Antenatal Services
If you have a positive pregnancy test, you can make a booking appointment with the midwife by calling 0141 232 4005. We recommend that most pregnant women take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid and 10mcg of vitamin D during pregnancy. These are available from most chemists.
There are no midwives attached to our surgery. Maternity services are provided by the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital and the midwives are based in some of the bigger local health centres.
The flu vaccine is offered to women at any stage of pregnancy, whereas the whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine is offered between 28-32 weeks of pregnancy. These are given by appointment with our practice nurse.
Bone and joint problems
Most bone and joint pain is best treated by the physiotherapist. A self- referral form for physiotherapy is available from the surgery reception.
Child Health
Our Health Visitor is Jennifer Keating. She is based at Townhead and can be contacted on 0141 531 8922. New babies usually see the GP at 6 weeks for a routine check-up.
Childhood vaccinations are organised by the Health Board, who send appointment letters to your home address.
www.immunisationscotland.org.uk is an excellent website that lists and explains all the routine childhood vaccinations and answers lots of common questions for parents and carers.
Chronic Disease Clinics
Patients with long-term conditions such as asthma, COPD, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and dementia are invited to the surgery once a year for a review. This is usually done by the nurse, but sometimes a GP check is required too. These appointments take 20-30 minutes and may involve blood tests. Please let us know if you cannot make your appointment.
Diabetes
Once monthly there is a diabetic clinic to monitor those diabetic patients who do not attend the hospital clinic. This is run by one of our GPs and one of our nurses. Diabetic patients also see a dietician after they are diagnosed. Once a year they attend for a foot check, either by the GP if they are ‘low risk’ or by the podiatrist if they are higher risk. Higher risk patients usually have problems like numbness or ulcers. It is essential that all diabetic patients attend their yearly foot check as well as their specialist eye check at the hospital.
Emergency medical care
Our GPs and nurses can give advice on urgent health issues but they do not provide emergency care. In a medical emergency, please dial 999. A medical emergency would include symptoms such as severe chest or abdominal pain, symptoms suggestive of a stroke (difficulty with speech, facial drooping or limb paralysis), a severe fall or head injury or any severely unwell person.
Eye problems
Most eye or vision problems are best treated by the optician who can give advice on glasses, eye infections, flashes and floaters in front of the eye, inflammation of the eye, cataract and glaucoma.
Falls/broken bones/minor injuries
All falls, possible broken bones or minor injuries such as cuts or lacerations which might need stitches should go directly to A+E or your local minor injuries unit depending on severity.
Foot problems
Patients with foot problems can self- refer to podiatry by phoning 0141 347 8909 – note that toenail cutting is not available on the NHS.
Mental health and addiction
Patients can access the Primary Care Mental Health Team by self-referral for any mental health problem – especially anxiety or low mood. There is an information leaflet at reception and you can contact them directly on 0141 342 3200. Addictions problems are best treated by the Community Addiction Team who can help with alcohol and drug misuse issues. They can be contacted directly on 0141 565 0200.
Minor illnesses
Lots of common illnesses like colds, sore throats, sore ears and sticky eyes will go away without treatment. Sometimes antibiotics can cause more harm than good. Consult the pharmacist for advice before you contact the surgery with these symptoms. Many simple medicines are available free of charge on the NHS Minor Ailments programme. The pharmacist can also help with smoking cessation as nicotine patches and gum are available free of charge on the NHS from your local pharmacy.
Sexual health
Our nurses and GPs can give advice on sexual health symptoms. Routine smear tests are done by Sister Hirrell – call reception to book an appointment with her. In addition, the Sandyford provides sexual health services for Glasgow and has a useful website (www.sandyford.org) which may help answer any queries. The Sandyford also provides advice on requests for termination of pregnancy – patients can self-refer by calling 0141 211 8620. Patients who have undergone sexual assault can obtain help and advice by contacting The Archway on 0141 211 8175.
Test results
Please phone for blood and other test results after 2pm one week after the test was taken.
Travel Clinic
If you are travelling abroad and think you might need vaccinations or anti-malaria medication, our nurses offer specialist travel advice. If your trip is more than 6 weeks away, you can arrange a telephone appointment to discuss the details of your journey. Many vaccinations can be done for free at the surgery, but certain vaccines are only available from specialist Travel Clinics at a charge. Our nurses can advise you. Anti-malarials are only available on private prescription and are not free.