You don’t always have to see your GP if you have a health concern. There are a number of other healthcare professionals working within your GP practice who may be better placed to give you the medical care you need. You can find out a bit more about these different roles and how they can help you below.
When calling our GP practice, our receptionists may ask you a few details – but please don’t worry, they are not being nosey, and your information is strictly confidential. They just need a bit more information to get you the right help, from the right person.
All of our healthcare professionals are experts in their field, and we have a number of different roles working within practices across Rotherham.
A variety of clinical staff with different areas of expertise are available here. Through a range of health, social care and other community services, our staff focus on keeping people well and independent; delivering the right care at home or in the community to prevent unnecessary hospital care.
These groups of staff bring together general practice, paramedics, clinical pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, specialist diabetes nurse, dementia nurse, physiotherapy and social work. This enables the expertise and skills of different professionals to assess, plan and manage the care of patients.
Extended healthcare teams allow GPs to utilise their time more effectively, by ensuring that patients see the most appropriate professional within the practice or a separate, local venue. This allows GPs to focus on those patients who most urgently require their care. Your practice reception team will help guide you to the most appropriate care as soon as possible when booking an appointment.
Here we have listed the roles now available at our GP practice or at a local venue, which means you don’t always need to see a doctor.
Practice Nurses
General Practice Nurses work in GP surgeries as part of the primary healthcare team. The role of a Practice Nurse is very varied and may include:
- Carrying out examinations, investigatory and therapeutic procedures
- Electrocardiograms (ECGs)
- Minor and complex wound care
- Providing travel health advice and vaccinations as well as child immunisations and advice
- Family planning and women’s health including cervical smears
- Men’s health screening
- Sexual health services
- Healthy lifestyle advice
- Screening and helping patients to manage long-term conditions such as diabetes and asthma
Healthcare Assistants (HCAs)
Healthcare Assistants are trained to undertake specific clinical procedures including:
- Taking blood pressure readings
- New patient checks
- Health promotion
- NHS health checks
- Urine tests
- Weight and height recording
- Blood tests
- Certain immunisations and injections
- Ordering supplies
- Assisting with minor surgery procedures
- Sterilising equipment
Paramedic (Home Visiting Service)
Paramedic Practitioners, also referred to as Home Visiting Practitioners or Urgent Care Practitioners, work as part of the general practice team and can help by Conducting home visits to:
- Providing care without the need to consult a Doctor
- Assessing patients and deciding what care is required without the need to refer to a GP
- Assessing, diagnosing and treating patients
- Referring or signposting patients with undiagnosed minor illness or injury
Clinical Pharmacists
Clinical Pharmacists provide support to general practice staff with regards to prescriptions, prescribing and all medication management. They can help by:
- Supporting the repeat prescription system
- Dealing with acute prescription requests and medication reviews with patients
Pharmacy Technicians
GP practice technicians work within a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, based within a GP practice, and support the delivery of safe, effective and efficient systems for medicines optimisation, repeat prescribing, reducing medicine waste and maximising patient outcomes.
Specialist Diabetes Nurse
There are appointments available at a separate venue for those newly diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. This will give patients a chance to receive highly specialised advice on how to look after your diabetes. Appointments can be booked via our reception teams.
Dementia Nurses / Admiral Nurses
Admiral Nurses are specialist dementia nurses, they provide life-changing support for families affected by all forms of dementia – including Alzheimer’s disease. They have the time to listen and the knowledge to solve problems.
As dementia specialists, Admiral Nurses help families manage complex needs, considering the person living with dementia and the people around them. When people are struggling, our nurses help them take back control. When friends and family are worried about a loved one, they give them the confidence to manage their future with dementia. This is a new role for Parkgate and the nurses are available at a separate venue.
Physiotherapist
A First Contact Physiotherapist will offer quick access to expert physiotherapist assessment, diagnosis, advice and treatment. An expert in muscular and joint conditions, a physiotherapist will help you get moving again.
Social Prescriber
A social prescriber can help with any social need that’s affecting your wellbeing. They will listen to what matters to you, and help you find the support they need.
They can connect you to local services, groups and activities, putting you back in control of your health and happiness.