Welcome

This second and Christmas edition of our Newsletter is encouraged by patients’ enthusiastic reception of the first. Information and presentation were appreciated and helpful suggestions made to improve both. The considerable interest expressed in staff biographies is this time met with a portrait of the Registrar. Please continue to put your observations and recommendations in the waiting room comments box.

Vaccine information

Newsflash:

The Republic of Ireland has suffered the worst outbreak of measles for 7 years due to poor uptake of the MMR vaccine. There have been over 1200 measles cases diagnosed with 2 deaths in 6 months.

Patient Services Information

Repeat Prescriptions –Our telephone re-order times (10.30-11.30 & 2.00-3.00) are not always convenient for everyone; alternatives are; the four local pharmacies who pick up from the Health Centre (some twice a day), alternatively you may post in your request with an SAE for return or hand post the request in the Health Centre letter box.

Urgent requests will be done the same day if telephoned in at the appropriate time or if the patient presents at reception and is prepared to wait.

HELP WITH WINTER BILLS

This winter the Government will be making Winter Fuel Payments to most people aged 60 or over. These payments will be made automatically to people who have received Winter Fuel Payments in the past. If you received a state retirement pension during the week of 18-24 September 2000 you will also automatically receive this payment. If, however you did not receive your pension during that week but are over 60, you can still apply before 31 March 2001. For further information contact the Helpline: 08459 151515. It is not too late to apply, so phone today and stay warm this winter.

Are You 75 year or Over?

You are entitled to an annual health check which can be arranged via reception with the Practice Nurse or, if you are unable to attend the Health Centre by contacting a Health Visitor. District Nurses can undertake this check for patients they are already visiting at home. If you have not received an elderly person check in the past year, please contact reception to arrange an appointment.

Vaccine Information

The GP’s, Practice Nurses and Health Visitors will answer any questions on vaccines and, in addition, the following sources may be helpful:

Health Education Board for Scotland
0131 536 5500 (www.hebs.scot.nhs.uk)
0131 536 9194
NHS Helpline            Freephone: 0800 224488

Parents can be reassured that the Green Practice does not use Medeva Oral Polio vaccine, the subject of recent adverse publicity.

Patient Services Information

The Practice Nurses have all completed a Diploma in Asthma Management and are able to diagnose asthma, help patients take control of their asthma, treat acute exacerbation and keep patients informed of new developments and change in asthma treatments. Adults and children with asthma who are taking inhalers daily should be seen at the asthma clinic every 6 months for routine check-up. Sister Pauline Waugh also treats patients with emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at the asthma clinic. Leaflets about these conditions are available on request.
Further information can be obtained via:

National Asthma Campaign Helpline. 0345 010203 or the Chest, Heart & Stroke Advice Line 0345 720720

Staff Roles Registrar –
Dr Louise Pilo

The Green Practice is a training practice. Each year the GP team is joined by a GP Registrar who is a qualified doctor spending a year working in general practice as part of their post graduate training. Dr Pilo started with the practice in August 2000 and like all GP Registrars has had several years experience in hospital. Dr Pilo qualified from The London Hospital Medical College in 1995 and since then has worked for a year in A&E in Darwin, Australia as a junior doctor, followed by several years in the Lothian Region in various specialities including general medicine, psychiatry, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology. Following a year of training in the practice and successful completion of exams she will be a fully trained GP.

RECEPTION – CLOSURE NOTICE

Due to increased workload and staff shortages it has become necessary to allow staff a ‘catch-up’ period. This will be achieved by closing the practice for routine services on a daily basis from 1.00pm to 2.00pm. Urgent and emergency situations will of course be dealt with at all times.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Monday 25 December 2000 – Closed
Monday 1 January 2001 – Closed

Emergency Surgeries available on:

Tuesday 26 December & Tuesday 2 January
8.30am to 11.30am

May we take this opportunity to wish all our patients a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

(Editor, Sub-Editor & Manager!!)