Do I Need to See the Doctor Or the Nurse Practitioner

care professionals, and admit patients into Routine Appointments Do I need to see a Doctor hospital when necessary. or the Nurse Practitioner? Nurse Practitioners also manage many Unfortunately, they are unable legally to long term conditions such as asthma, sign a sick certificate, so you will need to eczema, high blood pressure, coronary Jayne McArthur has been see a doctor GP for this. heart disease, raised cholesterol levels, appointed to the Practice as an diabetes, epilepsy and respiratory disease. Advanced Nurse Practitioner. They work closely with the doctors at the Patients with a long term condition are This leaflet explains Jayne’s role surgery and liaise frequently with them either seen annually or at their medication within the practice. about your care. review appointment. All patients who receive repeat prescriptions for any medicine need to see their GP or Nurse Nurse Practitioners are trained specialist Same Day Appointments Practitioner either once or twice a year to nurses who have undertaken additional have their prescription reviewed. education in order to provide advanced Rashes nursing care and prescribing. Acute back pain, joint sprains There are also many other problems that Nurse Practitioners can provide treatment Shingles the Nurse Practitioners are able to help you and advice for many problems for which Oral thrush with. For example, menstrual disorders, you may have seen a doctor for in the past. Acute chest infection unexplained weight loss, breast lumps, Their role combines advanced nursing Dizziness, giddiness, unusual headache sexual health advice, change of skills with clinical, diagnostic and treatment Conjunctivitis, sticky discharging eye, sty contraception pill or method, depression. skills. Diarrhoea, constipation, piles Vomiting Some patients, often those with complex Appointments Urinary tract infections, cystitis and long-standing medical problems, may Vaginal thrush, need an appointment with a doctor. The Same day Nurse Practitioner appointments Tonsillitis, earache, cough, swollen glands, Nurse Practitioner is usually able to assess are available every weekday for common sinusitis, sore throat, colds and flu-like the situation and in some cases will illnesses. Routine appointments are also illnesses, raised temperature that show no organise initial blood tests and other available if you prefer to book in advance. improvement after one week of investigations prior to arranging a follow up pharmacists’ advice and home treatment. appointment with your GP. The Nurse Practitioner can assess and NB. a cough may persist for up to three or examine you, make a diagnosis and four weeks after other cold/flu symptoms We hope that you will find this new service provide advice and treatment including a have gone. will complement and improve the care you prescription if required. They can make - and more already receive. referrals to hospital doctors or other health