Care Navigation helps patients to find the most appropriate source of help when they call our practice or pop in to make an appointment.
This means that our specially trained reception staff may ask questions about why appointments are required.
You are not obliged to answer the questions they ask, however by doing so we can make sure that those people who really need to see a GP can see them as soon as possible.
Virtually everyone who calls to make an appointment asks to see a GP, but very often help will be available more quickly from other highly skilled medical professionals such as nurse practitioners, nurses, in-house pharmacists, social prescribers, first contact physiotherapists, occupational therapists.
Our trained reception staff will be able to offer you the most appropriate help using the range of information they have access to.
The Pharmacy First scheme is also available and you maybe signposted to this service by the reception staff if you have 1 of the seven common conditions below.
What is Pharmacy First?
Pharmacy First will enable community pharmacists to supply prescription-only medicines, including antibiotics and antivirals where clinically appropriate, to treat seven common health conditions without the need to visit a GP.
What are the seven common conditions?
How can I access treatment from my pharmacy?
You can get treatment for these conditions by walking into the pharmacy or contacting them virtually. GP receptionists, NHS 111 and providers of emergency care will also be able to direct patients to pharmacies, that offer the service, if contacted.
What will happen when I arrive at the pharmacy?
The pharmacist will be able to speak to you privately in a separate consultation room. They may perform an examination or ask to access your medical records. The pharmacist will be able to recommend the best course of action on an individual patient basis, including by issuing prescriptions for antibiotics or antivirals where necessary.
Care Navigation
