NETHERGATE MEDICAL CENTRE
NEWSLETTER
DR COULLDR DORWARDDR RUTHVEN
DR LA HAYDR COCHRANEDR LAW
Tel: 01382 221527
PRACTICE CLOSURE
PUBLIC HOLIDAY DATES
The Practice will be closed on Monday 7th and 28th May. If you require medical advice please telephone NHS24 on 111.
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.
Q: Why do receptionists ask what I need to see the doctor for?
A: Not everything needs to be seen by a doctor and receptionists are trying to advise on the best service for you. They are not being nosy and they only ask for an “idea” of your problem so they can direct you appropriately. Often doctors appointments are booked for repeat prescriptions, private letters, results or medical certificates but we have procedures in place for these, which free up appointments for patients who need to be seen.
Q: Why do you need to know what I am coming to see the nurse for?
A: To ensure you are allocated the appropriate amount of time for your appointment. It also helps the nurse prepare for your visit.
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.
SCOTLANDS HEALTH INFORMATION SERVICE
NHS inform provides a co-ordinated, single source of quality assured health and care information for the people of Scotland for more information please see website for further information
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 try to help patients where they order all their 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.
- 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.)
- 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
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 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.
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 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.
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
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 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.
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 fromyour employer or downloadable from 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 thisinformation. 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 . 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 receptionistknow.
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:
- 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
- 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:
- Try to avoid smoking or smoky atmospheres
- Drink plenty fluids and rest if you feel tired
WHEN THE GP WILL CONSIDER ANTIBIOTICS
- 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