Additional Roles

Patients visit their GP for a number of reasons, however some of the issues that patients face are caused or made worse by non-medical issues. These may be financial & employment issues, housing issues, social isolation, transportation and mobility issues, depression, anxiety, stress.

Our Social Prescribers work alongside the GP surgeries to help address these underlying issues and support their patients to overcome them. We also aim to support individuals to take greater control of their own health.

What issues can social prescribing help with?

We work with individuals to overcome a variety of issues, we work Holistically and will adopt a “What matters to you” approach, we will ask questions relating to your specific circumstances and may create a personalised support plan with you to support you to overcome these issues.

These things we may be able to help with include:

• Signposting or referring for support and help for information on housing, benefits and financial advice
• Healthy lifestyle advice and physical activity referrals
• Joining and attending social activities and clubs
• Accessing specific long term disability support organisations such as Dementia/Parkinson’s
• Signposting or referring for support Befriending, counselling, bereavement and peer support
• Finding employment, training and volunteering opportunities
• Completing Blue Badge/Taxicard/Dial-a-Ride applications
• Emotional / Low level mental health support
• Accessing statutory services such as adult social care
• Connecting with carers support
• Supporting to access aids and adaptations where applicable

What is Health and Wellbeing Coaching?

Health and wellbeing coaching entails a cooperative relationship between the patient and the coach, employing a holistic approach to enhance their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. The coach offers personalised guidance and support, aiding the patient in identifying their wellness objectives and creating practical plans to accomplish them. By providing valuable insights, motivation, and accountability, the coach empowers the patient to make lasting lifestyle changes for sustained health and wellness. This approach encompasses various facets of wellbeing, including nutrition, exercise, stress management, and self-care, promoting overall development and improving the patient’s quality of life.

Health and Wellbeing Coaching can support with…

• Managing Chronic Conditions: Addressing diabetes, obesity, or hypertension with tailored strategies.
• Enhancing Mental Wellbeing: Coping with stress, anxiety, or depression through supportive approaches.
• Supporting Physical Fitness: Personalised guidance for weight management and achieving fitness goals.
• Achieving Work-Life Balance: Assisting in maintaining harmony between professional and personal life.
• Improving Relationships: Strategies to foster healthier and more fulfilling connections.
• Cultivating Self-Esteem and Awareness: Promoting self-confidence and introspection.
• Fostering Purpose and Fulfillment: Encouraging a sense of direction and satisfaction in life.
• Optimising Wellness: Overall enhancement of wellbeing and quality of life.

Appointment Structure

Up to 6 sessions per patient | Duration: 30-35 Minutes | Conducted via: Telephone or Microsoft Teams

How can I Access This Service?

If you would like one of our Health & Wellbeing coaches to support you with your needs and are registered at one of our PCN GP Practices please self-refer here.

Privacy and Confidentiality : Protecting Your Privacy and Trust

All information shared during coaching sessions will be kept strictly confidential and will only be accessible to authorised personnel involved in your care.

This information will be securely stored and will not be disclosed to anyone outside of the team without your explicit consent, except as required by law or to fulfil our obligations to you. Please note that any information relevant to your health and wellbeing discussed during coaching sessions may be documented in your medical records for continuity of care purposes.

Patient Testimonials

“I found my sessions with Sonia to be extremely helpful. I have osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and am diabetic. I had learned that I need to look after myself better whilst still making myself available to look after my family. I found Sonia an absolute pleasure to talk to. She was professional, knowledgeable, friendly and had a good sense of humour and I would like to thank her for the time invested in me. Thank you Sonia”

“Your sessions taught me about the importance of mindset and determination in achieving goals and I am committed to persisting. I am more mindful of the food I eat and. I am more aware of the importance of exercise”

“You came into my life when I was very much struggling through the day. I had no one to talk to and no one to give me ideas on what to do. As a health and wellbeing coach, you understood that what I needed was someone to talk to and realise that I was not alone in feeling the way that I was feeling. Your calls were of immense comfort and support through the beginnings of a very dark time”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between therapy, counselling, and health and wellbeing coaching?

Therapy typically focuses on diagnosing and treating mental health conditions, often with a trained therapist or psychologist. Counselling offers support for emotional issues, relationship difficulties, and life transitions, usually provided by trained counsellors. Health and wellbeing coaching, on the other hand, is more focused on empowering individuals to make lifestyle changes, achieve goals, and enhance overall wellbeing. Coaching tends to be more forward-looking, goal-oriented, and action-focused compared to therapy and counselling.

What can I expect from the coaching process?

During coaching sessions, you can expect personalised support tailored to your unique needs and goals. We will work together to identify barriers, set achievable objectives, develop actionable plans, and track progress over time. Through a positive psychology approach, we’ll focus on strengths, resilience, and holistic wellbeing to empower you to make lasting changes.

How often are coaching sessions, and how long do they last?

Coaching sessions are typically scheduled on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, depending on your preferences and availability. Each session typically lasts between 30 to 45 minutes, allowing for focused discussions and goal setting.

How are coaching sessions conducted?

Currently, we conduct our coaching sessions via telephone and Microsoft Teams and telephone calls.

What are the fees for the Health and Wellbeing coaching service?

There are no fees for our Health and Wellbeing coaching services! As part of the NHS, these coaching sessions are provided free of charge to support your health and wellbeing goals.

How do I schedule a coaching session?

To schedule a coaching session, contact us via email or ask one of the PCN staff to refer you to our service.

Is the information shared during coaching sessions confidential?

Yes, absolutely. We take your privacy and confidentiality seriously. All information shared during coaching sessions is kept strictly confidential and will not be disclosed to anyone outside of the coaching team without your explicit consent, except as required by law or for continuity of care purposes.

What is a Care Coordinator?

A care coordinator will take an overall look at your healthcare needs – particularly if you are frail or have multiple long-term conditions. They will work with other health and social care professionals on your behalf in order to bring together all your identified care and support needs.

Care coordinators can help patients navigate the health and care system to access the services you need. They can support you with booking appointments, preparing for appointments and with follow up appointments and referrals.

Care coordinators work closely with their Social Prescribing and Health & Wellbeing colleagues, as well as secondary care (hospitals), health, social care and voluntary organisations to make referrals or signpost to information or services to meet your needs.

What is a First Contact Physiotherapist?

First Contact Physiotherapists are experts in muscular and joint conditions who will carefully assess your symptoms, diagnose your condition, and consider any existing medical issues. They will then recommend the right type and level of exercise or refer you for further investigation and services, so you can get moving again.

How to book an appointment?

• Contact your GP practice and ask for a referral to be made for you to the First Contact Physiotherapist.
• Your GP may refer you to one if they feel it is appropriate.
• Any other clinician may also refer you if they feel it is appropriate. 

You may be eligible for an appointment with our FCP for the following problems:

• Post-orthopaedic surgery
• All soft tissue injuries, sprains, strains, or sports injuries
• Arthritis – any joint
• Possible problems with muscles, ligaments, tendons, or bone, e.g., tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, ankle sprains
• Spinal pain including lower back pain, mid-back pain and neck pain.
• Spinal-related pain in arms or legs, including nerve symptoms, e.g., pins and needles or numbness.
• Changes to walking
• Post-orthopaedic surgery

What is a Dietitian?

Registered Dietitians (RDs) are the only qualified health professionals that assess, diagnose, and treat dietary and nutritional problems. Unlike nutritionists, RDs have the expertise to work in clinical settings and are governed by legal and ethical codes to ensure they work to the highest standards. RDs use the most up-to-date evidence alongside personalised guidance and support to help patients manage their own conditions and improve their quality of life through food and lifestyle choices. As well as clinical settings, RDs may also work in education, research, sport, media, government and non-government organisations (1)

You may see a First Contact Dietitian (FCD) for support with the following:

Diabetes

• Prevent the development of diabetes,
• improve diabetes control and reduce long-term health complications
• Support with weight loss where appropriate and improve quality of life

Weight management

• Support to build the knowledge, confidence and skills to achieve health and weight management goals without stigma or fad diets (which lack robust evidence to support their claims)

Gastrointestinal Problems

• Coeliac disease diagnosis or annual review,
• Functional gastrointestinal issues such as irritable bowel syndrome and constipation
• Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
• Provide advice in improving gut health and thus enhance long-term health outcomes

Frailty

• Early intervention to support age-related disease conditions
• Provide nutrition support for the maintenance of weight and muscle mass

Other issues

• High cholesterol
• Hypertension
• PCOS

Who is a Clinical Pharmacist in General practice? 

Clinical Pharmacists are increasingly working as part of general practice teams. They are highly qualified experts in medicines and can help people in a range of ways. This includes carrying out structured medication reviews for patients with ongoing health problems and improving patient safety, outcomes, and value through a person-centred approach.

About Clinical Pharmacists

Clinical pharmacists work as part of the general practice team to improve value and outcomes from medicines and 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 manage the demands on their time.