Roles of people who work in Health and Social Care settings

Question 1

General Practitioners (GPs)

Answer 1

Providing ongoing care for people in the community. This includes;
- Caring for people who are unwell, including carrying out simple surgical procedures. - Providing preventative care and health education for service users.
They are generally based in local health centres, working with other docotrs and a range of other health and care professionals to ensure patients are provided with further assessment, treatment and support when needed.

Question 2

Adult Nurses

Answer 2

Work with adults of all ages, who may have a wide range of physical health conditions.

Question 3

Children’s Nurses or Paediatric Nurses

Answer 3

Work with children with a very wide range of conditions as well as working closely with their parents/carers.

Question 4

Mental Health Nurses

Answer 4

Specialise in mental health work in a range of settings such as psychiatric units, day care settings, residential homes and prisons.

Question 5

Learning Disability Nurses

Answer 5

Work mainly with individuals with learning disabilities living in the community rather than in hospitals. They aim to work with people with learning disabilities and their carers to maintain the persons physical and mental health to live as fulfilling and independent life as possible.

Question 6

District Nurses

Answer 6

Care for people of all ages, supporting them in their own homes or in residential homes. They work closely with family members and other carers to support the patients needs and the needs of their informal carersv(e.g. parents/children). District nurses most commonly care for older people, people with disabilities and people recently discharged from hospital.

Question 7

Practice Nurses work in GP practices

Answer 7

They work in GP practices. They take blood samples, provide immunisations and vaccinations for people travelling abroad. They also provide health screenig if trained to do so.

Question 8

Noenatal Nurses

Answer 8

Work with new-born babies, including babies who are born prematurely. They work in specialist hospital settings and in the community. The neonatal nurse works very closely with the baby’s parents and actively encourages them to take a practical role in their childs care.

Question 9

Health Visitors

Answer 9

Provide a support for families in the early years of their children’s life, normally birth-5 years. They offer support on health issues, weaning and feeding. they see children and their carers at home, clinics, GPs and community settings.

Question 10

School Nurses

Answer 10

Are usually employed by the NHS but may be employed directly by the school. They provide a variety of services including development checks, administering immunisation programmes and providing health education programmes.

Question 11

Healthcare Assistants

Answer 11

Are sometimes known as nursing assistants or auxillary nurses. They work under the guidance and with the support of qualified healthcare professionals to undertake supportive care tasks such as recording patients’ temperature/pulse, weighing patients, making beds etc.
They may work in GP practices, hospitals, nursing homes and community healthcare settings.

Question 12

Care Assistants

Answer 12

Provide practical help and support for people who have difficulties with daily activity. This may include supporting older people and their families’ children and younger people, people with physical or learning disabilities or people with mental health problems.
Care Managers have a key leadership role within residential care settings. They manage the provision (delivery) of residential care.

Question 13

Social Workers

Answer 13

Provide help and support for people of all ages through difficult times in their lives. They aim to ensure that the most vulnerable people are safeguarded from harm and to help people live independent lives. Social workers support children. People with disabilities, people with mental health problems and the frail elderly.

Question 14

Occupational Therapists

Answer 14

Work with people of all ages who are having difficulty in carrying out the practical routines of daily life, for example washing, housework, shopping. The O.T will agree specific activities with an individual that will help them to overcome their barriers to living an independent life.

Question 15

Support Workers

Answer 15

Role is closely linked to the healthcare or nursing assistant roles. However, they may work under the supervision of a range of health and care professionals such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists and social workers. Family support workers for example, work with and support social workers. Once the social worker has identified what is needed they work closely with the client and their family to help implement the plan.

Question 16

Midwives

Answer 16

Play a central role in supporting women through all stages of pregnancy, providing both antenatal and prenatal care such as planning for parenthood and delivering babies. They may be based in hospital maternity units but increasingly they work in the community providing support at local clinics, women’s homes and children centres.

Question 17

Youth Workers

Answer 17

Generally work with young people between the ages of 11 - 25. They aim to support young people to reach their full potential and to become responsible members of society. They work in a range of settings including youth centres, schools, colleges and out on the streets.

They may be employed by the local council but youth workers are also employed by a range of religious and voluntary organisations.