ANPs are highly qualified clinicians who have undergone significant education and training and come with vast clinical skills.

The role commands specific expert knowledge base and clinical competences to be able to make complex clinical decisions with patients presenting with a variety of illnesses.

They provide acute and urgent care to patients presenting to GP practice requiring on the day/urgent assessment.

ANPS will be the first point of contact for patients and can be directed from the reception team through straightforward signposting processes. Patients do not require to be seen by GPs before seeing the ANP.

The valuable role of ANPs acts to compliment, but not replace the role of the GPs. GP’s remain the most appropriate clinician to manage complex, undifferentiated illness.

Our urgent care practitioners can assess, diagnose, prescribe and manage a number of conditions within primary care:

Some examples of conditions they can assess are: skin issues, chest infections, exacerbation of asthma, abdominal pain, urinary tract infections, sore throats, back pain & headaches

They can refer patients to FVRH to be seen acutely by the medical / surgical/paediatric teams and organise referrals to specialists to be seen in outpatient clinics

Refer patients to the appropriate specialist if there is any suspicion of cancer via the Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer.

Order blood tests, x-rays and scans

ANPs can issue patients with a sick line (fit note) if required. 

They do not provide chronic disease management reviews such as Asthma Review, Diabetes. Fully qualified ANPs alongside the GP practice are involved in the training of trainee ANPs throughout FV. You may be seen and assessed by a trainee.

The Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner (APP) based within this Practice provides a first contact service for patients aged 16 and over with any musculoskeletal (MSK) problem. Patients do not need to be seen by a doctor first and can make an appointment directly with the APP via Reception at the Practice. The APP Service does have a limited capacity making it unable to see all patients with MSK problems so you may still be offered an appointment with your GP or Practice Nurse.

An APP works independently to assess and diagnose MSK problems and will form personalised management plans to address appropriate patient goals. An APP will liaise with other colleagues within the practice when necessary.

The APP can request further investigations such as diagnostic imaging and bloods to aid diagnosis when appropriate. They can refer to secondary care services e.g., Orthopaedics, Neurology, Rheumatology, Pain Management, if required. Those patients who require more involved input for their MSK condition will be referred to the core MSK Physiotherapy Service, as they would if seen by any other member of the Practice team.

Most APPs are trained in injection therapy. A growing number are also independent prescribers. All APPs can issue fit notes, but only for MSK conditions they have assessed.

To make an appointment please contact Reception and ask for an APP appointment.

In this Practice, the APP is available on: Tuesdays and Fridays

Are you struggling with issues that affect your mental health? You can arrange an appointment with the Practice Primary Care Mental Health Nurse (PCMHN).

About PCMHN Service:

We aim to provide an environment in your GP practice for the exploration of issues which may be affecting your mental health. We can then work together to help you find ways to improve your health and wellbeing with a focus on self-help outside appointments with your nurse. This service is available for individuals aged 12 and over in our surgery. 

We are able to provide advice and treatment in regards to: 

Anxiety and Stress—Education and guidance about ways to manage symptoms associated with anxiety and stress.

Low mood and depression—Lifestyle advice to aid issues with mood and self-help strategies you can explore and develop. We are also able to provide information and access to online resources including online and text based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

Trauma –Self-help advice regarding management of symptoms related to trauma.

Relationships—Advice about how to access relationship counselling if you identify aspects of a relationship you would like aid in addressing.

Autism and ADHD - The nurse is not able to assess or diagnose cases of Autism or ADHD but can assist with self-help strategies to help manage symptoms as well as discussing appropriateness of referral to other services.

We can consider medication options if this is indicated and appropriate(for individuals aged 18+ only).

Referral Criteria: 

You can make an appointment with the PCMHN via reception at your GP surgery-this is a self referral service. Other healthcare professionals in the practice may also suggest you have an appointment with the PCMHN and arrange this for you following review.

Please note- If you are engaged in treatment with another service, such as counsellor, psychologist, community mental health team or Consultant psychiatrist the PCMHN is likely to suggest that ongoing care and treatment is provided via that service.

Out of Hours/Crisis Contact Numbers: 

NHS24 - 111

Breathing  Space 0800 83 85 87 (6pm - 2am Monday - Thursday & 6pm - 6am Friday - Monday)

Sane Line – 0845 767 8000 6pm - 11pm 7 days a week

Samaritans 1216 123 (24 hours, 365 days) - Email jo@samaritans.org  SHOUT: Text Support, free to use – Text “Shout” to 85258