DELAYS for patients in getting appointments at Launceston Medical Centre should be reduced because the centre now has three nurses qualified to treat patients suffering from minor illnesses.

Nurse practitioners Carol Jackson and Pete Wyatt have been joined by Christine Fielder as nurses who can treat — and prescribe medicines for — illnesses such as chesty coughs, eczema or sickness and diarrhoea.

The centre’s business manager, Peter Harper, told Launceston Patient Group last Wednesday: “This level of expertise within our professional team should reduce delays for patients in getting appointments.

“Patients should not be surprised to be offered an appointment with one of the GP support staff now that we are in a position to promote this option. And they can be confident that these senior nurses have the experience, skill and training to provide to treat, and prescribe for less serious illnesses.”

The types of illnesses that the three nurses can treat include sore throats, urinary tract infections, sore eyes, ear infections, rashes, boils or skin infections.

From the first week in January a paramedic will be employed at the medical centre, said Mr Harper.

“He will initially work for two days a week and will support the team in the medical centre as well as taking over some home visits from doctors.”

The dispensary at the medical centre now has two pharmacists working, meaning that on some days there will be two on site.

Mr Harper added: “Our pharmacists have an important role to play. They can, by prior appointment, discuss medication issues with patients who have concerns or queries about the medicines they are taking, and are another point of contact for those wanting advice on how to take medicines appropriately, safely and effectively.”

Chairman of the patient group Maureen Amy said: “Given the constraints of their current premises, it’s obvious that the medical centre is finding practical ways to help as many patients as possible.”