Brechin Health Services
Community Update

Issue 3, 1August 2016

For all the latest information about services at Brechin Health Centre, visit the website at You can also read all the community updates issued on Brechin Health Centre on NHS Tayside’s facebook page or follow NHS Tayside on Twitter @nhstayside

Update from Professor Andrew Russell, NHS Tayside Medical Director

“It has now been over two weeks since a new way of accessing GP service was introduced at the practice to help the health centre deal with staffing challenges over the summerand ensure that all patients can access the healthcare they require.

“I know that the team at the health centre has been working tirelessly to ensure everyone has timely access to quality and safe healthcare services and I would like to thank them for their dedication, teamwork and support.

“I would also like to thank the patients in Brechin, many of whomhave given us positive feedback about the changes we have made.

“Along with other senior members of the NHS Tayside team, I attended the Brechin Health Centre Patient Participation Group meeting last week. It was a very productive and positive meeting and I would like to extend my thanks to the PPG members for inviting us and for their valuable insight and input. You can read more about the issues covered in this meeting on page 2.

“I am pleased to say that GP staffing levels at the practice are improving as we move into August. However, we know we are dealing with a changeable position and we will continue to support the practice in providing GP coverand wider access to healthcare.

“Brechin Health Centre remains a very important healthcare facility in Angus and I would like to again reassure the Brechin community that NHS Tayside, Angus Health & Social Care Partnership and the staff at Brechin Health Centre are committed to continuing to deliver and develop services in the town. We are going to be investing in the health centre and next week we will bring you an update on what will be happening.

“The redesign of primary care services is a big priority for us and we know we need the local community to help us design servicesto meet the needs of the local population. We are looking forward to working with the local community to be at the forefront of these new models of care.”

Patient Participation Group (PPG) meeting – Tuesday, 26 July 2016, Brechin Health Centre

The PPG meeting was attended by Lesley McLay, NHS Tayside Chief Executive, Professor Andrew Russell, NHS Tayside Medical Director, Frances Rooney, NHS Tayside Director of Pharmacy, Dr Michelle Watts, NHS Tayside Associate Medical Director, Gail Smith, Head of Community Health & Care Services (North Angus), Angus Health & Social Care Partnership, Rhona Guild, Primary Care Manager, Angus Health & Social Care Partnership and Glennis Middleton, Chair of the Angus Integrated Joint Board for the Angus Health & Social Care Partnership.

The PPG membersdiscussed concerns regarding services at the health centre, including GP recruitment and retention, thereasons for recent changes to the appointment system and the developing multidisciplinary team within the practice. There was awillingness from everyone attending to work together to develop and deliver a long-term vision for Brechin Health Centre.

Members also heard that there was a strong commitment from both NHS Tayside and Angus Health Social Care Partnership to deliver and develop services at Brechin Health Centre into the future.

There was much discussion about how best to keep patients and the public informed about what was happening with health services in Brechin in the rapidly-changing environment and it was agreed to involve PPG members more in the development and sharing of information.

PPG representatives also expressed a willingness to attend any local groups to discuss practice services and developments.If youwould like to become involved in the PPGplease contactRhona by email on r call 01307 474889.

How to access GP and other healthcare services at the health centre

  • Please do not present in person at the health centre if you want to see a GP.
  • Please call the practice on the normal number 01356 624411 with any general practice related enquiries, including if you want to be seen by a GP.
  • You will then be triaged. Triage means assessing needand it is a tried and tested way in which we can manage our patients’ health needs effectively.
  • Triaging all phone calls into the practice allows the practice staff to managedemand andmeans more issues can be dealt with on a patient’s first phone call. It also means people may not have to take time off work for issues that can be dealt with by phone.
  • A receptionist will gather basic information to ensure the most appropriate clinical member of staff handles the request or will address any non-clinical requirements e.g. booking nurse appointments.
  • When the member of the clinical team calls the patient back, they may be able to handle the request on the phone, they may signpost the patient to a range of services, or invite them into the practice to be seen.
  • The call back may come from an 0800 number or a ‘withheld’ number, so please stay near your phone and be sure to answer calls from an 0800 number if you are waiting for a call back.
  • As normal, emergency calls should continueto be passed to Scottish Ambulance Service on 999.

What other services operate in the health centre?

There are many health services provided at Brechin Health Centre by nursing staff and Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) and there is no change to how they are running.For your routine nurse and clinic appointments at Brechin Health Centre, please call 01356 624411 in the usual way.You can also go to the practice to drop off and collect prescriptions.

Announcement of new service

A Health & Wellbeing Nurse from the Community Mental Health Team will be in the health centre on Mondays and Thursdays.

The nurse will be signposting patients to mental health and wellbeing support available and will be on hand to support the clinical team with assessment of adults presenting with mental health problems.

Where else can I access healthcare support and advice?

  • The Minor Illness and Injuries Unit, which is operating from Brechin Health Centre until the end of August, is able to treat a wide range of minor injuries and arrange x-rays for suspected broken bones (open daily from 9am to 4.30pm).
  • Your local community pharmacy can offer advice and treatment for minor illnesses such as sore throats, coughs, colds and upset stomachs. There are many over-the-counter medicinesavailable without obtaining a prescription.
  • Opticians can provide advice for eye problems and refer you to hospital, if required.
  • If you think you need to see a GP when your practice is closed, call NHS24 free for adviceon 111.
  • For general health information, visit NHS Inform or phone0800 22 44 88 to speak to a health advisor (8am - 10pm everyday).

Patient feedback

The telephone triage system has allowed the practice to manage many more calls and avoid the long waits of the open access surgery. The practice team continues to work hard to test and tweak the processes based on patient feedback and the team has had positive feedback from a number of patients.

One patient had not experienced the previous open access clinic but gave positive feedback about the process of calling the practice and then being triaged. The patient felt that the new triage approach made more sense and they'd be happy if this continued. They did not have any issues with sharing information with the reception team.
Another patient had experience of the previous open access process when they had to sit and wait for over an hour to see the GP. This time, they phoned the health centre and were called back 20 minutes later by a GP. They were offered an appointment at a time that suited them, which was very much appreciated as they worked and the appointment fitted around them.

If you want to share your feedback, speak to staff at the health centre or contact the Feedback Team on 0800 027 5507 or email

Coming up

In the next update we will discuss:

  • Investment being made in the practice
  • Planned events for the community

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