Vine House Health Centre is part of the North Watford Primary Care Network (PCN) along with Sheepcot Medical Centre and Abbotswood Medical Centre. A PCN is a group of GP practices working closely together, providing integrated services to their local population. All three practices share the the following Allied Health Professionals.
Clinical Director
The PCN Clinical Director provides leadership for networks strategic plans, through working with member practices and the wider PCN to improve the quality and effectiveness of the network services.
PCN Manager
The PCN manager is a lead role within a complex environment of primary care management. They will deliver on a wide range of business, data submission, transformation and improvement initiatives across the PCN providing strategic support to the board and its practices.
Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP)
Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs) are experienced and highly educated Registered Nurses who manage the complete clinical care of their patients. ANPs are educated at Masters Level in advanced practice and are assessed as competent in this level of practice. As a clinical leader they have the freedom and authority to act and accept the responsibility and accountability for those actions. This level of practice is characterised by high level autonomous decision-making, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment including prescribing, of patients with complex multi-dimensional problems.
Paramedic
Paramedics work in General Practice and have their own clinics. They manage a variety of presenting complaints and conduct urgent home visits to assist with GP workload. As part of a team, they work with other healthcare professionals and have their own area of responsibility. They provide care independently.
Clinical Pharmacist
Clinical pharmacists work as part of the team to assist with the day to day medicine issues. They are highly trained experts in medicines, who consult with and treat patients directly. This includes providing extra help to manage long-term conditions, advice for those on multiple medications and better access to health checks.
Mental Health Practitioner (MHP)
Mental health practitioners offer assessment and guidance for adults experiencing mental health difficulties. Their aim is to ensure that people who may be struggling with changes or deterioration in their mental health receive prompt and specialist mental health assessments.
First Contact Physiotherapist (FCP)
A First Contact Physiotherapist is an experienced physiotherapist who possesses advanced skills to assess, diagnose, and recommend appropriate treatment or referrals for musculoskeletal (MSK) problems.
Social Prescribers
Social Prescribing is a non medical service based in GP surgeries. It is designed to support those with low level mental health issues and/or those who would like support making healthy lifestyle changes including but not limited to accessing weight management support, stopping smoking and exercise. Social prescribing is a way of linking patients in primary care with sources of support within the community. It provides GPs with a non-medical referral option that can operate alongside existing treatments to improve health and wellbeing.
Community Midwives
The Community Midwife Team is based at Watford General Hospital and can be contacted on 01923 217361. Our Community Midwife, Helena, runs antenatal clinics at the surgery twice a week. Non urgent messages can be left for her at the surgery on 01923 262363.
Community Nurses.
Messages can be left for the team at their base at Langley House on 01923 686815.
Health Visitors
A health visitor is a registered nurse who has received training particularly related to babies, children and pregnant women. Their role is to provide families with children under five years old with support and advice around the general aspects of mental, physical and social wellbeing.