Paramedics

What Paramedics Do in General Practice

Paramedics have become an essential part of the primary care team, bringing advanced clinical skills, a background in emergency medicine, and a calm, professional approach to managing urgent and acute health needs.

In the North Devon Coastal PCN, our paramedics work across local GP practices and in close collaboration with urgent care teams within practices to ensure patients get timely, effective care – often without needing to go to hospital.

Providing Acute Care, Closer to Home

Paramedics in primary care are specially trained to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of conditions, often during same-day or urgent appointments. Their background in emergency care makes them highly skilled in identifying serious symptoms early and managing them safely.

They can support with:

  • Chest infections, asthma flare-ups, and other acute respiratory issues

  • Minor injuries and wounds

  • Abdominal pain and urinary infections

  • Falls and mobility issues, particularly in older patients

  • Worsening symptoms in long-term conditions (e.g. COPD, heart failure) and much more! 

Their input is vital in helping people access care at the right place and time, reducing pressure on local hospitals and helping patients recover in the comfort of their own home.

Supporting Urgent Care and Home Visiting

Our paramedics work hand-in-hand with GPs and Urgent Care Teams to carry out home visits for patients who are housebound or too unwell to come into the surgery.

They:

  • Perform clinical assessments and provide treatment plans on the spot

  • Escalate to GPs or other healthcare professionals when needed

  • Monitor patients recovering at home after hospital discharge

  • Coordinate with district nurses, social care teams, and community services

This integrated approach helps ensure safe, responsive care for our most vulnerable patients, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas across North Devon.

A Valuable Part of the Team

Paramedics in our PCN are more than just responders — they’re advanced clinicians trained to deliver care in a general practice setting, while still bringing the quick-thinking, patient-focused ethos of the ambulance service.

Their presence means:

  • Faster access to urgent appointments

  • Fewer unnecessary A&E visits

  • Improved care for frail and elderly patients

  • Improving access to GP appointments 

Keeping Our Communities Safe and Well

In coastal and rural areas like ours, where distances and demand can make access to urgent care challenging, our paramedics are a key part of the solution. They bring vital capacity and clinical expertise to our practices, helping us respond quickly when patients need us most.

With the right care, in the right place, at the right time – our paramedics are helping to build a more responsive and resilient health service for North Devon.