It’s no secret that your local GP practice has been busier than ever but practices have also been continually working hard to improve patient experience and access to their expanded team. Around 400 additional team members have been recruited into healthcare roles at general practices in our area since 2019/2020.
This means your local health care team is made up of a range of professionals who support GPs, such as nurses, paramedics and clinical pharmacists - roles that may feel familiar, however a new survey has found that many people don’t realise that many roles, like mental health practitioners, physiotherapists and social prescribers can also be found within our practice teams.
The NHS is training more staff to better assess patients’ needs when they first make contact ensuring they can be seen by the right health professional. For example, if you have muscular pain, you can be booked straight in to see a physiotherapist.
As well expanding the team and adopting new digital phone systems which allow a call back, informed queuing and signposting to services if appropriate, new digital tools have been developed too – meaning you can access expert care at your fingertips.
Use the drop down boxes to find out more.
There are three ways to get in touch with your local practice team. These have been provided to offer a choice so you can use the route that is right for you. They are:
- Online - Use the form found on your GP practice website. It’s convenient and secure and can save time. You’ll get a response within 48 hours.
- Via the phone - Telephone lines are active during your surgery opening hours and have been improved, in line with feedback, to improve capacity, reduce waiting times and in some cases offer call back options.
- In person - Visit your practice during opening hours, to speak with the team. Let the Care Navigator know if you would like to talk privately.
- Your GP Practice team may provide care by:
- Arranging an initial phone or video consultation
- Booking a face-to-face appointment for you
- Sending you a text message, for example, inviting you for a blood test
- Arranging a home visit, or
- Referring you to another service or expert practice team member
Watch our short video to learn more about how online consultation works.
A list of GP practices & Primary Care Networks across Frimley.
As mentioned above your GP practice team is made up of a range of expert health and care professionals including nurses, clinical pharmacists, paramedics and physiotherapists who work alongside GPs, supported by Care Navigators, to provide you with the care you need.
When you get in touch, you will be asked a series of questions to help us understand what you need help with. The information you provide will be used to direct you to the most suitable member of the team which may be a doctor, nurse or other health professional. In certain situations you may be signposted to a more appropriate service to get support.
Your information will be treated in the strictest of confidence.
You can always tell your practice:
- if there’s a specific doctor, nurse or other health professional who you would prefer to respond to you
- you would prefer to consult by phone, face-to-face, by video call, text or email
- you need an interpreter
- you have any other access or communications needs.
It's important you are supported by the right person, in the right place to meet your needs and that may not always be a GP.
Through the expansion of the team, practices are now better able to support patients in more holistic ways, including with non-medical requirements.
Watch our video which explains the role of a Care Navigator.
Watch our other short videos to find out more about the team that form part of a GP Practice.
Online and digital tools are a great way to access health and care support in a way that is safe and convenient for you.
Visit your GP Practice website, complete a convenient online consultation and receive a response within 48 hours.
Download the NHS App – and access a range of NHS services, including ordering your repeat prescriptions, booking and managing appointments, link accounts for those you care for and view your GP record.
Download the Frimley Healthier Together app or visit the website for support and advice on caring for your unwell child at home.
Download the GetUBetter app it supports patients with musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries and conditions. The app can be used by anyone over 18 years.
Download Sleepio a leading tool, backed by international research and clinically proven to help improve insomnia. Frimley Health and Care is offering it to our residents free of charge.
Each practice team works a little differently, but below you will find examples of how different clinicians and health professionals may help patients.
Care Navigators are trained to ensure you get the right care from the right health professional or service and support you with administrative needs.
You might think of a Care Navigator as a receptionist but their role is more than answering and directing your call.
Care Navigators play a crucial part in helping you get the right support, at the right time, to help you with your need. They are experts in the make up of your local health team who are based within your GP practice and the local services who are able to help.
Care Navigators are trained to actively listen to your request. This is why answering their questions as fully as possible and being as clear with your symptoms or need as you can, gives you the best chance of seeing the right member of the team in the quickest time.
Everything you say is in complete confidence and remember you can state if you would prefer to talk on the phone, face-to-face, by video call, or if you need to speak to a particular person because they have treated you before.
Want to know more? Watch a video about the Care Navigation Team.
Practice Nurses have been an important part of the multi skilled team within your GP practice for many years.
A practice nurse is a registered nurse who works alongside the GPs and other team members, providing high-quality, patient-centred care to patients, including those with complex needs.
You might see a Practice Nurse for a health assessment, treatment or dressing of a minor injury or wound, management of your on-going health conditions or for routine vaccinations and immunisations.
Over recent years the role of Practice Nurse has grown, with many nurses taking on additional training to be able to prescribe or following a specialist area of interest such as Diabetes Care, Dermatology or Women’s Health and running clinics on these health areas.
Read more about the role of a practice nurse (opens in a new tab).
Clinical Pharmacists prescribe and review a patients medication, monitor and advise on medicines and can help with any suspected side effects of medications or medication interactions.
Pharmacists are supported in practice by Pharmacy Technicians - see below.
Pharmacy Technicians can help you by:
- showing you how to take your medicines properly and how to use any equipment such as inhalers
- supporting Clinical Pharmacists to review your existing medication, make sure your records are up to date and discuss any concerns or suspected side effects
- discussing small changes that you can make to diet, activity levels or provide support to stop smoking which may help improve your health when living with an ongoing condition.
Read more about the work of a pharmacy technician. (opens in a separate window)
Paramedic Practitioners manage routine and urgent appointments. They can assess, diagnose and treat patients including those with minor injuries. Some may be able to carry out home visits when required.
Watch a video about Paramedic Practitioners.
Read about Paramedic Practitioners. (opens in a new window)
Physiotherapists are experts in musculoskeletal conditions. They can assess, diagnose and treat a range of muscle and joint complaints.
They can also:
- advise on how to manage your condition
- refer you on to specialist services if needed
Mental Health Therapists and Practitioners can help by:
- carrying out assessments
- providing advice and support to manage your condition
- support you to access mental health services and community resources.
Social Prescribers or Social Prescribing Link Workers, provide social, emotional and physical wellbeing support and advice.
They can link patients with the best people or services to help them achieve their goals giving you time and support to focus on what matters to you.
Physician Associates work with GPs and the practice team to provide care to people, including those with long-term conditions.
They can help by:
- diagnosing and treating certain health conditions
- arranging tests and analysing results
- performing physical examinations
Occupational Therapists often visit you in your own home and can help by:
- providing rehabilitation for you to stay well at home
- empowering you to make improvements in your day-to-day life
- supporting you to take control of your health and wellbeing
Dietitians can help by:
- diagnosing and treating nutritional conditions
- helping you to make changes to prevent and support long-term conditions
- supporting you to maintain a healthy weight
Health and Wellbeing Coaches give people the advice and skills to manage their health, preventing illness and existing conditions from worsening.
They can help by:
- providing coaching to support you in management of your condition
- working with you to identify your health and wellbeing goals
- signposting you to helpful resources and groups
Care Coordinators can help by:
- preparing you for upcoming conversations about your health and care
- monitoring your needs and responding to any changes
- supporting you to understand and manage your care
Healthcare Assistants can help by:
- monitoring your blood pressure
- taking blood samples
- providing healthy living advice including support to stop smoking and achieving or maintaining a healthy weight.