Could the practice nurse help you?
If you’re struggling to see your GP, there are other healthcare professionals who could assist at your local surgery
Everyone will be aware that it can be difficult to get an appointment to see your GP at the moment. This isn’t because GP surgeries are closed, or that they aren’t working extremely hard (they are!), but rather due to the combination of a shortage of thousands of GPS and increasing demand, as well as patients on hospital waiting lists. Although there are times when a GP appointment is required, it may also be that there is another member of the primary care team who may be more suitable to see you.
Your local surgery is likely to have at least one practice nurse, who can be an invaluable resource. For example, they may carry out many of the chronic-disease reviews for conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and more. Chronic conditions need to be monitored – for example, if you have diabetes you will need to have regular blood-pressure checks, as well as blood tests and other tests, such as those that look at the nerves to your feet. These can often be carried out by the practice nurse. If they have concerns, you will be referred to a doctor.
The practice nurse may also be able to diagnose minor illnesses and many are trained prescribers, meaning that they can prescribe a number of medications. Additional roles include carrying out vaccinations, cervical screening, dressing changes and more. As I say, they are invaluable!
Your practice may have a physician’s associate and/or a paramedic working with
‘The wider team is invaluable’
them, who are also able to see patients, which would later be discussed with a GP. Your surgery may also have a healthcare assistant who may be able to carry out blood-pressure checks, change dressings and more. There could even be a practice pharmacist who can answer questions about your medications and may be able to sort out issues, such as arranging a dosette box, if required.
Your GP practice may also have a social prescriber, someone who can help with social issues such as loneliness, for example, by connecting you to local community groups and more. Plus there may be an in-house physiotherapist and counsellor, although you may have to see or speak to another member of the team before you’re given an appointment to see them. In addition, there are wider members of the primary care team too, such as health visitors, district nurses and the local palliative care team.
Your local surgery will have a computer system that they use, among other things, to keep your medical records. This means that if you see one doctor, or another member of the general practice team, and then see someone else in the practice, they will be able to see your full notes, including any investigations and letters from the hospital, in order to try to ensure continuity of care. So don’t be concerned if you don’t see your usual member of the team.
Next time you make an appointment, ask the reception team who it’s best for you to see.