ONGOING ISSUES WITH OUR TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

I just wanted to update you that the Surgery is having issues with our current telephone package, these issues have been causing our patients to be cut off or not placing calls in the queue system. I wanted to take this opportunity to apologise if you are having difficulties contacting us, we are currently working to resolve this.

Mrs Jacqueline Henderson – Practice Manager

FROM MONDAY 3RD JULY OUR APPOINTMENT SYSTEM IS CHANGING!

Telephone Triage Appointments - (Routine/General Appointments)

Each morning we will operate a telephone appointment system.
Telephone lines are open from 8.00am. We have a set number of telephone appointments each morning. We also have a set number of telephone triage appointments that become available every day after 2.00pm.

Our reception team have been instructed to “Signpost” patient requests to the most appropriate Healthcare Provider. All our staff have received extensive training and are directing your request according to a comprehensive list of appointment types and other Healthcare Providers as agreed by the Doctors.

This is not to try and deny you an appointment and is, in fact, so that we can determine who the most appropriate Healthcare Provider to deal with your problem might be – i.e. have you previously been seen by a specific doctor? Is this a new problem? Would you be able to access another Healthcare Provider quicker? Is your call actually an emergency and needs dealt with immediately?

Your name will be added to the telephone list of the mutually determined Doctor who will return your call. Your problem will either be dealt with over the telephone, by video consultation or a review appointment, at a time convenient to you, will be arranged for later that day.

We cannot give you a specific time when the Doctor will return your call. However, we can assure you that your call will be dealt with as promptly as possible in a safe, proficient, and comprehensive manner.

Anyone with an urgent medical problem will be highlighted to the Duty Doctor in order that their problem can be dealt with without delay.

Please do not enter the practice unless you’ve been advised to. This will ensure we can continue to provide essential care safely.

Approximately 20% of doctor’s appointments could be dealt with by another healthcare professional.

• Optician: All eye conditions should be seen by an optician first. They have the correct equipment for eye examinations. You can see an optician for dry, red, sore, watery, sticky, or itchy eyes, cysts, styes, or conjunctivitis.
• Pharmacy: Coughs and colds, conjunctivitis (in children over 1year), sore throats& earache (less than 3 days), verrucas, constipation, piles, hayfever, mouth ulcers, cold sores, nappy rash, small patches of impetigo, abrasions, bruises, insect bites & sunburn, emergency contraception, thrush, head lice & pain relief.
• Dentist: Any problem relating to your mouth or teeth.
• Practice Nurse: Cervical Screening (smear Test), travel advice & vaccination, chronic disease management of cardiac conditions, diabetes, high blood pressure & stroke.
• Health Care Assistant: Phlebotomy & blood pressure testing.
• Podiatry: You can self-refer, please ask reception for a form.
• Smoking: NHS Smoking Helpline T: 0300 123 1044.
• Reception: For queries about hospital outpatient appointments please contact Royal Infirmary 0131 536 1000, Western General Hospital 0131 537 1000.
• Minor Injuries: Call 111 in the first instance. Open 8 am – 9 pm (last patient book at 8.30 pm). Adults and children over 1year old. Western General Hospital – cuts, burns, sprains, simple fractures, wound infections.
• Sexual Health: Chalmers Sexual Health Centre 01315361070. Sexually transmitted diseases STI’S, contraception, emergency contraception, condoms, IUD (coils).
• Travel Clinic Self-referral: Travellers are welcome to phone the travel clinic on 01315372823 (WGH) to make an appointment.
  Further information is also available online at www.nhsinform.

‘NHS 24 Online’ – a new way to access health advice and wellbeing services in Scotland

Feeling unwell? If you or someone you care for is under the weather you can now find out more about your symptoms, when you can self-care and what to do if your condition worsens and you need medical help via a new, easy to use mobile app from NHS 24.

The ‘NHS 24 Online’ app allows people to check symptoms to find out what to do next. There is also a chatbot function to answer questions and find out how to get further advice for a range of issues including running out of medicine or help for:

• Eye problems
• Flu-like illness
• Lower back pain
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

  The App can also help people find their nearest health and care services using postcodes or location data. It will detail how far away each service is, if it is open or closed, and the contact details for that service.

  ‘NHS 24 Online’ is available for both Android and iOS devices and free to download now.

  Dr Laura Ryan, NHS 24’s Medical Director said the app offers people more choice in the way can get the help and advice they need:

  “Mobile devices have changed the way we do lots of things on a day-to-day basis and we hope the new NHS 24 Online app will make it easier for people to check their symptoms, and if they need further help to find local services at the press of a button.

  “By downloading NHS 24 Online, people in Scotland will be able to get health advice from a trustworthy source in a fast and convenient way. And if more help is needed, the app will also provide information on where to access the right care in the right place.”

  Please note this is a first iteration of the app – future developments and enhancements are planned for 2023.

  The NHS 24 Online app is available to download for free on the Google Play Store for Android devices and the App Store for Apple devices.

  https://nhs24.info/app-apple

  https://nhs24.info/app-android

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From Monday 29th May 2023 due to an unusually high number of requests for emergency repeat prescriptions we will no longer be able to process same day requests for medication unless it is for one of the following medications:

INSULIN – All types e.g Lantus, Novorapid, Actrapid, Humulin
ANTI-EPILEPTICS – If used for epilepsy – Sodium Valporate (Epilim), Carbamazepine (Tegretol), Lamotrigine, Phenytoin, Levetiracetam (Keppra)
ANTI-PSYCHOTICS - Lithium (Priadel), Quetiapine, Chlorpromazine, Olanzapine, Aripirazole, Risperidone, Methadone, Buprenorphine
GTN SPRAY – Glyceral Trinitrate
EMERGENCY ANTIBIOTICS & STEROIDS – If a patient has COPD & they are on repeat prescription
ANTI-COAGULANTS FOR BLOOD CLOTS – Warfarin, Apixaban, Dalteparin
CANCER PATIENT & PALLIATIVE CARE PATIENT
PARKINSONS MEDICATION – levodopa, Carbidopa (Sinimet)
HYDROCORTISONE TABLETS - Only if taking this medication every day
RELIEVER INHALERS – Salbutamol, Salamol, Ventolin Only.

Special notes:
Antidepressant medications have a long half-life. This means that the medication will still be in your system for at least 48 Hours & probably longer. You should come to no harm if you miss a day or two of these medications. We will process your request as quickly as possible and recommend you check back with us in 48 hours.
Pain killers – Please try the local pharmacy who will be able to advise you of over the counter pain medication.
It is really important to be organised with your medications. Please consider setting a reminder in your phone or writing a note in your diary for the week before your medication is due to run out.
Have you considered registering with a local pharmacy who will re-order medications for you and provide you with an emergency supply if you run out?

*Please allow at least 72 hours for all prescription requests.*

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Vaccination changes from 1st April in General Practice

From April1st 2022 vaccinations including shingles, pneumovac and  travel will no longer be done in General Practice.  Flu Vaccinations were removed in Edinburgh in 2020.  If you are eligible for a shingles or pneumovac you will be contacted by the Lothian vaccination team.  Further information will be provided by us as we receive it.  Please find below a link to information to the Travel vaccine Service

https://weare.nhslothian.scot/travelclinics/

You are now able to self refer for an ear syringing appointment.

The Local CTAC (Community Treatment And Care) service situated at Sighthill and Allermuir Medical Centres can be contacted by phone on 0131 537 7205.  This is an automated service where you will be asked to leave your details and an letter with an appointment will be sent out in the post. Or you can email with your name, date of birth, address and your registered practice to CTAC.sighthill@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk.  treatment with oil for 2 weeks is still recommended as the initial non intervention treatment

***Public Holidays***

Please contact NHS24 on 111 or 999 for any medical emergencies if we are closed.

Friday 7^th April 2023

Monday 10^th April 2023

Monday 1st May 2023

Monday 8^th May 2023

Monday 18^th September 2023

Monday 25^th December 2023

Tuesday 26^th December 2023

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How are GP Practices working

GP practices are open

Since the pandemic, health services must operate differently to protect everyone. It’s important to maintain safe infection control and minimise unnecessary physical contact where possible. This means there are now more ways for you to access care.

What has changed?

All appointments are being triaged. This helps keep you safe and makes sure that those who need to be seen in person are prioritised. We will see everyone in person who needs to be seen.

What is triage?

This is an assessment to decide, with your agreement, whether it is best for you to be:

• Seen in person, or
• Given advice over the phone or via video consultation, or
• Helped by another healthcare provider such as a community pharmacist, physiotherapist, dentist or optician.

Why do receptionists ask questions?

GP reception staff are a vital part of the health care team and are there to triage enquires.

You don’t have to tell them anything that makes you uncomfortable, however they can help you get the most appropriate appointment as quickly as possible. All the information they handle is treated confidentially.

I wanted to see my GP, so why am I seeing someone else?

Many GP practice teams include, or are supported by, nurses, advanced nurse practitioners (who can diagnose and treat health conditions), occupational therapists, pharmacists, physiotherapists and link workers.

By using the skills of each healthcare professional we can ensure you are assessed as quickly as possible by the right person.

What about emergencies?

Always dial 999 in a life-threatening emergency.

If you need help with minor injuries or urgent care when your GP practice is closed dial NHS 24 on 111.

Where else can I get help?

Visit www.nhsinform.scot for advice on common symptoms and a list of local services or speak to your pharmacist first for advice on minor illnesses.

Call 111:

• for minor injuries
• for urgent mental health advice and guidance
• if you’re too ill to wait for your GP or dentist #to open.

Please be patient

Our health services are under enormous pressure, but we are open and here if needed. Please work together with us to make sure you get the right care, in the right place, at the right time by the appropriate health professional for your needs.

Access

Ramp access is available at the front of the building and there is also disabled access within the patient toilet.    Hearing Loop is available on request.