General practice has changed over the years, where traditionally patients used to see the GP for all ailments patients now have availability to see other more suitable clinicians who are able to offer treatment and support from the first contact.
There are many different roles within general practice, including; physiotherapists, dieticians, clinical pharmacists, occupational therapists and more. Find out more about the different roles within General Practice and how they can help here: https://bit.ly/374J0os
Roles available at Village Surgery:
Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs) – ACPs work alongside GPs and other practice staff to provide care to both adults and children. They can prescribe medication, order tests, interpret results, diagnose your health problems and organise and create an appropriate treatment plan.
First Contact Physiotherapist – Physiotherapists help ensure you get the right care for your needs as quickly as possible. Physiotherapists provide patients with expert diagnosis and treatment for musculoskeletal conditions and can prevent the need for referral to hospital. Some physiotherapists can manage complex conditions, arrange tests such as scans, diagnose problems, and work out a management and treatment plan such as joint injections that would previously have been organised by a GP by way of a referral, which would encounter a wait to be seen.
Clinical Pharmacists – A clinical pharmacist is the person to see for expert advice around medicines. If you are experiencing side effects from your medicines, your clinical pharmacist will work with you to find a solution. If you are taking several different medicines, the clinical pharmacist can help make sure they are working well together. Clinical Pharmacists can manage chronic diseases and support patients with the medication for these conditions.
Pharmacy Technician – Pharmacy technicians may be part of your practice team and undertake a range of tasks from preparing repeat prescriptions to helping you get the best outcomes from taking your medicines. Patients can often get the right advice from pharmacy technicians more quickly than if they waited for a doctor’s appointment.
General Practice Nurse (GPNs) – GPNs are undertaking an ever-wider range of roles. GPNs provide care and treatment for people from birth to end of life. They will look after patients with long-term diseases such as asthma and diabetes, offer health screening, as well as holding specialised clinics such as travel immunisations, baby immunisations, and women’s health for smear tests and contraception advice.
Nurse Associates – Nursing associates help ensure you get the right care for your needs as quickly as possible. They bridge the gap between healthcare support workers and registered nurses to deliver hands-on, person-centred care as part of the nursing team. Nursing associates work with people of all ages who need help or advice but don’t need to see a doctor or a nurse.
Social Prescriber – Social prescribing link workers specialise in referring people to services outside the NHS which offer the opportunity for health, wellbeing, and practical and emotional support. In a general practice setting a social prescriber can take the time to talk about what matters to you and support you to find suitable activities that are a better alternative to medication. They connect people to community groups and services for practical and emotional support.
Health and Wellbeing Coach – A Health and Wellbeing Coach will coach and motivate patients through multiple sessions to identify their needs, set goals, and support patients to achieve their personalised health and care plan objectives. Where required, they can refer people back to other health professionals within the practice.
You may be able to get support from a health and wellbeing coach at your GP practice so ask your practice next time you get in touch for more information or patients can self-refer here: Health and Wellbeing Referral (Derby South PCN) | Derby County Community Trust
Care Co-Ordinator – Care Co-ordinators help ensure you get the right care for your needs as quickly as possible. Care Co-ordinators help people to manage their needs through answering queries, making and managing appointments, and ensuring that people have good quality written or verbal information to help them make choices about their care, supporting them to take up training and employment, and to access appropriate benefits where eligible.
Mental Health Practitioner – Mental Health Professionals in general practice use a range of methods to help people with mental health conditions. These range from talking therapies for common conditions such as stress, anxiety and depression and support for people with more complex needs such as bipolar, psychosis and eating disorders.
