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General practitioner (GP)
A doctor based in the community who treats patients with minor or chronic illnesses and refers those with serious conditions to specialists.
Multidisciplinary team (MDT)
A group of health care workers, working collaboratively, who are members of different disciplines providing specific services.
Occupational therapist (OT)
A specialist in rehabilitation who seeks to maintain or improve someone’s level of physical and/or psychological functioning.
Physiotherapist
Someone who treats people using physiotherapy.
Alternative termsPhysioPodiatrist
A person whose job is to treat problems and diseases of people's feet.
Psychiatrist
A doctor who specialises in psychiatric illnesses and is registered by an appropriate authority.
Psychologist
A mental health professional who uses psychological evaluations and talk therapy to help people learn to better cope with life.
Registered nurse (nurse)
A person qualified and registered to provide nursing care to people who are ill or injured.
Scope of practice
The range of roles, functions, responsibilities and activities which a registered practitioner is educated, competent and has authority to perform.
Speech and language therapist (SALT)
Professionals that enable people with communication disorders and swallowing disorders to achieve their maximum potential.
Tissue viability nurse (TVN)
Specialist nursing service for wounds that are taking a long time to heal. This includes surgical wounds, leg ulcers or pressure ulcers.
Advance healthcare directive
In relation to a person who has capacity, means an advance expression made by the person, in accordance with section 84 (AMD Act, 2015), of his or her will and preferences concerning treatment decisions that may arise in respect of him or her if he or she subsequently lacks capacity.