Nurse Practitioners

Appointments – Telephone 01983 817200

Every time you telephone for an appointment, the Receptionist will ask about your symptoms. If you find it difficult to explain your symptoms over the phone or in Reception you have the right not to tell the Receptionist, however, it may mean that you are not appointed in the most appropriate clinic for you.

The Receptionist will see if the symptoms or condition you describe come within the list of conditions and symptoms that qualify for the Minor Illness Service. If they do, you will be booked with the one of the NP’s. If they don’t, the Receptionist will book you an alternative appointment or contact a GP.

You will generally be seen much quicker by the Minor Illness Service than by a GP

Most COLDS, COUGHS and SORE THROATS are viral infections and ANTIBIOTICS DO NOT work. For most people their own immune system will be able to fight the infection and regain the body’s health. By fighting the infection your immune system builds up antibodies against the virus and can use these later in your life if you come up against the same virus, thereby strengthening your immune response and resilience to future infections.

This website has very useful information on a wide variety of conditions: www.patient.co.uk

You will see one of our specially trained NURSE PRACTITIONERS (NP).

An NP is a registered nurse who has done extra training and gained a qualification that enables them to make a full physical assessment of a patient, order and interpret tests, diagnose problems and decide on and arrange treatment without consulting a doctor. All of our NPs have received additional training in dealing with what we call “Minor Illness”.

This does not mean that you’re not ill and it doesn’t mean that we think your symptoms are unimportant. It means that you have something wrong that can probably be managed well by either of our NPs. If the NP feels that the condition you present with requires advice from the GP, they will either discuss your case with one of the GPs or ensure you are seen quickly by a GP.

Every patient seen by the Minor Illness Service will be treated properly and appropriately for their illness. By using this service, you release an appointment for a GP to see someone who may have very complex needs.

Please note that our Minor Illness Service is currently only available for patients 5 years and older. There are plans in the near future to expand the team and also to expand the service for children under 5 years old too.