Paramedic joins ‘cluster’ team
DOCTORS in general practice have enlisted the extensive skills and training of a paramedic as part of their “cluster” team.
Paramedic Andrew Jones has recently joined the Bay Cluster Network and is using his skills to help with house calls – carrying out 500 house calls in just a few months.
The Bay Cluster is believed to among the first group of GP practices in Wales to have a paramedic join its team.
Primary care clusters are designed to relieve pressure on GPs and Welsh hospitals and tailor care to their communities.
But according to the Assembly’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, “little evidence” has been collected to prove there are any real benefits of cluster working to date, especially for individual patients.
But Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board said this innovative partnership proves that some clusters are working.
Patient Mary Kearns, from Bishopston in Gower, said: “I have asthma and some other problems and I have seen Andrew two or three times when I’ve had breathing difficulties.
“I rang the surgery first and they sent Andrew out, but he is able to call the doctor if he thinks it is necessary.
“I think it is a great service and Andrew is wonderful – absolutely great and very considerate. He came out here quickly each time and gave me a thorough check-over. I feel like I’m in safe hands with him.”
Andrew explained: “I’m able to give patients a very thorough assessment and I carry some additional kit that GPs don’t, like ECG equipment. I can also check patients’ blood sugars.
“Patients like the fact I’ve got more time to spend with them – I see about six patients a day.
“I can also visit patients sooner in the day. I had an urgent call at 9.10am and was able to go there straight away.
“This helps to ease the pressure on hospitals because if patients need to be admitted, it happens through the day, instead of just the middle of the day when GPs routinely carry out their house calls.”
GPs still make house calls in the region, but having Andrew on board means they can now concentrate on the more complex cases.
The multidisciplinary team which Andrew is part of also includes two pharmacists, Shima Wiltshire and Reem El-Sharkawi, and nurse Jessica Huntley.
They work alongside GPs at a number of surgeries including Gower Medical Practice, Kings Road Surgery, Mumbles Medical Practice, University Medical Practice, Uplands and Mumbles Surgery, West Cross and St Thomas Surgery, Sketty and Killay Surgeries and The Grove Medical Practice.
Patients calling the surgeries in the cluster are initially triaged by a GP, and then referred to the most appropriate member of the team – a pharmacist, Andrew, Jessica, or a GP.