Penicuik Medical Practice
photo of the practice

Notice Board



 

 

DR DAVID M BEGG

Dr David M Begg has announced that he plans to retire from the Practice at the end of March.

If anyone wishes to contribute towards a retiral gift we have opened a bank account, details below.

Royal Bank of Scotland, Pencuik

sort code 83-26-10  account no 00609727

We would like to take this opportunity wish Dr Begg all the best in his retirement


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

 

 

 


Thank You

The doctors and staff would like to express their gratitude for all the cards and gifts received over the Christmas period.  They were very much appreciated.  Thanks again to everyone.

Best wishes for 2010


 

Swine flu and the swine flu vaccination

We have received supplies of the H1N1 vaccine and commenced vaccinating patients in the priority groups as defined by the Government.

The vaccine once constituted makes 10 doses and these need to be used within 24 hours.  In order to be cost-effective with the supplies of vaccine we have arranged special Swine Flu Vaccination Clinics.  Letters have been sent to patients in the priority groups.  We have been given no extra resources to deliver this service, so please be patient with us while we try to deliver a cost effective service, while undertaking our normal practice services.

We hope to have vaccinated our priority group patients before the Christmas break.  If you feel you are in this priority group (criteria detailed below) and haven't received a letter from us, please contact the surgery on 01968 672612 and we will check your records.

District Nurse Patients:  Patients who are eligible for the swine flu vaccination and are normally visited by the District Nurses will be contacted prior to the nurse visiting to administer the vaccination.

Housebound Patients:  Arrangements for eligible housebound patients are still to be finalised.  Patients will be contacted to arrange a home visit.

 
What is swine flu?
 
It is a respiratory disease caused by a new strain of influenza virus. The symptoms of swine flu are very similar to those caused by seasonal flu. Swine flu is generally a mild infection that comes on quickly and lasts for about a week. It causes fever, tiredness, cough and sore throat. Other symptoms may include headache, aching muscles, chills, sneezing, runny nose, loss of appetite, vomiting or diarrhoea.
 
However, for a very small number of healthy people, and for those with underlying health conditions; who are pregnant; or who are having medical treatment such as chemotherapy, these symptoms can lead to very serious complications and even death.
 
Who is being offered the swine flu vaccination?
 
The vaccine is being offered firstly to people who are most likely to become seriously ill if they catch swine flu. These people are in the following groups:
 
  • Adults and children over six months of age who have a long-term health condition and normally receive the seasonal flu vaccine;
  • Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy; and
  • People who live in the same house as someone whose immune system is compromised by disease or treatment. 
 
In order to gain adequate protection, you may require two doses depending on your personal circumstances. Your GP will advise you whether you will need a follow up appointment. 
 
If you have a severely compromised immune system, ask the people you live with to also think about getting the vaccination to help protect you from swine flu. 
 
Will my regular seasonal flu vaccination protect me against swine flu?
 
No. Seasonal flu and swine flu are caused by different flu viruses. The seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against swine flu. If you usually have the seasonal flu vaccine, you should have the swine flu vaccine also.
 
Will there be any side effects?
 
All vaccinations can produce side effects such as redness, soreness and swelling at the site of the injection. Flu vaccines can cause symptoms like fever, headache and muscle aches, but they are much milder than the flu itself and only last a day or so. This vaccine is not live so cannot cause flu.
  
How can we be sure these new vaccines are safe and effective?
 
Pandemrix and Celvapan are both licensed vaccines. Similar vaccines containing another flu virus strain (H5N1) have been clinically tested in trials involving over 5,000 people including older people. When they licensed the vaccines, the European Commission carefully considered all the evidence and recommended that they could be used.
 
Is the vaccine safe for pregnant women?
 
The European Medicines Agency has said that both new vaccines can be given to pregnant women. Pregnant women are recommended to have the swine flu vaccine because they are at greater risk of being seriously ill with swine flu. They also have a higher risk of needing to go to hospital if they catch swine flu. These risks increase during later stages of the pregnancy.
 
If you are about to give birth, having the swine flu vaccine could help avoid catching swine flu and then passing it to your baby.
 
Please speak to your GP or midwife if you have any further questions.
 
Further Questions
 
If you have any further questions relating to having this vaccination please talk to your GP.
 
For general information on the swine flu vaccination, please contact the Scottish Swine Flu Vaccination Helpline on 08000 282 816.

 


 

 

SWINE FLU INFORMATION 

For most people it's a mild illness

So you should stay at home, rest, and drink plenty of fluids, and you can take over-the-counter remedies to help relieve the symptoms.  You should feel better aftrer a few days without needing to see a GP.

The best way to check if you really do need advice from your GP is to take your temperature with a thermometer.

If your temperature is below 38 degrees, you can probably handle this flu at home.  For most people it will get better in a few days with normal flu remedies from the supermarket or chemist.  You will not need Tamiflu.

If you do have a high temperature of 38 degrees or above, and particularly if you or your relatives are very young (less than 5 years old), over 65 years, pregnant or have long-term conditions, such as asthma or diabetes, please stay at home and telephone the surgery on 01968 672612.  Tell the Receptionist that you have flu like symptoms and we will arrange for the Duty Doctor to contact you to assess you further and decide what the best course of treatment is in your particular case.

DO NOT COME INTO THE SURGERY UNLESS YOU ARE ADVISED TO DO SO, BECAUSE YOU MIGHT SPREAD THE ILLNESS TO OTHERS.  STAY AT HOME AND ASK A FRIEND OR RELATIVE TO GO OUT FOR YOU TO THE SHOPS OR CHEMIST.

Check your symptoms on www.nhs24.com.

Call the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513 to hear the latest advice.

You can also call NHS24 on 08454 24 24 24

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP AVOID SWINE FLU?

You can reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading swine flu by:

  • Always covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
  • Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.
  • Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face, or to other people.
  • Cleaning hard surfaces, such as door handles, frequently using a normal cleaning product.

 PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 2009/2010

Monday 5 April Easter Monday

2010   
Friday 1 January  New Year's Day Monday 3 May Public Holiday
Monday 4 January Public Holiday Monday 20 September  Public Holiday
Friday 2 April  Good Friday Monday 27 December Christmas Day Holiday
 

Tuesday 28 December Boxing Day Holiday

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 2010
The Health Centre will close for training purposes on the following days at 12.30 pm and will not reopen until the following morning: 

Wednesday 17 February   Wednesday 26 May Wednesday 24 November
Wednesday 31March   Wednesday 1 September  
Wednesday 28 April    Wednesday 6 October  

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

 

 We are pleased to welcome a new Foundation Doctor - Dr Katy Stewart, who replaces Dr Zoe Venables, and who will be with us for four months. 

 

 


 

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

 

 


 

  SATURDAY MORNING SERVICE

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.

 


 

ONLINE REPEAT PRESCRIPTION REQUESTS 

We have introduced email requests for repeat prescriptions! We hope that this will make it easier to get regular medication on repeat prescription. Just go to the home page on the website and use the online form there. We think most of the glitches have been ironed out, but please let us know if you have problems with it. 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.

 


RESULTS AND OTHER QUERIES

We would appreciate if you avoided phoning for results and other queries before 11 am. This will help free up the telephone at a busy time for people who want to make appointments. If you are phoning for results please do this between 3 and 5 pm as this will allow the doctors to check results that have come in that day.


PATIENT SELF CHECK IN SERVICE

In order to cut down queues at the Reception Desk the practice has introduced a self check in service using a touch screen system. This is very easy to work. You can, however, still check in at the Reception Desk if you prefer.


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

 
A service for people who do not pay prescription charges.
 
Everyone can go to their pharmacist for advice or to buy a medicine for a minor illness or complaint but this is a service for people, including children, who don’t pay prescription charges. It means that if your pharmacist thinks you need it, they can give you a medicine for a minor illness or complaint without you having to pay for it.
 
You must register for the service with the community pharmacy of your choice. You can only register with one community pharmacy at a time for the NHS Minor Ailment Service. You don’t have to make an appointment. You can go along at a time that suits you. Your consultation will always be with a pharmacist. You will be able to get advice and free treatment (if you need it) for the following minor illnesses and complaints –
 
acne headache headline athlete's foot
backache indigestion cold sores mouth ulcers
constipation nasal congestion cough pain
diarrhoea period pain earache thrush
eczema and allergies sore throat haemorroids(piles) threadworms
hay fever warts and verrucae smoking cessation  

 


OUT OF HOURS

Should you need medical attention outwith the practice hours,
please contact NHS24 on 08454 24 24 24.
In a life threatening emergency please call 999


WORKING IN PENICUIK HEALTH CENTRE

The practice employs medical reception staff, medical secretaries, practice nurses and staff to take blood samples, blood pressures, etc. We offer excellent pay and conditions in a busy but friendly team with opportunities for career development. If you would like to be considered for a vacancy when one becomes available, please speak to Gillian McKenzie, the Practice Manager, and let her have a copy of your CV.


  


 


 


 

 

 





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