A number of GP practices in the Causeway locality have expanded their team to include multi-disciplinary teams. MDTs consists of Physiotherapists, mental health practitioners, social workers & social work assistants, who work in GP practices alongside the existing practice teams to provide enhanced access to health and social care services within the GP practice. Patients registered with the practice can book an appointment with any of these professionals without seeing the GP first.
MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONER, our mental health practitioner is Louise Connolly. Louise works with the practice on a Tuesday and a Friday. The mental health practitioner will work with you to help improve your mental health and wellbeing through early intervention, prevention and management of mental health issues, using a range of approaches to achieve this. Good mental health is just as important as good physical health. One in four people in Northern Ireland will experience problems that negatively affect their mental health. while the things which affect your mental health can be very complex, often a few simple things may be all you need to protect your mental wellbeing.
PHYSIOTHERAPISTS, we now have a first contact physiotherapy practitioner available that you can book a direct appointment without seeing your GP first. Our physiotherapist is Colin Brennan, Colin works with the practice on a Monday and Tuesday. Physiotherapists are experts in dealing with problems with your joints, muscles and bones such as arthritis, sprains, neck and back pain. Our physiotherapist has advanced training and will be able to diagnose your condition, order tests and prescribe if required and advise on the best management. They can organise further treatment or onward referral to appropriate services.
SOCIAL WORKER, our social worker is Elaine Twaddle. Elaine works with the practice on a Tuesday & Friday. Social workers can discuss any problems a person has and explore what is important to them. Social workers will provide practical advice, help and support in order to address these problems. Social workers can refer people onto groups or services within their local community which can support their needs. Social workers see to improve a person's social wellbeing by promoting their independence, supporting people's social inclusion and helping people to feel safe and well and feel in control of their own lives. Social Workers can support people through:
- isolation or loneliness
- relationship difficulties
- provide carer support
- parenting difficulties
- housing difficulties
- financial difficulties
- stress
- bereavement
- traumatic life events and abuse
- domestic abuse
- alcohol, drug and substance abuse
PHARMACIST, our practice pharmacist is Susannah Weir who works as part of our team by supporting our patients on all aspects of prescribing and management of their medicines, helping us ensure that our patients get the best from their medicines.
The practice pharmacist regularly undertakes medication reviews, updates medicines following your discharge from hospital, advises patients on their medications and reviews patients on warfarin or other anti-coagulant drugs.
PLEASE ASK A MEMBER OF OUR RECEPTION TEAM FOR FURTHER INFOMRATION