Patients across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire will now be able to see a range of different professionals at their local doctor's surgery.

This follows the government announcement yesterday regarding patients being able to contact their general practice more easily and quickly on the day they call.

Some general practices across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire have already adapted and modernised to meet the healthcare needs of the diverse population by embracing new technology so that patients can either contact their practice online and get a call back or get told where they are in the call queue when they call.

As part of this move to ensure patients get seen more easily and quickly, patients may be surprised to find that it's not only doctors, nurses, and healthcare assistants who they will be able to make appointments with. There's a whole team of professionals including physiotherapists, dietitians, podiatrists, pharmacists, occupational therapists, social prescribing link workers and community paramedics to name but a few.

When calling their doctor's surgery, patients will start to notice that fully trained staff answering their calls may ask patients to describe their reason for calling in more detail to make sure that they are seen by the right professional.

This positive step forward aims to make sure that patients are being seen by the right person at the right time, whilst also preventing conditions from developing or getting worse.

More than 450 staff have been recruited into these new roles in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire since March 2019. They have already made a real impact in general practice and in the community, delivering care to patients by making sure people are seen sooner and by the most appropriate professional.

Medical Director for NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, Dave Briggs said: "We welcome the announcement from the government today (Tuesday 9 May) regarding the plan to make it easier for patients to see or speak to a professional at their doctor's surgery. When you contact your general practice or health centre, you may be offered an appointment with one of the specialist team. It's important that we all know that general practice, being the first point of contact for many of our healthcare needs, is here for us all and a doctor or nurse might not be the only specialist you are now able to see, you may be offered an appointment for a range of specialists who will be able to help you."

Eastwood GP, Dr Paul Scullard said: "The NHS is changing and evolving, and we are now able to offer you additional, specialist services in your community. We want to provide more joined up care, closer to home that's easy to access to see specialists. You should start seeing the new teams in the community and at your general practice."  

Social prescribing Link Worker, Rose Severn, who works across the Mansfield North general practices, said: "I spend time with patients, listening to them about what is practical for them and achievable to help them make improvements on their day to day lives. This can often help them tackle things like anxiety without the need for medications. I then work with patients over a period of weeks and months to support their goals. We can look at things like feeling worried or anxious about money to relationships and work."

For more information about the new plan to make it easier for patients to see their general practice, please click here.

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