Thursday 11 April – Emergency service only from 1pm
Please note that the practice operates an emergency service only that afternoon due to meetings and staff training. If your matter is urgent and cannot wait until the next morning, please phone our usual number 01381 622000.
In case of a life-threatening medical emergency always dial 999.
For general health advice visit www.nhs24.scot or call NHS24 on 111 (free of charge from UK landlines and mobile phones).
Spring Coronavirus Vaccine
https://www.nhsinform.scot/springvaccine
Help for Rape and Sexual Assault Victims
Please see attached information regarding the Rape and Sexual Assault self-referral campaign. This is a dedicated NHS Scotland service which can offer healthcare and support in the days after an assault, if people are not ready, or unsure about going to the police. Rape and Sexual Assault Help
Breast Screening from 2 October 23
We have been informed by NHS Highland that Breast Screening for our registered patients will be starting from 2 October 23 (3-yearly cycle).
All eligible women aged between 50 and 70 years will shortly be receiving an invitation letter approximately 3 weeks prior to their appointment from NHS Highland. In addition, women aged 71-74 (up to their 75th birthday) or women over the age of 70 with a previous history of breast cancer, who have been discharged from the annual follow-up, can now contact the centre to self-refer for screening and will be added to a waiting list and an appointment will be offered within 9 months. You can contact the Breast Centre on 01463 705416 or by email NHSH.HighlandBreastScreening@nhs.scot
Further information about breast screening can be found here https://nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/screening/breast/breast-screening
Specific information for transgender patients can also be found here https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/screening/screening-information-for-the-transgender-community#breast-screening
Opening Hours
Please note that from Monday, 4th September 2023, the practice will be closed for lunch from 1-2pm each day. We are open from 8am to 1pm and from 2pm to 6pm every working day.
Face masks and coverings
NHS Scotland advice for the wearing of face masks or face coverings in our premises changed on the 16th of May 2023. Staff will not routinely wear face masks, and as a visitor you are not required to wear a face mask or covering when entering our buildings, although you can still opt to do so if you wish. There may be times when you are advised by staff to wear a face mask, and the reason for this will be explained to you.
Changes to how Vaccinations are delivered
Further information can be found by downloading this press release from NHS Highland NHS Press Release re. vaccination transformation
Ticks and Lyme DiseaseLyme disease is a bacterial infection spread to humans by infected ticks. It's also known as Lyme borreliosis.
Ticks are tiny spider-like creatures found in woodland and moorland areas. They feed on the blood of birds and mammals, including humans.
Lyme disease is usually easier to treat the earlier it's diagnosed. To find out more please follow this link https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/lyme-disease/
New NHS 24 App
‘NHS 24 Online’ – a new way to access health advice and wellbeing services in Scotland .Feeling unwell? If you or someone you care for is under the weather you can now find out more about your symptoms, when you can self-care and what to do if your condition worsens and you need medical help via a new, easy to use mobile app from NHS 24.
The ‘NHS 24 Online’ app allows people to check symptoms to find out what to do next. There is also a chatbot function to answer questions and find out how to get further advice for a range of issues including running out of medicine or help for:
- Eye problems
- Flu-like illness
- Lower back pain
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
The App can also help people find their nearest health and care services using postcodes or location data. It will detail how far away each service is, if it is open or closed, and the contact details for that service.
‘NHS 24 Online’ is available for both Android and iOS devices and free to download now.
Dr Laura Ryan, NHS 24’s Medical Director said the app offers people more choice in the way can get the help and advice they need:
“Mobile devices have changed the way we do lots of things on a day-to-day basis and we hope the new NHS 24 Online app will make it easier for people to check their symptoms, and if they need further help to find local services at the press of a button.
“By downloading NHS 24 Online, people in Scotland will be able to get health advice from a trustworthy source in a fast and convenient way. And if more help is needed, the app will also provide information on where to access the right care in the right place.”
Please note this is a first iteration of the app – future developments and enhancements are planned for 2023.
The NHS 24 Online app is available to download for free on the Google Play Store for Android devices and the App Store for Apple devices.
https://nhs24.info/app-apple
https://nhs24.info/app-android
Driver SchemeWho are we? We’re the friends of Fortrose and Rosemarkie Drivers Scheme, and if you are from the Black Isle and need to attend a medical appointment, but don’t have your own transport, we may be able to help. Just call us on 07546 310493 and we will try and arrange for someone to pick you up, take you to your destination and bring you back afterwards. All we ask for is a contribution towards fuel costs. We recognise that Covid is still amongst us and suggest that you protect yourselves by following vaccination advice, social distancing, mask wearing and hand sanitising when interacting with our volunteers, particularly if you are at risk of suffering severe effects from the virus.
If you would like to volunteer as a driver or help coordinate travel requests, please call Tony on 01381 621749 for a chat.
Likewise, if you know someone who might be interested in volunteering, please pass this contact number on, we’d love to hear from them.
A Guide to our Appointment System
Q | How can I book an appointment? |
A | Please call the surgery on 01381 622000 to book an appointment. If you are registered for online services you may be able to book appointments online. |
Q | Can I book to see a healthcare professional (incl. a GP) face to face? |
A | Yes, all appointments can be booked face to face where this is required. We also offer telephone and video consultations for those who would prefer this and do not need an examination. |
Q | Can I book appointments ahead? |
A | Yes, you can book appointments up to 6 weeks ahead. |
Q | Can I see or speak to a GP today? |
A | If your medical need cannot wait for the next available appointment, we will ask you for some details and will pass this message to the duty doctor. He/she then will prioritize the messages according to their medical urgency and decide how to manage them. You may receive a phone call, or be offered an appointment. |
Q | I cannot attend my appointment |
A | If you can no longer attend your appointment please contact us to cancel or re-arrange your appointment. That way we can offer this to somebody else. |
Q | I have a telephone appointment but nobody has called me at the time |
A | Please allow for up to an hour after your appointment. This can happen when emergencies come in on the day and need to be prioritized. The GP will make every effort to call you as close to your appointment time as possible. |
Q | Why do you still ask patients to wear a facemask? |
A | We follow Scottish Government guidance and this currently advises the wearing of face masks in all healthcare settings. |
Q | Why can I only come to the desk if I have an appointment booked? |
A | Some of our patients are very vulnerable and COVID and other infectious diseases have not gone away. We try to minimize footfall in the practice to protect those patients and the service. We have boxes installed outside for your repeat prescriptions and for requested samples (please do not drop in samples that have not been requested as we are unable to process them). We can be contacted by phone or by email for all other enquiries. |
Get the right care in the right place
Right Care Right Place
Images / Pictures and Emails for clinical advice
Please do NOT send us images / emails for clinical advice unless you have been asked to do so by the GP. Any incoming images that have not been requested may not be reviewed. Please contact the surgery by phone where you can request to leave a message for the GP or book a telephone appointment in the first instance.
NHS Highland Social Support Information
Near Me Video Consulting
We can now offer video consulting. Please find further information and your check-in to the virtual waiting room under Online Services.
Online Services: Appointments & Prescriptions
Patients have the option of managing their appointments online. To register please complete the one page registration form and bring into the Practice with two forms of ID e.g. driving licence and one proof of residence e.g. utility bill. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions of how to create your log-in. Please note that you must be aged 16 years or older to register for online services. Appointments can be booked with a GP for up to 4 weeks in advance.
Patients can now order their medications through our new online services portal. Within the prescriptions section you will be able to see the list of your repeat medication, simply select the items you wish to request from the list. Once we receive your request you can check on the progress of your request from this screen.
Access to the online portal can be found at Patient Services
Ear Care
We do not offer routine ear syringing at the surgery. Ear Syringing can cause complications such as ear infections, perforation of the ear drum & tinnitus (persistent noise). Advice for self-care including ear drops and bulb syringing can be found on our website and in the reception waiting area. If you are still experiencing problems after 3 weeks or more of following this advice, please make an appointment with your GP.
Travel Advice and Vaccinations
It is important to get the right advice about any travel vaccinations to reduce your risk of catching a serious illness whilst abroad. Unfortunately, due to pressure on appointments for medically important issues, we are not able to give this service the time that it needs, so we have made a decision that we are no longer able to offer travel advice. However, there are services available at pharmacies offering travel services or a private travel clinic, where adventurous travellers can get the advice and vaccinations that they need. You should contact the travel clinic or pharmacy at least 8 weeks before you are due to travel. Some vaccines need to be given well in advance to allow your body to develop immunity. Further information can be found here
Text (SMS) Messages
Fortrose Medical Practice offers a text message service to patients. Text messages are used for appointment reminders and routine requests from Clinicians. Please ensure you keep us informed if your number changes or you wish to opt out.
Practice Privacy Notice
A copy of our Practice Privacy Notice can be found on our Policies page