Who are those other Health Care Professionals that can help me?
First Contact Practitioner (FCP) i
A First Contact Practitioner is an experienced Physiotherapist who has the advanced skills necessary to assess, diagnose and recommend appropriate treatment or referral for musculoskeletal (MSK) problems from a patient’s first contact with healthcare services.
Patients can be booked directly with an FCP from reception – 0345 337 9933. An FCP offers expert MSK assessment and diagnosis, however is still integrated with the surgery team. If appropriate, an FCP may prescribe exercise, medication, refer for blood tests, x-ray, administer steroid injections or refer onwards to appropriate secondary health services e.g. Rheumatology, Physiotherapy or Orthopaedics.
All FCPs are trained to identify symptoms which may require medical attention.
General Practice Clinical Pharmacist (GPCP)
A Registered Pharmacist with additional training and time spent working in General Practice.
GPCPs can prescribe independently, offer consultations and give telephone advice on a wide range of health issues, and provide detailed advice on medications.
Having a GPCP greatly reduces the GPs workload to free up time to deal with more complicated issues.
Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP)
A Registered Nurse with additional training for performing tasks, such as diagnosing and prescribing, that are customarily performed by a Physician.
A Registered Nurse with at least a Master’s Degree in Nursing and advanced education in the Primary Care of particular groups of clients; capable of independent practise in a variety of settings.
Their role will be tailored not only by their training but their clinical experience as senior practitioners. In General Practice, ACPs can consult and work independently and consult medical colleagues when they need advice.
General Practice Nurse (GPN)
A Registered Nurse, based at a GP Surgery (office / Practice) who works with the GPs to care for patients seen at the surgery.
Practice Nurses are fully trained in a wide range of skills including immunisations, health promotion, contraception, and management of long-term conditions eg advises on diet and lifestyle choices, on coronary heart disease, hypertension, asthma, diabetes, smoking cessation and obesity. Practice Nurses can extend their skills at Diploma Level and see many patients who previously would have seen the doctor.
Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW)
Non-registered Nursing staff who assist in patient care and Practice-related duties as directed by and under the supervision of a Registered Healthcare Professional (including Lead Practice Nurse, Practice Manager, and the GPs). Healthcare Support Workers work collaboratively with the General Practice team to meet the needs of patients, and provide essential task-orientated services like taking blood samples (phlebotomy), processing specimens, performing ECGs (to measure heart function), spirometry (to measure lung function). They play a crucial role in supporting the Clinical Team.
Please note, the above is not a comprehensive overview of all of the skills and tasks for each healthcare professional – some may have more, or different, expertise. The Practice’s aim is to continually encourage professional development of all staff in a quest to gain experience in agreed specialities thus enriching their roles whilst, at the same time, offering more choice and flexibility to our patients.
