What is a General Practice Assistant? What do they do?
The GPA role was introduced in 2018 to safely deliver a combination of routine administrative tasks and some basic clinical duties in the general practice setting. Their focus is on supporting General Practitioners in their day-to-day management of patients, specifically aimed at reducing the administrative burden, making best use of consultations and supporting those particularly vulnerable to isolation who are regular attenders at the practice.
Key Information
Scope of Practice
GPAs are trained to undertake routine administration and basic clinical duties, which may include:
- Sorting and prioritising clinical post.
- Dealing with routine clinical post directly e.g. DNA letters, 2WW etc.
- Extracting information from clinical letters that requires coding.
- Completing basic (non-opinion) forms for the GP to approve and sign such as insurance forms, mortgage forms e.g. ESA113 etc.
- Preparing patients prior to going in to see the GP, e.g. taking a brief history and observations in readiness for the appointment.
- Arranging appointments, referrals and follow up appointments of patients.
- Clinical observations, urinalysis, ECGs & phlebotomy.
- Explaining treatment procedures to patients including arranging follow up. Devon Training Hub – GP Assistant Project Phase 3 – August 2022.
- Helping the GP liaise with outside agencies, e.g. contacting an on-call doctor by phone to ask advice or arrange admission while the GP can continue with their consultation(s).
Training Requirements
More information coming soon.
Funding
More information coming soon.
Supervision Requirements
Monthly, with a registered nurse, senior clinician/professional including advanced practitioner, GP
Learning & Development
More information coming soon.
Devon Training Hub Offers
More information coming soon.
