Roles in our
Practices

A GP is usually the primary clinician who treats a patient with a physical or mental health concern. While GPs are available in our practice daily, they are also part of a much broader clinical team which handles patient treatments. GPs work as part of a large multidisciplinary team that supports the holistic, all-around care of the patient. This can include practice nurses, pharmacists, emergency care practitioners, and healthcare assistants. GPs treat all common medical conditions and refer patients to hospitals and other medical services for urgent and specialist treatment.

GPs focus on the health of the whole person, combining physical, psychological, and social aspects of care. Some of our GPs specialise in certain medical conditions, and patients may be referred to these specialised GPs for treatment.

GP Assistants provide a support role, carrying out administrative tasks, combined in some areas with basic clinical duties. They can help to free up GPs time and contribute to the smooth running of appointments, improving patients experience in the surgery.

ANPs are medically trained to treat patients and prescribe for them. ANPs are educated to masters level in advanced practice and assessed as competent, using expert knowledge and skills. They have the freedom and authority to act, making autonomous decisions in assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients. ANPs develop close relationships with their patients and work in partnership with them to achieve their best health.

ANPs also make their own decisions on the assessment, diagnosis and interpretation of test results. They can independently prescribe appropriate medication and evaluate or refer to other specialists if necessary. ANPs liaise closely with GPs in practice.

Practice nurses work in GP surgeries as part of the primary healthcare team. The practice nurse looks after a whole spectrum of patient care, from managing chronic diseases to health screening, for example, cytology (smear tests), to immunisations, including flu, pneumococcal, and those needed for babies. They carry out a wide range of roles allowing them to develop long-term relationships with individuals and families to better manage their conditions and improve patients’ physical and mental health and wellbeing.

Musculoskeletal (MSK) Practitioners provide expert advice and treatment for patients' condition, illness or disability. They may share exercises to reduce pain and discomfort, and improve the movement or refer a patient to the specialist service.

Advanced practitioners and HCAs have an important role in general practice, providing valuable assistance to GPs and practice nurses. Our HCAs are trained to carry out care of patients independently, in line with their qualifications and competencies, with access to a Practice Nurse or GP for support when necessary. HCAs look after chronic disease reviews, such as for hypertension (blood pressure), and give new patients health screening.

Physician Associates work alongside GPs to assess patients, diagnose health concerns, support those with long-term conditions and provide advice on how to stay healthy and well.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioners (MHWPs) provide evidence-based interventions and co-ordinate care plans for adults with mental health problems. Based in the community, they play an important role in supporting adults of all ages to live fulfilling lives. They do not provide psychological therapy but deliver effective wellbeing interventions to help people recover and improve their lives.

Pharmacists play a significant part in the management of medicines in primary care. They have a strategic role that focuses on maximising benefits and minimising risks associated with medicines, as well as making the best use of resources allocated for medication. Our pharmacists are either prescribers or training to become prescribers and will take responsibility for some aspects of care management of patients with chronic diseases, including undertaking clinical medication reviews to proactively manage patients and their care.

The practice manager will coordinate and organise fundamental aspects of practice functionality including the appointments calendar, patient services, staff rotas, health and safety management, and communications with other practices in the SSP group. Practice Managers act as the central hub of administration throughout the practice as a whole. Assistant Practice Managers support practice managers in all necessary internal operations.

The ECP is a new and developing role in general practice. Our ECPs work autonomously and can triage patients, advise on general healthcare, and promote self-management of health to patients. They can treat and prescribe to patients within the scope of their remit. ECPs can provide appropriate treatment, diagnostics, care and support.

Social Prescribers talk to patients about what matters to them and what support they may need to feel happier and healthier. They are trained in what is available in the community and connect people to local groups, activities and services that make a lasting difference.

Care Co-ordinators are a trained a healthcare professional and help to make sure things run as smoothly as possible for patients with long-term health conditions, particularly those who receive care from many different health services.