{"id":19221,"date":"2022-01-24T15:26:41","date_gmt":"2022-01-24T15:26:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bant.org.uk\/?page_id=19221"},"modified":"2024-08-20T18:02:11","modified_gmt":"2024-08-20T17:02:11","slug":"gps-and-other-healthcare-practitioners","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bant.org.uk\/bant-professional-practice-handbook\/gps-and-other-healthcare-practitioners\/","title":{"rendered":"GPs & OTHER HEALTHCARE PRACTITIONERS"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” el_id=”top-section” z_index=”” css=”.vc_custom_1619334407087{padding-bottom: 45px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_raw_html]JTVCcHJpbnRmcmllbmRseSU1RA==[\/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]When working with clients, it is important that Registered Nutritional Therapy Practitioners (NTs) work alongside GPs and any other medical\/healthcare practitioners involved in their care. This section contains guidance on when it is appropriate to contact a client\u2019s medical or other healthcare professional and some practical tips for doing so, for example, information to include in a letter to a GP. Also covered is the requirement for client consent to contact a GP and what to do if a client doesn\u2019t provide this consent, or if a client isn\u2019t registered with a GP. Also, guidelines to help ensure NTs stay within their professional boundaries when working with clients taking medication.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” z_index=”” anchor=”main_anchor1″][vc_column]\n\n\t\n\t Working Alongside Other Practitioners<\/span><\/i><\/span>\t<\/a>\n\n[vc_separator type=”transparent” thickness=”5″ up=”2″ down=”2″]\n\n\t\n\t Consent to Contact a Client\u2019s GP<\/span><\/i><\/span>\t<\/a>\n\n[vc_separator type=”transparent” thickness=”5″ up=”2″ down=”2″]\n\n\t\n\t Clients with no GP<\/span><\/i><\/span>\t<\/a>\n\n[vc_separator type=”transparent” thickness=”5″ up=”2″ down=”2″]\n\n\t\n\t Reasons to Contact a Client\u2019s GP<\/span><\/i><\/span>\t<\/a>\n\n[vc_separator type=”transparent” thickness=”5″ up=”2″ down=”2″]\n\n\t\n\t Practical Tips for Writing to GPs<\/span><\/i><\/span>\t<\/a>\n\n[vc_separator type=”transparent” thickness=”5″ up=”2″ down=”2″]\n\n\t\n\t Medications<\/span><\/i><\/span>\t<\/a>\n\n[vc_separator type=”transparent” thickness=”30″][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” anchor=”working-alongside-other-practitioners” el_class=”anchordiv”][vc_column_inner el_class=”anchor_col” css=”.vc_custom_1618397491357{padding-top: 30px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Working Alongside Other Practitioners:<\/i> Top<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n

Nutritional Therapy is a complementary therapy and clients must never be led to believe it can replace medical care. NTs must never override instructions given by a registered medical practitioner. Collaboration with medical practitioners and the exchange of information between the medical practitioner and the NT can help to provide a thorough assessment of the client\u2019s health status. This is important for the best and safe interests of clients and the NT\u2019s protection.<\/p>\n

It is best practice to ensure a client has consulted their GP or other healthcare practitioner for a diagnosis when there are symptoms which may suggest a medical condition. When working with a client with a diagnosed condition, best practice is to write to the client\u2019s GP or medical practitioner (with the client\u2019s consent<\/a>) at the start of the nutritional therapy process to inform them you will be working with the client. Depending on the condition, the NT may want to request copies of the client\u2019s medical records and\/or test results from the medical practitioner and wait to receive these before commencing nutritional therapy with the client. Pre-approval for nutrition or lifestyle interventions or nutritional supplements may need to be obtained from the client\u2019s GP or medical practitioner.<\/p>\n

When working jointly with other healthcare professionals, NTs must acknowledge and record who holds the responsibilities for a client\u2019s care to ensure client safety and continuity of care. If an NT receives a formal referral from another healthcare professional, they must report back to the professional who referred the client once they have gained the client\u2019s consent for this to happen. When working with certain conditions, e.g., cancer<\/a>, eating disorders<\/a>, mental health issues, it is essential to work alongside other healthcare practitioners as part of a multi-disciplinary team. NTs must conduct themselves professionally<\/a>, aiming for full cooperation with any other practitioners they work with.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_separator type=”transparent” thickness=”30″][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” anchor=”consent-to-contact-a-clients-gp” el_class=”anchordiv”][vc_column_inner el_class=”anchor_col” css=”.vc_custom_1618397536613{padding-top: 30px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Consent to Contact a Client\u2019s GP:<\/i> Top<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n

A client needs to provide consent for an NT to contact their GP<\/a>. Liaising with a client\u2019s GP without their permission would be a breach of confidentiality, unless there are exceptional circumstances as outlined in Disclosing Confidential Information<\/a>.<\/u><\/p>\n

If a client has not provided consent for the NT to contact their GP, the NT will need to decide if they wish to continue working with them. If a practitioner does not feel confident working with a client without the involvement of a GP, they would be within their rights to discontinue working with them and are advised to consider this for their own protection.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_separator type=”transparent” thickness=”30″][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” anchor=”clients-with-no-gp” el_class=”anchordiv”][vc_column_inner el_class=”anchor_col” css=”.vc_custom_1618397548620{padding-top: 30px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Clients with no GP:<\/i> Top<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n

NTs are able to work with clients who are not registered with a GP or other registered medical practitioner; however, they must consider the implications if they had specific concerns about a client that needed to be investigated by a medical professional. A client who presents with red flag symptoms<\/a> need to be referred to a GP or medical practitioner for assessment and if a client refuses to do so, the NT is advised to discontinue working with them, see Referring to a GP with Red Flag Symptoms.<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_separator type=”transparent” thickness=”30″][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” anchor=”reasons-to-contact-a-clients-gp” el_class=”anchordiv”][vc_column_inner el_class=”anchor_col” css=”.vc_custom_1618397548620{padding-top: 30px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Reasons to Contact a Client\u2019s GP:<\/i> Top<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n

As outlined in Working alongside other Practitioners<\/a>, it is best practice to write to the GP of any client with a diagnosed condition. NTs must ensure all correspondence is polite and respectful<\/a>,<\/u> especially if making a request or suggestion to the GP. Other reasons for contacting a client\u2019s GP include:<\/p>\n