Clinical Pharmacist
Clinical Pharmacists can manage a number of health conditions within their competencies, e.g. long term condition reviews and medication reviews. They can deal with any drug supply issues and medicines management within the PCN.
Clinical Pharmacist appointments are also available at weekends at certain practices within the PCN.
Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy Technicians provide support to the Clinical Pharmacist team, by conducting medicine audits, medicine reconciliation, managing prescriptions, counselling patients on medicines and supporting their structured medication reviews.
Mental Health Practitioner
The Mental Health Practitioner bridges the gap between Primary and Secondary Mental Health Services by providing high quality mental health care in Primary care settings. They are able to see patients aged 18 years old and over.
Care Coordinator
The care coordinator works as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) within the practices to identify people in need of proactive support. A key part of the role is in the care homes MDT: improving the continuity of care by acting as a point of contact for residents, families and professionals.
First Contact Physiotherapist
Physiotherapists are available for first consultations at the GP practice.
Around one in five people book to see their GP when they experience bone, joint or muscle problems, when they could actually be safely and effectively seen by a physiotherapist at the first point of contact.
First Contact Physiotherapists have expertise in the assessment and management of bone, joint and muscle problems. They assess patients, diagnose their condition, give advice on how best to manage the problem and if needed refer for investigations or to other specialist services.
If you have bone, joint and muscle problems, please contact your GP practice and ask for an appointment with one of our First Contact Physiotherapists. Due to the COVID 19 pandemic currently the service is open for telephone and video assessments with the option for face to face assessments if needed.
Health & Wellbeing Coach
Health and Wellbeing Coaching is a service offered to help create lasting change to improve a person’s well-being and overall health. Coaching will provide safe, non-judgemental space giving patients knowledge, skills and confidence to manage their long-term conditions. Your coach will work alongside you to discover what your health and wellbeing goals are.
First Contact Dietitian
Dietitian appointments are now available for first consultations at the GP practices across North Wolverhampton PCN. This service is open for telephone, video or face to face appointments.
Dietitians are qualified and regulated health professionals that assess, diagnose and treat dietary and nutritional problems at an individual and wider public-health level. They use the most up-to-date public health and scientific research on food, health and disease which they translate into practical guidance to enable people to make appropriate lifestyle and food choices.
The aim of this service is to work together with each individual to achieve personalised dietary goals relating to a range of different health conditions; for example, weight management, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure or irritable bowel syndrome etc. Please contact your GP practice if you think you would like an appointment with the dietitian.
Nursing Associate
Nursing Associates enables registered nurses to provide care. Their responsibilities include supporting and supervising Trainee Nursing Associates, performing and recording clinical observations, supporting wound care management, promoting health and wellbeing to patients, advising and signposting patients, and maintaining health records.
Trainee Nursing Associate
Trainee Nursing Associates are able to deliver care while under the supervision of a Nursing Associate or a registered nurse. They develop their own clinical competence and perform and record clinical observations.
Physician Associate
Physician Associates manage undiagnosed cases by history taking, physical examinations and clinical decision making to establish a working diagnosis and management plan. Although they currently do not have prescribing rights, they can prepare prescriptions for GPs to sign.
General Practice Assistant
The General Practice Assistant (GPA) is able to arrange clinical support by completing referrals, tests, follow-ups, simple clinical observations and explaining procedures to patients. They also provide administrative support through letters and completing forms.
Social Prescribing Link Workers
Black Country ICB in collaboration with Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council have launched a Social Prescribing service:
Social Prescribing is a non-medical approach to improving your health and wellbeing by putting you in touch with voluntary and community organisations in the City.
There is a wide range of organisations offering a variety of services and activities such as:
- Community gardening
- Cooking clubs
- Debt advice
- Walking groups
- Gym classes
- Friendship groups
- Arts and crafts
- Training and volunteering opportunities
Social prescribing is not designed to replace medical support but getting involved with groups and activities for things that you are interested in can lead to better mental and physical health. It aims to:
- help improve the quality of life of patients through education and low level support
- enable patients to develop friendships and networks
- raise patients’ awareness of available services.
Your GP teams or community nursing teams are amongst the people who can refer you to the Social Prescribing service. If you are referred you will be contacted by a Link Worker who will meet with you at a place you feel comfortable and will explain the service in more detail to you and talk about your needs.
Together with the Link Worker you can agree a way forward to access the support or information you need.