Download the Arran Medical Group website

Arran Medical Group
Lamlash Medical Centre
Lamlash
Isle of Arran, KA27 8NS
Telephone: 01770 600 516
01770 600 132
Fax:
Website
www.arranmedicalgroup.co.uk
When the surgery is closed call 08454 24 24 24
Welcome to the Arran Medical Group
website
Arran Medical Group operates from three main locations in Brodick Health Centre, Lamlash
Medical Centre and Shiskine Surgery. There are also branch surgeries held in Whiting Bay
Surgery, Corrie & Sannox Village Hall, Lochranza Surgery and Kilmory Public Hall. All
surgeries have wheelchair access.
We offer a wide range of services, and will be developing this website to allow you to manage
your appointments, notify us of change of contact details and order a repeat prescription.
If you’re new to the area, have a look at our opening times, download a registration form and
come and see us.
Your Health in Safe Hands
The team are here to provide all patients with a professional and caring healthcare experience in
friendly and personal surroundings. Whether you're a resident of Arran, or a visitor to the island,
we aim to provide you with high quality medical care when necessary.
If you're interested in finding out about work and learning opportunities with Arran Medical
Group, please see our 'for professionals' website at : http://www.arranmedical.co.uk
(www.arranmedical.co.uk)
What's next?
We're hoping to introduce online prescription ordering, and online appointment booking, to
Arran in the very near future. We will let our patients know as soon as this is up and running.
Photos © David Hogg, 2013
Vacancy: Practice Nurse
We are recruiting for a new Practice Nurse. Full details available here.
(www.arranmedical.co.uk/working-on-arran/vacancy-practice-nurse/)
August 2013 News
Pirnmill Road Closure
For information on clinic/prescription collection times during the Pirnmill - Catacol road closure,
please see this page.
Patient Participation Group
We are launching our Patient Participation Group, and are keen for a range of our patients to be
involved with this. For more details, please see this page.
New doctors
We are very pleased to welcome a number of new doctors to the AMG team. Dr Andrea
Bloomfield and Dr Li-Anna Tan are GP Registrars and are here for 12 and 6 months
respectively. Dr Sarah Stewart joins us as a GP Rural Fellow for the next year to find out more
about being a rural GP - she recently qualified as a GP in Northern Ireland.
Opening Times - Main Surgeries
Consultations are by appointment, by phoning our reception team on 01770 600 516.
You may be offered a phone appointment in the first instance: this is because many problems can
be sorted quickly, easily and with minimum inconvenience to yourself in this manner.
On days marked with an asterisk (*) team meetings are held from 1300-1400h.
Brodick Health Centre
Monday
08:45 - 17:30
08:45 - 13:00
Tuesday *
14:00 - 18:00
Wednesday
08:45 - 17:30
Thursday
08:45 - 17:30
Friday
08:45 - 17:30
Lamlash Medical Centre
Monday
08:30 - 13:30
14:00 - 18:30
Tuesday
08:30 - 13:30
14:00 - 18:00
Wednesday *
08:30 - 13:15
14:15 - 17:15
Thursday
08:30 - 13:30
14:00 - 17:15
Friday
08:30 - 13:30
14:00 - 17:15
Shiskine Surgery
Monday
08:45 - 18:00
08:45 - 13:00
Tuesday
14:00 - 17:00
Wednesday
08:45 - 17:00
08:45 - 13:00
Thursday *
14:00 - 17:00
Friday
08:45 - 17:00
Branch surgeries are held at the following locations:
Branch surgeries are also by appointment, by phoning our reception team on 01770 600 516.
Whiting Bay Surgery
Monday
09:00 - 13:00
Tuesday
09:00 - 13:00
Wednesday
closed
Thursday
14:30 - 17:15
Friday
closed
Lochranza Surgery *times may vary
Tuesday
09:15 - 11:30
Friday
10:00 - 11:30
14:30 - 16:00
Corrie Village Hall
Friday
10:30 - 12:00
Kilmory Public Hall
Wednesday
11:30 - 12:30
When We Are Closed
Outside of normal surgery hours, emergency cover is facilitated by NHS24 by telephoning 08454
24 24 24. You can view the NHS24 website at http://www.nhs24.com/ (www.nhs24.com/) .
Out-of-hours services are generally busy so please think carefully before asking to see a doctor
and only do so if you genuinely cannot wait until the surgery re-opens.
In a genuine emergency you should call 999. Chest pains and / or shortness of breath
constitute an emergency.
Appointments
All consultations are by appointment. Appointments for all main and all branch surgeries can be
made by phoning our reception team on 01770 600 516.
Patients with urgent problems will be assessed the same day by which ever doctor is available.
Telephone Consultations
The doctors and practice nurses may be able to help you with advice over the phone. An
appointment for a telephone consultation can be booked through the reception staff. Please ask
the receptionists for details.
Practice Nurses
In a number of cases it might be worth considering an appointment with a practice nurse rather
than a doctor. Our practice nurses keep a close eye on our chronic disease management ensuring timely checks of things like blood pressure control in people with diabetes, and
symptom control for people with asthma. They can also give important advice about travel health
and vaccinations.
Health Care Assistants
You may find it easier and more convenient to see one of our HCAs for procedures such as blood
pressure checks and blood sampling. They can also undertake diagnostic procedures such as
ECGs (heart tracing) to help the GP in diagnosing your concern.
Chaperones
If you wish a chaperone to be present during your consultation, please advise any member of the
practice team who will arrange this for you.
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.
Home Visits
Whilst we encourage our patients to come to the surgery, where we have the proper equipment
and facilities available, we do appreciate this is not always possible. If you do need a home visit,
you can help us by calling reception before 10:00. This helps the GPs to plan their day and
journey to ensure that you are seen as soon as necessary.
You may request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. Your GP
will visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires it and will also decide
how urgently a visit is needed. Please bear this in mind and be prepared to provide suitable
details to enable the doctor to schedule house calls between surgeries and other commitments.
You can also be visited at home by a community nurse if you are referred by your GP.
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 (www.hmrc.gov.uk/forms/sc2.pdf) .
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.
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.
For more information see the DirectGov website
(www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/
DG_175850) .
Private Medical Certificates
If you are asked to provide a medical certificate other than a Fit Note, this will need to be in the
form of a Private Medical Certificate. Please be aware that - as with any GP practice - we are
entitled to charge a fee for this additional service.
We generally recommend speaking to your employer about this further, and clarifying if they
will cover this cost. The only exception to this is where a medical certificate is required for
proving absence from school whilst receiving Educational Maintenance Allowance. As of
February 2013, we have decided not to charge for this particular service.
Training Practice
Arran Medical Group is a training practice for GP trainees. Specialty trainees are qualified
doctors with hospital experience who are undertaking specialist training with a view to becoming
qualified general practitioners.
Medical Students
We also have medical students working with us from time to time, and GP experience is really
important for their learning. Your co-operation with this is greatly appreciated. They may sit-in
with your usual GP, or they may ask to speak to you before seeing your GP. We understand that
there may be occasions when you do not wish a student to be present. If this is the case, please
let the receptionist or GP know, and no offence will be taken.
GP Rural Fellowships
Arran Medical Group also participates in the GP Rural Fellowship programme. This offers
additional training to qualified GPs who wish to enhance their skills to a level necessary for rural
practice. From February 2013 Dr Colin Black will be joining us to undertake this training
programme.
Wondering about your hospital
appointment?
If you're wanting to change, cancel or find out about your hospital appointment, it is generally
easier for you to contact the appropriate department. If you have significant difficulties in doing
this, our receptionists and GPs can assist, but this is likely to take longer, and reduces the time
available for other patient work.
One common issue is not knowing who to call. Please see our telephone list below to help
identify who can help you.
All Crosshouse, Ayrshire Central and Ayr hospital appointments: 01563 827 070
Arran-based clinics: 01563 827 070
Physiotherapy or 'musculoskeletal pathway' appointments: 01292 665 005
Arran Hospital services (including 24h ECGs): 01770 600 777
Repeat Prescriptions
Patient who collect their prescriptions from the chemist
Repeat prescriptions can be requested by phone or by handing in your order slip to the surgery or
chemist. Patients should allow up to three days for collection of their medication. If you are
unable to do this, please telephone the surgery.
Some patients living outside the larger villages can have their medication dispensed directly to
them.
Patients who collect their prescriptions from Arran Medical Group surgeries
Repeat prescriptions can be ordered by phoning the prescription phone line on 01770 860528 or
by taking the repeat order forms to the surgery. Please allow three working days for your
prescription to be processed. Prescriptions can also be collected as follows:
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Lochranza Surgery : Wednesday 10.45 - 11.30
(Lochranza Surgery: other collection times are available - please check by phoning us)
Corrie Village Hall: Friday 11am
Medication Reviews
Patients on repeat medication will be asked to see a doctor or practice nurse at least once a year
to review these regular medications and notification should appear on your repeat slip. Please
ensure that you book an appropriate appointment to avoid unnecessary delays to further
prescriptions.
Please remember to allow three full working days for prescriptions to be processed and
remember to take weekends and bank holidays into account.
Arran is served by two pharmacies, in addition to the dispensing services of Shiskine and
Brodick surgeries.
Lamlash Pharmacy - 01770 600 275
Located opposite Lamlash pier. They also run the pharmacy at Whiting Bay.
Brodick Pharmacy - 01770 302 250
Located opposite the post office in Brodick.
Please allow 48 hours, excluding weekends and Bank Holidays, for your request to be processed.
Any problems please telephone the surgery. We value any feedback that you have regarding the
use of this website.
Clinics & Services
Clinics & Services
Nursing Services
Our practice nurses are available for advice and treatment for the following:
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Chronic disease reviews such as asthma, hypertension, diabetes and heart disease
prevention
Cervical smears
Well woman / Well man
Family planning
Dressing/suture removal
Immunisation and vaccination
Dietary/weight reduction
Foreign travel advice and vaccination
Healthcare Assistant Services
Our healthcare assistants are available for a range of services including blood tests, blood
pressure monitoring, ECGs, ear syringing, diabetic foot checks, dressings, flu immunisations,
sprirometry, and Well Man and new patient health checks.
Other Services
Sexual Health (Pop-in) Clinic
A ‘pop-in’ clinic is held in Lamlash Medical Centre. The service is confidential and is available
to everyone, not just patients registered with the practice. Please advise the receptionist that you
would like a pop-in appointment; you do not have to give your name.
Maternity Care
If you are pregnant please contact the Arran community midwives on 01770 601249. The
midwives will be your main care providers during your pregnancy with medical input from your
GP and a consultant if appropriate. Your midwife will advise you when and where to make the
appointment.
Child Health and Immunisation
Clinics are by appointment and are held in Brodick, Lamlash, Shiskine and Whiting Bay
surgeries.
Well Woman Clinic
Dr Faye Hamill runs a Well Woman Clinic on Thursday mornings at Shiskine Surgery, by
appointment. A wide range of women's health issues are covered, including contraception, the
menopause, urinary continence, gynaecology and sexual health. Appointments at other times
may be arranged if it does not suit to attend this clinic.
Minor Surgery and Cryo Surgery
By appointment through Brodick Health Centre on 01770 302175, Lamlash Medical Centre on
01770 600516 or Shiskine surgery on 01770 860247.
Homeopathy and Acupuncture
Dr Elizabeth Guthrie is available for appointments for homeopathy and acupuncture. This
surgery is available free of charge to patients of Arran Medical Group. Private appointments can
be arranged and prices are available on application.
Non-NHS Services
Non-NHS Services
Some services provided are not covered under our contract with the NHS and therefore attract
charges. Examples include the following:
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Medicals for pre-employment, sports and driving requirements (HGV, PSV etc.)
Insurance claim forms
Passport signing
Prescriptions for taking medication abroad
Private sick notes
Vaccination certificates
Our reception staff will be happy to advise you about these charges along with appointment
availability.
Test Results
Test Results
Please telephone for the results of any tests you have undergone unless you are advised
differently by a doctor or nurse.
Our reception staff are not qualified to comment on results, however they will be pleased to
assist you in making an appropriate appointment with a GP or practice nurse.
Please note that we do have a strict policy regarding confidentiality and data protection. In this
respect we will only give out results to the person they relate to unless that person has given prior
permission for their release or if they are not capable of understanding them.
Blood Tests
Blood Tests
A blood test is when a sample of blood is taken for testing in a laboratory. Blood tests have a
wide range of uses and are one of the most common types of medical test. For example, a blood
test can be used to:
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assess your general state of health
confirm the presence of a bacterial or viral infection
see how well certain organs, such as the liver and kidneys, are functioning
A blood test usually involves taking a blood sample from a blood vessel in your arm, and the
usual place for a sample is the inside of the elbow or wrist, where the veins are relatively close to
the surface. Blood samples from children are most commonly taken from the back of the hand. In
children, the hand can be anaesthetised (numbed) with a special cream before the sample is taken
- this usually needs to be applied 45 minutes before the sample.
You can find out more about blood tests, their purpose and the way they are performed on the
NHS Choices website (www.nhs.uk/conditions/Blood-tests/Pages/Introduction.aspx) .
Medical Imaging (X-rays)
Medical Imaging
An X-ray is a widely used diagnostic test to examine the inside of the body. X-rays are a very
effective way of detecting problems with bones, such as fractures. They can also often identify
problems with soft tissue, such as pneumonia or breast cancer.
If you have a X-ray, you will be asked to lie on a table or stand against a surface so that the part
of your body being X-rayed is between the X-ray tube and the photographic plate.
Your x-ray will be carried out by a senior radiographer at Arran War Memorial Hospital. A
radiographer is a professional who specialises in medical imaging. X-ray images taken at the
hospital are usually reported within 2 weeks. The report is then sent to the GP practice, where
you can make a phone or normal appointment to discuss the results.
Other imaging tests
Some forms of imaging, including CT, MRI and ultrasound scans will require you to visit one of
the mainland hospitals.
You can find out more about medical imaging, how it is carried out and the risks involved, by
visiting the NHS Choices website (www.nhs.uk/conditions/x-ray/Pages/Introduction.aspx) .
Registration
New Patient Registration
Patients may register with the practice providing they live on Arran or Holy Isle. Patients can
express a preference for a particular doctor and the practice will strive to accommodate this but
not all doctors are always available and therefore it will not always be possible to see your
preferred doctor.
On registering with the practice you will be offered a health check with one of our practice
nurses. Transfer of records from your previous practice may take some time and this health
check enables us to take a brief medical history and obtain information on any current
medication.
Medical treatment is available from the date of registration. Please contact reception for further
information.
Change of Contact Details
Please notify us of any change of address or phone number, whether it is within the island or a
move to the mainland.
Guide to GP Services
The Royal College of General Practitioners has produced a useful guide for patients about the
services on offer at GP Surgeries and how to access them. You can download the guide below.
A Patient Guide to GP Services
Temporary Residents
Temporary Registration
If you are ill while away from home or if you are not registered with a doctor but need to see one
you can receive treatment from the local GP practice as a temporary resident.
You can be registered as a temporary resident for up to three months. This will allow you to be
on the local practice list and still remain a patient of your permanent GP. After three months you
will have to re-register as a temporary patient or permanently register with that practice.
To register as a temporary patient simply contact the local practice you wish to use. Practices do
not have to accept you as a temporary patient although they do have an obligation to offer
emergency treatment. You cannot register as a temporary patient at a practice in the town or area
where you are already registered.
Pirnmill Road Closure
Catacol Road Closure - from 30th September to end November (date TBC)
Please see below arrangements for clinics and prescription collection in Lochranza. There will be
no change to Pirnmill prescription collection.
Clinics
Nurse clinic on Tuesday - as normal
GP clinic on Tuesday - 3pm start. 3.00-3.15pm prescription collection
GP clinic on Friday - 10am start. 11.00-11.15 prescription collection
There will be no Wednesday prescription collection in Lochranza. Please note prescription
collection times above. You will also be able to collect your prescription from Brodick during
the road closure.
Practice Policies
Confidentiality & Medical Records
The practice complies with data protection and access to medical records legislation. Identifiable
information about you will be shared with others in the following circumstances:
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To provide further medical treatment for you e.g. from district nurses and hospital
services.
To help you get other services e.g. from the social work department. This requires your
consent.
When we have a duty to others e.g. in child protection cases anonymised patient
information will also be used at local and national level to help the Health Board and
Government plan services e.g. for diabetic care.
If you do not wish anonymous information about you to be used in such a way, please let us
know.
Reception and administration staff require access to your medical records in order to do their
jobs. These members of staff are bound by the same rules of confidentiality as the medical staff.
Freedom of Information
Information about the General Practioners and the practice required for disclosure under this act
can be made available to the public. All requests for such information should be made to the
practice manager.
Access to Records
In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and Access to Health Records Act, patients
may request to see their medical records. Such requests should be made through the practice
manager and may be subject to an administration charge. No information will be released
without the patient consent unless we are legally obliged to do so.
Complaints
We make every effort to give the best service possible to everyone who attends our practice.
However, we are aware that things can go wrong resulting in a patient feeling that they have a
genuine cause for complaint. If this is so, we would wish for the matter to be settled as quickly,
and as amicably, as possible.
To pursue a complaint please contact the practice manager who will deal with your concerns
appropriately. Further written information is available regarding the complaints procedure from
reception.
Violence Policy
The NHS operate a zero tolerance policy with regard to violence and abuse and the practice has
the right to remove violent patients from the list with immediate effect in order to safeguard
practice staff, patients and other persons. Violence in this context includes actual or threatened
physical violence or verbal abuse which leads to fear for a person’s safety. In this situation we
will notify the patient in writing of their removal from the list and record in the patient’s medical
records the fact of the removal and the circumstances leading to it.
Staff Details
Doctors
Dr D Angus Campbell
MBBS MRCGP DRCOG (Newcastle 1977)
Dr Elizabeth L Guthrie
MB ChB MRCGP DRCPG 1983 (Aberdeen 1981)
Dr Faye Hamill
MBChB MRCGP DRCOG DFFP (Edinburgh 1997)
Dr Greg Hamill
MBChB MRCGP DRCOG DFFP (Edinburgh 1997)
Dr Alwin Hoelzl
STATE EXAM MED MRCGP DFSRH (Munich 2003)
Dr David Hogg
BSc(MedSci) MBChB DCH MRCGP (Glasgow 2005)
Dr Malcolm M Kerr
MB ChB FRCP MRCGP DRCOG (Edinburgh 1977)
Dr Graeme Thompson
MBChB MRCGP (Aberdeen 1999)
Dr Sarah Stewart
GP Rural Fellow 2013-14
Dr Andrea Bloomfield
GP Registrar, in final year of GP Training.
Dr Li-Anna Tan
GP Registrar, in first year of GP Training.
Nurses
Sister Susie
McConnell
RGN / Diploma in asthma care / Certificate in Diabetes Care
Sister Jo
Earle
RGN, Cardiac Specialist Nurse
Sister Merle
Douglas
Sister Jill
Divine
RGN
Practice nurses are qualified and registered nurses. They can help with
health issues such as family planning, healthy living advice, blood
pressure checks and dressings. The practice nurses run clinics for
long-term health conditions such as asthma or diabetes, minor ailment
clinics and carry out cervical smears.
Healthcare Assistants
Hannah Taylor
Deborah Robertson
Healthcare assistants support practice nurses with their daily work and carry out
tasks such as phlebotomy (drawing blood), blood pressure measurement and new
patient checks. They may act as a chaperone when a patient or doctor requests one.
Practice Management
Joyce Beasley Practice Manager
Jenni Turnbull Business Manager
Ruth Betley Practice Development Manager
The managers are involved in managing all of the business aspects of the practice
such as making sure that the right systems are in place to provide a high quality of
patient care, human resources, finance, patient safety, premises and equipment and
information technology. They support the GPs and other medical professionals with
delivering patient services and also helps to develop extended services to enhance
patient care.
Administration
Reception
Receptionists provide an important link for patients with the practice and are your
initial contact point for general enquiries. They can provide basic information on
services and results and direct you to the right person depending on your health
issue or query. Receptionists make most of the patient appointments with the GPs
and nurses. They also perform other important tasks such as issuing repeat
prescriptions and dealing with prescription enquiries, dealing with financial claims,
dealing with patient records and carrying out searches and practice audits.
Community Midwives
Donna Brown Senior Staff Midwife
Elaine Kelso Staff Midwife
The Community Midwives can be contacted on 01770 601249.
Community Nurses
Vera Ransome District Nursing Sister
Community Staff Nurses
Julie Graham
Karen Stirland
Katherine Jenks
Gillian Webb
Carol Ribbeck
Heather Allison
Fiona Cameron
Alison Dick Community Nursing Assistant
The district nurses can be contacted either by leaving a message at the medical
centre on 01770 600516 or by phoning direct on 01770 601045 where a message
may be left on the answer machine which is checked regularly throughout the day.
Public Health Nurses
Isobel MacDonald
Heather Allison
The Public Health Nursing service on Arran is unique within NHS Ayrshire and
Arran as it encompasses the entire birth - 18 years age group. The service works in
partnership with many other agencies and aims to ensure that all children and young
people on Arran will have the knowledge, skills and understanding to follow a
positive, healthy lifestyle. The Public Health Nurses work in a variety of settings
throughout the island which includes patients' homes, schools, health centres and
Arran War Memorial Hospital. Isobel and Heather can be contacted directly on
01770 601055 or through Brodick Health Centre, Lamlash Medical Centre or
Shiskine Surgery.