Behind the scenes of General Practice: Extended healthcare teams are here to help

We’re all used to the traditional roles of doctors, nurses and receptionists within General Practices but now, in addition to GPs, there are a number of healthcare professionals working behind the scenes and are here to help.

In a bid to raise awareness of these different roles, a group of clinical specialists from practices across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin have come together to talk more about their different jobs.

Both clinical and non-clinical, these colleagues work alongside GPs and nurses to deliver care and help patients get seen at the right time for their needs. Roles include care co-ordinators, clinical pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, first contact physiotherapists, social prescribers, dieticians, healthcare assistants and paramedics.

Dr Jess Harvey, local GP and Clinical Director for the South-East Shropshire Primary Care Network (PCN) said: “Services that were previously only accessible by visiting a hospital can now be found at a General Practice, for example someone who needs to see a dietitian or a physiotherapist.

“The extended healthcare teams now based in General Practice can save people the time and cost of travelling to other healthcare settings and help to free up GP capacity for patients with the most serious conditions. GPs are limited in the number of people they can see each day so if we can triage patients to the most appropriate healthcare professional, they get seen quicker.”

For example, if a patient has a problem with their knee, first contact physiotherapists can assess and recommend management, can issue medications and are always under the supervision of GPs. A paramedic may also be able to visit a patient at home if they’re unable to get to the practice. If anything is in doubt, colleagues always have somebody, usually a GP, they can call on for a second opinion.

Dr Harvey continues: “In recent years, General Practice teams have expanded to include a wide range of clinical specialists who help to manage increasing demand. Essentially, we are sharing our skills as professionals which is going to help sustain General Practice, and the wider NHS, into the future.

“Most people automatically think they need to see a doctor when they contact their GP practice but actually there are lots of other professionals who are better placed to help. What people don’t realise is that we are now much more than just doctors, nurses and receptionists.

There is a whole raft of healthcare professionals ready and able to assist you when you need treatment, help or advice. They add a huge amount of expertise and knowledge to our team, are a great resource for practices to have, and can provide specialist services for the benefit of our patients.”

First Contact Physiotherapists

Priya Golar is a physiotherapist who works in Wellington Road Surgery and can help with things like neck or back pain. Talking about her role, Priya said: “My job is to assess and treat patients who have musculoskeletal (bones, joints, tendons, and muscles) and rheumatological issues (painful conditions of the joints), as well as related pain issues. Once patients have been assessed and treated, we also explain the condition so that we can enhance self-management and decide a plan with them to take forwards.”

Pharmacy Technicians

Based in the south of the county, Julie Bates is a pharmacy technician within General Practice who can show patients how to use their medications, advise on lifestyle choices, and support clinical pharmacists to review existing medication. Julie said: “I help people understand their medications so that they’re taking them at the right time and so that they understand exactly what they’re for.”

General Practice Nurses

Ruth Rawson is a general practice nurse (GPN) and works mainly at Dawley Medical Practice. Her main roles are to provide vaccinations and injections, support patients with long-term conditions, and provide family planning and sexual health advice. She said: “I see babies from eight weeks old for their immunisations right up to patients who are nearing the end of their life and need palliative care. I also help them with their long-term conditions so that they can manage their illnesses as effectively as possible.”

Advanced Clinical Practitioners

Jess Carpenter is an advanced clinical practitioner (ACP) from Court Street Medical Practice in Madeley. Talking about her role, Jess said: “My role as an ACP means that I have gained further qualifications, in addition to my professional registration, and can therefore support patients who have a range of complex care needs and help to implement planned care with them and their relatives.”

Social Prescribers

Rebekah Jennings and Tina Harvey are social prescribers who are also referred to as social prescribing link workers or healthy lives advisors. Tina said: “My role is to help people improve their health and wellbeing by linking them up with groups, services or activities. I connect people to the support available within both the practice and the community.”

Rebekah said: I spend time with young people to help them focus on what really matters to them. I do this by listening and understanding their concerns and working with them to improve their long-term health. This can include helping them to stop smoking, increase exercise, make dietary changes, and address any mental health problems.”

Community Care Co-ordinators

Jo Weaver-Jackson is a community care co-ordinator whose role is to signpost patients to non-clinical support services offering personalised care and support which match their healthcare needs. Jo said: “I work a lot with carers who are looking after a loved one with dementia. The clinical care review is carried out by a GP or a nurse and then I offer a social care review which helps to support and manage the care needed and help the patient to navigate the healthcare system.”

Clinical Pharmacists

Gareth Harris and Nour Morjan are both clinical pharmacists who work across the county. They said: “Our focus is on medicines and medication reviews, which includes agreeing with any changes to prescriptions with patients and advising on possible side effects. We also work with people with long-term conditions such as cardiovascular issues (relating to the heart and blood vessels) including high blood pressure; high cholesterol, diabetes and asthma so that they have the right monitoring.”

Photo credit: Shropshire Star