Mimi is our Mental Health Wellbeing Coach, who joined us in June 2023. Mimi is qualified as a registered psychological counsellor, licensed in the UK. Mimi started her counselling journey 7 years ago when she started her bachelor’s degree in Counselling and Psychology in Hong Kong. She is currently based in the UK. Mimi values multi-cultural sensitivity and diversity. Mimi’s main role is to see patients who have mental and emotional health needs which do not meet the threshold for the Mental Health Practitioner, which includes provide support for people struggling with panic/anxiety, low self-esteem, bereavement/loss/grief impacting on their mood, depression/low mood, sleep hygiene and chronic pain.

Luz is our Mental Health and Wellbeing Coach, who joined us in July 2022. Luz has a diploma in Holistic Counselling, is a trained Mindfulness teacher and a Mental Health First Aider. Luz covers Priory and Birchwood Medical Practice. Luz’s main role is to see patients who have mental and emotional health needs which do not meet the threshold for the Mental Health Practitioner. This includes support for people struggling with panic/anxiety, low self-esteem, bereavement/loss/grief impacting on their mood, depression/low mood, sleep hygiene and chronic pain.

Claire is our Social Prescribing Link Worker, who joined us in April 2022. Claire has   previously worked for 7 years for South Gloucestershire Council in the START reablement team before moving on to the role of Senior Healthcare Assistant for 14yrs in Primary Care. The aim of the SPLW service is to work with patients to agree and address goals to help them to manage non-clinical issues which are impacting on their health, so that they can make more appropriate use of primary care clinical resources As a SPLW, Claire’s main role is to listen to the patients and refer them to professionals that can help them with lifestyle changes, coping with long-term illness, finding legal advice and ways to improve confidence and self-esteem.

Ruth is our Social Prescribing Link Worker, who joined us in April 2022. Ruth is a qualified healthcare professional with 19 years’ experience of working in healthcare. The aim of the SPLW service is to work with patients to agree and address goals to help them to manage non-clinical issues which are impacting on their health, so that they can make the best use of primary care clinical resources. As a SPLW, Ruth listens and supports the patients with long term physical or mental health challenges by helping them identify and reach personal goals. Ruth also offers guidance in approaching financial/housing/social care issues and connects those isolated with their communities through building self-confidence and refers to relevant organisations or activities.

Laura is our Social Prescribing Link Worker, who joined us in July 2022. The aim of the SPLW service is to work with patients to agree and address goals to help them to manage non-clinical issues which are impacting on their health, so that they can make more appropriate use of primary care clinical resources. As a SPLW, Laura’s main role is to listen to the patients and connect them to social groups, support groups and statutory organisations that can help them with lifestyle changes, coping with long-term illness, finding legal advice and ways to improve confidence and self-esteem.

Laura is a yoga facilitator and musician with a background in counselling studies and is currently studying a diploma in cognitive coaching.

Kate’s Bio

Kate is our Paramedic, who joined us in ­­July 2021. Kate has been a paramedic with the ambulance service (SWAST and GWAS before that) working in Bristol since 2009. Kate works within the community using her enhanced clinical assessment and treatment skills to provide first point of contact for patients presenting with undifferentiated, undiagnosed problems relating to minor illness or injury, abdominal pains, chest pains and headaches. Kate assesses and triages patients, provides definitive treatment and makes necessary referrals to other professionals.

Nick is our First Contact Physiotherapist, who joined us in Sept 2021. Nick graduated with a degree in Physiotherapy from Cardiff University in 2000 and obtained a Postgraduate certificate in Physiotherapy from Curtin University, Australia in 2006. He is a very experienced musculoskeletal clinician having worked extensively within the NHS and the private sector. His current main duties include the assessment and diagnosis of a wide range of musculoskeletal problems. Following his assessment, he can then offer advice and guidance on how to help with pain and injury, including exercise programmes. He is also able to refer for x-rays, scans and bloods test, when applicable, or refer to other professionals. He has also completed training in the use of steroid injections for joint and soft tissue problems.

Hannah is one of our First Contact Musculoskeletal Practitioners, who joined us in December 2023. She is an experienced osteopath, having worked for many years in private practice, and in the NHS. Hannah’s role is to be a first point of contact for patients presenting with musculoskeletal problems, such as pain or injury affecting joints, bones, or muscles. She will listen, assess and diagnose, and give advice on how to treat or manage the problem. If appropriate, she will also make any necessary referrals, e.g. to Physiotherapy, your GP, or for x-rays and blood tests.

Ciara is our Senior Advanced Practitioner Pharmacists, who joined us in January 2023. Ciara is responsible for the medicine’s optimisation within the PCN, looking after the prescribing hub, medicines reconciliation, provision of expert advice on clinical medicines and the undertaking of clinical reviews with patients to proactively manage their complex pharmacological needs.

Erin is our Care Coordinator, who joined us in March 2021. Erin’s main role as a care coordinator is to recognise and manage a caseload of identified patients, making sure that appropriate support is available to them. Erin helps to co-ordinate and navigate care across five GP practices, supports the clinical directors in coordinating all key activities including access to services, advice, and information, and ensuring healthcare planning is timely, efficient, and patient-centred.

Jane is our Pharmacy Technician, who joined us in February 2021. Jane’s main duties involve helping patients to get the best from their medicines by switching medications to agreed and approved protocols, improving repeat prescribing processes in GP surgeries, including promotion of repeat dispensing and online ordering, minimising clinical risk, and aiming to reduce wasted medicines.