New roles in GP practices

The Mid and South Essex CCGs created a range of videos to promote the various new roles available to patients in primary care.

Below you will find a series of videos that explain the roles of different staff members that might be working within GP surgeries and how they can support patients. They form part of a campaign known as #GetTheRightCare.

If you would like to add this information to your own practice website, please download the document below which has all the information you need.

Care Navigators

Care Navigators are members of the surgery reception team who have been trained to help patients get the right care from the right healthcare professional, as soon as possible, by asking for a little more detail from the patient when they book an appointment.

Advanced Nurse Practitioner

Nurse Practitioners are highly-trained professionals and can undertake complex reviews of patients, just like GPs. They can assess symptoms and build a picture of a patient’s condition, treat minor health problems, infections, minor injuries and prescribe medication where necessary.

Clinical Pharmacist

Clinical Pharmacists are becoming more commonplace in GP practices and are qualified professionals whose skills include reviewing medications for patients who have long term conditions. They can also treat minor illnesses and refer patients onto other services.

Healthcare Assistant

Healthcare Assistants can assist with a range of minor clinical duties, like taking blood samples, blood pressure checks etc, under the guidance of the wider healthcare professional team. They work alongside the team and support with observing, monitoring and recording patients’ conditions to provide joined-up care.

Paramedic Practitioner

Paramedic Practitioners or Emergency Care Practitioners carry out home visits and give advice over the phone to patients unable to travel to the surgery. Patients normally seen by a Paramedic Practitioner are normally elderly, infirm or nearing end of life.

This means doctors and other healthcare staff are able to see and treat more patients in the surgery. Watch the video below to find out more:

Physiotherapist

Musculoskeletal health issues such as back, muscle and joint pains are the most common cause of repeat GP appointments and account for around 1 in 5 of all GP appointments. Most of them can be dealt with effectively by a physiotherapist without any need to see the GP.

Research shows physiotherapists are the most expert professional group regarding musculoskeletal issues with the exception of orthopaedic consultants. They have the same high safety record as GPs and some are trained to administer steroid injections, order diagnostic tests including scans, and also prescribe medication.

Social Prescriber or Link Worker

Patients visit their GPs for a range of different reasons and sometimes these issues can be caused by non-medical matters such as loneliness, anxiety, unemployment, illness or debt.

Link Workers also known as a Social Prescribers work in partnership with GP surgeries and can help people to access appropriate support in the community to help them make positive changes to your personal wellbeing.