There are lots of different people who work in your GP surgery, not just GPs. Each person has special skills and a different job to help look after your health.
When you contact the surgery, the first person you speak to may ask what you need help with. This is so they can make sure you get an appointment with the right healthcare professional for you. Sometimes, the best person to help you might not be a GP.
Each GP surgery chooses its team based on what people in the local area need. This means your surgery may have some, but not all, of the roles listed here.
Across Norfolk and Suffolk, GP surgeries work together in groups to bring in more healthcare professionals to support patients. These team members help make sure you are seen by the most appropriate person for your health needs.
Learn more about the different healthcare professionals who may be part of your GP team and how they can help you below.
Advanced Practitioners
Advanced Practitioners are specially trained healthcare professionals who help people when they are not sure what is wrong. They can talk to you about your symptoms, find out what the problem could be, and decide the best way to help you feel better.
Depending on what you need, an Advanced Practitioner might be a Physiotherapist, Dietitian, Podiatrist, Occupational Therapist, Paramedic, Clinical Pharmacist, or Nurse. Each one has different skills to help with different health problems.
Care Coordinators
Care Coordinators help make sure you get the right care at the right time. They work with you to understand what you need and help you connect with the right people and services.
They make things easier by guiding you through the health and care system, and give you helpful information so you feel ready and confident when you talk to doctors or other healthcare professionals.
Care Navigators/Reception Team
Reception staff are trained Care Navigators and are an important part of the GP practice team. Their job is to ask helpful questions so they can book you an appointment with the right person as quickly as possible.
Anything you tell a Care Navigator is kept private. They listen to your needs, help choose the right type of appointment, and make sure you see the best healthcare professional to help you.
Clinical Pharmacists
Clinical Pharmacists work in GP practices and are experts in medicines. They check that your medicines are working well for you and listen to how they make you feel.
If needed, they can change your prescription to help you feel better.
Clinical Pharmacists can also talk to you about long-term health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or arthritis. They give advice about medicines, including possible side effects, and support you throughout your treatment.
Dietitians
Dietitians help people make healthy choices about food and drink. They give clear, practical advice to help you feel well, manage symptoms, and stay healthy.
Dietitians can support people with conditions like diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and coeliac disease by helping them understand what foods are best for them.
Health and Wellbeing Coaches
Health and Wellbeing Coaches help coach and support you to look after your health. They work with you to set goals that help you feel better and stay well.
They can also tell you about helpful information, activities, and groups that can give you extra support.
First Contact Physiotherapist
First Contact Physiotherapists are muscle and joint specialists who work in GP practices. They help find out what is causing problems with your muscles, bones, or joints, and give advice on how to treat them.
If needed, they can also help you see another specialist for extra care.
General Practice Assistant
A General Practice Assistant (GPA) supports patients by helping GP surgeries run smoothly and making sure people get the care they need. They book appointments, arrange tests and referrals, and make sure follow-up care is organised.
GPAs may carry out simple health checks, such as taking blood pressure or blood samples, to help prepare patients before they see the GP. They also explain treatments, complete straightforward forms for the GP to sign, and make sure important information is added to patient records. By supporting both patients and GPs, GPAs help save time and improve access to care.
General Practice Nurses
General Practice Nurses are important members of the GP team who help care for you at every stage of life.
They give vaccinations and injections to children and adults and help look after long-term conditions like asthma and diabetes.
General Practice Nurses support healthy living too. They can help you make healthier choices, such as stopping smoking or reaching a healthy weight. They can also give advice about family planning and sexual health.
Medical Secretary/General Practice Administrator
A GP administrator or medical secretary helps keep a practice running smoothly by organising appointments, paperwork and day‑to‑day communications for the clinical team.
They handle tasks such as managing diaries, typing correspondence, updating records and responding to patient and staff enquiries. Their work ensures doctors and nurses can focus more time on patient care while the administrative side of the practice stays efficient and well‑coordinated.
They often interact with patients, offering reassurance and support while maintaining accurate information behind the scenes. Overall, they play a vital role in creating a friendly, organised and reliable experience for everyone who uses the practice
Mental Health Practitioners
Mental Health Practitioners work in GP surgeries to help support your mental health. They talk with you to understand how you are feeling and carry out checks to see what help you might need. They can give advice and support to help you manage your mental health and feel better.
These practitioners work closely with GPs, so you can get help for your mental and physical health in one familiar place. They can also help you find other mental health services or local groups if you need extra support.
Nursing Associates
Nursing Associates look after adults and children, including people with learning disabilities and mental health needs.
They can carry out health checks, give advice on staying well, and help with treatments like caring for wounds and taking blood tests.
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Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapists help people who have health problems that make everyday activities harder.
They work with you to make a simple plan to help you do the things you enjoy, like going to school, work, or spending time with others. They help you stay as independent as possible and take part in your community.
Paramedics
Paramedics are trained to check and treat many health problems, from coughs and minor injuries to more serious health issues like heart attacks. They can talk to you on the phone to see how urgent your problem is, order tests, and explain the results.
Paramedics also work closely with GPs and can visit people at home when needed, helping make sure everyone gets the right care at the right time.
Pharmacy Technicians
Pharmacy Technicians work with Clinical Pharmacists to check your medicines. They can show you how to use your medicines properly and give advice about healthy choices and other health questions.
Pharmacy Technicians are trained members of the healthcare team who help make sure your medicines are safe, suitable, and working well for you.
Physician Associates
Physician Associates are trained to find out what might be causing a health problem and can examine you if needed. They can arrange tests, check the results, and explain what they mean in a clear way.
Physician Associates help make sure you get the right follow-up care or treatment to help you feel better.
Podiatrists
Podiatrists work in GP surgeries to help look after your feet, ankles and lower legs. They find and treat problems with these areas and help stop problems from getting worse.
Podiatrists often help people with conditions like diabetes or arthritis, and with muscle or joint problems that affect how you walk.
Social Prescribers
Social Prescribers work in GP practices to help support your health and wellbeing.
They take time to listen and ask what matters most to you. They can help with everyday problems and feelings that may be affecting how you feel.
Social Prescribers know about local groups, activities, and services in the community. They help connect you to the right support so you can make positive changes.