CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR CLOSURE

Penicuik Health Centre will close at 6 pm on Friday 23 December and will not reopen until 8 am on Wednesday 28 December (PLEASE NOTE:  We start making appointments for on the day and one day in advance at 8.30 am - appointments for future dates can be made at any time of the day from 8.30 am onwards).

The Health Centre will close again at 6 pm on Friday 29 December and will not reopen until 8 am on Wednesday 4 January 2011.

In the event of a life threatening emergency dial 999 for an ambulance. 

For other medical problems that can't wait until the surgery reopens please telephone NHS24 on 08454 24 24 24.

The Doctors & Staff of Penicuik Medical Practice wish you all a Merry Xmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year

 Immunisation Against Influenza

Rowlands Chemist, Precinct Penicuik

Boots Chemist

Sainsburys

The above charge between £8 - £13 for people who do not fall into the above categories but who wish to have the flu vaccination.

   PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 2011/2012 

In the event of a life threatening emergency, dial 999 for an ambulance.  For other medical problems that can't wait until the surgery reopens please telephone NHS24 on 08454 24 24 24

 PRACTICE CLOSURE DATES IN 2012
The Health Centre will close for training purposes on the following days at 12.30 pm and will not reopen until the following morning: 

When the surgery is closed you can still phone NHS24 on 08454 242424. However, you can also consider getting advice from your pharmacist.

MEDICAL STAFF 

Dr Gary O'Neill has completed his GP training and has now left the practice but will be returning doing locum sessions for us.

Dr Damian Smith joined the practice in early December and will be with the practice for four months. 

 PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT START MAKING APPOINTMENTS UNTIL 8.30 EACH MORNING.

PLEASE ALSO NOTE THAT IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING APPOINTMENTS ONE DAY IN ADVANCE AND ON THE DAY, WE ALSO OFFER THE OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO BOOK APPOINTMENTS FROM FOUR TO SIX WEEKS IN ADVANCE

DO YOU LOOK AFTER SOMEONE?

Carers provide unpaid care by looking after an ill, frail or disabled family member, friend or partner.

1 in 8 people in Scotland are carers and each carer's situation is unique.  You may be caring for someone constantly - perhaps you elderly parent becoming frail, your partner who has developed an illness or your disabled child.  Or you may be helping someone out on a regular basis by picking up prescriptions and checking them every day.

You may also be juggling the demands of family life, a job or education with your caring role.

If you are providing unpaid care (whether or not the person you care for is a patient in this practice), please let us know.  Being aware of your caring responsibilities helps us to provide a better service to you as a patient and to the person you care for.

We can help by, for example:

• providing a health check and, if appropriate, an annual flu immunisation to ensure your are as healthy as possible.
• arranging appointments at a time that fits in with your caring responsibilities
• organising a repeat prescription service direct to your pharmacy
• providing you with information on ways in which you can access practical and emotional support in your caring role.

Our practice values the unique and significant contribution made by unpaid carers.

We are committed to supporting you and working in partnership with you and to providing the best care and support to unpaid carers and those they look after.

If you would like to tell us you are a carer, or require further information, please contact:

Mrs Gillian McKenzie   Practice Manager  01968 672612

As part of the Government led extended hours initiative we are now providing a nursing service as well as GP appointments on a Saturday morning    Please be advised that the following are NOT available on a Saturday morning:

• Telephone access to the Practice
• Results
• Appointment bookings
• Blood tests
• Collection of Prescriptions

Appointments for a Saturday will be pre-booked and, as there will be no telephone access, cancellations will need to be done in advance, or by a note posted through the door.  The doors to the Health Centre will be kept locked and patients with appointments should come to the Back Door of the Health Centre and ring the bell.

As before, in a life-threatening emergency dial 999 for an ambulance.  For other problems that cannot wait until the surgery reopens please contact NHS24, or go to your local pharmacist for some advice.

The Appointments Office is open Monday to Friday from 8.30 am - 6.00 pm when we will be very pleased to help you.

You do need to fill in your email address so that you can get confirmation that your email request has been sent to the practice.

APPOINTMENTS

You have a choice of appointments. As well as a face-to-face consultation with a doctor you can:
Come to our nurse practitioner clinic
Have an appointment with the practice nurse or treatment room nurse.

This means that:
You do not have to wait as long for an appointment
You see the person who is best able to help with your problem.

The Nurse Practitioner treats problems including coughs, colds, sore throat, earache, diarrhoea & vomiting, flu, feverish children, skin infections, vaginal discharge & thrush, period problems, urine infections and smoking cessation. You can make an appointment on the day or in advance.

Many illnesses can be helped by treatments from your Pharmacist.
Phone advice is available from:
Lloyds 01968 673633
Rowlands (Edinburgh Road) 01968 676868
Rowlands (Precinct) 01968 673939

MINOR AILMENT SERVICE AT YOUR COMMUNITY PHARMACY