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Original poster

Why do I have an appointment with a paramedic?

19 replies

ButteryCup · 17/08/2023 11:22

I requested a drs appointment through my surgery’s online portal, but I’ve been given a 20 minute appointment with a paramedic. I’ve never heard of this before… I think paramedics are incredible and do a wonderful job but is this usual? Will they be able to diagnose or request blood tests, etc?

OP posts:
Rodders92 · 17/08/2023 11:26

They are likely to be a paramedic working as an advanced practitioner so able to diagnose, request blood tests and prescribe medication if it is something not within their scope of practice to deal with there will be a doctor available for them to ask for further advice

PuttingDownRoots · 17/08/2023 11:29

A few years ago DD saw a paramedic... it was for impetigo. Paramedic able to look, say yes impetigo and a doctor signed the prescription off while we waited.

For something like that it made sense! It would make even more sense if I could ring up and just say she had impetigo but I know there had to be drug control.

CurlsLDN · 17/08/2023 11:35

this is a thing at our gp now, I’m not sure why but there is a paramedic working in the surgery every day and they are included in the general appointment scheduling.

I booked an appointment for a skin thing (a does this look cancerish type thing) and he took a look but kindly said he couldn’t help, he could deal with injuries, cuts or sudden rashes, that kind of skin thing, but not a slow developing type of thing, so he told me to go to reception and ask to see a gp and they put me in same day.

I didn’t mind at all, glad there are staff available and happy for them to be experts in some areas over others, but it must be a waste of their time when they are booked to see things they can’t deal with

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Original poster
ButteryCup · 17/08/2023 11:37

Thanks both. I’d definitely understand more if I was going in with impetigo or shingles, something that is easily diagnosed to the trained eye.
But I’m going in with some quite random symptoms so I was just wondering if a dr would be a better port of call.

Absolutely do not mean for this to be disparaging towards paramedics though, I’m just worried about what’s going on with me and want it sorted

OP posts:
Original poster
ButteryCup · 17/08/2023 11:39

CurlsLDN · 17/08/2023 11:35

this is a thing at our gp now, I’m not sure why but there is a paramedic working in the surgery every day and they are included in the general appointment scheduling.

I booked an appointment for a skin thing (a does this look cancerish type thing) and he took a look but kindly said he couldn’t help, he could deal with injuries, cuts or sudden rashes, that kind of skin thing, but not a slow developing type of thing, so he told me to go to reception and ask to see a gp and they put me in same day.

I didn’t mind at all, glad there are staff available and happy for them to be experts in some areas over others, but it must be a waste of their time when they are booked to see things they can’t deal with

Hmm, I’m wondering why the receptionist booked me in with them then? I wasn’t shy in telling them my symptoms.

OP posts:
LurkingMenace · 17/08/2023 11:49

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Original poster
ButteryCup · 17/08/2023 12:03

Oh how ridiculous @LurkingMenace
I’m sorry things aren’t getting sorted for you, it’s so worrying when the help you need isn’t being offered.
My gp surgery has always been pretty good and seemed to get face to face appointments up & going quite quickly compared to some places. But I don’t understand me seeing a paramedic with the symptoms I’ve got… surely they’re just for accident & emergency, not for investigation?

Im guessing a blood test will be the first thing they’ll want to do though so as long as they can authorise that then at least it’s something 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:
LurkingMenace · 17/08/2023 12:05

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unsync · 17/08/2023 12:19

Are you rural?

Coffeeandcrocs · 17/08/2023 12:23

DH is an advanced paramedic practitioner. He can prescribe, take bloods etc he usually works at urgent treatment centres or emergency care centres ( UTCs within an A&E department). Advanced paramedic practitioners are different from 'just' paramedics, there's a lot of training which goes into it.

That being said, he's leaving to go and do postgraduate entry medicine!

Olika · 17/08/2023 12:25

They have started these paramedic appointments at our surgery and am still confused of it.

TeamsInterview · 17/08/2023 12:27

We have the same at our surgery and the one I saw was fantastic, much more thorough than the gp.

FunnyCradock · 17/08/2023 12:30

It’s simple:
ACP or ANP = cheaper to employ than a GP.
Can diagnose & prescribe.

The ACP at my old surgery documented that I had bi-polar. I don’t. That was the quickest way to get to see a GP (partner no less) - advising the practice manager that incorrect information had been included in my records & inappropriately shared with other services. They couldn’t have been more efficient or helpful at that point!!

AnnaMagnani · 17/08/2023 12:32

Lots of GP practices have paramedics now.

It takes work off the GPs who are in short supply and paramedics are keen as lots are unhappy in the ambulance service.

Original poster
ButteryCup · 17/08/2023 12:39

unsync · 17/08/2023 12:19

Are you rural?

Not at all!

OP posts:
Original poster
ButteryCup · 17/08/2023 12:40

FunnyCradock · 17/08/2023 12:30

It’s simple:
ACP or ANP = cheaper to employ than a GP.
Can diagnose & prescribe.

The ACP at my old surgery documented that I had bi-polar. I don’t. That was the quickest way to get to see a GP (partner no less) - advising the practice manager that incorrect information had been included in my records & inappropriately shared with other services. They couldn’t have been more efficient or helpful at that point!!

Well this doesn’t fill me with confidence 🫤

OP posts:
Toiletti · 17/08/2023 12:48

My surgery has done this since COVID. There are no GP appointments now, all appointments with 'clinicians' who are nurses and paramedics. I think it is all to do with costs, and so are the actions they take. I have had to complain on several occasions, and insist on seeing a GP or push for referrals when they just wanted to "forward some links from the NHS website that might help". I realise this may just be my surgery but I have lost all faith in the GP service.

GnomeDePlume · 17/08/2023 12:50

I saw a paramedic at GP practice for a bowel issue. Paramedic examined me then referred me on to the bowel cancer unit for a scope.

The referral was actually made by a GP but the whole 'I think this person should be referred on' was done by the paramedic.

Cornettoninja · 17/08/2023 13:18

I love the paramedic at our surgery.

I think they’re there to take over the bulk of ‘quick’ consults that generally need a simple prescription and to rule out anything that’s potentially complicated/serious. They’re pretty experienced in assessing patients general health so can flag up things for a GP to then check out on perhaps a more urgent basis than you would be able to access a routine GP appointment.

the NHS is absolutely battered but I don’t object to how paramedics or practice nurses are used at our GP surgery.

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