BOOKING
Why they ask questions
NHS.uk says your surgery may ask what you need help with, to decide how soon you need to be seen and which doctor, nurse or health professional is most suitable.
Meet the teamAN INDEPENDENT GUIDE TO THE GP TEAM
Not always
the doctor.
A GP surgery is a team, not just a GP.
Meet the team
17 ROLESadded since 2019
The NHS says surgeries can offer appointments with a GP, nurse, clinical pharmacist or physiotherapist, depending on your situation. This independent guide explains who those people are, using NHS England's own descriptions.
At a glance
- Asked what you need
- Matched to a professional
- Face to face, phone or online
- How the wider GP team works
17 roles
Roles funded through the scheme
The Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme, introduced in England in 2019, lets primary care networks claim back salaries for 17 roles in the multidisciplinary team.
NEW ROLES · NHS ENGLAND
6–12 contacts
Typical contacts with one person
Social prescribing link workers typically work with someone over six to 12 contacts across a three-month period, with a caseload of up to 250 people.
LINK WORKERS · NHS ENGLAND
TWO NUMBERS WORTH KNOWING
A wider team,
by design.
One number for the new roles,
one for how link workers spend their time.
NHS England's Long Term Plan set a starting goal of 1,000 new social prescribing link workers by 2020/21, so everyone could reach social prescribing through their GP practice.
MEET THE TEAM
Who is
who?
Pick a role from the wider GP team to see what NHS England says it does. The bar shows how much the role involves medicines.
Descriptions from NHS England's guide to multidisciplinary roles in general practice. General information only, not medical advice.
THE SHORT ANSWER
The right person,
not always a GP.
Surgeries may ask what you need help with.
That helps them choose who sees you.
General information only, not medical advice. For advice about your own health, speak to a doctor, pharmacist or other qualified health professional.
CLINICAL ROLES
Pharmacists, physios, paramedics
Since 2019 a national scheme has helped primary care networks employ 17 additional roles, from clinical pharmacists to first contact physiotherapists.
See the numbers
COMMUNITY
Help beyond medicine
Social prescribing link workers connect people to community groups and services for practical, social and emotional support.
Read more
FOUR THINGS WORTH KNOWING
How the surgery
sorts requests.
These are facts from NHS pages about how GP surgeries in England work. They are not a guide to what you personally need.
Several ways to book
NHS.uk lists the NHS App or website, the surgery's online form, phoning, or speaking to the receptionist in person.
Evenings and Saturdays
Appointments with a healthcare professional are available on weekday evenings from 6.30pm to 8pm and Saturdays from 9am to 5pm, sometimes at another local surgery.
Fit notes beyond doctors
NHS.uk says fit notes can come from doctors, nurses, pharmacists at GP surgeries, hospitals and clinics, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
Not registered?
You can call any GP surgery for emergency treatment for up to 14 days if you are not registered or are away from home.
SOCIAL PRESCRIBING
When the answer
is a choir.
NHS England describes social prescribing as connecting people to activities, groups and services in their community to meet the practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing.
It says the approach works particularly well for people with long-term conditions, low-level mental health needs, loneliness or isolation, or complex social needs.
Questions
Questions people ask
Why didn't I get an appointment with a GP?
NHS.uk says surgeries can offer appointments with a range of professionals, including a GP, nurse, clinical pharmacist or physiotherapist, depending on your situation.
Why does the receptionist ask what it's about?
NHS.uk says it helps the surgery decide how soon you need to be seen and choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or health professional.
What is a first contact physiotherapist?
NHS England describes them as autonomous practitioners who can assess, diagnose, treat and manage musculoskeletal problems, and patients may be able to see them directly.
Who else can give me a fit note?
According to NHS.uk, doctors, nurses, pharmacists at GP surgeries, hospitals and clinics, physiotherapists and occupational therapists can provide fit notes.
Is this site part of the NHS?
No. It is an independent informational guide that quotes NHS.uk and NHS England pages. For your own care, contact your GP surgery, a pharmacy or NHS 111.
Sources
Where the facts come from
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