A joint letter to the patients of Helston’s two doctors surgeries has given an update on the future.

It is after the partners at Helston Medical Centre took on the contract to run the GP service for Meneage Street Surgery patients, after the previous partners handed in their contract as of April 1.

In a letter to patients of both practices, Helston Medical Centre partners have now explained this decision, writing: “We felt this was this will have the least impact on both Helston Medical Centre, our patients, and the patients at Meneage Street Surgery than any alternative option.

“The staff at Meneage Street Surgery have been very supportive and, apart from some new doctors and possibly nurse practitioners, the patients of Meneage Street Surgery would see familiar faces.”

What does this mean for the patients at Helston Medical Centre?

The letter explains that during the recruitment process for additional staff at Meneage Street Surgery, the healthcare staff at Helston Medical Centre will also need to provide care for the patients of Meneage Street Surgery. Any potential impact on patients at Helston Medical Centre will be kept to a minimum.

How can patients help?

The partners go on to say that, as well as helping staff through the transition by being patient, they need everyone to know that there are other services available that can be accessed. This could be the 111 service, visiting https://patient.info/health online, seeing a pharmacist or attending a minor injury unit for minor ailments.

The letter explains that there are many different healthcare providers who work in both practices, and summarises who they are before adding that more information about the different roles will be highlighted in future letters.

Health care providers

Health Care Assistants (HCA) not only take bloods but perform general health checks/diabetic foot check/dressings/blood pressure monitoring/ ECG’s/give injections to just name a few.

Practice Nurses provide a wide range of care. They provide all the long-term care for patients with diabetes, asthma and chronic heart disease in terms of follow up and monitoring. Nurses also do the more complicated dressings/ injections/run the sexual health clinic and more.

Advanced Nurse practitioners are experienced nurses with further master qualifications and work in a similar way as a GP; they can also prescribe. They will often run the on-the-day duty clinic.

A mental health practitioner can help with all the mental health needs of patients.

Social prescribers can help with the overall wellness of patients, for example the befriending service, walking groups and money matters.

Paramedic practitioners help with the duty clinic and visiting service. Some will also have additional qualifications and can prescribe as well.

Clinical Pharmacists help with any medication query or changes.

A first contact physiotherapist currently provides remote physiotherapy advice and soon there will be an in-house physiotherapist as well.

General practitioners (doctors) deal with anything medical.

The letter concludes: “Apart from the above staff we have a lot of other staff helping where needed, to improve our patient care, like our reception team, service coordinators, secretaries, prescription clerks, office manager and personal assistants to our managers and practice managers.

“This means that from the moment you phone or do an online consultation this is looked at by our team and directed to the best person to deal with your question which can be any of the above-mentioned clinicians – or your question might be better dealt with by our support staff.

“To make this transition a success, we need your patience, support and help. Thank you for your ongoing support.”