CORONAVIRUS (Covid-19)
Visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) page below for the latest advice:
Coronavirus general helpline: 0800 028 2816
In view of the recent global COVID-19 outbreak, Riverside Medical Practice has made the decision to limit face to face contact with all patients. You can still book a consultation with a GP of your choice. If your clinician feels you need to be seen, they will give you instructions on how and when to attend the surgery.
***** PLEASE DO NOT COME TO THE PRACTICE FOR YOUR GP APPOINTMENT *****
UPDATED INFORMATION - Friday 10th July 2020
Attending the practice
Riverside Medical Practice currently has a locked door policy. This means that ALL patients who need access to the surgery for appointments will be screened before entering. This ensures the safety of our patients and our practice team.
The practice has various hand gel dispensers situated around the practice. Please use these when entering and leaving the practice.
We would ask that, where possible, you attend the practice alone unless you are a parent/guardian or need to attend with a carer.
Waiting Room Seating
If you are attending the practice for an appointment, please take note of our current seating arrangement in the waiting room.
All of the seats are spaced 2m apart to ensure social distancing, please don’t move these, and have a plastic number on them.
We ask that you choose a seat with a number ON it and put the number on the floor.
Once you have left, this alerts staff to the seats that have been previously used which can then be cleaned for the next patient attending.
Please help us by following our system.
Face Coverings
From Monday 22 June, The Scottish Government made face coverings mandatory on all public transport in Scotland. From Friday 10 July, face coverings are mandatory in shops or businesses, visits to a care home for the elderly, visits to adults in hospitals as an outpatient and GP surgeries or pharmacies where it is not always possible to main a 2 metre distance from other people.
Although it will not be mandatory for patients to wear a face covering while attending the practice, you can do so if you wish. The practice will not be providing masks/face coverings. We have a 2m distance policy in place and ask that whilst attending the practice, you strictly stick to this.
It is important to recognise that not everyone can wear a face covering.
People are exempt if:
- They have a disability or health condition that means they cannot put a covering on.
- A covering will cause them severe distress
- They need to communicate with someone who relies on lip reading
- They need to eat, drink or take medicine
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.
Further information and resources about face coverings can be found here:
Seafarer Medicals
Riverside Medical Practice will resume Seafarer Medical appointments from Monday 3rd August 2020.
Please contact the practice on 01463 715999 to arrange an appointment. Appointments are available to book now.
Please note some medicals remain suspended until further notice.
DVLA Medicals
Riverside Medical Practice will resume DVLA Medical appointments from mid August. Appointments will be available to book from the week commencing 27th July.
Please note some medicals remain suspended until further notice.
Midwife Appointments
The community midwives will be returning to the practice on Thursday 6th August and will have 3 clinics a week. Monday, Thursday & Friday running from 9.30am to 12pm.
Please contact the practice on 01463 715 999 to make an appointment.
COPD Reviews
We are offering an alternative COPD review appointment during COVID-19. This is to ensure all patients with a COPD diagnosis are given the opportunity to speak to our practice nurse regarding their long term condition.
All patients have been invited by letter to make a telephone appointment with Nurse Jean to discuss management of their COPD. It is important that you make an appointment for your review. A variety of days and times are available.
If you still need to make a review telephone appointment, please contact the surgery on 01463 715 999.
Asthma Reviews
We are offering an alternative Asthma review appointment during COVID-19. This is to ensure all patients with an Asthma diagnosis are given the opportunity to speak to our practice nurse regarding their long term condition.
Some patients have been invited by letter to make a telephone appointment with Nurse Kathleen to discuss management of their Asthma. It is important that you make an appointment for your review. A variety of days and times are available.
If you still need to make a review telephone appointment, please contact the surgery on 01463 715 999.
Asthma patients will continue to be invited by letter throughout the rest of the year.
Resumption of Diabetic Service
Riverside Medical Practice will be resuming our diabetic Service in August 2020 with a NEW system. This will be a permanent change and will be a more flexible system to help patients manage their appointments.
More information will be shared with patients via letter in the coming weeks.
Please don’t make contact with the practice for a routine diabetic review unless you have been invited by letter.
Social isolation, social distancing and shielding
New and updated information on self isolation and social distancing, including those who have received a letter from The Scottish Government:
Scottish Government COVID-19 Helpline for patients who receive the flu injection for health reasons: 0800 111 4000
Prescriptions:
#HelpUsHelpYou by following the new guidelines about ordering medication. Only collect the amount you need so that we can help reduce the pressure and workload for GPs and community pharmacies.
Please note the practice is trying to reduce the amount on contacts with patients collecting prescriptions. With this in mind we strongly suggest that you choose a pharmacy convenient for you for your prescription to be sent to.
If you are having difficulty accessing our online prescription service, please email your request to: high-uhb.gp55841-prescriptions@nhs.net
Social Support Information
If you've developed a new continuous cough OR fever OR loss/change in sense of smell or taste, stay at home for 7 days from the day your symptoms started.
Please visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested to arrange a test
PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND THE GP PRACTICE