We are aware that letters inviting patients to covid/flu vaccination appointments are now being sent.

Although the practice will be used as a venue for the Autumn covid/flu clinics, we have no involvement in the administration of the appointments for these clinics.

‼️Please do not ring the surgery to try to reschedule or make any enquiries as we have no further information. Please ring the number on your letter for assistance.‼️

From Friday 1 April, if you are unwell with COVID-19 symptoms and need medical advice contact your GP practice when open and only call 111 when your GP practice is closed.

From Friday 1 April, the 111 helpline will continue to answer calls related to COVID-19 symptoms when GP practices are closed.

The NHS Inform coronavirus webpage remains the fastest way to obtain the latest health advice and information. Visit nhsinform.scot/COVID-19

More information www.nhsinform.scot/COVID-19

Self-help guide: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Find out more about your symptoms, when you can use self-care, and what to do if your condition worsens and you need medical help - click on the link below:

Self help guide covid-19

As advertised on the NHS Inform website, we would urge patients with enquiries regarding Coronavirus to refer to the up-to-date information on the NHSInform/Coronavirus website here.

NHS24 111

Please click on the link below for Coronavirus in Scotland information on the Scottish Government website:

https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/

Ready Scotland

To access the Ready Scotland website please click here this gives links on how to get help and how to offer help during the Coronavirus crisis.

Testing is part of the national Test and Protect approach to containing coronavirus (COVID-19).

Testing is available to people with and without symptoms. It can be carried out at home, or at one of the many coronavirus testing centres across Scotland.

You can get a test for:

• yourself
• someone you care for
• a child in your care

Types of coronavirus test

The 2 main coronavirus tests are:

• polymerase chain reaction (PCR) – used mainly for people with symptoms
• lateral flow device (LFD) – used for people who do not have symptoms

The coronavirus test you should take depends on why you’re getting tested and whether you have symptoms.

PCR tests

You must take a PCR test if you have any one of the three symptoms of coronavirus. These are:

• a high temperature or fever
• a new continuous cough
• a loss of, or change in sense of smell or taste

A new, continuous cough means coughing for longer than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours. If you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual.

Please click on the link below to access the NHS Inform website to find out more about testing and book a PCR test.

Get a PCR test

GPs and their teams cannot issue vaccination exemption certificates.

Further information on the vaccination exemption certificates scheme, including information on safe vaccination and routes to obtain an exemption can
be found on the Scottish Government and NHS Inform websites.

Please do not contact your GP Practice to ask for a COVID vaccination passport or status certificate – they will not be able to provide any standard document.

The Scottish Government has launched a service that allows people travelling abroad to access their record of vaccination status themselves.

You can now request a record of your vaccination status. Read more here NHS Inform Vaccination Status.

You can also get a copy of your vaccine status by phoning the COVID-19 Status Helpline on 0808 196 8565. The helpline is open every day from 10.00am to 6.00pm.  You should only request your vaccination status over the phone if you're unable to download a PDF version.

If you are planning to travel abroad, some countries may require this for entry.  Coronavirus has not gone away.  Think before committing to non-essential travel abroad. 

The Scottish Government continues to urge a highly cautious approach to international travel, given the risk of new variants. The four UK Chief Medical Officers have said that green-list status should be the exception, rather than the rule, with countries added to the list only where there are very good reasons for doing so.

 If you are intending to travel abroad you should:

• check the entry requirements for your destination country on the UK foreign travel advice
• get up-to-date information from the website of your destination country
• check the re-entry requirements for your return to Scotland
• only request a vaccination record if it is absolutely required and you are due to travel in the next 21 days

NHS Lothian Drop-in Covid19 Vaccination Centres 

Almost 1 in 3 people infected with Covid-19 do not have any of the usual symptoms but are potentially passing on the virus unknowingly to their loved ones, friends and others in the community. Everyone is encouraged to test twice a week, even if fully vaccinated. By getting tested you can find out if you are positive and self-isolate at home to stop spreading the virus to others. It is easy to take a test in Edinburgh. If you have no symptoms and have not been identided as a close contact, you can come to one of the Mobile Test Units, pop-up Community Testing Centres or use a home test. You can:

• order free rapid lateral flow test kits online
• pick test kits up from most chemists and libraries 

You can find out more about community testing on our web pages at  https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/communitytesting

Thank you for your help.

Please click on the link below for more information on isolation if you or a close contact has a positive Covid19 test result:

Guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection

When to self-isolate and what to do

Self-isolation is when you do not leave your home because you have or might have coronavirus (COVID-19). This helps stop the virus spreading to other people.  Please click in the link below for more details:

When to self-isolate and what to do

Isolation Note 

Use this service if you have been told to self-isolate because of coronavirus and you need a note for your employer. This service is only for people who:

• have symptoms of coronavirus
• live with someone who has symptoms of coronavirus
• are in a bubble with someone who has symptoms of coronavirus
• have been told to self-isolate by a test and trace service

https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/

For further information please visit the NHS Inform website by clicking here or contact the helpline on 0800 030 8013 or email loth.covidvaccenquiries@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk.

 If you think you have been missed as part of the vaccination process you can fill out the form on the below link.

https://www.nhsinform.scot/covid-19-vaccine/invitations-and-appointments/missing-appointment-details

There is no requirement for GPs to provide exemption letters. Please click on the following link below for more information.

Face coverings

"You must wear a face covering when using public transport in order to prevent the transmission of the virus. For children under 5 years of age or those with particular health conditions who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of any physical or mental illness or impairment or disability or without severe distress an exemption applies.　

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."