Our new document, General Practice During The Pandemic: The Role of the General Practitioner and Practice Team, looks at how practice teams are adapting to the Covid-19 challenge and some of the future implications of this period of rapid change. It also contains guidance on a number of areas, including:
Emergency/urgent care
- Diagnosis and management of patients presenting with acute illness.
- Risk assessing and triaging these presentations into those suitable for advice only, prescription, further investigation, referral for specialist advice or acute hospital referral.
- Referring cases of suspected cancer to specialist services in accordance with revised 2 week wait pathways.
Long-term conditions (LTCs)
- Diagnosis and management of many LTCs in general practice.
- Referral for secondary care for the diagnosis and/or initial management with referral back to GP for the long-term management.
- Referral to secondary care for the diagnosis and/or initial management and then ongoing joint management of the patient.
- Referral to secondary care for the diagnosis and ongoing management of patients.
Prevention and health promotion
- This includes vaccinations, immunisations, lifestyle modification (diet, exercise, smoking and alcohol).
End of life care
- Increasing numbers of patients with end stage disease or malignancy or choosing to die in the community with the GP being part of the multi-disciplinary team supporting them and their families through this event.
Patient and local community advocacy
- Identifying and referring vulnerable individuals, especially where there may be a safeguarding concern.
- Understanding the local communities being served.
- Providing holistic care, for example assistance with benefits.
- Linking with voluntary organisations.
- Providing patient support forums within the practice.
- Contribute to community cohesion.
Last updated : 07 Sep 2020