Catriona Hewitt has joined our team as our physiotherapist in the Green Practice. Catriona is able to refer patients for x-rays, suggest exercises for problem areas and can also recommend medication to help relive musculoskeletal discomfort. Please ask for more information when booking appointments.

Dr Caroline Gallacher is re-joining the practice after a year's maternity leave and will become our GP Retainer for the next 5 years.

Dr Jack Bray has joined as our GP ST3 and will be here until February 2020.

Dr Daniel Anderson has completed his 4 months as a Foundation Year 2 (FY2) at the Green Practice and has now left the practice.

Dr Declan Doyle is joining as our Foundation Year 2 (FY2) for 4 months and will be here until Dec 2018.

Dr Caroline Gallacher has completed her GP Registrar ST 3 year and has now left the Green Practice.

Dr Kathleen Breslin is joining as our GP Registrar ST 3 for 12 months and will be here until Aug 2019.

Dr Gillian Simpson is joining as our GP Registrar ST 1 for 6 months and will be here until Feb 2019.

The flu clinics start the beginning of October to make an appointment for the clinics please phone reception on 260 9226 and ask for a flu injection.

To check what the symptoms of flu are or whether you are eligible for the inoculation, please click on the following link Symptoms and Eligibility of flu jab

Dr Jasmine Shen has completed her 4 months as a Foundation Year 2 (FY2) at the Green Practice and has now left the practice.

Dr Elizabeth Jones is joining as our Foundation Year 2 (FY2) for 4 months and will be here until Dec 2016.

Dr Caroline Gallacher is joining as our GP Registrar ST 3 for 12 months and will be here until Aug 2018.

Dr Claire Livsey is joining as our GP Registrar ST 1 for 6 months and will be here until Feb 2018.

System Update - Downtime

From Midday Thursday 22nd June 2017 the practice will be unable to access any patient's medical records.

We believe that the upgrade will be complete and everything returned to normal on Monday 26th June 2017.

We would appreciate your patience during this period, and would ask that you do not contact the surgery for non urgent/ routine appointments/test results/repeat/acute medication requests.

We will be operating a paper based system for URGENT medical attention only, Please can you assist the staff by giving a full explanation of your symptoms.

Please ensure that you have adequate supplies of ALL your medication before 22 June, as we are unable to generate prescriptions during this period.

We have discussed the issue with ALL local pharmacies and they are happy to help out with 'emergency supplies' until the system is back up and running, so please contact your usual pharmacy in the first instance if you have a problem.

Thank you for your cooperation in advance from all the staff in the Green Practice

Dr Johanna Reilly has complete her GP Registrar ST 3 training and has now left the practice.

Dr Rachel Stewart has completed her GP Registrar ST 3 training and has now left the practice.

Dr Kim Rollinson is joining as our new GP Retainer and will be working 4 sessions per week.

Dr Johanna Reilly has returned from her maternity leave to complete her GP Registrar ST 3 training and will be with the practice until June 2017

Dr Rebecca Lapsley has completed her 4 months as a Foundation Year 2 (FY2) at the Green Practice and has now left the practice.

Dr Jasmine Shen is joining as our Foundation Year 2 (FY2) for 4 months and will be here until July 2017.

Lee-Anne White  our Phlebotomist/Receptionist has left the practice for a new job closer to home. We wish her well in her new job.

Dr Sarah Taghizadeh has completed her 4 months as a Foundation Year 2 (FY2) at the Green Practice and has now left the practice.

Dr Rebecca Lapsley is joining as our Foundation Year 2 (FY2) for 4 months and will be here until March 2017.

Dr Johanna Reilly has completed her GP Registrar ST 3 exams and has now left the practice to start her maternity leave.

Dr Nicola Baillie our retainer has left the practice to take up a new post as a Diabeties specialists.

Dr Anda Bularga has completed his 4 months as a Foundation Year 2 (FY2) at the Green Practice and has now left the practice.

Dr Sarah Taghizadeh is joining as our Foundation Year 2 (FY2) for 4 months and will be here until Dec 2016.

Dr Shabana Alam-Zahir is joining as our GP Registrar ST 3 for 14 months and will be here until Dec 2017.

Dr Garreth Callaghan is joining the practice as our Maternity cover for Dr Lamb.

Dr Matthew Beattie has completed his 4 months as a Foundation Year 2 (FY2) at the Green Practice and has now left the practice.

Dr Anda Bularga is joining as our Foundation Year 2 (FY2) for 4 months and will be here until June 2016.

Dr Rachel Stewart is joining as our GP Registrar ST 3 for 14 months and will be here until June 2017.

As of the 1st May 2016 the Green Practice will be unable to accept cheques as payment for any private work carried out. We can only accept cash payments..

Dr Kate MacPherson has completed her 6 months as a Retainer at the Green Practice and has now left the practice.

Dr Nicola Baillie   has completed her 6 months as a Returner at the Green Practice and has now left the practice. Dr Baillie will be starting back with us in April 2016 as out new Retainer.

Dr Alex Stirzaker has completed her 4 months as a Foundation Year 2 (FY2) at the Green Practice and has now left the practice.

Dr Matthew Beattie is joining as our Foundation Year 2 (FY2) for 4 months and will be here until April 2106.

Dr Nicola Lewthwaite has completed her 12 months as a GP Registrar ST 3 at the Green Practice and has now left the practice.

Dr Johanna Reilly is joining as our GP Registrar ST 3 for 16 months and will be here until November 2016.

The flu clinics start the beginning of October to make an appointment for the clinics please phone reception on 260 9226 and ask for a flu injection.

To check what the symptoms of flu are or whether you are eligible for the inoculation, please click on the following link Symptoms and Eligibility of flu jab

Dr Stephanine Capaldi has completed her 4 months as a Foundation Year 2 (FY2) at the Green Practice and has now left the practice.

Dr Charlotte Hickson is joining as our Foundation Year 2 (FY2) for 4 months and will be here until April 2105.

Dr Lin Watson has left the practice to take up a partnership at another practice. Dr Watson was a retainer with us since April 2010 and we wish her well in her new post.

Dr Alexandra Stephen has completed her 12 months training at the practice as a ST3 (3rd year registrar)

Dr Nicola Lewthwaite is joining for her registrar (ST3) for 12 months and will be here until Aug 2015.

Dr Kirsten Wooley has completed her registrar (ST1) for 6 months and has left the practice.

Dr Ingrid Sepp is joining for her registrar (ST1) for 6 months and will be here until Feb 2105.

Dr Stephanine Capaldi is joining as a Foundation Year 2 (FY2) for 4 months and will be here until Dec 2014.

KICC - Keeping Active with a Chronic Condition

KICC Active Lothian offers gentle exercise classes for people who are living with a long term condition such as MS, Parkinson's Disease, Diabetes, Arthritis, Osteoporosis, Heart Disease etc. There are 18 classes per week in 14 different locations around Lothian.

This service was set up Janice Thomson, who has MS, and who recognised the need for specialist classes for people with long term conditions who wished to keep active and healthy. The tutors who lead the classes have a high level of training.

The classes are holistic including yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi and hydrotherapy to help improve posture, ease muscle pain and build energy levels. Each class costs around £5 per session.

Self management is critical to the Scottish Governments Quality Strategy which puts people at the heart of the NHS. They wish to empower patients to take more control of their own disease management and work with health professionals, carers and the community to improve their health and wellbeing.

The Green Practice recognises that this type of exercise class fits with this vision, and although we would seek to avoid promoting one type of health intervention over another, we would encourage our patients to investigate this and similar projects such as those run by Edinburgh Leisure.

http://www.kiccactive.org.uk/

Summer Newsletter has now been published, a hard copy is available in practice or can view on line

Summer 2014 Newsletter

The Cheyne Gang Choir

Our Practice Nurses Pauline and Sarah started a choir in October 2013 for Green Practice patients who have the debilitating respiratory condition Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Research has shown that singing:

Improves breathing control

• Improves lung capacity
• Reduces anxiety
• Reduces COPD exacerbations
• Is a stress reliever
• Help with sleep quality

The Cheyne Gang recently helped raise £1500 for The British Lung Foundation by performing at a charity tea party.

Please help us raise funds to keep The Cheyne Gang singing by buying a book at our stall on the 2 nd floor.

If you have COPD and are interested in joining the choir please make a review appointment with Pauline.

Easter Newsletter has now been published, a hard copy will be available in practice throughtout March/April or can view on line

Easter 2014 Newsletter

Dr Kirsten Wooley is joining for her registrar (ST1) for 6 months and will be here until Aug 2014.

Christmas Newsletter has now been published, a hard copy will be available in practice throughtout December or can view on line

Christmas 2013 Newsletter

Weigh Forward Group

In January we are starting a new group supporting people to make positive changes towards weight loss. The aim is to think more broadly than just calories, focussing on developing a healthier relationship with food and encouraging sustainable lifestyle change.

Meetings will include group discussion led by Dr Sayers, Dr Watson & Nurse Kath Williamson, plus local guest speakers designed to encourage fresh approaches.

When: Thursday evenings

6.30pm - 8pm

Weekly from 23rd Jan - 20th March

Where: Green Practice, Stockbridge HC - Health Education Room (2nd floor).

Interested? See flyer on Green ReceptionDesk,

Complete the tear off slip and place in box

We will contact you to confirm your place (numbers limited to 16).

The flu clinics start the beginning of October to make an appointment for the clinics please phone reception on 260 9226 and ask for a flu injection.

To check what the symptoms of flu are or whether you are eligible for the inoculation, please click on the following link Symptoms and Eligibility of flu jab

Aged 70 or 79 on 1st September 2013?

Shingles can be very painful, but there is a vaccine that can reduce your risk of getting shingles, or reduce the symptoms and pain it cases.

You will shortly be sent a letter from your GP advising you that you are eligible for the vaccinate and to make appointment

Shingles Leaflet

Dr Georgina Rowan has completed her 12 months training at the practice as a ST3 (3rd year registrar).

Dr Jennifer Lamb is on leave from September. Dr Rowan with be covering her patients throughout the leave.

Summer Newsletter has now been published, a hard copy is available in practice or can view on line

Summer 2013 Newsletter

Suffering from a minor illness and want some advice as quickly as possible?

Did you know that you local pharmacist can give advice and treatment on a range of common illness

Find out more

After an extended break the practice quarterly newsletter is being produced again. The newsletter will cover many different topic including, Public holidays, Staff News, Clinical Issues, Services and hopefully some pictures of staff events.

Spring 2013 Newsletter

Dr Garreth Callaghan has completed his 6 months training at the practice as a ST1 (1st year registrar) and has now left the practice for his next post.

Working Health Services Lothian

Are you off work or struggling at work?

Do you live or work in the Lothian region?

Are you self employed or work for a small to medium organisation (less than 250 employees)?

Call 0131 537 9579 today for help with your health and work problems.

The "I'm VR" short film was commissioned by Working Health Services Lothian and introduces you to the people behind vocational rehabilitation: from occupational therapists, physiotherapists and counsellors to employers, employment rights advisers, GP's and employability professionals .

View the short film by following this link:

http://www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/Services/A-Z/WorkingHealthServices/Pages/default.aspx

The flu clinics start the beginning of October to make an appointment for the clinics please phone reception on 260 9226 and ask for a flu injection.

To check what the symptoms of flu are or whether you are eligible for the inoculation, please click on the following link Symptoms and Eligibility of flu jab

Physiotherapy - Self Referral

For advice, information and assessment of muscle and joint problems call on:

0845 604 0001
Monday to Friday 2pm - 8pm
www.nhsinform.co.uk/msk

Dr Nora Murray-Cavanagh has completed her 12 months training at the practice as a ST3 (3rd year registrar) and has now left the practice.

Dr Garreth Callaghan is joining for his registrar (ST1) for 6 months and will be here until Feb 2013.

Dr Georgina Rowan is joining for her registrar (ST3) for 12 months and will be here until Aug 2013.

Dr Cormac Keane who joined us last year as a Salaried GP is leaving the practice on 30 April 2012 to return down south!

Dr Patrick Gilson who is currently working in the practice one day a week as a Locum will take over from Dr Keane, starting on 2 May 2012 as a Salaried GP.

Dr Lamb is currently involved in leading a pilot of the CARE approach for NHS Education for Scotland. The focus of this project is to enhance the communication & relationship skills of nurses and doctors towards patients. We are meeting regularly as a group to explore and share our values and approaches towards patients and reflect on a written manual supplied to us by the CARE approach team.

The flu clinics start the beginning of October to make an appointment for the clinics please phone reception on 260 9226 and ask for a flu injection.

To check what the symptoms of flu are or whether you are eligible for the inoculation, please click on the following link Symptoms and Eligibility of flu jab

Dr Alex Stephen has completed her 6 months training at the practice as a ST1 (1st year registrar) and has now left the practice.

Dr Nora Murray-Cavanagh is joining for her registrar year and will be here until Aug 2012.

Our current computer software is due to be changed late August. This change is something which ALL NHS Lothian practices are undergoing in the next few years. We are migrating our current system (GPass) to the new software system, Vision (INPS). During the transition period disruption to appointments, prescribing and results service is to be expected, but we will continue to offer a service which we meet the medical need of our patients.

For more information click here

WHY does the receptionist need to ask me what my symptoms are when I call the practice?

For more info click here

Dr Reid is expecting her 3rd child and will be off on maternity leave from 21-06-11 and will return to the practice in Jan 2012. Dr Suzi MacKenzie with be covering her patients throughout that time

Judy Hamilton (Lead DN) has gone on a 3 month secondment to the New Royal Infirmary and DN Alison Robertson has taken over her duty's within the team until her return in Oct 2011.

Before attending A&E PHONE YOUR GP 1st - for further details

Dr Cormac Keane will join the Green Practice initially as a Salaried GP. He will take on the patient list of Dr John McLaren.

We wish Dr Keane all the best in his new post and look forward to working with him

It is with regret and sadness that we announce that after many years with the Green Practice:

Dr John McLaren will be retiring from general practice on Thursday 31st March 2011

We wish him a long and happy retirement.

Welcome to Dr Alex Stephen who started with the Practice as a GP Registrar on Wednesday 2nd February 2011 for a period of 6 months.

Welcome to Dr Georgina Rowan who started with the Practice as a GP Registrar on Wednesday 4th August 2010 for a period of 6 months.

Welcome to Dr Suzi MacKenzie who started with the Practice as a GP Registrar on Thursday August 2009 for a period of one year.

CLOSED ON FOLLOWING DATES:

• THURSDAY 25th DECEMBER
• FRIDAY 26th DECEMBER
• SATURDAY 27th DECEMBER
• SUNDAY 28th DECEMBER

• THURSDAY 1st JANUARY 2009
• FRIDAY 2nd JANUARY 2009
• SATURDAY 3rd JANUARY
• SUNDAY 4th JANUARY 2009

The Christmas practice Newsletter is now on-line Christmas Newsletter 2008 and limited copies will be available to pick up at the front desk.

Welcome to Dr Jenny Lamb who started with the Practice as a GP Registrar on Wednesday 1 August 2008 for a period of one year.

There is now a drop-in clinic with the Health Visiting Team at Stockbridge Health Center (2nd Floor) on a Thursday from 11 - 1pm for babies up to 6 months of age.
If you have any questions, please come along.

From Wednesday 25 June 2008 the practice will offer routine late GP appointments. The surgeries will run once per week 6pm to 7.30pm, and is especially for the benefit of patients who cannot get time off work to attend their GP.
The building will be open ONLY for those patients who have booked appointments on the night.
Unfortunately it will not be possible to supply repeat prescriptions, book future appointments or collect any letters etc. The late surgery is for patients who have booked routine appointments.
NHS24: is available for immediate medical attention telephone: 08454 24 24 24.
In a life threatening emergency phone 999.

The Spring practice Newsletter is now on-line Spring Newsletter 2008 and limited copies will be available to pick up at the front desk.

Thank you once again to all patients who completed a patient satisfaction questionnaire in 2007. We value your feedback, and it helps us to plan, develop and improve our service.
The entire practice team recently met to discuss this year's results. We were delighted to find that satisfaction levels for all aspects of our service remain high and we thank you for the many positive comments received.
We discussed the degree to which we had achieved last year's action plan, and identified new actions for the coming year, based on the feedback we received. The following link is a short summary of our plan for this year, Patient satisfaction survey 2007

Dr Tait left the practice on Friday the 22nd of February 2008 after her extended registrar period.

We wish her well on her future career.

• Easter - Friday 21st & Monday 24th March 2008
• May- Monday 5th May 2008
• September - Monday 15th September 2008
• Christmas - Thursday 25th & Friday 26th December 2008
• New Year - Thursday 1st & Friday 2nd January 2009

The NHS is undergoing some significant and worrying changes which demonstrate a lack of value placed on the quality of General Practice. The government appears to be determined to move from traditional GP partnerships to one where the private sector would play a much greater part in the future structure and running of general practice. What is at risk is not simply a practice funding increase but the personal, list-based system of general practice that is so valued by the vast majority of our patients. GPs must respond to this threat by remaining united and by engaging with patients and MPs locally and highlighting the threats facing traditional general practice and the wider NHS.

To assist with this, the General Practitioners Committee has prepared a patient newsletter for practices to display to encourage patients to support their GP practices. BMA Newsletter Jan 08

The flu clinics start the end of September to make an appointment for the clinics please phone reception on 260 9226 and ask for a flu injection.

To check what the symptoms of flu are or whether you are eligible for the inoculation, please click on the following link Symptoms and Eligibility of flu jab

Change in Partnership

From 1 August 2007 Dr Morag Reid will join the Green Practice as a Partner. Dr Reid has worked in the Practice as a GP Retainer since 2003.

From 1 August 2007 Dr Janet Sayers will take over from Dr Reid as the GP Retainer within the Practice

A family of new websites has been developed by NHS Education for Scotland in partnership with NHS 24. The aim of these websites is to empower patients, carers and the public to take more charge of their own health and wellbeing and support patient- professional communication.

• Health Information+
  Health information+ is a one-stop-shop for quality assured general health information for patients, their families and carers, and interested members of the public. This information includes:
  • Patient leaflets, medicines information, and support groups
  • Information about benefits, health and social services
  • Learning resources to build confidence in managing your health
  • Treatment guidelines, evidence and research for those who want more in-depth information
• Diabetes Information+
  Diabetes Information+ is a gateway to quality information sources relating to diabetes including: NHS Scotland, Diabetes UK, Insulin Dependent Diabetes Trust and others.
• Stroke Information+
  Stroke Information+ is for stroke survivors, their carers and families, and interested members of the public. Resources include evaluated stroke patient leaflets, information about medicines, stroke support groups and other relevant information.

• Easter - Friday 14th to Monday 17th April 2006
• May- Monday 1st May 2006
• September - Monday 18th September 2006
• Christmas - Monday 25th & Tuesday 26th December 2006
• New Year - Monday 1st & Tuesday 2nd January 2007

Pneumococcal Vaccine
From September 2006, pneumococcal vaccine is being introduced into routine childhood immunisation programme at two, four and thirteen months of age to protect children from pneumococcal infection. This means that there is a large group of children under the age of two that will be unprotected against pneumococcal. A catch-up programme has been placed insitu to protect these children. Please contact the practice on 260 9226 to make an appointment or to get further details.

What is pneumococcal infection?
Pneumococcal infection can cause pneumonia, septicaemia (blood poisoning) and meningitis. Children under two years of age are particularly at risk from this infection. The UK's routine immunisation programme now offers protection against this infection. Because your child is under two, he or she is being offered this vaccine. Children over one will only need one dose and children under one will be offered two doses.

Further information

• www.immunisation.nhs.uk
• Hebs

• Do you have 10 hours a week to spare?Are you interested in a free 30-week course for carers?
• If you can answer yes to these questions then we have the course for you!

• 8:30 to 12:30
• 2pm to 5pm

The Scottish Executive's advice regarding the latest media alert on DTP and Influenza vaccines containing Thiomersal is that it is factually wrong. The compound ethyl mercury is present in extremely small quantities in the DTP vaccine currently recommended for babies in the UK immunisation schedule. This vaccine is used because it provides children with reliable protection against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough. UK experts have advised us that preparations containing thiomersal offer better protection against whooping cough than preparations not containing thiomersal. We have taken that advice.
Research has shown that giving vaccines containing thiomersal has a short term effect on blood levels of mercury which do not present significant health risks, as ethyl mercury is quickly expelled through the bowel by natural processes. All evidence points to there being no link between thiomersal in vaccines and toxicity or poisoning in babies, children or adults. This is the considered view of the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS), a scientific advisory body established by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to provide a reliable and independent scientific assessment of vaccine safety issues.
Parents who want to protect their baby with DTP vaccine, and those at risk who wish the protection of flu vaccination, are entitled to know about recognised side effects, key ingredients in the vaccine, and the reasons for their inclusion. Our clear priority is to provide children (and adults) with the most effective protection against life-threatening diseases. We are setting known consequences of infectious threats against theories of possible damage that, as indicated above, are not supported by evidence. Thiomersal has been extensively used in the last 60 years without any major adverse effects being noted.