General Practice During The Pandemic: The Role of the General Practitioner and Practice Team

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

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