Nurse Practitioners are trained specialist nurses. They have undertaken additional medical education in order to provide advanced nursing care and to prescribe medication. Nurse Practitioners can provide treatment and advice for many problems for which you may have seen a doctor for in the past. Their main areas of expertise are in the management of common illnesses and long term conditions. The nurse practitioners can assess and examine you, make diagnosis and provide advice and treatment including a prescription if required. They can make referrals to hospital doctors or health care professionals and admit patients into hospital when necessary.
There are some limits to their responsibilities, unfortunately they are unable legally to sign a sickness certificate, however they can ask your GP to issue one. The Nurse Practitioners work closely with your GP and liaise frequently about your care.
What can a Nurse Practitioner treat you for?
- Acute chest infection
- Conjunctivitis/sticky discharging eye/Stye
- Cystitis
- Diarrhoea, constipation, piles
- Dizziness, unusual headache
- Earache, swollen glands
- Thrush
- Raised temperature that does not improve after home treatment
- Shingles
- Tonsillitis, cough, sinusitis, sore throat, colds and flu-like symptoms
- Urinary tract infections
- Vomiting
- Wounds or rashes
Nurse Practitioners may also help you with many other problems such as menstrual disorders, unexplained weight loss, breast lumps and depression. Nurse Practitioners can also manage long term conditions such as asthma, eczema and high blood pressure.
