A doctor who does not specialise in a specific branch of medicine but provides ongoing treatment and preventative care in the community for a variety of medical problems that may be experienced by individuals of all ages
Roles of GPs
Caring for people who are unwell, including carrying out simple surgical procedures
Providing preventative care and health education for service users
Preventative care
Care and education that aims to ensure people remain healthy, and are aware of factors that can lead to illness and poor health. It includes screening and vaccination programmes.
GPs may refer people to hospital specialists (consultants) or other care professionals for further assessment and treatment such as X-rays or blood tests, or to social workers for social care support
Consultant
A senior, hospital-based doctor who specialises in a particular field of medicine and manages complex cases
Examples of consultant specialities
Cardiologists
Psychiatrists
Oncologists
Paediatricians
Geriatricians
Nurse practitioner
Provides expert consultancy service to patients and their carers. They contribute to the management and development of the care provision. They also undertake research and contribute to the education and training of other members of staff.
Types of nurses
Adult nurses
Mental health nurses
Children's/paediatric nurses
Learning disability nurses
District nurses
Neonatal nurses
Role of adult nurses
Work with adults of all ages, who may have a wide range of physical health conditions
May be based in hospitals, clinics or GP practices, or work for specialist organisations such as the armed forces
Often plan individual care, carry out healthcare procedures and treatments and evaluate their effectiveness
Work to promote good health by running clinics and health education programmes on topics such as giving up smoking or weight loss
Role of mental health nurses
Work in a range of settings including psychiatric units in hospitals, community healthcare centres, day care settings, residential homes and prisons
Estimate that each year one in four people in the UK will experience mental health problems
Most people who experience mental health problems are cared for in the community, not in hospitals
Role of children's/paediatric nurses
Work with children with a very wide range of conditions
Work closely with the child's parents or carers to ensure care meets their social, cultural and family needs, as well as addressing their health issues
May work in hospitals but also support children at home
Role of learning disability nurses
Work mainly with individuals with learning disabilities living in the community rather than in hospitals
Support people in schools and workplaces, people living at home with their families and people who live in specialist residential settings
Aim to work with people with learning disabilities and their carers to maintain the person's physical and mental health, provide specialist healthcare and support them to live as fulfilling and independent a life as possible
Role of district nurses
Care for people of all ages, supporting them in their own homes or in residential homes
Work closely with family members and other carers
Assess the patient's needs and also the care and support needs of their 'informal' carers
Most commonly care for older people, people with disabilities and people recently discharged from hospital
Role of neonatal nurses
Work with newbornbabies, including babies who are born prematurely
Work in specialist hospital settings and in the community
Work very closely with the baby's parents and activelyencourage them to take a practical role in their child's care
Healthcare assistants
Work alongside qualified nurses, but may also work with midwives in maternity services
Duties of healthcare assistants
Taking and recording a patient's temperature and pulse
Weighing patients, and recording the result
Taking patients to the toilet
Making beds
Washing and dressing patients
Serving meals and assisting with feeding when necessary
Role of social workers
Provide help and support for people of all ages through difficult times in their lives
Aim to ensure that the most vulnerable people are safeguarded from harm and to help people live independent lives
Support children, people with disabilities, people with mental health problems and the frail elderly
Areas of social work specialisation
Adult services
Children and young people's services
Role of adult social services
Include services for older people, adults with disabilities, people with mental health problems and people who have learning difficulties
Support people living independently and those in residential care
Work very closely with the service users' families and carers
Role of children and young people's social services
Provide support for children and their families
Play a key role in ensuring that children are safe and protected from abuse
If children are at risk from harm, social workers take measures to ensure that the children are removed to a safe place, which may include removing them from their home and family