Latest News

FLU CLINICS

For the latest information regarding flu clinics, please click here Flu Clinic Information

CONTACTING & ATTENDING THE SURGERY

We are now opening our front door to patients who have a pre-booked appointment.  Appointments may be requested by phoning in for a telephone consultation in the first instance.  Please phone in in the usual way.  Please do NOT come into the Health Centre unless you have a pre-booked appointment

Reception Staff will be triaging all patients.  Please expect to be asked about the reason for your call.  This is so we can safely care for all of our patients.  Due to increased pressures, we have temporarily suspended on-line pre-bookable appointments

PRE-BOOKED APPOINTMENTS

• For appointments with the GP or Advanced Nurse Practitioner please use the main front door and come to reception to check in
• For appointments with the Health Care Assistants (Heather & Flo) or Practice Nurse please park in the staff car park to the rear of the Health Centre then call reception on 01573 224424 and wait in your car until the clinician comes to collect you
• For appointments with the Treatment Room Nurse please park in the allocated spaces in the main car park and then and wait in your car until the clinician comes to collect you

WHEN ATTENDING THE HEALTH CENTRE FOR AN APPOINTMENT, PLEASE HELP PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS BY:

• Wearing a mask
• Arriving on time
• Using the hand sanitiser provided
• Keeping your distance from others
• Avoid touching surfaces and your face
• Attending appointments on your own where possible
• Keeping bags and personal items to a minimum
• Using the toilet at home before you attend and bringing a urine sample with you if you think this may be required

PLEASE CONTINUE TO CALL BEFORE 10 AM FOR A TELEPHONE CONSULTATION

Call 111 out of hours for further advice or 999 if it is an emergency

ALL PEOPLE WITH SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 SHOULD VISIT https://www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus.  IF YOU HAVE MILD SYMPTOMS AND CANNOT FIND THE ANSWER ON THE WEBPAGE, PHONE 0800 028 2816.  IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS CAUSING SERIOUS CONCERN AND YOU NEED MORE ADVICE YOU SHOULD CALL NHS 24 ON 111 (THIS IS THE NATIONAL DEDICATED SERVICE, AVAILABLE 24 HOURS PER DAY, 7 DAYS PER WEEK).  PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE SURGERY IN THE FIRST INSTANCE - ALL COVID-19 QUERIES SHOULD GO VIA THE ABOVE WEBSITE/TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Further advice for patients who believe they are in a 'clinically vulnerable' group can be found at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable

For patients who receive a flu jag who need further support and advice, please click here https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-52271293

•      Those patients undergoing a self-isolation for 7 or 14 days do not require a sick line, as this is a Government directive.  Please do not call in requesting one.  A link to a self-certificate can be found here https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note

•      You need to contact your employer if you require to shield from COVID-19 due to underlying conditions but are currently well.  Please DO NOT phone 111 or your GP

•      Please do not submit requests for repeat medication with more than the normal quantities. These will not be processed and only the normal prescribed quantity will be authorised. Whilst we understand the reasons behind such requests, this demand will put a lot of pressure on the already overloaded Community Pharmacies. The risk to cause major shortages in the supply chain and availability of drugs is also very high    

•      For many people, the current global situation is causing significant anxiety and uncertainty.  For useful advice on how to best manage anxiety and co-existing mental health problems, please visit https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/

•      Latest Government advice states that you must wear a face covering when using public transport in order to prevent the transmission of the virus. For children under 5 years of age or those with particular health conditions who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of any physical or mental illness or impairment or disability or without severe distress an exemption applies. There is no requirement to obtain evidence in the form of a letter from a doctor or government that you are exempt. If you have a condition which means you cannot wear a face covering you need only advise if asked that you cannot wear a face covering because you are exempt for one of the reasons listed above.  For further information visit https://www.transport.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/transport-transition-plan/advice-on-how-to-travel-safely/

NEW TEXT MESSAGE ALERT SERVICE

Kelso Medical Group Practice is introducing a text messaging service to mobile phone users. The launch date for this new service is Wednesday 17^th June 2020

We will use text messaging to contact you for the following:

•      Confirming your appointment date and time
•      Reminding you about your booked face to face appointment
•      Giving you general information and updates about the Practice e.g. flu clinics
•      Cancellation at short notice of face to face appointments due to circumstances outwith the control of the Practice

If you would like to receive text messages please make sure that we have your mobile number.  You can update your details by emailing us at contact.kelsohc@borders.scot.nhs.uk

SECONDARY CARE WAITING TIMES

Understandably we are receiving queries regarding out patient appointments and follow-up appointments at the BGH.  We do not have access to or influence over the BGH appointment booking system, so we request that you view the below link regarding waiting times and contact BGH outpatients directly if you have queries about your appointment on 01896 826756  http://www.nhsborders.org.uk/waitingtimes