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.
Flu Vaccine / Covid Booster
In Edinburgh this year, if you are eligible for a flu vaccine, you will receive a letter. The letter will either give you an appointment, or instruct you to make an appointment using an online portal.
Patients who have not received a letter but are in one of the cohorts that should have been invited to an appointment please wait until November to call the National Helpline 0800 030 8013 to book an appointment.
Over 50s, pregnant people, unpaid carers and those at risk due to existing health conditions will be offered a flu vaccine. You may also qualify for a flu vaccine because of the job that you do.
Getting your vaccines is quick and easy
Make an appointment at a vaccination clinic
Staying healthy, safe and cared for is more important now than ever before. Protecting yourself from flu this winter is one way to do this. And it’s quick, safe and easy.
To check if you are eligible for a flu vaccine, or for more information, go to www.nhsinform.scot/flu.
You may also be eligible for a COVID-19 booster vaccine this winter. If you are, you may be given both you flu and COVID vaccines at the same appointment. However, this will not always be possible, and you may have to attend two separate appointments. To find out more about the COVID boosters, visit NHS Inform
Please call the National Helpline 0800 030 8013 for rescheduling Covid & Flu appointments (if unable to do online)
Keeping people safe and healthy is a priority, so before the vaccine is administered, a nurse will ask some questions to make sure it is safe to administer the vaccine. You will also be asked to sit for a short period after you have had your vaccine, to make sure that you are not experiencing any side effects.
Please do not go to your appointment if you are feeling unwell with symptoms of coronavirus, have recently tested positive for coronavirus, or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for or who has symptoms of coronavirus.
If you are unable to attend your appointment, you can rearrange your appointment online, or call the Lothian helpline on 0300 790 6296 for assistance with re-booking.
To find out more about flu vaccines for children, visit the NHS Lothian website
The 2-5 year influenza (flu) vaccination programme has now begun
If your child is aged 2 years of age and above on the 1st September 2021, they will be invited, by letter, to one of the clinics that will be running over the coming weeks across the city. These clinics are being run by the Edinburgh Preschool Vaccination Team.
Please wait for your letter to arrive and if you need to change this appointment, then please contact the number that will be on the letter.
Children attending primary school will be offered vaccination within the school setting.
Further information can be found on https://www.nhsinform.scot/flu-vaccine/the-vaccines/the-child-flu-vaccine.
The Scottish Government requires General Practice and other healthcare settings to have different infection control and physical distancing guidance to other places such as hospitality and shops.
This is to help reduce the risk to practice staff and to people attending the practice who may be at greater risk if they catch Covid 19.
From 19 July 2021 (when we go to Level 0) the following rules still apply in General Practice:
wearing of face coverings by patients and the public (unless you are exempt)
physical distancing of 2 metres in waiting rooms
contact your practice by telephone in the first instance
wearing of PPE by staff
screening of all patients for Covid 19 symptoms
Please support your local practice team by complying with this guidance.
Measure will provide confirmation of vaccination when required for foreign travel. |
A service that allows people travelling abroad to access their record of vaccination status themselves has launched. A vaccination status letter can be downloaded from the NHS Inform patient portal or - for those not online - requested in the post via a Freephone Covid Status Helpline. Only those planning to travel to a country or territory where a record of vaccination status is needed as an entry requirement you will be able access your Covid-19 Vaccine Status online, by logging on to www.nhsinform.scot/covid19status. People who have lost or forgotten their username or password will be able to create new ones by selecting 'forgot username' or 'forgot password' options. A Freephone Covid Status Helpline will allow people to get the record posted to them. It can be contacted on 0808 196 8565. If you are intending to travel abroad you should: Face Mask Exemption Guidance
According to gov.uk medical exemption for wearing face masks applicable when :
• Where a person cannot put on, wear, or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment or disability (within the meaning of section 6 of the Equality Act 2010), or without severe distress
• Where a person is providing a lip-reading service to a person they are travelling with Common conditions include Severe respiratory condition
Severe mental health condition
Autism
Dementia
Learning disability If you feel you fit the above criteria and require such a medical exemption letter you must
Submit a request to the practice at least 4 weeks before travel in writing with an explanation of what you feel is the medical condition that fits the above criteria – this can be emailed to bmc@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk
Pay a fee of £30 prior to submitting the request - collect the letter in person. |
If you have been requested to send a photo by email please send them in to BMC@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk
Please note that by sending your photos in confirms your consent to add these to your medical file.
Please note you will receive a automated confirmation that we have received your email - please do not send any other requests via this service
Photos are emailed at your own risk from a non secure account.
IF YOU ARE SIGNIFICANTLY UNWELL WITH SYMPTOMS OF
NEW FEVER, COUGH OR CHANGE OF TASTE/SMELL
YOU NEED TO SEEK ASSESSMENT VIA THE LOCAL COVID ASSESSMENT CENTRE BY
CALLING 111
Should you have any of these new symptoms and be looking to confirm if they are COVID-19 then you can find information regarding testing at this link
If you have general questions about this outbreak or are seeking advice for your employer you should refer to the information available on
WE ARE STILL HERE TO DISCUSS AND ASSESS ANY WORRYING SYMPTOMS OR CONCERNS YOU HAVE AT THIS TIME AND IT IS IMPORTANT YOU ARRANGE A REVIEW IF SOMETHING IS WORRYING YOU
We have adopted a 'phone first' approach which means that ALL patients will be spoken to by a member of the medical team before being offered a further review.
This means your problem may be dealt with by phone, video or in person at the practice.
Should our healthcare team feel your problem would be best reviewed by video call then we will give you a set appointment to use this link via Google Chrome/Safari
https://nhsattend.vc/70535
Please see the 'Appointments' section for more information on the ways we are adapting our services.
(Site updated 02/12/2021)