GP

Overview

A General Practitioner (GP) is your family doctor and is the main point of contact for general healthcare for NHS patients. All UK residents are entitled to the services of an NHS GP. GPs are highly skilled doctors who support patients throughout their lives.

They manage a patient’s health and prevent illness and are trained in all aspects of general medicine. This includes child health, mental health, adult medicine, the diagnosis and management of acute medical and surgical problems and the management of long-term health conditions such as diabetes and asthma, ophthalmology (eyes), ENT (ear, nose and throat) and dermatology (skin).

Many GPs develop ‘special’ interests in specific disease areas. Some also carry out practical procedures such as minor surgery. GPs assess, diagnose, treat and manage illness. They carry out screening for some cancers and promote general health and wellbeing. GPs act as a patient’s advocate, supporting and representing a patient’s best interests to ensure they receive the best and most appropriate health and/or social care.

GPs provide the link to further health services and work closely with other healthcare colleagues to help develop those services.

GPs are also involved in the education and training of doctors, practice staff and other healthcare professionals. They generally operate their practices as small independent businesses, employ and manage staff and oversee budgets.