Who works at a GP surgery (and what do they do)?
GP surgeries and staff, like hospitals, have changed over time. No longer simply GPs, nurses and receptionists, there are many other professionals involved in primary care and at your surgery, to offer you the best patient care.
Let’s go through some of them.
Doctors
General practitioners/GPs – these doctors have completed their training in General Practice and are the equivalent to Consultants in hospital.
‘Registrars’ or trainees – these are fully qualified doctors who are receiving specialist training before becoming a GP or consultant. They are commonly referred to as ‘junior’ doctors.
Nurses
Practice nurses – registered nurses who have undergone specific training in managing long term conditions (like CKD), immunisations, women’s health, and wound care. They often run clinics of their own.
Advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs) and advanced clinical practitioners (ACPs) – these are nurses (or other health professionals) who have undergone further specific training, and can assess, diagnose and treat patients. In primary care, they often manage minor illness, but they can also prescribe and see acutely unwell patients.
They are sometimes involved in chronic disease (e.g. diabetes, heart failure) management. A similar role to this is an Emergency Nurse Practitioner (nurses who can independently treat patients in A&E).
Midwives -usually based at the hospital, but there is also a community team who ‘work out of’ your surgery but are not employed by them (its complicated!). Midwives are there to support and monitor you throughout your pregnancy. You book appointments with them through the surgery.
District nurses (DNs) – nurses who manage healthcare within the community. They lead teams of community nurses and healthcare assistants (HCAs; also called support workers). Like midwives, they ‘work out of’ your GP practice but are not employed by them (again, it’s complicated!).
They do many things, including dressing leg ulcers, and will do post operation wound checks if you can’t get to your GP to see a practice nurse. You book appointments with them through the surgery.
Health visitors – registered nurses/midwives who have additional training in community public health nursing. They are responsible for children aged 0-5 years, and visit you in your home when you have had a baby. Like district nurses and midwives, they ‘work out of’ your GP practice but are not employed by them. You book appointments with them through the surgery.
Other health professionals
Physician associates (PAs) – (formerly known as Physician Assistants) – support doctors in the diagnosis and assessment of patients. You might come across them if you attend your surgery with a minor illness. They are similar to ACPs.
Clinical pharmacists – work alongside doctors in the surgery providing medication management. They often do medication reviews, especially in patients with a complex medical history or older patients. They also provide chronic disease management. Pharmacists play a vital role in supporting the NHS – did you know you can book an appointment with them directly if you have queries about your medication?
Physiotherapists – often known as ‘First Point Physios’. These healthcare professionals assess and manage patients with suspected musculoskeletal conditions. You can book an appointment with a physiotherapist directly through the GP receptionist. They can refer you on for imaging/scans if needed, and follow you up – or refer you for a course of physiotherapy.
Paramedics – some practices have paramedics working in them. They will see and manage acute minor illness. They often also go on home visits on behalf of the GP to patients’ homes if they are housebound.
Lifestyle coaches – some practices now have lifestyle coaches based within the practice, providing valuable support for patients trying to lose weight.
Practice manager – in charge of running the practice. They ensure services are provided as appropriate and manage the business side of things. General practices are run like small businesses – in most cases (senior/partner) doctors own or rent their premises and are responsible for employing and paying staff.
Practice managers are a good point of contact if you have any complaints about your surgery. Emailing the practice is often a good way to get hold of them.
Some (usually larger) practices have an IT manager as well.
Receptionists – last, but certainly not least! GP receptionists get a bad rap, but they do an extremely difficult job. They signpost patients to the correct services and answer questions.
Please have patience with them – GP receptionists have specialised knowledge and will book you into the most appropriate service. If you feel very unwell, please do ensure you highlight this to them when you call so that they can arrange an urgent appointment.
More about how GPs work can be found here.
Summary
We have explained ‘who works at GP surgery (and what do they do)?’ We hope you understand it more now, and all the options.
