COMMUNICATION SUPPORT

If you need help when accessing any of our services, our staff can book free and confidential communication support for you

• Telephone Translators
• British Sign Language Interpreter
• Electronic Notetaker
• Lip Speaker
• Deafblind Communicator

Please enquire with reception staff at the point of booking.

Due to ever-increasing demand, there is often a wait to see a GP or Nurse in the practice.  For some acute problems and Minor Ailments, you may not need to see a GP or Nurse and your problem may be dealt with more quickly by another service such as the following;

CHILD HEALTH SURVEILLANCE/IMMUNISATION CLINIC

This is held every Wednesday morning in the surgery. The baby clinic is run by 2 Practice Nurses on an appointment system. The Health Visitor is also available in the Practice on Wednesday mornings - please feel free just to pop in to see the Health Visitor as no appointment is required.

At the Baby Immunisation Clinic we can offer general advice and help about any health aspect relating to your child, as well as carrying out routine health and screening checks on infants and children, and a full immunisation programme.  Please see the Family Health Section on the right hand menu >>>>> for full details of vaccination schedules.

DIABETIC CLINICS

Diabetes affects about 1.5% of the population. It is a disorder which can have serious implications for future health if it is not adequately monitored and treated. Patients with diabetes are on our computer register with a call and recall system and will be invited to attend at appropriate intervals. All diabetic patients will be contacted individually to arrange an appointment for review.  Please see the Long Term Conditions section on the right hand menu >>>> for more information.

RESPIRATORY CLINICS 

This clinic was formerly known as the Asthma Clinic. We have changed it so that patients with other respiratory problems can also be reviewed. Invitations to attend are sent periodically, but please feel free to make an appointment without having received a letter.  Please see the Long Term Conditions section on the right hand menu >>>> for more information.

CONTRACEPTIVE SERVICES

All Doctors in the Practice are available to advise on a full range of family planning methods. Women can therefore have the choice of seeing a male or female Doctor for such advice. Further information on family planning can be obtained from our Practice Nurses.

HYPERTENSION CLINIC

Our Health Care Assistants run a weekly Hypertension Clinic for patients on blood pressure treatment with no other problems.  Patients will be recalled to the clinic for blood pressure checks and lifestyle advice.  Please see the Long Term Conditions section on the right hand menu >>>> for more information.

GENERAL HEALTH CHECK

Patients are more than welcome to make an appointment with one of our Practice Nurses for a general health check. Please ask for a double appointment with a Practice Nurse.

FOR MEN - Our Practice Nurses can provide a general health check for men with a particular emphasis on preventing heart disease, including blood pressure and cholesterol checks.

FOR WOMEN - Our Practice Nurses can provide a general health check for women. Any questions on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can be discussed and any problems sorted out. If you wish to have a cervical smear test please tell the receptionist who will allocate your appointment to the appropriate nurse.

INR CLINIC

We run INR clinics on Monday and Thursday mornings for patients on Warfarin medication. We have a piece of equipment called a Coaguchek machine which measures a pin-prick blood sample from your finger to give your current INR reading. We enter this reading into a computer software programme which gives your recommended dose and a date when your blood should be re-tested. We print a copy of this result for you to take home along with a note of your next re-test appointment.  Click here for a copy of our Warfarin Information Sheet.

DIVING MEDICINE/ENG1 MEDICALS

Dr Douglas is an approved Medical Examiner for the Health and Safety Executive and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Travelling and need advice/vaccinations?

It is important that you consider your travel health requirements at the earliest opportunity (at least 6 weeks prior to travel for private vaccines and 2 weeks for NHS vaccines).

Please download our Travel Information Sheet which provides you with details on how to obtain travel advice.  Your completed form must be handed in to the practice at least the day before your appointment with the Nurse.

REQUESTS FOR NON-NHS SERVICES

Due to the increasing demand for medical reports, miscellaneous letters, holiday insurance forms, etc, the surgery have introduced charges for all non-NHS services. The charges for these services are all payable in advance.

Examples of services which incur a charge are:

• Holiday Cancellation Letters
• Holiday Immunisations
• Insurance claims
• Fitness to Fly Letters
• Driving Licence Reports
• Solicitors Reports
• Letters to employers
• Private Fit-note
• Court Witness Letters
• Other miscellaneous non-NHS forms
• DVLA Medicals
• Pre-employment Medicals
• Adoption/Fostering Medicals
• ENG1/ML5 Medicals

Payment and your signed consent are required prior to any non-NHS service being undertaken. The GP also has the right to refuse any non- NHS service request.

Tweeddale -Non-NHS Charges and Consent Form

Tweeddale Medical Practice are beginning to offer Appointment Reminders, Recalls and Test Results by Short Messaging Service (SMS) texts sent to your mobile phone.

Click here to read our Patient Information Leaflet, which includes details of how to opt-in for this service.