Practice updates
NHSGGC appeal to people using lidocaine patches
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has launched an appeal asking patients who are currently prescribed lidocaine patches – prescribed under common names such as Ralvo or Versatis – to contact their GP practice and ask to be referred to the GP practice pharmacy team to discuss if their prescription is still right for them.:
Lidocaine patches provide short-term pain relief in a very small number of conditions. However, use of this medicine has greatly increased in recent years, and latest figures show the prescribing of lidocaine patches cost NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde around £7 million in the year to April 2024 – even though most of the people who receive them could use alternatives that are better for their needs.
The patches are only recommended for the short-term treatment of nerve pain following shingles. They are not always suitable for long-term use for other types of pain, such as back pain or hip pain, as lidocaine does not get absorbed deep enough to relieve the deeper pain. According to the evidence, lidocaine patches can be used less often over time and in general are not part of a long-term management plan.
MMR against measles
Measles is one of the most infectious diseases. It can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening complications in some people. These include infections of the lungs (pneumonia) and brain (encephalitis).
Measles is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. You can prevent it by getting vaccinated.
NHS Scotland offers 2 doses of the measles , mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine to children at around 12 to 13 months, and 3 years 4 months. If it’s missed at these times, it can be given at any age.
Charter of Patient Rights and Responsibilities
What the Charter does
The Charter of Patient Rights and Responsibilities (the Charter) summarises what you are entitled to when you use NHS services and receive NHS care in Scotland, and what you can do if you feel that your rights have not been respected
The Charter also explains what is expected of you when using the NHS in Scotland. Some of your responsibilities are set out in law. Others are guidelines to help the NHS work effectively in Scotland and to help make sure it uses its resources responsibly.
Practice Boundary
Our Practice area covers the town of Gourock, West End of Greenock (west of Patrick Street and including Larkfield) and extending westwards up to but not beyond the railway bridge in Wemyss Bay.
If you are currently a patient within our practice and move out with these areas you will be asked to leave and register with another practice within your new catchment area. We also cannot accept new patients who live out with these specified areas.
Social Media Facebook page for Gourock medical Practice
You can now follow Gourock Medical Practice on Facebook
Providing patients with regular updates on health matters and campaigns. This page is not intended for patients to contact the Practice as it will not accessed on a daily basis by our team. Please phone if you wish to contact the Practice
ZERO TOLERENCE STATEMENT
GPs and their staff have the right to care for others without fear of being attacked or abused. Any behaviour – verbal, physical or in writing – which causes staff to feel uncomfortable, embarrassed or threatened, is totally unacceptable. The Zero Tolerance policy includes aggression or threats made in person, over the telephone or in written communication, including on social media. The Practice considers threatening behaviour to be:
Attempted or actual aggressive, threatening or physical actions made towards any member of staff
The use of aggressive, threatening or abusive language, (including raising of the voice, swearing, shouting or in writing) which threatens or intimidates staff
This policy applies throughout the premises. It also applies to any employee or partner away from the practice but only in so far as it relates to the business of the practice.
Any instance or threat of physical abuse will be reported to the police. The offender will be removed from the premises by the police. The patient will then be removed from the practice list. Instances of abusive/threatening behaviour will be reported to the Practice Manager and a warning letter will be sent to the patient. The patient may contact the Practice Manager to discuss this warning letter if they wish to do so. If there is any further incident, the patient will be sent a Final Warning Letter informing them of their breach of the Zero Tolerance Policy and their removal from the Practice list.
We hope you understand the reason for this policy which is designed to keep our staff and other patients safe at all times.
Complaints Handling Procedure
The Complaints Officer
181 Shore Street
GOUROCK PA19 1AQ
Tel: 01475 607177
We ask that complaints are sent in writing, where possible, to the Practice. We appreciate this may be inconvenient for some of our patients and we apologise for any inconvenience
Please click on the link below to access the procedure or ask for a copy at our main reception desk
Why do receptionists ask why I need to see a doctor, are they being nosey, what about my privacy?
Everyone who works at our Medical Practice is bound contractually by a confidentiality agreement and receives regular training on this.
Our GPs request that staff ask the reason for patients' appointments. You may be directed to another healthcare professional such as a pharmacist, nurse etc... meaning patients get to see the right person in a timelier manner as well as freeing up our valuable GP appointments for our patients.
Text Reminders
We provide a free text messaging system to all our patients who have registered a mobile phone number with us.
As well as providing appointment reminders, we use this to communicate important messages from the Practice and our local Health Board from time to time
If you wish to OPT OUT of this service, please let us know by informing our reception team
COVID 19 Vaccinations
Who will be offered the vaccinations and when?
See NHS Inform for information
Waiting For NHS Treatment?
This link provides information you may need while waiting for your appointment or treatment. This includes what you can expect from your Health Board and what your responsibilities are.
Further information on NHS Scotland waiting times, can be found on NHS Inform. Alternatively you can contact your Health Board for updates on your waiting time.