Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANP)
ANPs are registered nurses with a prescribing qualification. They are highly experienced and trained medical professionals who undertake comprehensive assessments to diagnose and treat patients of all ages. Their appointments are typically 15 minutes long. This role is evolving in primary care in view of the growing shortage of trained GPs. There is very little that an ANP is not allowed to do according to law; they can independently assess patients, make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment just like a GP. If necessary, ANPs can refer you to see a GP at the Practice. Like a GP, they can also refer you to hospital for specialist treatment, including requesting x-rays and scans. ANPs cannot sign sick notes however they can make arrangements for a GP to sign one for you. They will also carry out home visits to elderly and housebound patients.
Minor Illness Nurse
This is a registered nurse who has undertaken additional training to assess, diagnose and treat patients with acute minor illness or injury. This type of patient often has a same day need, so this role eases the pressure on GP appointments and prevents unnecessary A&E attendance and hospital admission. A minor illness nurse can prescribe and refer to the hospital for specialist care. They cannot sign sick notes however they can make arrangements for a GP to sign one for you. They will refer you to see the GP if they feel this is necessary.
Triage Nurse
A triage nurse assesses the medical needs of patients over the telephone to advise of the best course of action. This is normally offered to patients who requests same day access, and where the Practice has no routine available capacity to offer a same day appointment. Not all telephone triage appointments result in seeing the doctor but they can arrange this if needed. We do not currently employ a Triage Nurse at Maybush but may do in the future.
Practice Nurse
A Practice Nurse provides care, treatment and education to patients of all ages. This is usually for patients with long term conditions, i.e. asthma, diabetes, hypertension etc. They also provide a full vaccination and immunisation programme. The Practice Nurse is trained in cytology so will perform smear tests on ladies aged 25 to 65.
Health Care Assistant (HCA)
HCAs are a vital part of the nursing team. The focus of their supporting role is to help patients manage their health problems, improve their quality of life and free up other health care professional for more specialist work. They are suitably trained and supervised to observe and monitor patients’ by taking temperatures, bloods, pulse, respirations and weight, assists with clinical duties and minor ops, and provides personal care including the promotion of positive mental and physical health.
Phlebotomist
Phlebotomists are trained to take blood samples which are sent to the hospital every day for testing. The last appointment for a blood test is 3:00pm to ensure that this makes the collection service. Patients should contact reception approximately 1 week after their appointment to get the details of their results. Occasionally the results might indicate that you need a routine appointment to see a healthcare professional. Please do not be alarmed about this; this is perfectly normal. These appointments are seldom considered urgent, and therefore patients might have to wait up to a couple of weeks before been seen.