Audiologist
Audiologists will test hearing and fit hearing aids, if necessary. If your relative seems to have difficulties in hearing, ask the GP to refer them to the nearest NHS hearing centre.
Hearing tests and equipment is free on the NHS and should be regularly checked.
Chiropodist
Chiropodists, also sometimes known as podiatrists, treat a wide variety of abnormalities and conditions of the foot and lower limb, from verrucas and ingrown toenails to arthritis.
Chiropodists work with people of all ages, but also play an important role in helping older people and disabled people, to stay mobile and independent. Chiropody is available on the NHS free of charge in most areas of the UK, but you will need a referral from your GP, practice nurse or health visitor. If free NHS treatment is not available in your area, your GP can still refer you to a local clinic for private treatment but you will have to pay.
Clinical psychologist
Clinical psychologists are healthcare professionals who specialise in the assessment and treatment of mental health conditions. They often work in combination with other mental health care professionals as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Community mental health nurse (CMHN)
A community mental health nurse (CMHN), also sometimes known as a community psychiatric nurse, is a registered nurse with specialist training in mental health.
Some CMHNs are attached to GP surgeries or community mental health centres, while others work in psychiatric units.
CMHNs have a wide range of expertise. They can provide counselling, offer advice and support to people with long-term mental health conditions and administer medication.
Some CMHNs specialise in treating certain people such as children, older people, or people with a drug or alcohol addiction.
Dentist
Dentists provide regular check ups to help keep your teeth and gums healthy. In some cases dentists will need to provide treatment to help prevent further problems.
Most dentists provide both NHS and private treatment. The advantage of this is that you can have work that you need to keep your teeth healthy on the NHS, and cosmetic work privately, without having to go to two different dentists.
District nurses
District nurses, sometimes known as community nurses, are qualified nurses who have had extra training in nursing people at home. They may be able to visit on a regular basis to help with more complicated care such as to change dressings or supervise medication and sometimes work with nursing auxiliaries or aides. Visits from the district nurse can be arranged through the GP or contact the district nurse yourself at the surgery or health centre.
Geriatricians
Geriatricians are doctors who specialise in the physical illnesses and disabilities associated with older people.They will offer advice and treatment to improve the quality of life and keep older people functional and independent for as long as possible. You may be reffered to a geriatrician depending on your needs.
Health visitors
Health visitors are qualified nurses with further training who offer people information and advice in their own home on a wide range of topics including diet and exercise, benefits and useful services. They can offer support to carers and help people access the services they need. They do not perform physical nursing tasks. Your GP or the practice manager at the surgery will be able to tell you how to get in touch.
Home care workers
Home care workers help look after people in their own homes. This sort of care is usually arranged by Social Services. Home care workers generally provide personal care, such as help with washing and dressing, preparing meals and other activities of daily life.
If you receive a Personal Budget, you can hire a personal assistant from a home care agency. For more information please download our 'Arranging one to one support' factsheet' available on this page under 'documents for download'.
Key workers
A key worker is responsible for making sure that the health and social care staff involved in your treatment know what plans and decisions are being made. Your key worker is also normally responsible for keeping you and your family informed, helping you keep track of appointments and plans for future care.
Neurologists
Neurologists are doctors who specialise in disorders of the brain and the rest of the nervous system. Younger patients may be referred to a neurologist more commonly than older patients, to have conditions such as brain tumours ruled out, before a diagnosis can be made.
Occupational therapists
An occupational therapist can identify problem areas that patients may have in their everyday lives, such as dressing or getting to the shops or helping them to work out practical solutions. Occupational therapists work with people of all ages and can look at all aspects of daily life, from the home to the school or workplace.
Contact the Adult Access Team on 020 8583 3100 to find out more about occupational therapy.
Optometrist
Optometrists carry out sight tests to check the quality of your vision and eye health. They look for signs for eye disease that may need treatment from a doctor or eye surgeon. Optometrsit can also prescribe and fit glasses and contact lenses.
It's recommended that you visit an optometrist every two years (or more frequently if advised). This is important because an eye examination can detect potentially blinding eye conditions.
Practice nurses
Practice nurses work in a GP surgery as part of a primary healthcare team, which might include doctors, nurses, pharmacists and dietitians. A practice nurse will be registered and qualified and will perform tasks such as treating small injuries, health screening, family planning and running programmes to help people stop smoking.
Physiotherapist
Physiotherapists are healthcare professionals who have trained specifically in physiotherapy. Physiotherapy uses physical methods, such as massage and manipulation, to promote healing and wellbeing. Physiotherapy treatments are often used to help restore a person’s range of movement after injury or illness. Your GP can refer you to a physiotherapist or you can refer yourself to a private practitioner. Make sure you check the fees and qualifications of a private practitioner before booking.
Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists are qualified medical doctors who have done further training in treating mental health conditions. Psychiatrists are not just based in hospitals, but can have close links with GP's surgeries and community mental health centres.
As psychiatrists are medical doctors they can prescribe medication, which is not the case with psychologists (though a psychologist can make recommendations to your GP.)
Social worker
Social workers form relationships with people and assist them to live more successfully within their local communities by helping them find solutions to their problems.
Social work involves engaging not only with clients but their families and friends as well as working closely with other organisations including the police, local authority departments, schools and the probation service.
Social workers tend to specialise in either adult or children's services and work for a range of organisations - primarily in local authorities, independent organisations and charities, but some also work for the NHS, where you may find them working in hospitals, mental health trusts and other community-based settings.
Speech & language therapist
The role of a speech and language therapist (SLT) is to assess and treat speech, language and communication problems in people of all ages to enable them to communicate to the best of their ability. They may also work with people who have eating and swallowing problems.
Speech and language therapists work closely with teachers and health professionals including doctors, nurses and psychologists.
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