MEET one of the youngest practice nurses in the history of the NHS.

Emma Wilkinson has been appointed by the Haxby Group at the age of 23.

She was working there as a student trainee when she decided practice nursing was what she wanted to do.

“Most nurses go into general nursing before coming to work in general practice, but there’s no reason why you can’t go straight into primary care,” she said.

“After I’d qualified, Haxby Group offered me a general practice nurse training placement.

‘‘Haxby Group offers so much training and it’s a really good place to work so I’m really happy here.”

Haxby Group partner Dr Mike Holmes said: “Emma could be the youngest practice nurse ever.

‘‘Research has shown that the vast majority of practice nurses – up to 98 per cent – are over the age of 40.

‘‘People should be very concerned about this as it affects the future of primary- care nursing.

“At Haxby Group we have a long-term plan for our workforce and training is vital to our future.

‘‘Emma has come straight from nurse training which is a new pathway into primary care.”