Paramedic Practitioners (PPs) in Primary Care are essential, broadening healthcare services through specialised training. Going beyond traditional paramedic roles, they conduct comprehensive assessments, diagnose, and manage diverse medical conditions. Collaborating closely with healthcare professionals, PPs champion a progressive, patient-centric approach, enhancing accessibility and responsiveness to community healthcare needs. 

We also have Advanced Paramedic Practitioners (APPs) in who are highly skilled paramedics and have undergone specialised training and education, allowing them to take on advanced clinical responsibilities beyond traditional paramedic roles. In the primary care setting, APPs are adept at conducting comprehensive assessments, diagnosing and managing a wide range of medical conditions, and prescribing medications. 

The Wandsworth Primary Care Network home visiting service is designed to bring medical care directly to individuals who may face challenges accessing traditional healthcare settings, such as those with mobility issues, chronic illnesses, or the elderly. Typically, a team of healthcare professionals, including advanced paramedic practitioners, nurses, and other allied health professionals, conducts visits to patients in their homes. 

These visits may involve routine check-ups, assessments of medical conditions, medication management, and coordination of care. The aim is to provide personalised and convenient healthcare services tailored to the individual’s needs within the familiar and comfortable environment of their home.

Collaborating closely with qualified psychologists and other healthcare professionals, the assistant psychologist contributes to the assessment and intervention processes for patients experiencing a range of psychological difficulties. They often engage in activities such as conducting initial assessments, administering psychological tests, and delivering therapeutic interventions under supervision. Additionally, they may be involved in psychoeducation initiatives, providing valuable resources and support to patients and their families.

The assistant psychologist’s role within the primary care network is essential in facilitating early identification and intervention for mental health concerns, thereby promoting holistic healthcare and fostering the integration of psychological services into the broader healthcare landscape.

Supports patients and sign posts to various services including non-medical issues such as housing.

The social prescribing service helps people to address the wider, non-medical things that affect their health and wellbeing. We take a ‘person-centred’ approach, focusing on what is most important to you. This could include:

Advice and information services, Peer support groups, Carer’s services, Physical activity sessions, Employment support services, Specific support for long-term health conditions, Hobbies and activities, Social groups, Healthy cooking courses.

Housing issues such as disrepair or homelessness, Financial issues, Feeling lonely or isolated, Accessing education, training or employment, Being more active

How does it help?

Your social prescriber should be able to link you to resources in your community to support you, for example:

How do I access the service?

Any member of practice staff can refer you to the social prescribing service.

What can social prescribers NOT help with?

Mental health support- we are not trained counsellors. Urgent help- we are not a crisis service, Addiction, Medical issues

We can only support those aged 18+

What happens when I am referred?

1. Receive an email with information about the service and confirmation we have got your referral

2. Added to the waiting list- we aim to contact you with an appointment within 3 weeks, but due to high demand we are sometimes unable to do this.

3. Initial appointment- you will be offered an appointment over the phone or in person, where you will have a chance to discuss what you would like to focus on. This appointment can be up to 45 minutes.

The social prescriber can now suggest different options of support, and you can work together to choose which will be part of your plan.

4. Follow-up appointments- you will then be offered up to five 30-minute follow-up appointments.

Links – What is social prescribing? https://youtu.be/O9azfXNcqD8?si=wBBhHTapHXoVNzXc

In an effort to promote to continuously improve our service, we have installed tablets in the surgeries which allow patients to provide feedback on their experiences. Please ask at reception for more details should you wish to provide any feedback.

Paediatric All Together clinics are joint clinics where a GP and a paediatric consultant see patients in a clinic ‘Together’. It is important to note that these clinics are not ‘just’ outreach clinics of paediatricians, but clinics, where we work together in partnership and collaboration. The patients we see in the All Together clinics or whom we discuss at multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meetings are the CYP (children and young people) that are usually seen in acute paediatrics in the hospital. The All Together clinics have proven to upskill GPs and paediatricians, build relationships and trust.

All Together face to face clinics are held monthly at alternating GP  practices (normally during the 4^th Tuesday of every month 2pm-5pm). A rotating GP from one of the PCN’s 6 member practices, and the paediatric consultant will see together CYP between 0-18 years with complex needs. Referrals and investigations will be done by either referring GP or paediatric consultant depending on what is needed.

The bi-monthly MDT meetings are held virtually with GPs from across the PCNs member practices (normally on the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesdays of each month 1pm-2pm). During MDT meetings our clinicians reflect on each case and will provide feedback to the referring GP with recommended actions for their patient.