Accessing the Right Care from the Right Place

Whatever your health concern, NHS services are here to help you get the right care, from the right place...

Here are some hints and tips:

• NHS Inform provides information on a wide range of health information and advice - access the service on the phone or online. Visit www.nhsinform.scot or call 0800 22 44 88.
• For any queries about your hospital appointment or investigation results you should first contact the hospital. View hospital contact details.
• 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 sickness self certification form (SSP form). Read more about taking sick leave on the gov.uk website.
• Remember that for minor ailments we run a nurse–led Minor Illness service. If you think this would be appropriate, please ask the receptionist.
• Our practice nurses should be seen for COPD and asthma annual reviews, and they also offer contraception (including emergency contraception), cervical screening tests, and vaccinations.
• Our health care assistants (HCAs) can provide new patient assessments, blood and urine sampling, weight monitoring, suture removal and some wound care. In addition our HCAs can provide COPD screening, hypertension, mental health and diabetic reviews including diabetic foot screening and blood glucose monitoring education.
• The community midwives are for all pregnancy advice and support. Call them on 01307 475255.
• The health visitors provide professional care, support and advice to antenatal women, pre-school children and their families. Contact the team on 01307 468888.
• Your community pharmacy can deal with a wide range of minor illnesses, emergency contraception, smoking cessation, ear syringing kits for home use and provides a Minor Ailment Service. Find out more about local pharmacies.
• Your dentist is for all conditions involving your mouth or teeth. View local dental services. For emergency dental care out of hours contact NHS 24 free on 111.
• Optometrists can see patients with acute/new eye problems for assessment and further management as appropriate. This means you can refer yourself, or your GP can refer you if appropriate, for various eye problems. View local opticians.
• Adults with muscle or joint problems can self refer to physiotherapy or to our First Contact Physiotherapy service which runs every afternoon in the Practice - please ask reception for an appointment.
• You can self refer to the podiatry service at Whitehills Hospital. Please download a copy of the podiatry referral form or ask reception for a copy.
• Sexual Health Clinics are run in Ninewells Hospital, Dundee or Abbey Health Centre, Arbroath. View local sexual health clinics.