What is the MDT?
MDT stands for Multi-Disciplinary Team. Medicine is evolving rapidly and in primary care we are able to do more than ever before. This is largely because the team has expended to include a variety of experienced specialist AHPs (Allied Health Professionals). These AHPs are experts in their discipline (a discipline is an area of medical practice) and have undergone extensive training to allow them to safely and effectively manage many clinical problems. We now have a large clinical team made up of members representing many disciplines, but it’s less of a mouthful to say we have an MDT!
Dr Rachel Fraser is a General Practitioner and Partner at Largs Medical Group. Largs Medical Practice have had access to an expanded multidisciplinary team over the past year which includes a GP Pharmacist and an Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist.
“Our expanding multidisciplinary teams have helped to support the work that we do as GP’s and bring more expertise into the practice. This has opened up the choices available to our patients when seeking healthcare advice.”
This service is currently available to many practices throughout Ayrshire and will continue to be rolled out. If you would like to access a Mental Health Practitioner, speak to your receptionist who will be able to signpost you if this is an option within your practice.
Over the three year implementation, practices will have access to a Mental Health Practitioner who can work with patients, providing assessment of possible mental health issues or concerns at a practice level.
Because we now have new clinicians on the team who are able to manage many problems, the role of your GP has changed from managing your everyday health needs, to focusing on complex cases and co-ordinating the primary care clinical team. By allowing each member of the team to practice in their area of expertise and at the peak of their range of skills, we can make sure you can always get the right care when and where you need it from the person best suited to provide that care.
Over the three year implementation, practices will have access to an Advanced Muscoskeletal Physiotherapist, like Dean pictured here working as the first point of contact for patients to assess and treat pain that affects the muscles, ligaments, tendons and bones.
Dean has been integral to the new way of operating and he says the model has been a huge benefit to the patients and staff in the practice. Patient feedback stories have highlighted the positive outcomes on their treatment and recovery as a result of accessing the Physiotherapist through the GP Practice. This service is currently available to many practices throughout Ayrshire and will continue to be rolled out. If you have a muscle or joint complaint, speak to your receptionist who will be able to signpost you to the Physiotherapist if this is an option within your practice.
There are many clinical roles across a variety of physical and mental health conditions, however some are more common than others. We have provided a little information on these common roles for you here and more information can be found on the NHS Ayrshire and Arran website.
Over the three year implementation, practices will have access to a Community Link Worker/Connector like Tracey (pictured below), who works with patients to support them with their health and wellbeing and to access wider groups or services in the community, providing guidance on a range of issues such as money or housing worries. Patient feedback stories have highlighted the positive outcomes of having access to a Community Link Worker/Connector through the GP Practice.
This service is currently available to many practices throughout Ayrshire and will continue to be rolled out. If you would like to access a Community Link Worker/Connector speak to your receptionist who will be able to signpost you if this is an option within your practice.
If you have any queries or concerns about the changes then you can contact the Primary Care Transformation Team at: aa-uhb.pctransformationteam@nhs.net
