Campaign aims to make sure people get to see the right health professionals first time

Contains video and audio content

A campaign is underway to help people understand why they may be offered an appointment with an alternative health professional to a GP. 

There are a number of different health professionals working in GP surgeries across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent that have specialisms patients could benefit from. 

Now a number of videos have been made by these professionals explaining what their role is and why it could be better to see them first. The videos feature staff who work at Longton South Primary Care Centre in Stoke-on-Trent and Winshill Medical Centre, Burton upon Trent. 

Dr Paul Edmondson-Jones, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB, said: “There are significant advantages for patients in seeing the right person for your condition. It can save time, get treatment started more quickly and they can often spend longer with you than a standard GP appointment. 

“While these alternative professionals may not have the breadth of knowledge that a GP has, they are at least as expert in their specific field. If your GP receptionists or ‘care navigators’ ask about the nature of your condition it is so they book you an appointment with the right person.” 

The roles highlighted are (Click on the link to play video): 

Primary Care Paramedic 

They use the same skillsets as ambulance-based paramedics but will have had extra training. They visit patients in their own home at the request of GPs, where they perform same-day assessments. They can carry out tests and some treatments and this allows informed decisions to be made about future care. 

VIDEO – Paramedic Amanda describes her role

First Contact Physiotherapist 

They are experts in musculoskeletal (muscle and joint) conditions (MSKs) that are some of the most common conditions patients contact their GP surgery about. They can carry out detailed assessments, develop a care plan, refer patients for tests with other NHS services and often prescribe medicines. 

VIDEO – First contact Physio Steve describes his role

Clinical Pharmacists 

These pharmacists receive enhanced training to carry out medicines reviews – typically with patients with more complex needs who are taking 10 or more kinds of medication. They are experts in all types of medication and are also able to advise GPs on issues such as correct dosages and side-effects. They are also able to prescribe medication without the need for the patient to see a GP. 

VIDEO – Becky talks about her role as a Clinical Pharmacist

Social Prescriber 

Many people see their GP about conditions that have an underlying problem that is not medical. For instance, patients may have anxiety due to debt or housing. A GP can’t give debt advice, but a social prescriber can put patients in touch with debt counselling services or other types of support. 

VIDEO – Tim talks about his role as a Social Prescribing Link Worker

Care Co-ordinator 

Care Co-ordinators provide extra support to patients before or after appointments. They work closely with GPs and other healthcare staff within the GP team, ensuring that support is available to patients and their changing needs. 

VIDEO – Jess talks about her role as a Care Co-ordinator 

Steve Greatholder, First Contact Physio in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, said: “Traditionally people have to wait to be referred to me and that could be anything from 12-16 weeks in the past. 

“The real benefit in coming direct to me is we get to see people earlier and we can nip things in the bud and stop them escalating to something bigger that negatively impacts their health and wellbeing.”