Care Navigation

What is Care Navigation?

A tried and tested model to help patients see the right health care professional first time, this may not be the GP.

 

How does it work?

Reception are here to support and guide you to the most appropriate service.  The team will ask you why you need to be seen, with this information, they can navigate you to the right person first time around.

We operate Care Navigation because:

Helps giving faster access to general practice services

Helps patients see the most appropriate clinician, not necessarily a GP, or service to meet their personal needs

By working this way, it helps to free up time for GPs to care for patients with complex or serious health conditions that can only be managed by the GP

More importantly, it means patients are seen by the person or service that is best placed to manage your clinical problem

What other services are available?

  • Practice Nurse
  • Advanced Nurse/Clinical Practitioner
  • Local Pharmacist
  • Health Care Assistant
  • First for Well-Being (IAPT)
  • Phlebotomist
  • Social Prescriber 
  • First Contact Physio
  • Clinical Pharmacist
  • Paramedic
  • Enhanced Access (evening & weekend appointments)
  • LIVI (telephone/video consultation)
  • Self care

Who should I see?

We try to keep our GP appointments for patients with more serious health problems, or for conditions only GPs can deal with.  Before you book an appointment to see a doctor, please consider whether an appointment with another clinician can help as they also deal with a wide range of medical problems.

Our team will help you decide which is the right person for you to see.

Self Care

If you have a cough, cold, headache or other minor ailment try treating yourself at home first.  Please remember that self-care for common conditions can help free up our GPs time, making it easier to get an appointment for when you need it most.

Click here for more information on minor illnesses.

 

Pharmacy

Your local Pharmacist can help too, they are highly trained professionals & can give you confidential health advice for a range of common illnesses. 

Your Pharmacists can also help you decide if you need to see a Doctor or Practice Nurse.

NHS 111

Visit NHS 111 online at Get help for your symptoms - NHS 111.

111 is the free NHS non-emergency number.  You should use this service if you urgently need medical help or advice, but it is not a life-threatening situation.

Call 111 if:

  • You need medical help, but it is not a 999 emergency
  • You think you need to go to A&E or another NHS urgent care service
  • You do not know who to call
  • You need health information or reassurance about what to do next

A&E

A&E is for life-threatening accidents & emergencies only.  Before you attend, ask yourself 'is this a real emergency?'. 

If not, please consider using other local health services before you visit A&E.