**IMPORTANT** 17th and 18th April - Computer update

Our clinical computer system is being upgraded on Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th April.   This will result in a reduced number of appointments available, which will be for EMERGENCIES only as we will have limited access to patient records on these dates.    We thank you for your understanding.

EASTER PUBLIC HOLIDAY CLOSURES

The practice will be closed on Friday 29th March and Monday 1st April.   If you require a Doctor in the event of an emergency please dial 111.    We will re-open at 8am on Tuesday 2nd April 

COVID and FLU VACS

Stay safe this winter! Get your COVID and flu vaccines at one of our drop-in clinics. You can visit https://www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/covid-19-vaccine-centres/ for your nearest location. If you have any questions, please contact 01698 687456 and not the practice

Christmas & New Year Closures

The practice will be closed on Monday 25th December, Tuesday 26th December, Monday 1st January and Tuesday 2nd January.   PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF YOUR USUAL MEDICATION BEFORE THIS TIME.     Please call our prescription line on 01698 456622 to order.          In the event of an emergency during these closures please call NHS24 on 111.

New Patients

From 14th June 2023 the practice has made the decision to no longer accept patients already registered with a GP within the practice area e.g. Hamilton, Blantyre and High Blantyre.   NHS Lanarkshire fully support our decision.

If you have difficulty finding a new practice, you should contact the undernoted, who will allocate a new Doctor to you.

Common Services Agency,

Practitioner Services Division,

Meridian Court, 1st Floor,

5 Cadogan Street,

Glasgow.   G2 6QE.  Tel 0141 300 1300

EASTER PUBLIC HOLIDAY -  Friday 7th April and Monday 10th April 2023 - the practice will be closed on these dates.  Please call 111 if you require medical advice during these times.

Additional Public Holiday  - The practice will be closed on Monday 19th September 2022 

UPGRADE TO OUR TELEPHONE SYSTEM

All calls into the practice will now be placed in a queue rather than patients having to continually re-dial to get through.      However please note reaching the top of the call queue does not guarantee you an appointment that day (unless it is a medical emergency).        When our appointments are full for the day a telephone message will come on advising patients of this and to call back the next day or hold the line for reception to assist you.    We hope that these changes assist the flow of calls into the practice.

DEMAND FOR APPOINTMENTS

Demand for access to GPs across Lanarkshire is exceptional at present.  This practice is no different.  Please bear with us at this time and thanks for you patience.

The vast majority of patients are able to have their presenting clinical symptoms dealt with by a relevant healthcare professional over the phone.   However, from Monday 1st August 2022 FACE TO FACE appointments with the GP are available to book via reception.    Please contact reception for more information

PRESCRIPTION ORDER LINE (01698 456622)

WILL NOW ONLY BE AVAILABLE DURING WORKING HOURS as we are unable to process prescription requests when the surgery is closed - Monday to Friday 8am-6pm (excluding public holidays). IF YOU WISH TO REGISTER FOR ON-LINE ORDERING PLEASE COLLECT A FORM FROM THE PRACTICE.

VACCINATIONS - Shingles/Pneumococcal/Holidays Vaccinations - will be longer be provided by the practice from 1.4.2022

Shingles and Pneumococcal - will be provided by NHS Lanarkshire - patients will be called by NHS Lanarkshire in due course

Holiday Vaccinations - will be provided by certain pharmacies  - see link  https://www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/services/travel-vaccinations/

MISSING COVID VACCINES

If you have not yet had an invitation for your covid vaccine, or feel that you should have heard about your 2nd vaccine by now you can click on the link below to report a missing invitation.  The surgery has no influence over when, where, which vaccine but we have been advised by other patients that the link below gets a pretty quick response.

https://invitations.vacs.nhs.scot

ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR

We have been experiencing increasing incidences of  hostility towards the practice team and we would like to stress that any form of violence and aggression- including verbal hostility- towards staff is completely unacceptable.  Please think before you speak/act.    We operate a zero tolerance policy.  If you are abusive you will be asked to find another GP practice.

Demand for access to GPs across Lanarkshire is exceptional at present.  This practice is no different.  Please bear with us at this time and thanks for you patience.

The vast majority of patients are able to have their presenting clinical symptoms dealt with by a relevant healthcare professional over the phone. 

Patients will only receive a face-to-face appointment if necessary, for physical examination or if tests need to be carried out.

SPANISH VISA FORMS

These forms require that the doctor certify the person to be free from a range of infectious diseases and any mental illness.

Letters for patients to go travelling abroad is not part of the GP Contract under Essential or Additional services, therefore the practice is not obliged to provide these for patients.

SPIRE - opt out of identifiable data

to  opt out of your identifiable data being included in any  extracts the practice opts into please go to his is the link on the SPIRE website relating to patient opt-out - https://spire.scot/my-choices/ then complete the form referenced on the website and hand it in to your practice where will then enter the relevant Read code into your medical record

Further information can be found on the SPIRE Scotland website

MID-DAY CLOSING

From Tuesday 1st June 2021 the practice will close each day from 12.30pm-1.30pm.     If you require a Doctor in the event of an emergency during this time please dial 01698 286555.

COVID-19 VACCINATION 

Face Coverings

We have been advised by NHS Lanarkshire that people who are exempt from wearing face coverings are not required to carry proof that they are exempt for medical reasons. They do not need exemption letters or certificates from the practice and their word should be accepted by relevant organisations. As such practices do not need to provide any proof of exemption for their patients.

Face covering exemption cards can now be sourced at www.exempt.scot and by phoning 0800 121 6240

VIDEO CONSULTATIONS

Our Doctors may consult with you via your computer using a system called - NEAR ME - please use this link  https://nhsattend.vc/nhslanarkshire-burnbank-medical-centre

When Making An appointment

Our reception staff will ask you for a brief description of the issue that you have, this is to ensure that they are booking you in with the best person to help you with your condition. We have a diverse mix of staff who can help.

HGV, PSV Medicals

HGV, PSV Medicals etc are currently not provided by the practice.  Please source an alternative private provider via an internet search.

Appointment Cancellation Line (24 hours)

We have introduced a 24 hour appointment cancellation line.  The number is (01698) 456623.  This is an automated service.