Primary Care Network

Since the NHS was created in 1948, the population has grown. Many people are living with long term conditions such as diabetes and heart disease or suffer with mental health issues and may need to access their local health services more often.

To meet these needs, GP practices are working together with community, mental health, social care, pharmacy, hospital and voluntary services in their local areas in groups of practices known as primary care networks (PCNs).

The role of First Contact Physiotherapists (FCPs) in Primary Care is to assess patients with soft tissue, muscle andjoint pain and to decide on the most appropriate management pathway. FCPs are physiotherapists with expertise inthe assessment and management of Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. They may also be known as AdvancedPractice Physiotherapists (APP) or MSK Practitioners.
If you are unsure where to direct patients, please discuss with your FCP and they will be happy to advise you.

INCLUSION CRITERIA
All soft tissue injuries, sprains, strains or sports injuries
Arthritis – any joint
Possible problems wuth muscles, ligaments, tendonsor bone, eg tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome,ankle sprains
Spinal Pain including lower back pain, mid-back painand neck pain
Spinal-related pain in arms or legs, including nervesymptoms, eg pins and needles or numbness
Changes to walking
Post-orthopaedic surgery

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

Acutely unwell Children under 16
Medical management of rheumatoid conditions
Women’s health, antenatal and postnatal problems
House-bound patients
Medication reviews
Neurological and respiratory conditions
Headaches
Acute mental health crisies
Patients who do not want to see a FCP

How can a Clinical Pharmacist help you?

They undertake asthma and COPD reviews. Ensuring patients get the most out of their inhalers and to monitor if their condition is under control with their current therapy and also counsel patients on inhaler techniques.

They also review medication.

Review of the holistic approach of the entire medication.

Patient’s understanding of their medication.

Optimising of doses to achieve targets for blood pressure, cholesterol and HbA1c amongst others.

Being patient centric they ask about side effects, understand patient concerns, needs and wants; this couldalso result in referring patients to other PCN services such as social prescribing and chair based exercises.
The CP’s are involved in therepeat medicationprocess
They deal with medication relatedqueries including finding alternatives when medication
Medication reviews are also completed for new patients
CP’s also provide exercising and diet advice, inform patients of smoking cessation services in the borough

Help with self-identified existing issues and encourage proactive

prevention of new and existing illnesses
support with personal choice and positive risk taking

Support to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to

Become active participants in your own care to reach your health and wellbeing goals

Access to self-management education, peer support and multiple sessions for coaching and motivation through support to identify your needs, set goals and help you implement
your personalised health and care plan

Phlebotomy technicians collect blood from patients and prepare the samples for testing.

Check with the practice which day this service is available

Quick 10 minute appointments

Results will come straight to thepractice within
5-10 working days

What is Social Prescribing?
Social Prescribing involves helping patients to improve their health, wellbeing and social welfare by connecting them to community services run by the council or a local charity. It does this by focusing on ‘what matters to me’.

How we can help YOU

Employment
Housing
Food Bank
Finance
Immigration
Carers Support
Social Isolation

HOW IT WORKS

> GP refers patient to a social prescriber

> Social prescriber arranges a consultation with the patient

> The social prescriber and the patient identify patient needs together

> Social prescriber then refers the patient to relevant services within their local community

> The social prescriber arranges follow up appointments with the patient (up to four appointments)

Did you know that there is a PODIATRY service available at your GP Practice?

What YOU need to do

Call your GP Practice
Tell them what your foot issue is
Attend your appointment

Appointments are 30 mins long. If the podiatrist is unable to help you, they will refer you to the right people.

Common foot problems

Foot pain at the heel, mid or forefoot
Nail problems and skin conditions affecting the feet including corns and calluses
In-growing toe nails
Foot related problems including wounds for Diabetic patients
Problems with circulation

Physician associates are healthcare professionals, with a generalist clinical education, who work alongside GPs to provide care as part of the multidisciplinary team. They provide care for the presenting patient from initial history taking and clinical assessment through to diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation. Whilst physician associates currently do not have prescribing rights prescribe, they can prepare prescriptions for GPs to sign. Apprentice physician associates undertaking approved training can be employed by PCNs under the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme from April 2023.

Physician associates:

Demonstrate critical thinking in the clinical decision-making process, including assessment and diagnostic skills, leading to the delivery of safe care for all patients.
Work collaboratively with the practice team to meet the needs of the patients, supporting the delivery of policy and procedures.
Provide a holistic and clinical service, with support from GPs as required, implementing agreed management plans, and following approved protocols as appropriate.

A paramedic in primary care can provide a rapid response to deteriorating patients and patients with long-term conditions, minor injuries, and minor illness. They can also support patients who require wound care, have fallen, have musculoskeletal problems, and have urinary tract or respiratory infections. Paramedics can supply a range of medicines through patient group directions, including antibiotics and analgesics.

Paramedics can support PCNs in responding to on the day demand by offering telephone triage or undertaking home visiting. They can also support PCNs to improve access to care by managing minor ailments and seeing patients in care homes.

Primary Care Network

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