Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANP)
Alison Raistrick (f) – For over 35 years I have enjoyed working for the NHS in a variety of roles both in GP Practices and hospital settings. This has enabled me to gain experience and training in specialties such as Intensive Care, Diabetes Nursing, Walk-In Centres, Primary Care, Midwifery, and Screening Services. My role within the surgery includes assessment of a patient’s health needs, initiating treatment where required e.g. prescribing medication, and arranging investigative procedures such as X-rays, Ultrasound Scans, and blood tests. I can also refer patients for further management e.g. to secondary care when required.
Kelly Armstrong (f) – I have worked for the NHS for over 20 years – initially at the Freeman Hospital in the Intensive Treatment Unit and then at the RVI Cardiology Department and Cardiothoracic Surgery. I have worked for over 10 years in GP Practice and love the work I do. I specialise in respiratory and minor illnesses and injuries and am always happy to help with your problems.
Mark Handyside (m) – I have worked within the NHS for over 22 years. I have predominantly worked within the Emergency Department and Walk-In Centres throughout my career. I have extensive knowledge and experience around patient assessment and management of multiple different illnesses and injuries. I have completed numerous post-graduation courses including those in patient assessment, non medical prescribing and teaching and learning. This means as part of my current role I am able to fully assess patients with multiple different conditions, refer to appropriate specialists when needed and prescribe the most appropriate medications to manage these conditions.
Elizabeth Bryant (f) – I have worked as an advanced nurse practitioner with Birtley Medical Group for over eleven years, and for most of that time, I have focussed my skills on helping people manage long-term conditions such as asthma, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and heart failure. I also assess and treat minor illnesses and injuries. Like all advanced nurse practitioners I have been assessed as competent to diagnose and treat, including to prescribe medication, in a general practice setting, and I use those skills to assist people in balancing between the demands of their health conditions, and the equally essential focus on fulfilling lives. I can refer patients for specialist hospital care, for further investigations, to community nursing and other services. Medication reviews for people who are unable to leave their homes are part of my remit, and I work closely with the community matrons and community nurses where they are involved. I am the clinical lead for the nursing team, and the respiratory lead for the practice, but all the staff in BMG draw on each other’s expertise and skills so that we continue to learn.
Danielle Miller (f) – I have worked in the NHS for 14 years and my background is in Emergency Departments and Urgent Treatment Centres. However I have been in primary care for a few years now. I currently see, treat, and manage a wide range of illnesses, injuries, and health problems, and am constantly updating my knowledge and skills. I am able to refer, prescribe, and investigate if needed, and am here to help.
Practice Nurses
Kate Jafri (f)
Janet Ulph (f)
Fiona Lumsden (f)
Practice Nurses are fully trained in a wide range of skills including immunisations, health promotion, contraception, and management of long-term conditions e.g. advice on diet and lifestyle choices, coronary heart disease, hypertension, asthma, diabetes, smoking cessation, and obesity. Practice Nurses can extend their skills at the Diploma Level and see many patients who previously would have seen the Doctor.
The Nursing Team runs various Nurse-led clinics for diabetes, asthma, coronary heart disease, and COPD as well as providing general nursing services, dressings, removal of sutures, and blood tests.
Nurse Associates
Susan Beaney (f)
Kate Young (f)
Deborah Foster (f) Trainee
The Nurse associates run various Nurse-led clinics for diabetes, asthma, coronary heart disease, and COPD as well as providing general nursing services, dressings, removal of sutures, and blood tests.
Healthcare Assistants
Shirley Ballantine (f)
Tracy Miles (f)
Thomas Charilaou (m)
Christine Peart (f)
Mikaela Gowland (f)
Healthcare Assistants are non-registered Nursing staff who assist in patient care and Practice related duties, as directed by and under the supervision of a Registered Healthcare Professional (including Lead Practice Nurse, and GPs). Healthcare Assistants work collaboratively with the General Practice Team to meet the needs of patients and provide essential task-orientated services like taking blood samples (phlebotomy), processing specimens, sometimes performing ECGs (to measure heart function). They play a crucial role in supporting the Clinical Team.