NETHERGATE MEDICAL CENTRE
NEWSLETTER
DR COULL DR DORWARD DR RUTHVEN
DR LA HAY DR ZUBERI DR COCHRANE DR LAW
Tel: 01382 221527
NEW PARTNERS
We welcome to our practice three new GP partners Dr Zuberi, Dr Cochrane and Dr
Law from 1st September 2015.
CLOSED FOR TRAINING
The Practice will be closed on Wednesday 3rd February and Wednesday 3rd March
for staff training from 12.30pm. If you require medical advice please telephone
NHS24 on 111.
FLU VACCINATIONS
If you have not had your flu jab please contact to the surgery to have this carried
out by our Practice Nurse.
REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS
A study has shown that it is safer for all repeat prescriptions a patient has to last
the same time wherever possible. Some repeat prescriptions can only be for 28
days supply, for example prescriptions where the drug itself is restricted to 28
day supply, or when these are dispensed in monitored dosage trays.
Other items could be for 56 day supply, however if a person has 28 day supplies of
one or more medicines, it is safer to provide scripts for 28 days supply for all the
repeat medicines.
For better management of prescriptions, we are working towards a system
where you should order all your repeat prescriptions at the same time.
Please do no ask for repeat medication during your appointment with your
Doctor or Nurse. Your time with the Doctor/Nurse is precious and the
GPs/Nurses need to allow the 10 minutes allocated during your appointment to
deal with your health issues.
Ordering Repeat Prescriptions
Repeat prescriptions are only those on the order form printed at the right
hand side of prescription forms (requests for items not on this form may not
be given and can take up to 7 days to be processed)
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.
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Please order all your repeat medicines that you regularly take at the same
time once every four weeks, (or every eight weeks if we are able to give
you a 56 day prescription.)
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If there are medicines which you take only when you need them, please
check whether you need more when you are placing your regular order.
Don’t order every time if you have plenty.
Of course, if you need them early – for example if you are going on holiday, then
let us know and they will be processed.
Note that the next supply won’t be processed until what would have been the
due date if there had not been an early supply.
The reasons for these changes is for patient safety and we understand that
patients concerns are will there be enough time for you to get your supply from
the pharmacy if you leave it 4 weeks between requests.
There should be plenty time at the first request for the prescription to be
processed, go to the pharmacy to be dispensed and be picked up by you before you
run out of your medicines. If you then order regularly every 4 weeks – 4 weeks
from last order, not from when you pick up your medicine- there should still be
plenty time and no need to order early.
We also need to know if you are taking more tables than it says on the label as
this maybe a reason why you are ordering early. If you are taking more than the
number of tablets per day stated on the prescription, you need to see your doctor
to have the dose confirmed and the prescription changed.
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
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
(except as explained above items that are not on your re order form can take
up to 7 days) 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.
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.
DO YOU NEED TO TALK?
There is a listening service in the surgery helping people (re) discover hope, and
inner strength in time of illness, change and loss. Speak to your doctor or nurse
about making an appointment.
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.
Please also note the GPs will not write letters confirming medication you are
taking for travelling abroad your repeat re order form, which has a list of
your medication and your name, address and D.O.B, can be used.
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
KEEP WELL CLINICS
Our Practice Nurse runs these clinics by appointment. Patients aged between 4064 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.
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
INSURANCE CERTIFICATION
Should your illness involve absence from work of less than 7 days you do not
require a medical certificate. However your employer may require you to complete
a self-certificate (Form SC2) available from your employer or downloadable from
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ Please note there is no requirement for a doctor to sign
this form therefore an appointment for this purpose is not required.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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