Toria Wrangham
Social prescribing manager
Prior to working in social prescribing, I was an RGN, spending the last 5 years of practice in palliative and complex care dementia. I have worked in acute care units, cardiology, dermatology and aesthetics as well as working as an agency nurse in a variety of hospital and community settings.
I took several years out of work to spend with my small children. I re-joined the work force as a part time link worker for the Stokes PCN and thoroughly enjoyed my time in practice. I had a large case load with a huge variety of reasons for referral. I now manage the service and the team in South Glos full time.
My experience both as a nurse and as a link worker enable me to support the team in their roles and am enjoying liaising with all your surgeries to integrate social prescribing into your practices. I have a firm understanding of what social prescribing can offer and the pressures that GP surgeries are under to meet patient needs.
Social prescribing link workers
Alexia Wdowski
I enjoy helping people overcome challenges to live happier, more fulfilled lives and feel that social prescribing can encourage people to access support to make important changes for themselves. I am a big fan of community groups and have been involved in leading community art workshops and training courses for people who have experienced mental health issues, homelessness, addiction and other barriers.
I have also worked for a charity supporting adults with learning difficulties and mental health issues to become more independent. I have an MA in creative writing and love to write and to encourage others to access writing, literature and poetry. I also love reading and taking part in wellbeing activities including yoga, walking, learning new skills and dabbling in all kinds of creativity.
Rebecca Simmonds
I worked as an occupational therapist for the last 17 years in mental health. I have worked with adults of working age in a variety of settings such as vocational rehabilitation, day services and inpatient services. I’ve had 13 years experience of working with older adults with Dementia and functional mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. I also experienced the challenges of working with mental and physical issues.
I have worked in community teams, day and inpatient services. I have recently been working for a private care agency as a care giver which has given me valuable insight into the challenges of being a carer. I became a link worker as I wanted to experience working in primary care and to work with people of all ages. I enjoy working with people in a supportive client centred way. I want to empower individuals to reach their identified goals and to improve their overall wellbeing.
Jasmine Siadi
I have a degree in diet and nutrition from medical university in Iran and my background is working as a Dietician in hospital and as a quality control manager in food factory. I worked in NHS for 5 years as Health Trainers based in North Bristol Southmead community centre and offer regular appointments for patients with GP and other organisations referrals. I made initial contact either by phone, email or text and made 1-2-1 meeting or signposted the individual to a local service they are happy to access themselves. I have worked as a stop smoking specialist advisor in the NHS and trained stop smoking advisor in GPs, pharmacies and community and ran groups and 1-2-1 clinics and also ran a weight management clinic for those that were worried about weight gain as a result of quitting smoking.
I worked in Bristol City Council in Public Health sector, raising awareness about screening for prostate and bowel and breast cancer. I liaised and worked with BRI screening team, with community, GPs, pharmacies and different part of Public Health team to promote and support this awareness. I support clients to gain confidence in making important decisions about how they can take control of their situation and take manageable steps towards improving their daily life and general wellbeing.
Patient care team
We have a team of administrators who have been specially trained to deal with your enquiries. They provide extremely important links with the doctors and also with hospitals, solicitors, insurance companies, employers and many other health care organisations. They are actively involved in ensuring patients receive an efficient, integrated service between Primary and Secondary Care.
The team aim to turn around the typing received from the doctors as quickly as possible. They are also on hand to help patients with a system called “Choose & Book”. This is where patients are able to choose which hospital they would like to be referred to, and the team will help patients to book their own referral.
Urgent referrals, like Cancer, are dealt with through a “fast-track” system, and these are done on the same day as the doctor makes the referral.
The team is available between 8.30am and 5pm to deal with any patient referrals and queries.
Prescriptions team
Our prescriptions team is made up of a small team of prescription administrators.
The team deal with as many prescription queries as they are able and are key to “medicines management” in the practice. They are kept extremely busy and are well trained, hard working members of staff.
Reception team
We have a large team of receptionists who always try to provide patients with a friendly and efficient service. The receptionists are the first point of contact at the practice and will try to direct you to the most appropriate service for your needs.
All our receptionists are well-trained and skilled members of staff. As well as answering the telephones, booking appointments and giving out results, the team have a variety of other jobs to support other departments in the practice. They help with a range of other services including updating patient details and booking hospital transport.
This is a very varied role and can be very stressful at times. Although they will try to provide patients with what they want, sometimes, for different reasons, they may not always be able to provide you with this. However, they will strive to find an alternative solution to ensure you receive the best care possible.
Please help them if they ask you for more information – it is to assist the doctor to assess your needs.
