Winter Advice

Winter 2024

First of all, we want to say a massive thank you to all of our patients for the most wonderful support during a challenging year while the Health Centre has been refurbished. The extension, which you all fought for so valiantly, is almost complete!

With the arrival of the winter weather, and a predicted early arrival of the winter vomiting bug, we thought it would be sensible to make contact to explain the best way to access support during this very demanding time of year.

If you are in an “at risk group” for Flu or Covid be proactive and get vaccinated now. The Vaccine helpline phone number is: 0800 030 8013

Remember to stay at home if you are unwell to stop the spread of winter viruses. School/work should be avoided for 48 hours after norovirus symptoms settle.

Self- care advice and support:

www.nhsinform.scot provides an extensive range of information and advice for everyone. The self help guides allow you to check your symptoms and will advise you on what to do next. Many common health problems over the winter months can be treated at home with self-care and over the counter remedies.

Please consider checking out the advice on this website to see how you can “self care” before contacting the surgery. See link: https://www.nhsinform.scot/symptoms-and-self-help/

Many minor illnesses can be dealt with by the local Pharmacy, who can provide certain medications through the “Pharmacy First” service. For more information: https://www.nhsinform.scot/symptoms-and-self-help/

Triage Team (available until 10:30 am each day):

Unfortunately demand for urgent and on the day appointments continues to exceed capacity. We have a triage team responding to e-consults and telephone calls until 10:30am. At present, this system allows us to respond to every request made and to timeously give advice or arrange an appointment with an appropriate clinician. Decisions on appointment urgency are based on clinical urgency.

It really helps the team if requests for non-urgent problems are made through the e-consult service.

The phone triage service is there to deal with requests for urgent problems, or for those who genuinely cannot use the e-consult service (no access to a computer or a disability or frailty that means it can’t be used).

Requests for a phone call back must be placed before 10:30am. Please do have your phone handy for when we return your call – time spent on unanswered calls is clinical time wasted.

If you phone in, it is important you give our receptionists clear and concise information about your concern – this not only helps them to highlight particularly urgent matters to the triage team, but they may also be able to book you in directly with a clinician for certain conditions (such as cancer “red flag” symptoms), or to the First Contact Physiotherapist.

After 10:30am:

All clinicians will be busy with clinical duties seeing and treating patients.

The Emergency Doctor is available for genuinely urgent matters that arise after the triage session ends. They are not available for non-urgent matters.

Appointment length:

GP and ANP appointments are booked at 15 minute intervals, allowing the clinician approximately 12 minutes of patient “contact” time. Please be mindful of this when you are planning your appointment- be realistic about what can safely be covered in this time. We do “over run” on occasion when it becomes clinically necessary – so please bear with us during these times.

Needing physiotherapy advice?

Have you tried the Phio digital assessment tool? Phio is a FREE service, supported by the NHS and available to Grantown Medical Practice patients that gives you instant advice from a team of qualified physiotherapists. Don’t let muscle or joint pain hold you back! Phio is a free service, supported by the NHS and available to (practice name as appropriate) that gives you instant advice from EQL’s physiotherapists. Get a personalised assessment today: https://phio.eql.ai/provider/nhsnhighland-gp

FCPs (First Contact Physiotherapist)

Our reception team may be able to book you in directly with one of our First Contact Physiotherapists. FCPs are physiotherapists usually based in GP surgeries with an expertise in the assessment and management of musculoskeletal conditions. For more information: https://www.csp.org.uk/public-patient/find-physiotherapist/what-first-contact-physiotherapy

Drug and Alcohol Services:

Phone 01479 813400 (self referrals are advised and accepted)

Optometrist/Optician:

For emergency eye care (sudden loss of vision, painful or red eyes, sudden flashes or floaters) please phone your Optician

Sexual Health Services:

For STI /Blood Borne virus (including HIV) testing and treatment – phone 01463 888300

We offer the full range of contraceptive services at the practice – please request an appointment with Nurse Macdonald or Nurse Wright.

Minor Injuries Service:

We continue to provide a minor injuries service from our new Minor Injuries Room. Please phone ahead to alert our reception team to plan for your arrival.

When to go to A&E or phone 999? Emergencies include:

Serious Injuries

Suspected fractures

Breathing difficulties

Severe bleeding

Suspected heart attack

Suspected stroke

Dental Helpline 0800 141 2362

Podiatry:

Please collect a self referral form from reception. For more information on the service : https://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/your-services/all-services-a-z/podiatry/#AboutthePodiatryservice

USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS:

Smoking Cessation: 0800 84 84 84

District Nurses: 812618

Health visitor: 813403

School Nurse: 813403

Community Midwife: 813402

Social work: 812618

Occupational therapy: 812618

NHS 24 (out of hours service): 111

Mental Health support lines:

Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87

Samaritans 116 123

Mikeysline Text:07786 207755 or Phone: 01463 729000

Thank you for continuing to support us while the demand on General Practice is higher than ever.

The Team at Grantown Medical Practice