FLU VACCINATIONS AND COVID-19 BOOSTERS - UPDATED 09.11.2021
GP practices will not be offering the flu or Covid-19 booster vaccinations this year and will not receive a supply of either vaccine. We would therefore ask patients not to contact us regarding these vaccines, as we are unable to book or reschedule appointments issued. There is a Vaccination Helpline Number you can call on 0800 030 8013 if you are having any issues.
Responsibility for delivering these vaccines now sits with Health and Social Care Partnerships.
UPDATE AS OF TUESDAY 30TH NOVEMBER 2021: If you or your relative is housebound, a team of Community Vaccination Nurses will be visiting you/your relative at home to administer the flu vaccine and the Covid-19 booster (as long as it has been at least 24 weeks since your 2nd dose) between 30.11.2021 and 05.12.2021. They expect to have vaccinated our entire housebound patient list by week commencing 06.12.2021.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK YOU MAY BE AT RISK OF CORONAVIRUS
If you are concerned you may have symptoms of COVID-19 (Fever, New Persistent Cough, Shortness of Breath or Loss of Taste or Smell), please DO NOT come to the practice. Please book a test via https://www.nhsinform.scot/
If you have booked a test or are waiting on a result, you should remain at home until the result is available and then follow the advice given. Attending the practice puts other patients and our staff at risk.
When to get medical help
Phone the Coronavirus Helpline on 0800 028 2816 if:
your symptoms worsen during home isolation, especially if you’re in a high or extremely high-risk group
breathlessness develops or worsens, particularly if you’re in a high or extremely high-risk group
your symptoms haven’t improved in 10 days
If you have a medical emergency, phone 999 and tell them you have coronavirus symptoms.
We ask for you to please visit www.nhsinform.scot or call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 0800 028 2816 (open 8am-8pm every day) for the latest advice and guidance surrounding all matters related to Covid-19.
GENERAL UPDATE- UPDATED 08.11.2021
Information on the way our services are offered will be posted on this page and throughout our website.
In the Practice we continue to follow Scottish Government guidance with regards to social distancing, PPE use and hygiene practices. Until all restrictions have been removed from Primary Care we do not have the physical capacity to deal with the same volume of patients as we did previously but we would like to assure you we are working at full capacity offering the maximum number of appointments available under the current restrictions. We are still subject to staff having to self-isolate if appropriate and, at times, there may be reduced staffing.
We would ask that you do not hesitate to call us if you have a health concern as we do not wish you to risk delay of diagnosis or treatment, however, with demand understandably rising rapidly now that patients feel more comfortable about being out and/or having put off dealing with health matters we do also ask that you consider the urgency of your health concern before calling. Mondays are particularly busy at present so if your problem can wait please consider calling later in the week.
In order to minimise footfall in the practice, maintain social distancing and, primarily, ensure the safety of patients and staff there is no access through the building between Ladywell East and Ladywell West.
In order to provide the safest service to our patients, on days when demand is extremely high and/or staffing levels are low and we have reached a capacity for safe working, the clinicians may conclude that they are only able to deal with urgent matters and you will be advised of this by reception staff. This allows us to ensure we are providing as safe a service as possible for the patients who urgently require our attention.
We would like to express our immense gratitude to every patient and visitor who has and continues to help us implement our restrictions. We appreciate that this is a frustrating time and you may be anxious about health matters but please be kind and patient to our staff and adhere to any requests for information. Please think twice before raising your voice, swearing at staff or making unreasonable demands. We are all human too and are working hard to look after your health and help with any queries or concerns you may have. Your ongoing patience, support and understanding is very much appreciated.
NEW SERVICES - NOT AT THE PRACTICE
- Ear syringing and ear checks are now done at the Sighthill Community Treatment Centre and you can contact them directly for this service by calling 0131 537 7005.
- The telephone line is automated and you should listen to the message and leave the requested details. You will then get the next available appointment booked and be sent an appointment letter in the post.
- To amend or cancel an appointment please call 0131 537 7205.
SERVICES - RESTRICTED
The majority of services are now back up and running but there are several services which continue to be restricted. This is an ever changing situation so please be aware of this when discussing with reception staff.
- Travel vaccinations - suspended for the foreseeable future. Please contact the WGH Travel Clinic on 0131 537 2823 or a private travel clinic for further advice.
- HGV medical examinations - these have been suspended for the foreseeable future, however, the Government has announced that drivers who require an HGV medical examination can apply to have their licence extended.
- Adoption/Fostering and other medical examinations - suspended for the foreseeable future.
ISOLATION NOTE
Get an isolation note to give to your employer by clicking on the link below and answering the questions.
You can send an isolation note to your employer as proof you need to stay off work because of COVID-19.
You don’t need to get a note from a GP.
Get an isolation note questionnaire
Can't get an isolation note?
You need to contact your employer if you require to shield from COVID-19 due to underlying conditions but are currently well. Please don't phone 111 or your GP.
WELFARE RIGHTS OFFICER
Should you require any welfare rights advice please call the Granton Information Centre office on 551 2459 or 552 0458. They are not seeing patients face to face but aim to do as much work as possible over the phone. If you are a new client you will be sent a mandate in the post which you will need to complete, sign and return to them directly before they will be able to do the phone appointment with you. They will give you all the information you require.
RIGHT CARE, RIGHT PLACE - GETTING THE BEST HELP
The way patients access urgent care has changed due to coronavirus and if you use the NHS wisely this winter you can get help quickly, safely and as close to home as possible. To protect yourselves and the NHS, it's important you know how to get the right care, in the right place.
For full information please see the NHS Inform website Right Care, Right Place
Phone NHS 24 first on 111
If you think you need to visit an Emergency Department (A&E), but it's not life threatening, or you think you need to visit a Minor Injury Unit call NHS 24 on 111 first, day or night.
In an emergency always call 999 or go to your local A&E.
NHS 24 will direct you to the right care in the right place. This might include self-care, local pharmacy, GP or dental practice, optician or a minor injuries video consultation with Call MIA.
If you need A&E or a Minor Injury service you may be given a telephone or video appointment or a suitable time to attend hospital safely in person.
You can also continue to access healthcare information and resources on the NHS inform website, access advice at your local pharmacy through Pharmacy First and contact your local GP practice during normal opening hours for urgent and routine care.
These new measures will help to keep everyone safe and well and to follow coronavirus guidelines.
Accessing care services
Everyone is now being asked to:
- Visit NHS inform for advice on common symptoms, guidance for self-help and where to go if further medical care is needed;
- Contact your local GP practice during the day for an appointment or over the phone advice;
- Contact your local pharmacy for advice through Pharmacy First;
- Call 111 day or night when they think they need A&E, but it is not life-threatening;
- Call 111 to arrange a consultation with Call MIA, our video call service for minor injuries including sprains, cuts, burns and suspected broken bones or arms and legs or for an appointment at a Minor Injury Unit;
- Call 111 and select the Mental Health Hub to access mental health advice and guidance or call the Breathing Space telephone helpline on 0800 83 85 87;
- Call 111 or use NHS inform out of hours when they are too ill to wait for their GP practice to open, or for worsening symptoms of COVID-19
- Always dial 999 or attend A&E in a life-threatening emergency
Accessibility and More information
If you use a textphone you can phone NHS 24's 111 services (18001 111).
If you are deaf but want to use the phone service you can use the ContactSCOTLAND-BSL interpreting video relay service
COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICE - UPDATE
If you are wondering how health services are different as a result of coronavirus or which service is right for you please see NHS Inform - Community Health
ORDERING PRESCRIPTIONS ONLINE (PLEASE SEE OUR PRESCRIPTIONS TAB FOR FURTHER INFORMATION)
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(Site updated 30/11/2021)