Here at Riverside Surgery we are extremely lucky enough to have allied health care professionals who some of you may have already met. Nicola is an Advanced Clinical practitioner.  The information below explains her role within the practice.

Clinical Practitioners are trained specialist nurses and paramedics who are have completed or are currently undertaking additional masters level education in order to provide advanced medical care. Nicola has already completed additional training which allows them to prescribe medications. Advanced Clinical Practitioners can provide treatment and advice for many problems for which you may have seen a doctor for in the past. Their main areas of expertise are in the management of common illnesses and long-term condition, joint injections and womens health. 

Appointments: Same day Clinical Practitioner appointments are available every day for common illnesses. The Clinical Practitioner can assess and examine you, make a diagnosis and provide advice and treatment including a prescription if required. They can make referrals to hospital doctors or other health care professionals and admit patients into hospital when necessary.Unfortunately, they are unable legally to sign a sick certificate, but they will be able to arrange for one to be picked up within 24-48 hours of seeing them. They work closely with your GP and liaise frequently with them about your care.

Routine appointments: Clinical Practitioners also manage many long-term conditions such as asthma, skin problems, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, raised cholesterol levels, diabetes, epilepsy and respiratory disease. Patients with a long-term condition are either seen annually or at their medication review appointment. All patients who receive repeat prescriptions for any medicine will need to discuss their ongoing medication requirement with the surgery’s specific prescribing team.

There are also many other problems that the Clinical Practitioners are able to help you with.  For example, menstrual disorders, unexplained weight loss, breast lumps, sexual health advice, depression.

Patients with complex and long-standing medical problems are also managed by the Clinical Practitioners and they  are able to assess the situation and, in some cases, will organise initial blood tests and other investigations prior to arranging a follow up with the approriate clinician, be that in the surgery on hospital. We hope that you will find this new service will complement and improve the care you already receive, but please be assured that a doctor’s appointment will always be available should there be absolute clinical need and for second opinion and advise as required by the Clinical Practitioner.