NETHERGATE MEDICAL CENTRE
NEWSLETTER
DR COULL DR DORWARD DR RUTHVEN
DR LA HAY DR KILLICK DR THARAYIL DR HUSSAIN
Tel: 01382 221527
CONTINUITY OF CARE
We are looking at the process of reviewing our appointment system to promote
continuity of care.
Reception staff will ask specific questions to help ensure you can see the same
doctor.
When following up a problem it’s strongly advised that you try to see the same
doctor.
Seeing the same GP may reduce delays in diagnosis.
Continuity of care is important.
MATERNITY LEAVE
Dr Hussain will be on maternity leave until she returns in August 2014.
FLU VACCINE
If you have not had this yet please speak to our reception staff who can give you
further information.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
The Practice will be closed on the following days Monday 7th April and Monday 21st
April. If you require medical advice please telephone NHS24- 08454 24 24 24.
SUFFERING FROM A MINOR ILLNESS AND WANT SOME ADVICE
AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE?
Did you know that your local pharmacist can give you confidential advice and
treatment if needed for a number of common illnesses without the need for an
appointment with your GP?
Here are some of the conditions that your pharmacist can help you with, coughs,
colds and sore throats, minor skin conditions and acne, athletes foot, styes and
minor eye infections, head lice, pain, including backache, cold sores,
diarrhoea/constipation, colic and thrush.
DETECTING CANCER EARLY - BOWEL SCREENING PROGRAMME
Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in Scotland after lung and breast
cancer. The Scottish Bowel Screening Programme invites all men and women over
the age of 50 for screening every two years. We fully support this initiative and
would encourage you to participate in this worthwhile programme. For further
information on bowel screening www.bowelscreening.scot.nhs.uk
There is also a free phone helpline if you have been called for screening and wish
to discuss further any query with a trained helpline staff 0800 0121 833
REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS
There are different options that you can use for ordering your repeat
prescriptions.
Why not order your repeat prescription by email?
Our email address is
nethergateprescriptions.tayside@nhs.net
Medication ordered too early may result in your prescription not being issued.
Any medicine that is not listed on your repeat slip may not be automatically
generated.
Please leave your name; date of birth, contact number and clearly list the
medication you require. Only repeat prescription requests will be dealt with.
Queries will not be dealt with by email you must telephone and speak with a
receptionist.
You can also visit our website at www.nethergatemedicalcentre.co.uk where you
can obtain a repeat prescription, by registering your details, by email.
If you prefer not to email your prescription then you can also telephone the
surgery with your order or hand your repeat slip into the surgery or post this into
the surgery.
Repeat prescriptions will be ready for collection 2 days after request is received.
Please allow an extra day if using the chemist collection service. Please also
ensure that you leave enough time for ordering your repeat medication.
Repeat prescriptions will not be given at routine appointments.
Please telephone after 10.30am, choosing option 2, if you wish to speak to a
member of staff regarding prescription queries.
Patients on repeat medication may be invited to make an appointment for annual
review.
NON-NHS SERVICES
Some services provided fall outside the scope of the NHS and therefore attract
charges. Examples include the following Medicals for pre-employment, sports and
driving requirements (HGV, PSV etc.),Insurance claim forms ,Private sick notes,
Vaccination certificates
Our reception staff will be happy to advise you about appointment availability and
applicable charges.
THE GP WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE PRIVATE LETTERS DURING
CONSULTATION
STUDENTS
If you are off sick up to and including 7 days you should self-certificate either
using the university’s on line form or ask at reception for a self-certification
medical form. Should your university department require medical certification for
less than 7 days sickness then please ask the department to write to us requesting
this information. There is a charge for this and if we do not have contact from
the university you will be liable for payment.
TRAVEL
Don't leave your travel vaccinations until the last minute.
Some vaccines need time to become effective or require a course of more than
one injection.
Before seeing our Practice Nurse we recommend that you visit
www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk this is a public access website provided by the NHS
(Scotland). It gives travel health information for people travelling abroad from
the UK.
Please note that there may be a charge for travel consultations/vaccinations.
ZERO TOLERANCE
We strongly support the NHS policy on zero tolerance. Anyone attending the
surgery who abuses the GPs, staff or other patients be it verbally, physically or in
any threatening manner whatsoever, will risk removal from the practice list. In
extreme cases we may summon the police to remove offenders from the practice
premises.
KEEP WELL CLINICS
Our Practice Nurse runs these clinics by appointment. Patients aged
between 40-64 years of age will receive a letter asking you to attend the Practice.
If the appointment time is inconvenient then an alternative can be arranged please
ask at reception.
The nurse will simply carry out a small health check. The results will be explained
to you and advice given on diet, exercising etc.
CONFIDENTIALITY INFORMATION
If you would like a copy of any of the leaflets below these can be accessed
www.hris.org.uk. If you do no have access to the web then please ask reception
staff. Confidentiality – it’s your right, Consent – it’s your decision. You will also
find other patient information leaflets on this website which you may find useful.
ACCESS TO MEDICAL RECORDS
Patients have a right of access to all computerised and manual records.
If you would like further information please ask at reception.
ARE YOU A CARER OR BEING CARED FOR?
The practice is currently trying to offer support to patients of any age who have
caring responsibilities for someone who is ill, disabled or elderly. If you are a
carer please let the Practice know so that we can update our records. Reception
staff will provide you with a form.
PRIVACY AT THE RECEPTION DESK
Please remember and try to respect patients’ privacy at the reception desk. If
you wish to discuss anything in private please let the receptionist know.
UPDATING RECORDS
Do we have your correct address and/or telephone number?
If we don’t, how can we contact you?
Reception staff are asking patient’s for up to date telephone numbers so that we
have all your details recorded correctly on your medical record. If you change
address or telephone number please let us know.
PATIENTS RESPONSIBILITIES
Be polite with reception staff. The practice does not tolerate violence against any
member of staff. Please arrive a couple of minutes early for appointments. Let us
know if you cannot make an appointment. Try to attend when we invite you for
health check ups. Inform reception staff if you have a change of address or
telephone number.
As always, if you have any queries, comments or concerns about any of our
services please do not hesitate to speak to one of the Receptionists or the
Practice Manager. We welcome your comments and hope to use them to
continually offer further improvements in the future.
WHY ANTIBIOTICS ARE NOT ALWAYS NEEDED
MANAGEMENT OF A SORE THROAT
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Majority of patients presenting with a sore throat do not require antibiotic
treatment
The average duration of symptoms is 7 days whether you take antibiotics or not
Evidence shows that regular painkillers are more likely to help your symptoms than
antibiotics
OTHER HELPFUL TIPS:
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Drink plenty of fluids and suck on throat lozenges or similar to stop your throat
becoming dry
Rest if you feel tired
Avoid foods that cause pain when you swallow
Try to avoid smoking or smoky atmospheres
MANAGEMENT OF EAR ACHE
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Most common in children less than 10 years of age
In 80% of children it was found that this can resolved without antibiotics in
around 3-4 days
The average duration of symptoms is 4 days
Regular analgesia, such as paracetamol and or ibuprofen, will help the immediate
pain more quickly than an antibiotic
MANAGEMENT OF A “CHEST INFECTION”
Cough usually lasts for 7-10 days but can persist for 3 weeks with or without
antibiotics
 An antibiotic will not be given after clinical examination confirms there are no
chest signs
 Sputum alone is not an indication for antibiotics if you have been previously well
and have no chest signs
HELPFUL TIPS:
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Try to avoid smoking or smoky atmospheres
Drink plenty fluids and rest if you feel tired
WHEN THE GP WILL CONSIDER ANTIBIOTICS
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When the patient has symptoms and signs of serious complications
When the patient is at a high risk as they have other conditions such as diabetes,
asthma, coronary heart disease etc
When the patient is aged 65 or older
When the patient is aged less than 3 months
IF ANTIBIOTICS ARE GIVEN TAKE THEM REGULARLY AND
COMPLETE THE TREATMENT
ANALGESIA MAY STILL BE REQUIRED IN THE FIRST FEW DAYS
OF TREATMENT