About a paramedic or emergency care practitioner
Paramedics or emergency care practitioners (ECPs), are employed by some GP practices to support patient care. With nursing and paramedic training, they are qualified to handle most everyday health issues.
Their role:
- Manage routine/urgent appointments
- Conduct telephone triage
- Perform home visits
- Assess and treat patients
- Provide self-management advice
- Carry out specialist checks, procedures, blood tests
- Supporting GP practices
- Care for less complex cases
- Offer home visit capacity
- Provide urgent care expertise
- Allow GPs to focus on complex cases
Prescribing
Some paramedics can prescribe medication after additional training. Otherwise, they consult GPs for prescriptions.
Accessing their services
Contact your GP practice. They will direct you to the appropriate professional, which may include a paramedic, based on your needs. Home visits are usually for housebound patients.