Recently, staff from a range of roles within GP practices across Dumfries and Galloway kindly took part in a new public campaign.
This initiative aims to raise awareness of the work carried out in local practices and the growing role of the wider multi-disciplinary team (MDT).
In many practices, patients are supported not only by GPs but also by a wide range of skilled professionals. These include Advanced Practitioners, Mental Health Nurses, Practice Pharmacy Teams, Practice Nurses, Physiotherapists and Receptionists. In addition, the Community Treatment and Care (CTAC) service is based within practices, providing essential support including phlebotomy. Some practices also benefit from the involvement of the Scottish Ambulance Service, whose team members provide home visits as part of the urgent care provision.
These teams reflect a broader approach to care, helping to meet the diverse needs of our communities.
As is the case nationally, GP practices in our region operate under contract as independent providers. The current General Medical Services (GMS) contract for General Practice in Scotland, which commissions practices to deliver core medical services within a national framework, sets out the establishment and development of MDTs as a fundamental element.
To help share this message, we are launching a campaign this week featuring a series of posters — both digital and printed — showcasing local staff and the roles they play. We would greatly appreciate your support in promoting these materials through wider community channels.
Community councils may find these resources useful for social media or websites, and they will also be regularly promoted via the NHS Dumfries and Galloway Facebook page, where they can be shared directly.
We are very grateful for your help in supporting this campaign, which aims to improve public understanding of the range of professionals now working within GP practices.
Please find the campaign materials attached. If you have any questions or would like further information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Patients encouraged to ‘meet the team’ through new GP posters
A POSTER campaign is being rolled out across GP practices in the region to highlight the wide range of professionals now working together to support patients.
The colourful posters feature local staff from medical practices, pictured in their roles and explaining briefly what they do. Receptionists, Advanced Practitioners, Mental Health Nurses, Practice Pharmacists, Pharmacy Support Workers, Practice Nurses and Physiotherapists are among those taking part.
Claire Martindale is a Mental Health Nurse and is pictured on one of the posters, and she said: “Patients sometimes don’t realise just how many people are working behind the scenes to support them.
“By showing our faces and explaining what we do, whether that’s through a video online or a poster in the waiting room, we hope people will feel more confident that they’ll be seen by the right person at the right time.
“It’s all about helping people understand that their GP practice is more than just GPs – it’s a whole team working together.”
The aim of the campaign is to help people understand that, under the new GMS Contract, a multi-disciplinary team is often now available in a practice to provide help and support as part of modern primary care. By promoting the different skills within the team, the posters show patients that the right professional is there to meet the right need.
This campaign builds on a series of short films which have already been shared widely on social media. Those videos introduced team members in their own words, offering an insight into their roles and what a typical day might involve. Together, the videos and posters form part of a wider effort to raise awareness about the changes in general practice and to reassure patients about the support available.
The shift to multi-disciplinary working reflects the wider changes brought in through the new GP contract, which aims to ensure patients have quicker access to the most appropriate professional. For example, people with muscle or joint issues may be directed straight to a physiotherapist, while patients with concerns about medication may be supported by a practice pharmacist.
Linda Bunney is Head of Primary Care Services, and she said: “General practice has changed significantly in recent years, and this campaign is a great way to help explain that to the public.
“The new contract has allowed us to build multi-disciplinary teams that bring together a wide range of skills, ensuring patients have access to the most appropriate care.
“We know that people are curious to learn more about these roles, and the posters now take that message directly into waiting rooms and community spaces. We want people to know that their local GP practice is a gateway to a team of professionals, all working together to provide safe, effective and person-centred care.”
The posters will be displayed in GP practices, community venues and online over the coming months, complementing the existing digital campaign. Together, these efforts are designed to improve public understanding, promote confidence in the wider primary care team, and ensure patients feel reassured about the support available whenever they contact their GP practice.
PICTURES
The suite of posters which form the new campaign, including the poster of Mental Health Nurse Claire Martindale:
Links to existing local videos:
‘A day in the life of a GP practice’: https://youtu.be/JvlLIWn3FoI
‘The role of receptionists in general practice’: https://youtu.be/X2oWY_MRgwE
Rod Edgar
Communication and Engagement Manager
Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care
email: rod.edgar@nhs.scot
Direct line number: 01387 241061 (Internal 33061)
mob: 07766602398
