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 should download the record or request it. While there are no countries currently requiring vaccination status to travel, international travel restrictions can change quickly requiring such measures to be in place. The measures are intended to ease the burden on the NHS by removing the need for people to ask their GP for a status record. As Scotland’s vaccination programme progresses, vaccination status will be replaced by digital Covid Status Certificates, which will include vaccination and testing data to be used for outbound international travel. Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith said: “Given the risk of returning with infection, and especially of introducing new variants of the virus, we continue to be highly cautious about international travel. Everyone should continue to limit their travel abroad and while I understand the need for some people who want to reunite with family, when it comes to holidays, my advice continues to be play it safe and staycation this summer. “For those that do need it, this new service will provide people with a record of their vaccination status for outbound international travel. “They should only access their record if they are planning to travel within 21 days and it is a requirement of their destination.” Background People will be able access their 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. The Scottish Government continues to urge a highly cautious approach to international travel, given the risk of new variants. The four UK Chief Medical Officers have said that green-list status should be the exception, rather than the rule, with countries added to the list only where there are very good reasons for doing so. 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. |
Please note that sadly due to relocating Dr Wilson will be leaving the Practice on the 18th July
If you are registered with Dr Wilson you will be automatically transferred to one of our other GP Partners.
We will also have two new GPs joining us in July, more information to follow.
PHOTOS
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
*BLACKHALL SERVICES*
DO NOT ATTEND THE PRACTICE IN PERSON WITHOUT A PRE-ARRANGED APPOINTMENT
NHS Scotland have advised all GP Practices and Hospitals to temporarily suspend all routine clinical work.
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 23/07/2021)