How to register as a patient
** OUR PATIENT LIST IS CURRENTLY FULL. WE ARE SORRY THAT WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT NEW PATIENTS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE** You may register as a patient if you reside within the practice area. To register you should bring in your NHS medical card, birth certificate, photographic ID (passport, ID card or driving licence) and proof of address (mortgage/rental agreement, recent utility bill, bank statment or current employment documents). If you do not have a medical card you should complete a registration form. If you have not been registered with a GP in the UK before then you must provide additional documentation to that listed above:- If you are from the EEA you must provide evidence that it is your intention to permanently reside in the UK. If you are from outwith the EEA you must produce a letter from the home office confirming residency in the UK, or "No Time Limit" stamp on passport. All new patients are asked to complete a lifestyle questionnaire and are invited to attend the Practice Nurse for a New Patient Medical. The Registration Form and Patient Questionnaire can be downloaded from the Home page. All registration documentation must be brought into the practice in person - please attend after 10am if possible.
When the surgery is closed
Out-of-hours cover is provided by Lothian Unscheduled Care Service (LUCS), commissioned by Lothian NHS. In the event of a life threatening emergency telephone 999. For urgent medical advice telephone NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24 (www.nhs24.com). (This number is also available by telephoning the practice out-of-hours when a recorded message will give the NHS 24 number). Protected Learning Time - The practice is closed between 12.30pm and 6pm on approximately 6 afternoons per year. Please refer to the News section for the dates of these.
Minor Injuries Clinic - 0131 537 1330
The Minor Injuries Clinic is based at the Western General Hospital, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XU. The clinic is open 7 days a week from 8am to 9pm. No appointment is necessary. The clinic treats injuries such as cuts, burns, sprains and simple fractures for patients aged over 1 year. Other services offered includes x-rays of limb injuries for patients over 12 years of age, physiotherapy referrals, tetanus vaccination and simple analgesia.
Emergency Departments (A&E)
NHS Lothian has 3 Emergency Departments - Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, St Johns Hospital and the Royal Hospital for Sick Children. An emergency is a critical or life-threatening situation. Examples include: unconsciousness, heavy blood loss, suspected broken bones,deep wounds such as stab wounds, suspected heart attack and difficulty in breathing. The Emergency Department is not an appropriate destination if you are looking for a second opinion on an existing condition or for minor illnesses or if you have a minor injury. In this instance you should seek advice from your GP or visit the Minor Injuries Clinic at the Western General Hospital. The NHS Direct website offers health advice and you can check your symptoms with their online self help guide.
Patient Confidentiality
All our staff have been trained to ensure that any information we hold about you remains confidential.
Protecting Personal Health Information
A new Data Protection Act was introduced in March 2000. It gives you important rights over how personal information about you is used. The NHS Lothian leaflet "Protecting Personal Health Information - A Guide for Patients" is available from reception. The leaflet explains your rights and tells you how Lothian General Practice will use your personal health information.
Code of Conduct
We operate a zero tolerance policy to abusive and threatening behaviour which means immediate removal from the practice list.
Consent to the treatment of children
Children under 16 can give their own consent if the medical practitioner attending the child considers the child capable of understanding the nature and possible consequences of the procedure or treatment. If the child is judged capable, the practitioner must seek the consent of the child rather than of the parent.
Problems or Complaints
If you are unhappy with the service you have received or if you have any problems with the services of the practice, please speak to the Practice Manager. There is also a suggestions box in the reception area.
Test Results
Patients are requested to phone between 11am and 4pm (Mon - Fri) for test results. Where possible, patients should phone in person. Unless informed otherwise by your GP, you should allow one week for test results to come back. If you are asked by the GP or Practice Nurse to hand in a sample for testing - please ensure that it is labelled with your name and date of birth and hand it in to the practice before 4pm.
Save a Life
Eyre Medical Practice supports the NHS Lothian Organ Donation campaign to increase registration locally. Please visit www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/signuptosavealife/ for more information. Organ donor registration leaflets are also available from reception.
E-mail Policy
If you wish to contact the practice by e-mail the address is reception.s70018@lothian.scot.nhs.uk. However, please note that e-mail should only be used for non-urgent and non-clinical matters. The practice cannot guarantee the security of personal or confidential information you send to us in an e-mail and the doctors will not respond by e-mail to messages requesting medical advice.
Are You A Carer?
Do you provide help and support to a friend, neighbour or relative who could not manage otherwise because of frailty, illness, disability or a mental health problem? If the answer is YES then please click on "Contact" and let us know.
Looking after your health...