Information, advice and treatment options for stroke and associated medical conditions.
Advice about medication and repeat prescriptions
Referral to specialist hospital or community care services
Referral to other agencies such as social work, out patients, voluntary organisations
Advice about access to local NHS services
Health screening, advice about lifestyle to reduce risk of stroke
Coordination with other health services
Health checks for long term conditions and enabling patients to manage their long term condition in partnership with medical and other care workers.
Arrange respite care so carer can have a break
Reports for benefits, housing needs etc.
Nurse practitioners are becoming more common in larger practices. They have additional training and responsibilities.
Assisting the GP with minor surgical procedures
Immunisations such as flu jabs
Advice and support for patients and carers
Health screening for example weight checks.
Health promotion for example help to stop smoking
Nurse led clinics for diabetics, asthma or long term conditions
Issue of some prescriptions for certain medicines, disposable items and equipment
Some blood tests
Routine procedures such as wound dressings, blood pressure monitoring
Working and coordinating services with other health professionals
District or community nurses mainly visit patients at home. They can be assisted by care assistants who may visit to assist with tasks which need two workers. Their role includes:
Support at home for the patient and carer
Treatments such as wound dressings, injections, health monitoring
Practical advice on aspects of health care at home such as diet, lifestyle, what medication is for
Arranging equipment such as commodes, beds, hoists
Arranging for disposable items such as incontinence pads
Support for patient and carer after hospital discharge
Assist in coordinating care needs and ensuring equality of health care for vulnerable people
Support for frail elderly and their carers to live healthy lives at home for as long as possible
Advice on moving and handling at home
End of life or palliative care for people who have a terminal illness
Role of the Health Visitor:
Prevention of illness
Health education and promotion of healthy lifestyle
Support for patient and carer
Promotion of health by group work , alcohol awareness for example
Allied Health Professionals
Some larger practices now have access to:
Physiotherapy
Occupational Therapy
Dietetics
Speech and Language Therapy
Pharmacy
Chiropody/Podiatry
In smaller practices these allied health professionals may be linked to the local community hospital or health clinic by direct referral from your GP or Nurse Practitioner.
Some AHP’s offer community rehabilitation for stroke patients following discharge home. For more information see topic 2 The Hospital team – Intermediate care.
Administration and support staff Practice Manager
in charge of the day to day organisation and management of the practice
Training staff from administration and clerical areas
Coordinates between the practice and local health authority