eConsult

E-consult link for patient - https://loanheadpractice.webgp.com/

Can you treat yourself?

Before you call us, please check the self-help guides at NHS Inform. They have clinical advice written and approved by the clinical team at NHS24.

Urgent treatment

A doctor is always available to discuss any urgent problem. In the event of a life threatening emergency call 999 for an ambulance.

Non Urgent treatment

You can book appointments for the day or in advance by calling 0131 440 0149 between 08:30 and 18:00.

If you have more than one concern/problem it is most helpful to tell the doctor or nurse at the beginning of your consultation. It may be necessary to ask that you make a further appointment(s) to deal with your other concern/problem(s).

The reception staff will ask you the reason for your call so that they can direct you to the right person. This may be a pharmacist, a telephone call with a GP or a face to face appointment with a specialist in the practice e.g. physiotherapy, mental health nurse or blood test. Any information is treated as strictly confidential.

Phone or video consultations - In some instances the GP or Nurse may ask for a video consultation or ask you to email in pictures to the practice. Please do not email pictures without speaking to a GP or nurse first. Find out more about video consultations here.

We are a group practice and you may see any of the doctors. You may wish to see a particular doctor, and if so the receptionist will try to give an appointment with your chosen doctor. Due to appointment availability this may not always be possible.

Appointments are normally 10 minutes. If you think you will need longer please speak to reception staff. Please make a separate appointment for each member of your family.

Running late or need to cancel?

If you are running late please phone and we will try our best to accommodate this but this may not always be possible. Please let us know if you need to cancel so we can give your slot to someone else. If you miss 3 appointments in 12 months we may ask that you register with another practice.

Essential Home Visits

If you are housebound or too ill to visit the practice you can ask for a home visit from the duty doctor. Please call before 10:00. Your GP will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires it and will also decide how urgently a visit is needed.

Appropriate behaviour

Please remember that we are here to help you. Any violent or abusive behaviour to any of our staff will result in you being removed from our list and you will need to find an alternative GP surgery.

We are part of a wide team – both in the surgery and the community.

To help you see the right person please choose from the options below.

Immediate, life-threatening emergencies – call 999 or go to A&E

Can help with: Loss of consciousness, acute confused state, fits, chest pain, breathing difficulties, severe bleeding that can’t be stopped, severe allergic reactions, severe burns.

Self Help Guides – NHS Inform

The self help guides at NHS Inform are written and approved by the clinical team at NHS24.

Can help with: Upset stomach, grazed knee, common cold, sore throat, headache.

Advice & Medicine for common conditions – Pharmacist.

Pharmacists can advise you on a range of common conditions. You can just walk in. If medication is needed the pharmacist can recommend it and this will be free for those who are exempt from prescription charges. Many pharmacies are open late and at weekends and evenings. 

Can help with: Cuts, sprains, aches and pains, colds and flu, headaches, rashes, cystitis, contraception, thrush, hay fever, head lice, athlete’s foot and teething.

Minor Injuries Assessment - Call NHS 24 on 111

Call MIA for a confidential assessment by video call with a qualified Nurse Practitioner. You will be sent a link to open at the time of your appointment which connects you to a member of the healthcare team. A Nurse Practitioner will assess your injury and provide advice and treatment within a matter of minutes. A lot of minor injuries can be treated from the comfort of your home or with the help of a local pharmacy. If they decide you need to go to a Minor Injuries Service you will be given an appointment time to save you waiting when you attend.

Can help with: Sprains, strains and broken limbs, minor bumps to head and face, bites, stings, minor burns.

Routine Appointments – Nurse

Practice nurses run clinics and provide general nursing services. They can assess the situation and organise initial tests and investigations before an appointment with a GP.

Can help with: blood pressure checks, cervical smears, dressings, family planning advice, immunisations, diabetes management, asthma and COPD care, heart care, support to stop smoking, health checks (for 40-70 year olds), removal of stitches and clips.

Specialist Support – GP or one of our in house team

As well as a team of GPs we can refer you to an Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner, a Wellbeing Practitioner and a Primary Care Mental Health Nurse. Call the surgery to arrange an appointment.

Can help with: Specialist treatment for patients with complex or long standing medical appointments.

You can download a booklet from the Health and Social Care Partnership about who else can help.

Results

If the doctor or nurse has advised you to call for your results please phone reception between 2pm and 4pm Monday-Friday.

Please note most test results take one week to return to the practice. They also need to be reviewed by the doctor. If you have any concerns after receiving your results you can discuss them with a doctor by arranging a telephone appointment.