Freya Dolby

Qualifications

PGDip Adult Nursing, Independent/Supplementary Prescribing, MSc Advanced Clinical Practice

Specialisms

Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care, Out of Hours

Introduction

I qualified with a Graduate Diploma in Registered Adult Nursing in 2012, having obtained a BSc (Hons) degree in Psychosocial Science in 2008.  I then gained a MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP) in 2021, with mentoring and non-medical prescribing qualifications. My ACP experience to date has been mostly within an urgent out of hours primary care capacity, but I also spent three concurrent years in daytime General Practice until 2024. These ACP roles followed a junior then senior nurse career in a Minor Injuries Unit. I currently work for an out of hours primary care provider both clinically, and as Deputy Manager for the advanced nursing team. 

Within my current clinical role, I autonomously assess, diagnose and treat patients across the lifespan, using and interpreting blood tests, and non-medical prescribing as required. My work in the main is on a face-to-face basis, but I also have skills in telephone triage and video consultations. I take full responsibility for discharging minor illness presentations, as indicated. Where a patient presents with a more acute illness, I am competent in ascertaining a differential diagnosis prior to liaising with the appropriate speciality to include medicine, surgery, gynaecology, urology, maxillary facial, ENT, ophthalmology and paediatrics for further assessment. I am confident in screening for emergency presentations requiring immediate transfer to an Accident and Emergency department, utilising Immediate Life Support interventions, including CPR, as indicated to expedite care in times of critical illness. 

When working in daytime Primary Care, I was able to expand my knowledge of long-term condition management as well as honing my skills in acute care. It also allowed me to build therapeutic and meaningful relationships with my patients allowing for a greater degree of trust and understanding of people’s lives. Within this role, I undertook IRMER training which allowed me to assess for and order additional tests for a radiological opinion to include X-ray, ultrasound, CT and MRI scans within local policy. I also independently referred for speciality input as needed. This included screening for red flags of acute or serious illness, using my own knowledge, skills and experience to gauge the urgency of review such as referring along a suspected cancer fast track pathway.

As Deputy Nurse Manager, I offer pastoral and line management support to my out of hours team, as well as a cohort of trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioners. I work alongside the education team to ensure that all staff have access to continued professional development, to include the latest research and best practice guidelines, whilst also acting as a mentor for junior team members. This helps me to maintain the standard of my own practice at a high level. I strive to form positive professional relationships with my multi-disciplinary colleagues, undertaking audits, case reviews and clinical supervision on a regular basis to expand my own competence and credibility.
 
I accept instructions from both claimant and defendant solicitors and insurers. I have undergone formal training in the medico-legal process and am fully aware of my responsibilities under Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) pertaining to expert witnesses.