GP support services are under discussion

New services being introduced to support GP practices across Stirlingshire will be discussed at a meeting in Stirling Community Hospital.

It will take place in the hospital lecture theatre on Wednesday, September 12 from 7- 9pm.

Attending will be GP practice staff and representatives from NHS Forth Valley and the local Health and Social Care Partnership.

This follows the introduction of a new national GP contract which will see mental health workers, physiotherapists, advanced nurse practitioners and pharmacists, working as part of multiprofessional teams with local GPs.

The aim is to create additional capacity, increase the range of services available in local communities and to free up doctors to spend more time seeing patients with more serious or complex healthcare needs.

It will also ensure people are seen by the right healthcare professionals with the skills to deliver the specific treatment they need.

As an example, patients with joint pain, backache or mobility issues, such as knee or hip pain, could be offered an appointment with a physiotherapist.

Mental health nurses will be able to provide support to patients with many common mental health conditions including stress and anxiety.

Also addressing the meeting will be the NHS Forth Valley’s director of pharmacy services, Scott Mitchell. He will provide an update on pharmacy services across the area including Pharmacy First, an initiative to provide free treatment for a variety of conditions without the need for a GP prescription.