PLEASE NOTE

Due to an increase in the number of wasted appointments through patient’s failing to attend without informing the surgery it has become necessary to implement the following policy:

If you fail to attend appointments you will be removed from this practice list and will have to find an alternative doctor.

If you cannot attend your appointments for any reason please let us know as soon as possible, we can then offer the appointment to someone else.

Thank you for your co-operation.

BANK HOLIDAYS

The Practice will be closed on the following bank holidays:

Friday 29th March 2013
Monday 1st April 2013
Monday 6th May 2013
Monday 27th May 2013
Friday 20th September 2013
Monday 23rd September 2013

Please make sure you have enough medication to last you over the holiday period.

GP ACCESS SURVEY

The Scottish Government is conducting a survey to assess how Scotland's GP practices perform. Commencing in October 2008, the survey will be sent to around 550,000 patients across Scotland. Patients will be selected randomly from the Community Health Index CHI database. Once patient's responses have been received, the data will be analysed in an anonymous format to produce results for each practice.

For more information on the survey please visit www.scotland.gov.uk/GPAccess.

Winter Flu Jags

Seasonal flu vaccines are now in stock. Please contact the Practice to arrange an appointment.

The flu jag is recommended for all patients aged 65 years and over, and patients of any age with Diabetes, Heart disease, COPD, Chronic Liver or Kidney disease, Asthma (if you need to use a steroid inhaler) or if you are a carer for any family member. All pregnant woman at any stage of pregnancy should also have a seasonal flu jag (please note comments below re pertussis vaccine).

If you require more information about the flu jag or if you have any other questions follow this link

Pertussis Vaccine for Pregnant Women

All pregnant women who are 28 weeks and over are being offered pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine. This is due to a recent increase in cases of whooping cough affecting very young babies. Vaccinating during the later part of pregnancy helps to protect the new born baby with antibodies made by the mother.

More information will be available from your midwife who will be able to advise you when you are due to get this immunisation. If you are due a pertussis jag please phone reception and tell them that your require an appointment for this immunisation. Please note - if you are due a flu jag it can be done at the same time.

More information is available through this link

DEFIBRILLATOR

There has always been a defibrillator held within the Health Centre. The Practice now has their own Defibrillator. A Defibrillator is a machine used to restart the heart by giving an electric shock in some cases of Cardiac Arrests. A Cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly stops pumping and the person may collapse. The practice staff receive regular training sessions in CPR/Resuscitation Skills to face such situations. The Defibrillator is a vital addition to the Practice in an emergency response situation.

PROTECTED LEARNING TIME

All local Practices close for the afternoon 4 -5 times a year to allow for area wide training for Clinicians and staff.

The Surgery will be closed on the following afternoons from 12.30pm:

ARE YOU A CARER?

Do you provide help and support to a partner, child, relative, friend or neighbour who could not manage without your help?

The person may need your help because of their age, physical or mental illness, addiction or disability.

If the answer is Yes, please ask at Reception for a “Carer’s Questionnaire”.

THE PRINCESS ROYAL TRUST FOR CARERS

PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO ACCESS THEIR WEBSITE:
WWW.CARERS.ORG

Breastfeeding Support Group

There is a breastfeeding support group on a Friday afternoon between 12 noon and 12.30 pm which will provide breastfeeding support and advice to all new mums and babies.

Patient Participation Group

Are you interested in joining our patient discussion group to discuss the results of our recent annual patient questionnaire? To find out more please ask at the Reception desk.

Appointments

In the month of December 39 patients did not keep their appointments for the Doctor and in addition a further 10 patients did not keep their appointment for the Nurse.

REMEMBER IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO KEEP YOUR APPOINTMENT PLEASE CANCEL IT.
Ordering Prescriptions

Reception staff are not medically qualified. Therefore it is important that you have all the relevant information to hand when ordering your prescription:

We would appreciate your help in this matter to enable us to offer you a fast and efficient service. Check your medicines and ensure you have enough for all closed periods!

Telephone Enquiries

On telephoning the surgery, please adhere to the times below on which the doctor you are wishing to contact for results and queries: