Kittoch Medical Practice Newsletter
Spring 2015
Issue 5
Welcome to the latest issue of our Practice Newsletter. In this and future issues we
hope to keep you up to date on what’s going on in the Practice and to keep you
informed of important dates for your diary.
Please remember that you can log onto our website
www.kittochmedicalpractice.co.uk for further information or to order your repeat
medication and cancel appointments
Are you a Carer?
Did you know that there is help available if you look after another person in a caring
capacity? The South Lanarkshire Carer Network work closely with us to make sure
that those who are carers are given the help and support they need in their important
and often unseen role. They can put you in touch with various organisations and
networks to help with making sure amongst other things that you are getting the
correct benefits and granting Power of Attourney.
Please let us know if you are a carer either by speaking to any of the staff in the
Practice. We can then give you information on how to get the help you deserve.
Change of Practice Name
On 2nd February 2015 we changed our practice name to Kittoch Medical Practice.
Our telephone numbers have not changed (01355 271080) however the email
address for ordering repeat prescriptions has changed to
kittochmedicalpractice@nhs.net and the web address has changed to
www.kittochmedicalpractice.co.uk
Opening times and Closures
We open from 8.30am until 6pm Monday to Friday and in addition we operate an
early morning surgery for those who work each Tuesday from 7.15am until 8am.
We close each Wednesday from 1pm until 2pm for staff meetings and training.
Dates for your diary 2015
Please note that the Practice will be closed on these days May Day 4th May
Spring Bank Holiday 25th May
Glasgow Fair Monday – 20th July
September weekend – 28th September
Move to the new Hunter Health Centre
Our move to the new premises is planned for the weekend of 22nd May 2015. We are
excited to move to our new premises and look forward to welcoming our patients to
the new facility on 26th May 2015. We will be located on the 3rd floor facing North
towards the village. Look out for further updates on our website
Parking
This continues to be a problem for our patients. Unfortunately parking will continue
to be an issue in the short term. The ground that the existing Health Centre is on will
eventually become a multi storey car park. To avoid surgeries running late, we ask
that you continue to allow plenty of time to park prior to your appointed time and if
possible call ahead to let us know if you are delayed. We appreciate your cooperation.
Bowel Screening
We are participating in a Health Board wide initiative to encourage our patients to
take part in Bowel Screening. If you are over 50 yrs you will be sent a screening kit
through the post with instructions on what to do. The test is easy to do and designed
to detect abnormalities in your bowel at an early stage, which is when treatment, if
needed, is more likely to be effective. We strongly to encourage you to take part.
Don‘t worry if you have thrown away or lost your kit. Another kit can be obtained by
calling the National Bowel Screening Helpline on 0800 0121 833. Unfortunately we
do not hold stock of the kits in the Surgery.
Please ask the Dr at your next appointment if you have any questions.
Missed appointments
Recently we have seen an increase in the amount of wasted appointments. Patients
who fail to turn up for their appointment will be sent a letter and if they continue to
miss appointments after a letter has been sent, you may be asked to find another
GP.
Please call the surgery on 01355 271080 to cancel appointments as soon as you
know you no longer need them. You can also do this via the website
Patients who do not turn up for their appointment effectively block that appointment,
preventing it from being used by patients who really need it. It also wastes our
valuable Dr and Nurse time. Thank you for your co-operation.
Changes to address and telephone numbers
We cannot stress enough the importance of keeping us informed of changes to your
telephone numbers and address. Please help us in keeping our records as up to
date as possible. Wrong details mean that procedures and referrals arranged by the
Dr could potentially be delayed if you are not contactable. Please fill out a form at
reception and post it in the box or ask the Receptionist of a change of details form.
Alternatively, you can email us at kittochmedicalpractice@nhs.net
In future, we hope to implement a texting service to remind our patients about
appointments. If you move outside the G74 and G75 area you will be asked to
change surgery to a Dr nearer your new address.
Patient Participation
We would like to hear your comments and suggestions on the way the Practice is run
and would welcome participation from our patients with comments on the things we
do well or on areas where we could improve. Please speak to the Practice Manager,
Karon Ferguson when you are next in the practice.