General Practice Assistants (GPAs) support GPs and other healthcare professionals by carrying out a range of administrative and basic clinical tasks.
Depending on your surgery, you may have access to a General Practice Assistant. They may carry out routine observations and tests, such as blood pressure checks, urine testing, ECGs, and preliminary assessments for patients with diabetes or respiratory conditions before they see a clinician.
By undertaking these tasks, GPAs help to ensure that appointments are used as effectively as possible, allowing GPs and other healthcare professionals to spend more time with patients who have more complex clinical needs.
General Practice Assistants work closely with the wider practice team to help ensure your care is coordinated, efficient, and focused on your individual needs. Their responsibilities may vary between surgeries, depending on the needs of the local patient population and practice team.