When people contact a GP surgery, they often assume they need to see a doctor.
However, modern healthcare is delivered by a large team of healthcare professionals working together to ensure patients receive the most appropriate care for their needs.
At Horizon Healthcare, supporting more than 29,000 patients across Derby requires a wide range of services and healthcare professionals working together to provide safe, effective and accessible care.
Modern General Practice Is a Team Effort
General practice has changed significantly over recent years.
While GPs continue to play a vital role in diagnosing and managing complex health conditions, many other healthcare professionals now provide specialist support for specific healthcare needs.
This means patients may not always need a GP appointment to receive the care, treatment or advice they require.
Instead, patients are directed to the most appropriate service, clinician or healthcare professional based on the reason for their contact.
How Does Horizon Healthcare Decide Who I Need to See?
Patients can contact Horizon Healthcare in a variety of ways, including by telephone, online services, and automated telephone services.
When a patient contacts the practice, our Patient Coordinators use guidance and pathways developed by our GP Partners to understand the reason for contact and determine the most appropriate next step.
Depending on the issue, this may involve:
- An appointment within our Urgent Care Clinic
- An appointment with a nurse or healthcare assistant
- Support from a clinical pharmacist
- Referral to a First Contact Physiotherapist
- Support from our mental health practitioner
- Assistance from a care coordinator or social prescriber
- Signposting to another NHS or community service
- Support from our Drug & Alcohol Team
- Support from our Health & Wellbeing Support Services
Our aim is to ensure patients receive the right care, from the right service, at the right time.
Our Urgent Care Clinic
Patients with urgent, same day medical problems may be offered an appointment within our Urgent Care Clinic.
The Urgent Care Clinic is designed to assess and manage acute healthcare problems that require same-day attention.
This allows urgent issues to be assessed promptly while helping ensure other services remain available for patients with different healthcare needs.
Why Can’t I Choose Which Professional I See?
One of the most common questions patients ask is why they cannot always choose which clinician or professional group they see.
Healthcare professionals have different skills, qualifications and areas of expertise.
Just as patients attending hospital services are usually directed to the most appropriate specialist team, patients contacting Horizon Healthcare are directed to the service best suited to their healthcare needs.
This approach helps ensure patients receive appropriate care as quickly as possible while making the best use of available healthcare expertise and resources.
Different Professionals, Different Expertise
Horizon Healthcare works with a wide range of healthcare professionals, each bringing different skills and expertise.
Clinical Pharmacists
Clinical pharmacists are experts in medicines and prescribing.
They can help with:
- Medication reviews
- Medication monitoring
- Side effects and medication concerns
- Long-term condition management
- Repeat prescription queries
Nurses and Healthcare Assistants
Our nursing team supports a wide range of healthcare services, including:
- Cervical screening (smear tests)
- Vaccinations and immunisations
- Long-term condition reviews
- Wound care and dressings
- Health checks
- Blood pressure monitoring
- Blood tests
First Contact Physiotherapists
Patients with muscle, joint, back or neck problems may be directed to a physiotherapist who can assess, diagnose and advise on many musculoskeletal conditions without the need for a GP appointment.
Mental Health Practitioners
Patients experiencing mental health difficulties may benefit from support from a mental health practitioner who can provide specialist assessment, support and guidance.
Social Prescribers and Care Coordinators
Not every health concern requires medical treatment.
Social Prescribers and Care Coordinators help patients access practical support, community services and other resources that may improve their health and wellbeing.
Working Together for Better Patient Care
Providing healthcare for more than 29,000 patients requires a large multidisciplinary team.
At Horizon Healthcare, our GPs, nurses, pharmacists, urgent care clinicians, mental health practitioners, physiotherapists, care coordinators, social prescribers and support teams work together to ensure patients receive appropriate care and support.
By directing patients to the most appropriate professional, we can improve access, reduce delays and help patients receive the care they need more quickly.
Supporting Patient Choice and Access
We understand that every patient is different and that many patients prefer to see a particular clinician where possible.
However, for many healthcare needs, being assessed by the most appropriate available professional often results in faster access to care and ensures patients receive support from someone with the most relevant expertise.
Our focus is always on providing safe, effective and accessible healthcare for our patients.