| Using the Surgery |
| Appointments | ||
| Appointments can be made by telephoning, or by calling in person during office hours. Patients can usually be seen the same day. Please note that your appointment lasts 15 minutes and if you have several problems or feel you may require more time please ask for a longer appointment. | ||
| Dispensing |
| The practice dispenses medications and normally you will get your medicines from the receptionist after seeing the doctor. If the required prescription is not in stock we can usually obtain it within 2 or 3 days. For urgently required medication which is not in stock we can issue a prescription to be taken to one of the chemists in Kirkwall who will usually have most things in stock. |
| Repeat Prescriptions |
| If you are taking medication which can be dispensed without your seeing the doctor, please use our prescription line 831 300. You can telephone any time day or night (this is an answerphone) and tell us your name and address, and the names of the drugs that you require. Please note that we require 48 hours notice to dispense a repeat prescription. |
| Home Visits |
| You can arrange a home visit from the doctor (if you are too ill or disabled to attend the surgery) by telephoning before 10.00am (if possible). We prefer to see you at the surgery, if at all possible, as the facilities for investigation and treatment are obviously better here. |
| Confidentiality |
| All members of the practice are bound by strict rules governing confidentiality. We keep basic patient details on computer in order to keep more accurate records, which are just as safe and confidential as they have always been. |
| New Patients |
| When you register you will be offered an appointment to assess your general current state of health and to discuss any specific needs for medical care. We atttach a great deal of importance to this first appointment, so that we can get to know you (and you can get to know us), but it also provides necessary medical information before we receive your records from your previous GP. The appointment takes approximately 20 minutes. |
| Foreign Travel |
| At least 9 weeks prior to travel please make an appointment to discuss the necessary medical requirements. You may need several follow up consultations for immunisation. |
| Suggestions/Complaints |
| We try to provide the best possible service. If there are things that you particularly like or dislike, please contact our practice manager Lorna Whyte with your comments |