COVID-19 INFORMATION
COVID ANTIVIRAL MEDICATIONS FOR NON HOSPITALISED PATIENTS IN CLINICAL HIGH RISK GROUPS (19/4/22)
If you have a relevant clinical high risk group you should have received an eligibility letter from the NHS. If you have this letter and are within 5 days of a positive PCR or Lateral Flow test, you should contact the single point of contact for Lothian for this treatment on 0300 790 6769 (open 0900-1700 and details available on NHS Inform). You will then be assessed and may receive a supply of antiviral medication.
COVID PCR AND LATERAL FLOW TEST INFORMATION IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
Please see below NHS Lothian ‘s video links in multiple languages about the LFD and PCR tests. The languages include Urdu, Arabic, Punjabi, Spanish, English1, and Romanian.
Link for all the videos click HERE
COVID BOOSTER DROP IN CLINICS (20/12/21).
Please click the following link https://www.nhslothian.scot/Coronavirus/Vaccine/Pages/Drop-in-Clinics.aspx
for updated information on how to book a booster vaccination if you are over 18 and where you can visit a drop in booster clinic in Lothian if you are over 40.
COVID VACCINE CERTIFICATE MEDICAL EXEMPTION CERTIFICATES (28/10/21)
GPs and their teams cannot issue vaccination exemption certificates. Further information on the vaccination exemption certificates scheme, including information on safe
vaccination and routes to obtain an exemption can be found on the Scottish Government and NHS Inform websites. Alternatively you can phone the free NHS Covid
helpline on: 0808 196 8565
LAUNCH OF THE COVID-19 VACCINE STATUS SCHEME (28/5/21)
This new service to allow patients travelling abroad to access their record of Covid-19 vaccination status themselves, by logging on to NHS Inform.scot/covid19status. This allows you to view your Covid-19 vaccination status.
For those patients without website access a letter of your Covid-19 vaccine status can be requested in the post via a Freephone Covid Status Helpline. 0808 196 8565.
Only those planning to travel to a country or territory where a record of vaccination status is needed as an entry requirement should download the record or request it.
There is a plan to replace this interim arrangement by digital Covid Status Certificates, which will include vaccination and testing data to be used for outbound international travel. However this is not yet available
Note: If you lose or forgot your username or password, you can create a new one by selecting 'forgot username' or 'forgot password' options.
If you are intending to travel abroad you should:
- check the entry requirements for your destination country on the UK foreign travel advice pages
- get up-to-date information from the website of your destination country
- check the re-entry requirements for your return to Scotland
- only request a vaccination record if it is absolutely required and you are due to travel in the next 21 days
IF YOU ARE SUFFERING SYMPTOMS OF COVID 19
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (new persistent cough, loss of taste or fever) further information can be found at www.nhsinform.scot
If you feel you need to see a doctor in relation to these symptoms, phone to book a telephone appointment with one of our GPs. DO NOT ATTEND THE PRACTICE IF SUFFERING COVID SYMPTOMS.
If you require a test to see whether you have COVID-19 please visit www.nhsinform.scot to complete the online test form. If you are unable to access the test form online or need help to complete please phone 0800 028 2816
If you require further information about COVID-19 that is not available on www.nhsinform.scot please call the national helpline on 0800 028 2816
National helpline for high risk patients: 0800 111 4000 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday )
This helpline will offer help to those who do not have a family or existing community support and who cannot get online. You do not need to have received a shielding letter to use this service. It is meant for patients who are over 70, disabled, require the support of mental health services, pregnant or in a group that would normally receive the flu vaccination for health reasons.
How to obtain an isolation note for your employer
Online isolation notes are now available at: www.111.nhs.uk/isolation-note
Access to Colinton Surgery
The practice remains open for all essential primary care problems but on the advice of Health Protection Scotland we have put in place a process whereby everyone is screened by telephone prior to being seen. Rest assured that all patients will still have access to the care they require. Telephone consultations is the new norm. Face to face consultations will still be offered by the clinician if it is felt to be required but only after a telephone consultation has been undertaken. We appreciate your patience and understanding at this time.
Anyone developing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, however mild should self-isolate for 10 days and NOT come to the surgery. All household contacts are required to self isolate for 10 days.
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are recent onset of:
- new continuous cough and/or
- high temperature and/or
- loss of taste/smell
Further information can be found at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Test and Protect
Further information relating to test and protect can be found at: https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/