From the series Just a Sharp Scratch
Whether you’re a practice manager, GP, or team leader looking to better support your workforce — this podcast is a must-listen. The episode unpacks what the Nursing Associate role truly offers and busts some of the common misconceptions around it.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How nursing associates can increase capacity within nursing teams
How Primary Care teams can fully utilise their NAs
The importance of developing clear career pathways and support frameworks
Real insights into how the role complements other team members
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