Get in the know about using your GP practice

Health leaders in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) are urging local people to ‘Get in the Know’ and find out about how their GP practice can best support their healthcare needs.

The latest part of the ‘Get in the Know’ campaign, which launches today, aims to support people to get the right care as quickly as possible, by enabling them to better understand the range of services available at their GP practice. The www.GetInTheKnow.co.uk  website has a useful hub of information about how people can effectively use local GP practices, including details of the wide mix of health professionals who work together to look after people’s health and wellbeing, convenient online services and appointment options, and other top tips.

Dr Nil Sanganee, Chief Medical Officer for the Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland Integrated Care Board, said: “It’s important for people to know that their healthcare needs can be managed in many ways by their GP practice to give them the right care for their medical issue. With improvements in technology, more routine tasks are now manageable online and there are alternatives to face-to-face appointments, all of which can be more convenient and what’s best for many people. We encourage patients where possible to sign up for online services and make use of alternative consultation options, to get what they need as quickly as possible.”

GP practice teams are made up of a wide mix of specialist health professionals that are available to treat and manage a range of physical and mental healthcare needs, so it may not always be a GP that patients need. There will be a different combination of roles at each practice, which might include clinical pharmacists, social prescribers and paramedics. Each patient will always initially discuss their symptoms or needs with a member of the specially trained reception team or care coordinators who will help to get patients the most appropriate care. This could be in the form of a telephone, online, video or face-to-face appointment with the most suitable member of the team.

Dr Sanganee continues, “It is important that you do tell the receptionist or care coordinator at your practice why you need an appointment so they can make it with the most appropriate member of the practice team and using the right type of consultation for your particular health problem. They have been trained to do this and it means they are doing their job correctly.”

In addition to helping patients get support from their GP practice, the ‘Get in the Know’ website and campaign provides a wealth of information about local healthcare services available across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, including how to get help for common minor ailments and mental health concerns and what to do when it’s urgent.