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Meet the Team

Guide to Primary Care

Guide to Primary Care

Modern general practice is delivered by a mixed portfolio of healthcare professionals supporting the doctors. With the development of Primary Care Networks (PCNs), the team will expand further to include clinicians such as mental health practitioners and physiotherapists in the future.

Here is a guide to some types of clinician who you might encounter at The Corner Surgery.  Further information can be found at the Southport and Formby PCN website.

GP principals (partners)

Dr Mulla and Dr Smith are also partners in the practice.  This means they are owners of the business that is contracted to provide General Medical Services under contract to the NHS.  As well as seeing patients, the partners have to make time to look after the management and administration of the practice.

Sessional GPs

These GPs are permanent or locum members of the clinical team but do not have their own list of registered patients.

Doctors in training (junior doctors)

Medical graduates enter the medical workforce as ‘junior doctors’ on a two year work-based training
programme.  This is known as the ‘foundation programme’ and it is the first level of clinical training for qualified doctors that bridges the gap between medical school and specialty training.

The foundation programme is carried out in hospitals and the two years are often referred to as ‘FY1’ (foundation year one) or ‘FY2’ (foundation year two) by medical staff.  FY2 doctors complete a four-month rotation in general practice and work under the supervision of our experienced GPs.

Completion of the foundation programme allows doctors to apply for further study and training in a specialised area of medicine, such as general practice.

Typically, the speciality trainee (ST) doctors who work at the surgery are in their first or second year of their three-year qualification to become a GP, and are known as either 'GPST1' or 'GPST2' doctors respectively. 

Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs)

ANPs are registered nurses who have done extra training and academic qualifications to be able to examine, assess, make diagnoses, treat, prescribe and make referrals for patients.

Practice nurses

General practice nurses are a vital part of our primary healthcare team.  Our practice nurses will be involved in almost every aspect of patient care and treatment, undertaking such tasks as:

  • Helping people manage long term conditions such as diabetes, asthma and COPD
  • Health screening, e.g. cervical smears
  • Running vaccination programmes
  • Administering child immunisations.

The role allows nurses to develop long term relationships with individuals and families, managing their conditions and improving physical/ mental health and wellbeing.

Watch a short video produced by NHS called 'A Day in The Life of a Practice Nurse'

Health Care Assistants (HCAs)

The role of HCA is evolving in the NHS workforce but they have long been a central part of the healthcare team at The Corner Surgery.  Supplementing and supporting the work of the practice nurses, they carry out a wide range of tasks, such as:

  • Phlebotomy (blood tests) and other diagnostic tests
  • Administering some vaccinations and injections
  • Conducting reviews for people with long term conditions such as high blood pressure
  • The provision of lifestyle advice.

Watch a short video produced by the NHS called 'A Day in The Life of a Health Care Assistant'

Clinical pharmacists

Clinical pharmacists work as part of the general practice team to improve value and outcomes from medicines, and to consult with and treat patients directly.  This includes providing extra help to manage long-term conditions, advice for those on multiple medicines and better access to health checks. The role is pivotal to improving the quality of care and ensuring patient safety.

Having clinical pharmacists in GP practices means that GPs can focus their skills where they are most needed; for example on diagnosing and treating patients with more complex conditions.  This helps GPs to better manage the demands on their time. 

Social Prescribing Link Workers

Social Prescribing Link Workers help people to focus on their social, emotional, and physical wellbeing.  They give people time to focus on what matters to them, helping to connect them with local groups and services for a range of practical and emotional support.  This could include physical activities and social groups, volunteering and gardening, or even debt and housing advice.


Our Team