KILSYTH MEDICAL PARTNERSHIP

SUMMER/AUTUMN NEWSLETTER 2017

NEW FACES

The practice would like to congratulate Dr. Liz Stafford and her family on the birth of her baby daughter.

We also would like to welcome two new GPs to the practice - Dr. Jenny Dawson and Dr. Chris Lilly.

Dr. Dawson will be joining us as Partner from 1st August 2017 having previously worked with us as a locum. Dr. Lilly will be covering Dr. Stafford’s maternity absence.

During this time of recruitment difficulties in general practice we have been exceptionally fortunate in being able to attract these two highly regarded GPs.

APPOINTMENTS

Kilsyth Medical Partnership is not immune to the pressure existing in general practice in meeting the ever increasing demand for appointments. Unfortunately a partner left unexpectedly at the end of January and it has been difficult to find a replacement until now. During this period it has not always been possible to provide full locum cover and this has put increased pressure on the availability of appointments.

As a patient you can help to improve the availability of appointments in the following ways:

Ø  CANCELLING APPOINTMENTS Please cancel well in advance so that they can be reallocated (Appointments can be cancelled 24/7 by using the cancellation line 01236 828224)

Ø  Using the Minor Ailments Service at local chemists (available to patients under the age of 18 and over the age of 60 years). Information about this is available from the chemist and in a leaflet available at reception)

Ø  Using the MINOR INJURY SERVICE available at Stobhill Hospital opening time 9am to 9pm - Monday to Sunday.

Ø  NEW EYE PROBLEMS are more appropriately dealt with by local highly qualified opticians. Patients should self refer by phoning the LENS SERVICE on 0300 3030 243 .

Ø  Self referral to physiotherapy for acute / recent muscle pain or injury by phoning:

0800 917 9390

Ø  Self referral to stress management (0300 303 0447) can be very helpful for managing issues relating to stress and some mental health problems.

Ø  SMOKING CESSATION advice and prescribing is no longer available from General Practice in Lanarkshire now being provided by local chemists.

TEXT MESSAGING

The practice will shortly be introducing a Text Messaging Service. Initially this will be used to remind patients about upcoming clinics e.g. Flu Clinics in October, or to invite patients for their annual chronic disease review. In the future this may be used in other areas e.g. appointments reminders. If you are interested in receiving text message invites then please collect a registration form from reception or download one from our website.

SURGERIES RUNNING LATE?

Patients have been expressing concerns that surgeries can run very late. It is important that patients appreciate that in a 10 minute appointment it is impossible to deal effectively and safely with more than one or two complaints. It is important therefore that patients prioritise what they feel is important for the GP /nurse to deal with in the allocated 10minutes.

In emergency surgeries only the ONE complaint mentioned when the appointment was requested can be dealt with.

Please remember that emergency appointments are only for new or worsening complaints that cannot wait for a 48 hour or two week appointments. Using these appointments inappropriately drastically reduces the number of routine and 48 hour appointments available to book.

ONLINE SERVICES

Once again we would like to remind patients of this alternative method of accessing appointments and repeat prescriptions.

Patients wishing to use these online services need to register. Registration forms are available from reception on request or can be downloaded from our website. (One form is required for each family member.)

All our 48 hour appointments are now available to book on line and by using Vision Online it reduces the demand on the telephone system that is provided to us by the Health Board.

HOSPITAL INVESTIGATION RESULTS

If you have had any investigations organised by a hospital consultant or outpatient clinic the results will be discussed with you at your follow up hospital appointment or by letter from the hospital.

PRACTICE PRESCRIPTION INFORMATION LEAFLET

This leaflet (available from reception or from our website) contains all the necessary information regarding the Practice Prescribing Policy including patient responsibility for their own medication and early requests for prescriptions. We would like to highlight two important points contained in this leaflet:

Ø  The practice requires proof from ALL patients requesting their medication either early or require extra medication to cover extended holiday periods.

Ø  Allow two working days for requests for repeat prescriptions and special requests. Only requests from hospital discharges or outpatient appointments will be available on the same day. If advised that the prescription will be ready the same day please phone after 5pm to confirm when it will be ready for collection.

MEETINGS WITH COUNCILLOR AND MSP

The practice continues to meet as appropriate with the above to try to address patient concerns and to give them an insight into challenges being experienced in General Practice across the country at this time.

2