To allow General Practice to focus on the government’s current priorities for the NHS of delivering the coronavirus booster programme and emergency care, employees will not be required to provide their employer with medical evidence of sickness absence for the first 28 days of absence. GPs will still be required to supply fit notes for periods of absence exceeding 28 days. The Government guidance states-
If an employee goes off sick on or after 10 December 2021, up to and including 26 January 2022, you cannot ask them for proof of sickness until they have been off for 28 days or more.
This change takes effect from 17 December, but applies to absences beginning on or after 10 December 2021, up to and including absences which begin on or before 26 January 2022. The self-certification period will revert to seven days for absences beginning on or after 27 January 2022.
Due to Doctors having to self-isolate, there will be disruption to service over the next two weeks. We ask that you take this into consideration when contacting the Practice. We thank you for your patience at this time.
Over the coming weeks, women age 50 – 70 who are registered with this GP practice, will receive an invitation letter in the post inviting them to attend a routine breast screening check on a Mobile Unit at the following location:
Kirkintilloch Leisure Centre Woodhead Park Kirkintilloch G66 3DD
When you receive your letter, please contact the Breast Screening Service on 0141 800 8800 to confirm/change/cancel your appointment. Our staff will be able to answer any questions you may have. If you are able to attend your appointment it’s important to do so. Screening can find early signs of cancer and allows us to provide referral and treatment if necessary.
For more information about The Breast Screening Service and the Screening Test please visit the following links:-
The Scottish Government requires General Practice and other healthcare settings to have different infection control and physical distancing guidance to other places such as hospitality and shops.
This is to help reduce the risk to practice staff and to people attending the practice who may be at greater risk if they catch Covid 19.
From 19 July 2021 (when we go to Level 0) the following rules still apply in General Practice
wearing of face coverings by patients and the public (unless you are exempt)
physical distancing of 2 metres in waiting rooms
contact your practice by telephone in the first instance
wearing of PPE by staff
screening of all patients for Covid 19 symptoms
Please support your local practice team by complying with this guidance.
It’s important you make your decision about getting the COVID-19 vaccine based on reliable information.
It’s time to roll up your sleeve for the COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 can be serious whatever your age and the vaccine is your best protection against its effects. Make sure you use reliable sources when making your decision about getting the vaccine.
The vaccine will provide you with the best protection against COVID-19 and is both safe and effective. Watch below for the facts about the vaccine ➡ www.nhsinform.scot
Safety cutdown
Side effects after the COVID-19 vaccine are common and much less serious than developing COVID-19, or complications associated with COVID-19.
Not everyone will experience side effects after the COVID-19 vaccine. For those who do, these are usually mild and will go away within a few days.
The COVID-19 vaccine is regulated by the MHRA and has been through the same safety checks as all other vaccines.
The COVID-19 vaccines have been developed quickly and safely as there is a huge global need and scientist have worked together like never before. Watch below for the facts about the vaccine ➡ www.nhsinform.scot
Doses and Appointments cutdown
The NHS will contact you when it’s your turn to be vaccinated, or you may be able to register for the vaccine online.
The COVID-19 vaccine works best if you have two doses, giving you the maximum amount of protection for a longer period of time.
You need two doses of the vaccine to protect yourself against COVID-19. When offered, please get both doses. Watch below for the facts about the vaccine ➡ www.nhsinform.scot
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding cutdown
There are no known risks from vaccination while breastfeeding, the vaccine does not affect fertility, and you don’t need to avoid pregnancy after being vaccinated.
All pregnant women will be offered the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as people of the same age or risk group.
If you are pregnant you should discuss the risks and benefits of getting the vaccine with your clinician.
Faith Leaders and Ingredients cutdown
The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and they don’t contain any animal products or egg.
Faith leaders representing Scotland’s many different religious communities have recommended that people get the COVID-19 vaccine. Watch below for the facts about the vaccine ➡ www.nhsinform.scot
Over the last 18 months, all GP practices have experienced a huge increase in requests for appointments. General Practice was already working under increasing pressure before the Pandemic hit, and demand is now higher than ever. We are constantly looking at the service we deliver to try to find the best way to provide care while keeping our patients and ourselves safe.
Compared with three years ago, the practice now provides another full day of GP time each week. Despite this, a recent review of workload showed that we are now dealing with more than another 100 patient contacts each week. We are doing this while trying to deal with our usual duties, maintain social distancing and using Personal Protective Equipment and wiping down all surfaces and equipment in the surgery.
We understand it is very frustrating for everyone but please understand that we, like all GPs in the country, are doing our utmost to keep our service accessible and safe. Our reception staff are working tirelessly to try to support services and signpost patient where possible to other services that may be more appropriate, such as pharmacy or Minor Injuries. We have instructed our trained and trusted staff to ask the reason for your call to best help you and direct you to the service best suited to your needs.
Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board have also put some information together to update you on the changes to General Practice to explain why these changes have been made.
Primary Care colleagues have been extremely busy throughout the pandemic, and like all services, have needed to adopt a number of new ways of working to help ensure they’re able to see and treat patients safely and efficiently.
We have created a helpful video with Dr Kerri Neylon, Deputy Medical Director for Primary Care, who explains the changes in GP services to patients, and how best patients can ensure they are using the most appropriate service for them.
Many thanks for your support and understanding as we all try to navigate these challenging times.