Updates and News
Important Notice about Patient Returned Sharps Boxes
We are aware of the current difficulties being experienced by some patients when trying to dispose of their sharps boxes and of the impact that this is having.
The list below details the community pharmacies that are providing the sharps service. In addition, from 6th January 2025, sharps boxes can be obtained and disposed of at several NHS sites across Lothian. The details have been added below.
Please note – Sharps bins must not be overfilled and must be sealed, otherwise the pharmacy / service cannot accept the bin. Please also ensure that your details (including CHI number) are on the bin.
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PHARMACY / NHS SITE |
ADDRESS |
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TESCO INSTORE PHARMACY |
7 BROUGHTON ROAD |
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CRIGHTON PHARMACY |
6-7 CRIGHTON PLACE |
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STOCKBRIDGE PHARMACY |
35-37 NORTH WEST CIRCUS PLACE |
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CORSTORPHINE PHARMACY |
159 ST JOHN’S ROAD |
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BRISTO SQUARE PHARMACY AND TRAVEL CLINIC |
6 BRISTO SQUARE |
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MARCHMONT PHARMACY |
41-43 WARRENDER PARK ROAD |
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CLEAR PHARMACY |
26 BROUGHAM PLACE |
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COLINTON PHARMACY LTD |
46A BRIDGE RD |
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COLINTON MAINS PHARMACY (A H TOD LTD) |
84 COLINTON MAINS DRIVE |
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POLWARTH PHARMACY |
10 POLWARTH GARDENS |
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RATHO PHARMACY |
64 NORTH STREET |
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WESTER HAILES PHARMACY |
26 WESTER HAILES CRESCENT |
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AVANTE PHARMACY |
39 WESTFIELD ROAD |
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VACCINATION CENTRES |
GROUND FLOOR, GYLE SHOPPING CENTRE, GYLE AVENUE, EDINBURGH, EH12 9JY. AVAILABLE: SATURDAY-WEDNESDAY 10:00-18:00 (CLOSED 12:40-13:50)
SECOND FLOOR, OCEAN TERMINAL, OCEAN DRIVE, EDINBURGH, EH6 6JJ. AVAILABLE: TUESDAY-SATURDAY 10:00-18:00 (CLOSED 12:40-13:50)
UPPER LEVEL, WAVERLEY MALL SHOPPING CENTRE, WAVERLEY MARKET, 3/48 WAVERLEY BRIDGE, EDINBURGH, EH1 1BQ. AVAILABLE: THURSDAY-MONDAY 10:00-18:00 (CLOSED 12:50-13:50)
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Activity in the NHS - by service
Over the past 10 years it has often been stated that the NHS treats more than 1 million people every 36 hours but is this still true?
The Kings Fund analyse NHS activity (for example, calls, appointments, attendances and admissions) and explore some of the underlying trends that lie behind these headline statistics.
GPs work in Primary Care whilst hospital work is Secondary Care. Primary Care in NHS Scotland currently receives a 6.5% share of the overall funding, down from an 11% share in 2006, before the financial crash. This is an interesting financial statistic when the workload comparison is detailed.
The graphic to the right shows the workload split between different NHS services and it is clear to see that GP appointments account for the largest proportion of work.
This is why GPs have to continue to fight for funding. GPs do a proportionately higher volume of work for significantly less funding than other areas of the NHS and have, year on year, have their funding cut.
You can find full information here Activity In The NHS | The King's Fund
CARI - Community Acute Respiratory Infection
Public Health Scotland have developed a campaign aiming to assess respiratory infections which are in circulation within the general public.
Public Health are working with NHS boards and GP practices to:
- recruit sentinel GP practices in every health board
- supply respiratory testing kits to sentinel GP practices
They ask GP practices to:
- swab patients who meet the CARI case definition
- return the swabs to the lab where they are tested for 10 respiratory pathogens
- collect data from patients using a digital surveillance form
They analyse the results to:
- produce a weekly report on respiratory infection in the community
- circulate the report to sentinel GP practices, and to public health professionals and policy makers
Your GP may ask you if you wish to take part in the campaign if:
- you have acute respiratory infection symptoms that require a consultation and a swab with your GP
Please see Public Health Scotland website for further information