Who Should I See?

To address the growing demand for healthcare services, we now offer appointments with a range of healthcare professionals, including GPs, nurses, clinical pharmacists, and physiotherapists. When booking an appointment, our Patient Services Team may ask about what you need help with. This will help them determine how soon you should be seen and select the most appropriate healthcare professional to assist you.

Clinical Pharmacist
Our clinical pharmacist, Alison Evans, works alongside the GPs at the practice to improve value and outcomes from medicines and consult with and treat patients directly. She carries out structured medication reviews for patients with long-term conditions, addressing medication-related queries, providing advice for those on multiple medicines, and supports patients who have been prescribed new medications.
She plays a key role in promoting safer prescribing practices and helping patients understand how to take their medications correctly. If you have questions about your medications or need assistance with managing them, please mention this when booking your appointment.

First Contact Physiotherapist
We now have an experienced physiotherapist, Adam, working in the practice every Tuesday as the first point of contact for all musculoskeletal (MSK) problems. This means you do not need to see a GP first; you can request to see Adam directly without a referral if you have a MSK issue.
Adam can undertake a specialist assessment, provide appropriate advice, and establish a management plan that is appropriate for you. If further treatment is necessary, he can refer you to services such as physiotherapy, rheumatology, pain management, or orthopaedics. Additionally, if clinically indicated, he can refer you for X-rays, blood tests, ultrasound scans, nerve conduction studies, or MRI scans.

Our reception team is specially trained to identify patients who should see Adam. If you are comfortable sharing that your issue relates to a muscle, bone, nerve, or joint when booking, they will arrange an appointment for you. Alternatively, you can contact Sussex MSK Partnership for muscular and joint problems. This service includes options for self referral and self care for these conditions.

Social Prescriber
Our social prescriber, Helen Arbuthnot, works closely with the practice to improve the well-being of those aged 50+. Helen can advise on a range of services, support, and activities available in the local area. Social prescribing is particularly beneficial for patients who have one or more long-term conditions, need support with low-level mental health issues, feel lonely or isolated, or have complex social needs that affect their well-being.

If you think that you or someone close to you would benefit from Helen’s help or support, please speak to your GP or any member of the practice about being referred

What can the Social Presciber help patients with?

• • finding social activities and opportunities to meet new people
  • improving mood through wellbeing activities and exercise
  • support with bereavement or emotional challenges
  • in-person and telephone befriending services
  • planning for the future
  • assistance with home care and safety assessments
  • community transport options and maintaining independence
  • help with filling in forms
  • advice on housing problems, financial support and benefits advice
  • access to other specialist services

District Nurses
District Nurses provide treatments in patients’ homes following discharge from hospital, poor health, problems getting around or a long-term condition. Referrals to this service are made by GPs.
District Nurses carry out many roles for housebound and older patients, including:

• general nursing procedures and investigations
• post-surgery care
• assessment of patients’ needs
• care for terminally ill patients
• looking after wounds and leg ulcers
• working with patients to enable them to care for themselves or with family members teaching them how to give care to their relatives.

Self Referrals
You can access many free NHS health and wellbeing services directly without the need to seeing a doctor first. Click here to find services where you can self-refer.

• alcohol or drug abuse
• counselling
• MSK
• stop smoking advice
• weight management

Antenatal Care & Maternity Services
Community Midwives are available to provide antenatal and postnatal care. They can be contacted at Grove House in Crowborough on 01892 654080. If you have found out you are pregnant you can complete an online self referral form: Maternity Self Referral – East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (esht.nhs.uk)

Health Visitors
Health Visitors aim to promote good health in people of all ages, but take a special interest in expectant mothers and families with children under five years of age, they also carry out routine development checks and run baby clinics. The Health Visitor Service for Groombridge & Hartfield Surgery can be contacted at Grove House in Crowborough on 01892 669393.