Appointments System 

We are continuing to monitor and our appointments system. We are now offering a range of same day and routine telephone appointments, online appointments and in person appointments. 

In-person appointments need to be triaged by our doctors, so please request online via eConsult on our home page, or phone and leave as much information as possible with reception. We can also accept photographs of certain clinical issues (eg skin lesions) to make access as easy as possible through this online service. This sends your information directly to our GPs to review and we will get back to you usually within 2 working days. 

If you require a same day appointment please phone the surgery any weekday at 8am.   Once same day appointments are full you will be offered the next routine appointment or given the option for our online eConsult system. 

If you have a medical emergency the reception staff will need to take as much detail as possible so it can be dealt with appropriately.*

Your GP may suggest you have a VIDEO CONSULTATION.  These consultations are by invitation only.  If you speak to your GP and are invited to a video consultation, please use the following website address:

https://nhsattend.vc/gp43237 

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Appointment Length

Your appointment with doctors are allocated 10 minutes. Nurse appointments vary in length. Please think about what is important for you to discuss if you have several issues. The Patients Association has some helpful advice about making the most of your GP appointment. 

Cancellations
If you cannot attend an appointment for any reason, please inform us as soon as possible in order for us to give the slot to someone else. 
 

Late Arrivals
Surgeries are busy but the GPs do their best to run to time.  It is therefore very important that you come to your appointment on time.  If you are late, the GP may not be able to see you. 

Text Reminder Service
If we have your mobile number on record and you have consented to its use, you will be sent an appointment reminder automatically.  If you do not want to take advantage of this service, please inform reception.
 

**eConsult is now available from 7am-7pm each weekday**

We continue to develop further online services to increase patients options for contacting the practice. 

Social media - follow us on Facebook for health updates, information and local community information.

Current online services include: 

• Consult with our doctors online or request an appointment
• Request sicklines, letters, or any administrative queries  
• Self help and self assessment guides to many conditions at NHS Inform
• Request repeat prescription
• Update contact details
• Review medication, HRT or contraceptive pills (combined or mini pill). 
• Long term conditions - click here to start your review
• Complete a health check
• Register as a new patient and complete a new patient health check

Online support for long term conditions: 

Diabetes: My Diabetes My Way

COPD: NHS Scotland COPD Support Service

Home Visits

Whilst we encourage our patients to come to the surgery, where we have the proper equipment and facilities available, we do appreciate that patients are sometimes too ill or infirm to attend. If you do need a home visit, please call reception on 0141 800 0840 between 9 - 9.30am as the doctor needs to plan visits early in order to ensure that patients with the greatest need, such as those with life-threatening illnesses, are seen.

You should only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. When you request a home visit, the On Call Doctor will phone you to asses whether your medical condition requires a visit.  If the doctor decides that a visit is needed, he or she will then decide how urgently you should be seen.  The doctor may have many patients to visit and will have to schedule visits depending upon the nature and urgency of each patient's medical condition. 

You can also be visited at home by a community nurse if you are referred by your GP.  You should also be visited at home by a Health Visitor if you have recently had a baby, or if you are newly registered with the practice and have a child under five years.

Sickness Certificates

You do not require a doctor's sickness certificate for any illness lasting seven days or less. Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or on the HMRC website.

Evidence that you are sick

If you are sick for more than seven days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of SSP (statutory sick pay).

It is up to your employer to decide whether you are incapable of work. A medical certificate, now called a 'Statement of Fitness for Work’ (see below) from your doctor is strong evidence that you are sick and would normally be accepted, unless there is evidence to prove otherwise.

You could also provide evidence from someone who is not a medical practitioner, e.g. a dentist. Your employer will decide whether or not this evidence is acceptable. If your employer has any doubts, they may still ask for a medical certificate from your GP.

Please see below for important information regarding repeat statements.

Statement of Fitness for Work - ’Fit Note'

The 'fit note' was introduced on 6 April 2010. With your employer's support, the note will help you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or injury.  The Fit for Work service will issue you with subsequent Fit Notes (medical certificates) so you don't have to see your GP to renew it. 

If you require a sickness certificate or "Fit Note" please complete request using our online service eConsult. 

What is NHS Pharmacy First Scotland?

• NHS Pharmacy First Scotland is an NHS service provided by your local community pharmacy (a pharmacy with a contract to provide NHS prescriptions and services).
• If you have a minor illness, a pharmacy is the first place you should go for advice.
• You do not usually need an appointment and you can go to any pharmacy.
• Your pharmacist can give you advice for a minor illness, and medicine if they think you need it.

Who is the service for?

You can use NHS Pharmacy First Scotland if you are registered with a GP practice in Scotland or you live in Scotland. Speak to the pharmacy team if you need further details.

How does the service work?

• Pharmacists and their teams are experts in medicines and can help with minor health concerns.
• A pharmacist can give you advice and treatment (if you need it) for minor illnesses such as the following.
  • Acne
  • Allergies
  • Athlete’s foot
  • Backache
  • Blocked or runny nose
  • Cold sores
  • Constipation
  • Cough
  • Cystitis (in women)
  • Diarrhoea
  • Earache
  • Eczema
  • Headache
  • Head lice
  • Haemorrhoids (piles)
  • Hay fever
  • Impetigo
  • Indigestion
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Sore throat
  • Pain
  • Period pain
  • Threadworms
  • Thrush
  • Warts
  • Verrucas

• Pharmacists, like GPs, can only provide certain medicines and products on the NHS. All of these are proven to be effective for treating your condition. If you want a specific medicine or product, you may need to buy it. The pharmacist will give you advice on this.
• If the pharmacist thinks it is better for you to see your GP, they may refer you directly or tell you to make an appointment.

How do I use the service?

• NHS Pharmacy First Scotland is available from all pharmacies in Scotland that dispense NHS prescriptions.
• You can choose which pharmacy to use.
• In most cases, you don’t have to make an appointment.
• When you visit the pharmacy, the pharmacist (or one of their team) will ask you for some information, including your name, date of birth and postcode.
• The pharmacist will:
  • ask you about your symptoms;
  • give you advice on your condition;
  • provide medication (if you need it); and
  • refer you to another healthcare professional (for example, your GP) if they think this is necessary.
• They will set up a Patient Medication Record (PMR) to make a note of any advice and treatment they give you.
• You can ask to use the pharmacy’s consultation area or room if you want to speak to the pharmacist in private.

Can I still go to other pharmacies?

• Yes, you can go to any pharmacy to buy medicines, collect prescriptions or use the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service. You don’t need to always use the same one.
• However, if you always use the same pharmacy, the pharmacist can build a record of your treatment, which may help you to manage your condition more effectively. (This record is not shared with anyone else.)

YOU MAY BE ASKED BY A MEMBER OF THE PRACTICE STAFF TO PROVIDE PHOTOGRAPHS. 

YOU CAN DO THIS VIA eCONSULT SERVICE

Some useful tips include:

• For skin lesions include a measurement – if you have a ruler this is ideal. If not other items such as a coin next to the lesion can give an idea of scale
• Do not include your face or other identifying features such as tattoos unless absolutely necessary.
• Do not take or send photographs of sensitive body parts including breast or genitalia

Your photograph may be viewed by other clinicians in the practice for second opinions or educational purposes. This may include if referral to skin specialists is required. They will not be shared further without your explicit consent.

If you consent to proceed, please use the eCONSULT service request practice NHS clinical e-mail and attach the images. 

PLEASE DO NOT SEND IMAGES UNLESS YOU HAVE BEEN ASKED BY A MEMBER OF OUR TEAM

GP Training Practice

Recording Consultations 

Keppoch Medical Practice is attached to the NHS Education for Scotland Specialty GP Training Programme.  We are keen to support the training of new GPs and also to develop the skills of our existing GPs and other staff.  As part of this, clinicians working in this practice might make recordings of their consultations with patients to help them improve their consultation skills, as well as their ability to talk to patients.

The recording will only be used for teaching and training purposes, usually within the practice building between trainer and trainee, although sometimes teaching sessions may be held outside the practice in a group setting where the recording may be viewed by other trainers and trainees.

Your consent will always be requested by the receptionist before your consultation is recorded.  You will need to sign the consent form again afterwards to say that you are still happy.  You can also withdraw your consent at any time following this, either verbally or in writing.  The recording will focus on the communication between the doctor and the patient and will not record examinations where your clothing needs to be removed.

If you would rather that your consultation is not recorded, please tell the receptionist.  This is entirely your choice and will not affect your health care in any way.

Please also refer to the Keppoch Medical Practice Privacy Notice which tells you how we manage your personal information when you make contact with us or use one of our services.

The Data Protection Officer for Keppoch Medical Practice is Fiona McKinlay, Practice Manager.