Running a general practice takes a lot more 'behind the scenes' work than many patients realise. For each appointment, often double the amount of time is spent dealing with the administration that comes from providing 21st Century health care. Some people wonder "what does the GP do all day" when not seeing patients; here is a short list of what we are doing when you are not seeing us in routine appoitnments:
writing and responding to referral letters with consultants and other health professionals in hospitals and communities services,
interpreting test results and arranging patient reviews
authorising repeat prescription requests and checking for drug errors or potentially harmful interactions of medicines issued
conducting telephone consultations with patients
undertaking emergency appointments or home visits to patients in their homes and visiting people recently discharged from hospital
performing emergency response "BASICS" work at road traffic accidents at the request of the Scottish Ambulance Service
working at the Lawson Community Hospital in Golspie to care for inpatients and deal with A&E minor injuries
conducting audit (simple research) to improve our clinical efficiency and care we provide to patients
taking part in continuous teaching to update our knowledge of new treatments and train our staff on new areas
conducting staff meetings to improve our services and share knowledge
holding meetings with the Highland Health Board (who hold the purse strings) to campaign for better services, funding, equipment and premises on your behalf
Phew! Nevertheless, at Brora and Helmsdale we are pleased to offer patients 15 minute appointments rather than 10 minutes which is the usual offered in England, on each working day of the week. All four GPs rotate between Brora, Helmsdale and the Lawson Community hospital to maximise patient choice. Any patient from Brora or Helmsdale is welcome to use any appointment at either practice.
GP Surgery times
Brora (Morning Surgery)
Brora (Afternoon Surgery)
Helmsdale (Morning Surgery)
Helmsdale (Afternoon Surgery)
Monday
9am - 11am
3pm - 5pm
9am-11am
2pm - 4pm
Tuesday
9am - 11am
3pm - 5pm
9am-11am
2pm - 4pm
Wednesday
9am - 11am
3pm - 5pm
9am-11am
No surgery
Thursday
9am - 11am
3pm - 5pm
9.30am-11am
2pm - 4pm
Friday
9am - 11am
3pm - 5pm
9am-11am
2pm - 4pm
Special Clinics Run by Doctors
Family planning: All GP's at the practice are able to give contraceptive advice. Additionally Dr Claydon and Dr Main will fit coils. Dr Claydon fits and removes all contraceptive implants (arms) in the minor surgery clinics.
Minor Surgery: Dr Claydon holds a minor surgery clinic once a month. These are for removal of benign moles, skin tags, cysts, ingrown toenails, joint injections and aspirations, and for contraceptive implants and removals in the arm. To access this service, you must first be assessed by one of the GPs as being potentially suitable for minor surgery at the practice. If so, you will be placed on the list for minor surgery at the next available session and an appointment sent to you. However, Dr Claydon, as as the surgeon, retains the final decision whether you can be safely operated on at the practice. Dr Claydon will also conduct joint injections in a regular clinic but you must book an extended appointment for this purpose - again you must be assessed by one of the GPs as needing this service.
Travel health : You are requested to follow these instructions prior to booking a travel clinic appointment, at least 6 weeks where possible prior to your planned travel, to discuss necessary immunisations and medications. It should be noted that only some vaccinations are supplied free of charge on the NHS; others, and all medications (eg malaria, antibiotics) are issued on private prescription payable to a pharmacy of youir choice, with an additional practice charge for all medications issued.
Skin Complaints: Make an appointment to see Dr Doherty who has expertise in this area.
