Who Does What at the Surgery?

What they do:

• Doctors help diagnose illnesses, give treatment, and prescribe medicine.
• They look at your symptoms, ask questions, and decide what care you need.
• They can refer you to a specialist or hospital if needed.

You might see a doctor for:

• New or changing symptoms
• Feeling very unwell
• Long-term health problems (like asthma or diabetes)
• Mental health concerns
• Needing a sick note or medical advice

What they do:

• Pharmacists prepare and give out medicines.
• They check that your medicine is safe and explain how to take it.
• They can also give health advice and help with minor illnesses.

You might speak to a pharmacist for:

• Help with things like coughs, colds, or sore throats
• Collecting your prescription
• Asking questions about your medicine

What they do:

• Assess and treat minor injuries and illness
• Prescribe medications and treatments
• Carry out clinical examinations
• Refer patients to other services if needed

You might speak to a ECP for:

• Minor infections or injuries like sort throats, ear infections, urinary tract infections, sprains, cuts, minor burns

What they do:

• Diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions
• Prescribe medications
• Order and interpret tests
• Refer patients to specialists or hospital services

You might speak to a ANP for:

• Long-term conditions like asthma or diabetes
• Women’s health issues like contraception, menopause symptoms
• Mental health concerns
• Medication reviews and health checks
• New or changing symptoms

Nurses

What they do:

• Nurses help with treatments, check-ups, and health advice.
• They often manage long-term conditions and give vaccines or injections.
• They also help with wound care and screening tests.

You might see a nurse for:

• Health advice and support
• Blood pressure checks
• Diabetes or asthma reviews
• Cervical smears
• Travel vaccines
• Dressing wounds

What they do:

• HCAs support doctors and nurses.
• They do basic health checks and help with tests.
• They don’t give medical advice or diagnose problems.

You might see an HCA for:

• Supporting you during appointments
• Blood tests
• Checking your height, weight, and blood pressure
• ECGs (heart checks)
• Helping with health reviews

What they do:

• Care Coordinators help organise your care, especially if you have long-term health problems.
• They make sure you get the right support from different services.

You might hear from a care coordinator if:

• You’re coming home from hospital and need follow-up care
• You need help managing several health conditions
• You need support from social care or community services

What they do:

• Receptionists / Care Navigators are the first people you speak to at the surgery.
• They help you book appointments, answer questions, and guide you to the right person.

You might speak to reception for:

• Finding out who to speak to for help
• Booking or changing an appointment
• Asking about opening times

What they do:

• Medical secretaries help with letters, referrals, and reports.
• They make sure your doctor’s notes and requests go to the right place.

You might be helped by a medical secretary if:

• You’re waiting for paperwork from your GP
• You’re being referred to a hospital or specialist
• You need a letter for work, school, or travel

What they do:

• This team puts important health information into your medical record.
• They make sure your notes are accurate and up to date.

You might not speak to them directly, but they help by:

• Making sure your health history is correct
• Recording test results
• Updating your contact details

What they do:

• This team helps manage repeat prescriptions and recalls (when you’re due for a check-up).
• They make sure your medicine is up to date and safe.

You might hear from this team if:

• There’s a change to your regular prescription
• You need a medicine review
• You’re due for a health check (like asthma or diabetes)