Paramedics are usually associated with emergency care and transferring people to hospital, however, they are now an important part of the multi-professional team at local GP practices.
The training that paramedics have allows them to quickly but thoroughly assess a patient and the situation they are presented with. Combined with their clinical judgement, paramedics can make decisions about the most critical immediate actions that need to be taken or initiate treatment as required.
On a day-to-day basis a paramedic will triage and see patients who need an urgent ‘face to face’ same day appointment or signpost them to a more appropriate service. They also carryout investigations such as blood tests, undertake home visits to those who are housebound and can arrange appropriate patient referrals.
Their background in pre-hospital care means that they are used to working with people with a variety of health conditions – from coughs and minor injuries, to more serious conditions such as asthma and heart attacks.
David Tyler, a trainee advanced clinical practitioner and paramedic in a GP practice in Hampshire said: “I diagnose and treat a variety of health conditions and can also visit patients at home if they are unable to make it into the practice.
“I have been working as a paramedic in a GP practice for the last two years and it is a job I really enjoy. My training to help patients in an emergency along with experience working in the community really helps in my role in a GP practice as I can quickly assess the needs of each patient and can quickly decide on what care is needed.
“Working in primary care has given me the opportunity to start training as an advanced clinical practitioner under the support of a GP. Through undertaking this training, I will be able support our patients not only for urgent on the day care but also for longer term management of a variety of clinical cases.
“GP practices are busier than ever, and doctors are seeing record numbers of patients. Paramedics like me can free up GP time by helping people with less complicated medical needs and by offering home visits during the day.”
In March 2024, NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight launched the ‘It Takes a Team’ public information campaign to highlight the different specialists working within GP practices. The 12-month campaign will throw a spotlight on a different specialist role each month and will feature people working within those roles in our local practices. This month we are focussing on paramedics.
Paramedics working in a GP practice can also:
- assess and triage patients,
- advise patients on general healthcare and promote self-care
- perform specialist health checks and reviews, perform and interpret ECGs, undertake investigatory procedures, and carry out blood tests.
Further information about the campaign and the specialist roles working in our local practices can be found here: It Takes A Team