The Blue Practice

Services Available

All GP practices are contracted to provide "essential services", that is, basic treatment of ill people. We also provide the following "additional services":
• Child health surveillance, together with the health visiting team
• Contraceptive services. IUCD and Implanon insertion
• Maternity services in the antenatal and postnatal period together with the community midwives
• Routine immunisation of children, together with the health visiting team
• Immunisation for adults in relation to travel. Not all travel immunisations are available on the NHS; please ask our practice nurse for details
• Cervical screening
• Treatment of warts and other small skin lesions

We also hold contracts with Tayside Health Board* for the following 'enhanced services'
• An annual flu immunisation programme to protect the elderly and those "at risk"
• Regular monitoring of patients on a range of treatments for arthritis and bowel problems
• A methadone substitution programme for patients with drug abuse problems, in collaboration with the Tayside drug problem service
• Minor surgery eg injection of joints, nail surgery, biopsy of skin lumps/moles etc

As part of the General Medical Services Contract the practice also offers a range of chronic disease monitoring programmes which include heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, asthma, COPD, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, mental health, stroke disease and cancer care.

(*Tayside Health Board can be contacted at: NHS Tayside, Ashludie Hospital, Monifieth DD5 4HQ or by telephoning 01382 423000.)

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

CHILD HEALTH SURVEILLANCE

The GPs and the health visitors co-operate closely to provide a full child health surveillance programme. This is held every Wednesday morning between 9.15am and 10.30am and is by appointment only.

HEALTH VISITOR CLINIC

This is a combined clinic for both practices and is held every Monday morning 9.00am - 12 noon. The health visitor will offer advice, support and information on child and family health. Please phone the surgery for an appointment.

IMMUNISATION CLINIC

Immunisations are routinely carried out, by appointment, either by the health visitors or the GPs.

Our health visitors will be able to give you any advice/information that you may require on the full range of childhood vaccinations available.

FAMILY PLANNING

All of the doctors, both health visitors and the practice nurses provide a full range of contraceptive services including coil fitting and emergency contraception.

ANTENATAL AND MATERNITY SERVICES

All the doctors see antenatal patients during normal surgeries and the midwives also hold clinics within the medical centre. Antenatal care is shared between your GP and midwife, thereby ensuring continuity of care before and after the birth of your baby.

WOMEN'S HEALTH

Full screening, cervical smear, breast examination, family planning service, menopause and general health advice. The National Breast Screening Service operates in Tayside and offers women between the age of 50 and 70 mammography every three years. The screening unit visits the centre at regular intervals.

CERVICAL SMEARS

These may be done at the women's health clinic or during surgery time (please book a double appointment). A three-yearly routine recall system operates in Tayside for women aged 20 - 60.

SENIORS' (OVER 75) HEALTH CHECK

These appointments are usually carried out by the health visitor staff nurse. Where appropriate it may be possible for you to be seen in your own home if you are unable to attend the Medical Centre.

LIFESTYLE INFORMATION

Smoking: We are keen to give all our patients who smoke as much help as possible to stop. Please ask at reception or at any consultation for information and support.

Exercise: Even the smallest effort can improve your quality of life and make you feel healthier and livelier. As walking is a very good exercise which most people are able to do, and don't need special equipment for, then why not get started on your fitness campaign. Simply start by walking for 15 or 20 minutes at a brisk enough pace to get your heart beating faster, three times a week regularly. When you can easily walk for an hour you are ready to move on to swimming, cycling or running!

Healthy eating: A healthy diet doesn't need to be a boring one. Health experts tell us we are all eating too much fat, salt etc, but what exactly does this mean? Why not speak to your doctor/nurse or pick up some of our information leaflets so you can enjoy a healthier diet?

YELLOW FEVER CENTRE

The Medical Centre is a designated Yellow Fever Centre and is recognised as such by the World Medical Organisation. Patients requiring a Yellow Fever vaccination are advised that there is a standard charge for this, and this is in addition to the charge for travellers’ advice.

PRIVATE WORK

We offer a range of private medical services. Current fees are displayed at reception and on the waiting room notice board. These services are outside the usual range of general medical services and include such things as special examinations, provision of reports for employers or insurers, counter signature of passports etc.

CRIEFF HOSPITAL

This is a 22-bed hospital that opened in 1995. There is a 12-bed ward accessed by the general practitioners for the acute care of their own patients. The hospital has physiotherapy, x-ray and occupational therapy departments and a day care area. The minor injuries unit is located immediately to the left upon entering the hospital. Those patients who have suffered accidents or injuries should attend here between 8.00am and 6.00pm Monday to Friday or if requested out of hours by NHS 24.