Practice News Update 20.12.21
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support and understanding during what has been a difficult time for everyone over the past few years. The Practice and our patients have had to adapt to continual changes in line with Covid.
You can continue to contact the Practice via telephone or econsult (via our webpage). If it is a routine appointment you are looking for we will continue to offer a telephone consultation in the first instance. If your request is more urgent, the Admin Team will ask you further questions and add you to our Triage system. Our Duty Team reviews each request whether it is via telephone or econsult and will arrange the best treatment plan. We continue to see patients Face to Face where there is a clinical need, this has never ceased.
The current situation with the new variant of Omicron has resulted in General Practice reviewing systems again and as of this week we will be asking all patients who are attending the practice further screening questions in line with Scottish Government guidance. You may receive these questions via your text message reminder appointment, which you can complete prior to attending the Practice. If this process is unsuitable then we will be asking these questions via our intercom system.
Please continue to support us with this change, it is imperative that we continue to safeguard our clinically vulnerable patients. Patients will continue to be seen where required using alternative pathways that ensure safety to patients and staff alike. We remain asking that patients use one of our Face Masks which are readily available via a dispenser on the wall. Our staff continue to wear full PPE for protection.
Like all other Practices we are trying to support the level of increasing demand at present, which can be potentially challenging due to staff illness, self-isolation and annual leave. We would ask that you bear this in mind when contacting the Practice or if staff contact you.
If we continue to work together as we have done so over the past two years, we will safely manoeuvre our way through what is going to be a difficult and challenging winter. We hope that you understand our reasons for the current implementations and support us with these.
From everyone at the Practice we thank you and wish you all a safe yet enjoyable Festive Period.
Update on Flu and Covid-19 Boosters:
Primary Care Medical Practices are not conducting Flu or Covid-19 vaccinations/boosters. They are being administered and conducted centrally. Our Practice Administrators can only point you to the central telephone number, which for Aberdeenshire is:
You can also get further information on the following sites:
01.06.21
With the gradual easing of restrictions as we move through this pandemic, we want to thank all our patients for their understanding and support during these very difficult times. Our priority has been, and still is, to provide safe clinical care for all our patients, while at the same time, keeping our staff safe too.
We have many routes to support our patients, providing the most appropriate treatment plan, these include:
Econsult - eConsult provides medical advice at the click of a button. Please visit our practice website at www.laurencekirkhealthcarecentre.co.uk and click the eConsult link. Here you will be able to learn more about your condition and contact us via a form. This will allow our clinical team to decide upon the most appropriate treatment options for you and you will receive a response by a member of the team by close of the next working day. You will also be able to request test results and extensions to fit notes. More information can be found at our practice website.
Telephone – telephone triage consultation - when you speak to one of our trained admin team they will take you through a telephone triage consultation. This information will assist the clinical team to review and arrange the most appropriate treatment plan for you. Please support us by providing as much information as possible. A copy of the questions being asked are as follows:
1. Telephone Number 2. How urgent do you feel this is? (urgent=1-2 days, soon=<7days, routine=>7days) 3. Brief description of the problem 4. How long have you had this problem? 5. Is there a particular clinician you would like to deal with? 6. Is there any particular treatment you would like to try for this (e.g. Have had before for similar problem)? |
Care Navigation – we have several external services that we can signpost you towards, who will be able to meet your needs including:
First Contact Physio – This service is for patients who can self-refer to physio for an initial appointment to cover musculoskeletal problems, new, old and recurring problems.
Pharmacy First – This service is designed to encourage patients to visit their community pharmacy in regards to minor illness (including acne, allergies, cold sores, hay fever and more) and specific common clinical conditions. For more information please go to www.nhsinform.scot.
Mental Health support – we can provide details of community wellbeing services.
Money matters – advice on services that can support.
Facemasks/coverings:
Please find below information regarding Patients attending the Practice and the guidance on facemasks/coverings as in line with Scottish Government/Public Health Scotland and NHS Grampian:
Mandatory Face Covering Leaflet
Covid Vaccination Clinics:
Covid Vaccination Clinics:
Patients will have received or will shortly receive a letter detailing their date, time and venue for Covid Vaccination. If for any reason this appointment is not suitable then please contact the Vaccination Team on the phone number provided in the letter.
You can also reschedule your appointment online at the following link:
You will need the details from the letter you have received.
Please do not contact the Practice regarding appointments or venues as we are not involved in these plans.
The weather is currently unpredictable and although we want everyone to receive their vaccination please do not put yourself at risk to get to a venue if the weather is poor, use the phone line / online link to change your appointment. These clinics are being run daily and availability will be there.
Thank you.
20.10.20 - Important Flu Vaccination Clinic Update:
With effect from 09:00a.m. this morning the telephone number has been changed to : 0345 337 9899
This number is for those who have received an appointment that they wish to rearrange.
NHS Grampian have given reassurance that those eligible for free immunisations will be given an opportunity to get it and further clinics will be running until early December.
13.10.20 - FLU Vaccines 2020
Please note this years flu vaccine immunisation programme is shifting from GP practices to dedicated clinics. Anyone who previously got their free flu vaccine from their GP will now be invited to attend a local vaccination clinic at Mearns Academy. Letters will be sent to individuals shortly advising of this. Additional groups are also being offered the vaccine this year. For further information please visit www.nhsinform.scot or call NHS Grampian Flu Call Centre on 01224 555999. Please pass this information on the anyone in your family who may not access facebook. Many thanks.
Please visit Grampian’s Flu Website, this is a very informative site which includes, those who are eligible and how the flu clinics will work:
21.09.20
Please find below a link with information provided by NHS Grampian today regarding this year's Flu Vaccination Programme.
NHS Grampian Flu Update 21.09.20
06.08.20
Please see attached important Notice following recent developments with Coronavirus within Aberdeen Area:
Covid-19 Update to all Patients
You will be aware that Aberdeen City has gone into Lockdown following a cluster of positive cases in the area.
GP Practices at this time are putting a pause on any increase in services and we are reducing where possible face to face contact, this is to protect our most vulnerable patients.
We are still here to support patients as best as possible and ask that you continue to use our current Triage system and telephone us. We will Triage and the most suitable clinician will contact you.
We ask that you do NOT visit the Practice unless you have a pre-arranged appointment. We will be contacting patients in advance to ensure that you are physically well and have not been contacted by the Test and Trace Team prior to any pre-arranged appointment.
Please be aware that we are doing this to ensure the best safety to patients and staff. The Team at Laurencekirk Medical Practice have been working continuously throughout this pandemic to provide the best service we can during these uncertain times.
It’s important that anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should stay at home and book a test. Do not leave your house until a negative result is received or – if COVID-19 is detected - after the required isolation period has ended.
If you are told you are a contact of a COVID-19 case and do NOT have symptoms, do not try to arrange a test. Please follow the self-isolation guidance provided by the Test & Protect team or visit www.nhsinform.scot
If you believe you may be a close contact of a detected case but have not yet been contacted by the Test & Protect team, please do not worry unduly. It is a comprehensive service and the team are getting in touch with confirmed contacts as promptly as possible.
You can find more information on Scottish Government Page below:
https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-local-measures/
You can keep up to date with any changes to the Practice on our website:
https://www.laurencekirkhealthcarecentre.co.uk
Thank you.
June 2020
Please find below a copy of our June Newsletter, informing patients of changes within the Practice and important contact numbers and web links for additional services.
We will be issuing our Newsletter no less than Quarterly. We appreciate any feedback in regards to them.
June Newsletter
Advice and information about COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Domestic Abuse:
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse help is available as follows:
Call Scotland's Domestic Abuse 24hr helpline on 0800 027 1234
Visit the following website: https://safer.scot/
If you feel you are in danger or someone you know is in immediate danger then call 999
Updated 27.03.20
We are now at Level II of COVID 19 Pandemic management. This means we will be reviewing and suspending various non-urgent activities including routine blood tests, chronic disease monitoring and minor surgeries. We will advise patients via our Triage Consultation.
We are likely to experience a shortage of staff due to illness and self isolation over the coming weeks and months, please consider this.
If you have any symptoms of Coronavirus (High Temperature, new and continuous cough or shortness of breath) then you MUST NOT come into the Surgery.
For more advice or support please see the following :
Health Protection Scotland on: 0800 028 2816
www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus
(https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19)
Please do not contact the Surgery unless you require medical assistance.
The Government has advised that any individual showing any of the above symptoms must self-isolate for 7 days from when your symptoms commenced. Any other household members must remain at home for 14 days, starting from day 1 of the infected individual.
We are continuing to review and reassess the best way to support our patients through this difficult time and we have moved to a Triage Appointment System which will include telephone/video communication.
Please continue to monitor this website for updates
ONLINE APPOINTMENTS
We have temporarily suspended online appointments, this is a precautionary measure for the safety of patients and staff.
We will continue to review and advise in due course when this service will resume.
You can still phone in to make appointments via the Admin Team on 0345 337 3356
Open for Public Holiday
The practice will be OPEN on the Public Holiday on Friday, 8th May, 2020.
If you require urgent medical attention please contact NHS 24 on 111 or in the event of any emergency please dial 999 or telephone the Medical Centre on 0345 337 3356 for the correct number.
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