Practice Nurses

Our practice nurses, who are all registered general nurses, are on duty during surgery hours to carry out treatments prescribed by the doctor and to deal with minor injuries and illnesses. They are also involved in the management of our patients with asthma, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and chronic lung disease. Four of our nurses are qualified to perform cervical smears and provide contraceptive advice.

Nurse Practitioners

We have a team of 2 specially trained Nurse clinicians who can see & treat acute illness, as well as manage long term conditions such as asthma, COPD, diabetes, etc. Whilst they work closely with the GPs, they are autonomous practitioners who can review & initiate medication.  They have been specially trained to deal with minor illness.

Healthcare Assistants

We have 2 HCAs who are specially trained in various aspects of care to assist the practice nurses in areas such as phlebotomy (taking blood samples), blood pressure, ECGs and other tests and treatments.

Community Midwives and Health Visitors

Together with the doctor, the community midwife provides care and advice during your pregnancy and the postnatal period. She sees patients by appointment in the surgery or may be contacted by telephoning Watford Hospital 01923 217 361.

Our two health visitors are qualified nurses with midwifery experience who have undergone further training to obtain the Health Visitors Certificate. As advisers on child care, they are notified of the birth of babies and will visit new parents at home to offer support and advice. They play a major part in operating Child Health Surveillance and Immunisation Clinics and will always be pleased to discuss any aspect of family life with the ability to refer to other agencies which may be of help. Contact them on their central number 0300 123 7572.

Community Nurses

The district nurses are in close daily contact with the doctors. They visit, treat and advise patients who are housebound on general care and referral to other agencies.

Clinical Pharmacist

We have a dedicated Clinical Pharmacist who works very closely within our team.

Health and Wellbeing Coach

Health and wellbeing coaches (HWBCs) will predominately use health coaching skills to support people to develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to become active participants in their care so that they can reach their own health and wellbeing goals. They may also provide access to self-management education, peer support and social prescribing.

Health coaches will support people to self-identify existing issues and encourage proactive prevention of new and existing illnesses. This approach is based on using strong communication and negotiation skills and supports personal choice and positive risk taking. They will work alongside people to coach and motivate them through multiple sessions, supporting them to identify their needs, set goals, and help them to implement their personalised health and care plan.

Health and wellbeing coaches will also: Coach and motivate patients through multiple sessions to identify their needs, set goals, and support them to implement their personalised health and care plan. Supporting people to establish and attain goals set by the person based on what is important to them, building on goals that are important to the individual. Provide personalised support to individuals, their families and carers to ensure that they are active participants in their own healthcare; empowering them to take more control in manging their own health and wellbeing, to live independently, and improve their health outcomes

Senior Primary Care Mental Health Nurse

Having a specialist mental health clinician available in primary care can offer more timely triage, assessment and treatment pathways for people experiencing difficulties with their mental health.

The Nurse can also provide brief interventions, clinical and prescribing advice and where appropriate signposting and onward referrals to statutory and non-statutory services.

They will see adults 18 and over and can help with: Anxiety, Depression, Mood disorders, Psychotic disorders, Eating Disorders, Pre referral ADHD screening, Pre referral ASD screening, Perinatal mental health, Drug and alcohol use.

If you are already engaged with a community mental health team you should continue to contact that team.

If you are in crisis you should contact the Single Point of Access on 0800 6444 101

Physician Associate

A PA (physician associate) is ‘a healthcare professional who, while not a doctor, works to the medical model, with the attitudes, skills and knowledge base to deliver holistic care and treatment within the general medical and/or general practice team under defined levels of supervision’.

Podiatrist

What is Podiatry?

A Podiatrist’s primary aim is to improve the mobility, independence and quality of life for their patients. Podiatrists deal with the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of foot and lower limb disorders. Podiatrists work with people of all ages including athletes, children and the elderly.

Treatments ranges from the mechanical correction of gait and posture to more complex surgical techniques. Effective practice requires a strong combination of practical skills and academic ability. They can also assist with cracked heels, painful feet, growths, thickened or discoloured toenails, or any other foot problems.

If you feel you have a condition above that needs an appointment, please speak to the GP for referral. Please note we are not nail cutting service.

MSK Specialist First Contact Physiotherapist (FCP)

First contact physiotherapist FCP Specialist MSK Physiotherapy service:This is an assessment and advice service for those people registered with a GP surgery in Dacorum region, who have a musculoskeletal problem such as:

• Back or neck pain- radiating arm and leg pain in absence of recent change in bowel, bladder and sexual function (Cauda Equina Syndrome)
• Sprains or strains- ankle and shoulder sprain, wrist sprain etc
• Sports injuries- hamstring, quadriceps, Achilles tendon or knee ligament injury
• Joint or muscle pain- shoulder, knee, hip, ankle, elbow, wrist

How do I access the service?

By calling the surgery, reception will triage you and if they feel you should see the FCP they will book the appointment for you.

What if I think I need surgery or to see a hospital Consultant?

The MSK Specialist FCP work very closely with MSK service (Connect Health). This means that if clinically indicated, you will be referred to Connect health who will triage and refer on directly to Orthopaedics or Rheumatology is needed. Your FCP will discuss your options with you and help you reach the decision of what is best for you.