A first contact practitioner (FCP) is an experienced physiotherapist who has the advanced skills necessary to assess, diagnose and recommend appropriate treatment or referral for musculoskeletal (MSK) problems on a patient’s first contact with healthcare services. The FCP will be available on a Wednesday morning and Thursday afternoon.

In general practice, Pharmacist Technicians support pharmacists & GPs to focus on advanced skills by undertaking tasks such as medicines reconciliation on discharge, management of prescription queries and repeat requests.

A social prescriber is a person who works with GP practices to connect patients to non-medical sources of support in their communities. They help patients address their social, emotional and practical needs that affect their health and wellbeing. Social prescribing is a community-based, holistic approach that aims to improve health and wellbeing by removing barriers and reducing pressure on the NHS.

Dawn recently qualified as a Nurse Associate. A nursing associate is a member of the nursing team in England that helps bridge the gap between health and care assistants and registered nurses. Nursing associates work with people of all ages, in a variety of settings in health and social care. The role contributes to the core work of nursing, freeing up registered nurses to focus on more complex clinical care.

A nurse practitioner (NP) provides primary and specialty healthcare. Like a physician, he or she assesses and diagnoses patients, orders laboratory tests, prescribes medications, and manages health conditions. NPs also educate their patients on how to make healthy lifestyle choices. Because some states restrict their duties, what they are allowed to do differs depending on where they practice. Nurse practitioners work in a variety of specialty areas including Acute Care, Gerontology Health, Oncology, Women’s Health, Neonatal Health, Psychiatric and Mental Health, and Pediatric/Child Health. NPs also work in sub-specialties like Cardiovascular, Hematology and Oncology, Neurology, Sports Medicine, and Urology.

The practice manager is involved in managing all of the business aspects of the practice such as making sure that the right systems are in place to provide a high quality of patient care, human resources, finance, patient safety, premises and equipment and information technology. The practice manager supports the GPs and other medical professionals with delivering patient services and also helps to develop extended services to enhance patient care.

Receptionists provide an important link for patients with the practice and are your initial contact point for general enquiries. They can provide basic information on services and results and direct you to the right person depending on your health issue or query. Receptionists make most of the patient appointments with the GPs and nurses. They also perform other important tasks such as issuing repeat prescriptions and dealing with prescription enquiries, dealing with financial claims, dealing with patient records and carrying out searches and practice audits.

A health visitor is a registered nurse who has received training particularly related to babies, children and pregnant women. Their role is to provide families with children under five years old with support and advice around the general aspects of mental, physical and social wellbeing. The health visitor is located at the Phylis Brown Richmond Centre 01214652250 and has holds clinics for anything a new mum may want to discuss.

Teresa carries out a session once a week at Downsfield Medical Centre. Teresa's usual working day is Thursday. If you are under the care of the midwife you should have her contact number should you need to speak to her outside of these hours.