BRUNTON PLACE SURGERY
9 BRUNTON PLACEEDINBURGHEH7 5EG
DOCTORS
Dr Suzanne Waterer
MB, ChB, DRCOG, DFFFP – Qualified in 1982 in Dundee
Dr Samuel Watt
MB, ChB, MRCGP – Qualified in 2005 in Manchester
Dr Gillian McGovern
MB, ChB, DRCOG, DFFP, FRACGP – Qualified in 1988 in Edinburgh
Dr Iona MacCallum
MB, BCh, DRCOG, MRCGP – Qualified in 2008 in Cardiff
TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Surgery 0131 557 5545
Facsimile 0131 524 1188
INTRODUCTION
Welcome toBrunton Place Surgery. Our address is 9 Brunton Place, EdinburghEH7 5EG, phone number 0131 557 5545. We hold a General Medical Services (GMS) contract with Lothian NHS Board, Pentland House, Ground Floor, 47 Robb's Loan, Edinburgh EH14 1TYphone number (0131) 536 9000. Details of this contract are available from the Practice Manager. There has been a doctor practising from this address for over 100 years. The practice has expanded during this time from being single-handed, through a small family practice to our current size. The architect William Playfair, who was responsible for much of Edinburgh’s fine architecture, designed the practice building, which is listed. Unfortunately, being listed limits the amount of adaptation we can undertake and therefore, we are unable to provide disabled access.
It is the aim of all members of the practice team to provide appropriate health care equally to all our patients with either acute or chronic problems, and to promote good health through lifestyle advice.
REGISTRATION
If you wish to register as a patient of Brunton Place Surgery you need to be living within the practice boundaries and entitled to register as an NHS patient. Registration forms are available from reception. You would need to complete the form yourself, or have someone complete it on your behalf.All patients who register must provide proof of their address and ID, please refer to the advice sheet provided with your registration form.When the forms are completed please return them to reception. We only accept forms handed in by a prospective patient, so that the forms can be checked by a receptionist in their presence. Once registered as a new patient with the practice, patients are welcome to book an appointment with our Practice Nurse for a new patient health check up and review. If you prefer a particular doctor, e.g. female for a female patient, we will note this and do our best to respect your choice. However, not all the doctors in the practice provide all services and specific doctors may not be immediately available.
PRACTICE AREA
The practice area includes parts of districts EH1, 6, 7 & 8. Specific details are available at reception. We are unable to accept patients living outside the practice area.
SURGERY OPENING HOURS
Monday – Friday8.00am – 12.00pm & 1.00pm – 6.00pm
The surgery may occasionally be closed at other times for staff training
CONSULTING HOURS
8.30am – 10.10am
11am onwards – Urgent Problem Clinic Monday to Friday
1.30am – 5.40pm
DOCTORS
Dr Samuel Watt - Full Time Dr Gillian McGovern - Full Time
Dr Suzanne Waterer - Part Time Dr Iona MacCallum – Part Time
PRACTICE STAFF
PRACTICE MANAGERCaroline Houston
ADMINISTRATIONGemma, Gwynn and Eileen
RECEPTIONIssy, Helen, Craig,Lorraine & Janis
PRACTICE NURSESJoanne Veitch–RGN, FPCert, Dip in Asthma, Dip in Coronary Heart Disease, Dip in Professional Studies 1.
Anne Kilgour - RGN, BA Community Health, FPCert, Dip in Asthma, Dip in COPD and Spirometry, Dip in Coronary Heart Disease, Dip in Diabetes, Dip in District Nursing Dip in Professional Studies , nurse Prescriber.
HEALTHCARE ASSISTANTDot McManus SVQ2, SVQ 3
DISTRICT NURSINT TEAMNorina Marwick RGN DipDN
Gillian Brydon
Nichola Cook
Claire Bisset
HEALTH VISITOR TEAMLisa Luhanga, Jeannette Abbeels, Alice Poole
MIDWIFEPatricia Bell
MAKING AN APPOINTMENT
You may consult any doctor however, you are encouraged to see the same doctor for a particular episode of illness where possible to ensure continuity of care. An appointment can be made by telephone, online or by calling at the surgery during normal working hours. If you prefer to see a male or female doctor, or a particular doctor or nurse, please make this clear when you contact the surgery to make your appointment. You may book an appointment up to 4 weeks in advance, with a doctor or nurse. Appointments are for 10 minutes. Please advise the receptionist if the appointment is for a first antenatal check or a postnatal check or if you think that your problem will require a longer consultation. If you feel that you require to be seen urgently, please make this clear to the receptionist who will book you into our Urgent Problem Clinic.
If you are unable to keep your appointment please advise the surgery, giving as much notice as possible, so that the appointment may be offered to another patient. If you are more than 10 minutes late for your appointment, the doctor or nurse may not be able to see you and you may be asked to reschedule.
ONLINE APPOINTMENTS
Doctor’s appointments at the surgery can be made or cancelled online via the website hours a day. To register for this service please ask a member of reception staff for details.
URGENT PROBLEM CLINIC
After the morning surgery the doctors run a session which is for urgent problems only. If you have a problem which cannot wait for the next available appointment, you should phone before 10.00am and a receptionist will give you a time to attend. The Urgent Problem Clinic will only deal with the most pressing problem. This allows your problem, and those of other patients waiting, to be dealt with speedily so reducing waiting times and increasing efficiency. This extra session must not be used for obtaining routine sick lines, prescriptions or test results.
Please note that as this clinic is very busy, space is limited. We request that adults attend alone whenever possible, and that children are brought by only one parent or guardian. Thank you for your co-operation.
Adults should realise that many colds, coughs, sore throats and other minor infections will clear by themselves and do not require prescribed medications. Often advice from the pharmacist or symptomatic relief is all that is required. You do not require a doctor’s certificate (sick note) unless you have been off work for 7 or more days.
SELF CHECK IN
Please read all the screens carefully once you have checked yourself in. The screen will advise you where to take a seat as the building has three levels and you may miss your appointment if you are not sitting in the correct waiting area. If you are waiting more than 20 minutes please approach reception.
PRE-BOOKABLE TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS
We also have telephone consultations, which can be booked in the same way as face-to face consultations with a doctor. You will be asked for your contact number home, mobile or work, and the doctor will phone you at a specified time about your problem. These are available as part of the doctor’s regular surgeries. Occasionally you might be phoned later if the doctor is not running to time.
TELEPHONE ADVICE
Practice nurses are available for telephone advice between 12.00 and 12.45 by telephoning the surgery number 0131 557 5545. Please give the receptionist as much information as possible about your problem so your call can be prioritised appropriately. We are not able to return calls to a withheld number.
HOME VISITS
These should only be requested for patients who are too ill or infirm to travel to the surgery. When making a request for a home visit please phone before 10.30am whenever possible. The receptionist will ask you for some details about the problem to help the doctor decide how urgent your request is. You should also give clear instructions, such as address, stair or flat number and telephone number.
The duty doctor will review requests for home visits each day and may give advice or suggest surgery attendance if appropriate. There are very few illnesses that could be made worse by a short trip to the surgery.
URGENT/EMERGENCY CALL OUTSIDE NORMAL HOURS
If you require urgent medical advice outside normal hours a doctor is always available. Out of hours calls are dealt with by Lothian Unscheduled Care Service, between 6pm and 8am Monday to Friday and 6pm Friday to 8am Monday. If you require urgent medical advice outside the surgery’s opening hours please telephone NHS 24 on 111 ( A receptionist in the emergency call centre will answer your call and take your details. They will either arrange advice from a doctor or a nurse, invite you to attend an emergency centre to be seen or arrange a home visit. Leaflets about this service are available at the surgery. Out of hours is now the responsibility of Lothian NHS Board. Telephone calls to the out of hour’s service are recorded.If there is a life-threatening emergency dial 999 and ask for ambulance services.
DISABLED ACCESS
If you are a registered patient of the practice, are disabled and unable to access the building, we will visit you at your home as necessary.
REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS
If you are on regular treatment you will be given a computer sheet listing your medications. When you require a further supply of medication please tick the items you require on the computer printed list and hand, or post it into the surgery. If you do not have the computer form, please come to the surgery and fill out a medication request form. Or you can order onlinevia the website 24 hours a day.If a child is registered for this service, they will be responsible for their own log in details when they reach the age of 12. Please allowtwo working days for repeat prescriptions.Onlypatients who are 80 years old and over, and those who are permanently housebound may request their prescription by telephone.
SPECIMENS
Specimens should be handed in to the surgery before 2.00pm to ensure collection that day.
RESULTS
Please phone after 2.00pm. Results will only be given to the patient or parent/guardian. You may be asked to consult the doctor if this is more appropriate.
PRACTICE NURSES
Joanne Veitch and Anne Kilgour are our 2 Practice Nurses. They work 8.40 – 5.00 and they are available by making an appointment either at reception or by phone. Their services include: asthma, coronary heart disease, hypertension and diabetes management, health promotion and general advice, travel immunisations, cervical smears and family planning advice, leg ulcer and wound management, ear syringing, blood pressure checks, blood tests (mornings only). Dorothy McManus our Healthcare Assistant runs blood clinics on a Monday and Wednesday morning.
DISTRICT NURSES
District nurses provide home based nursing care for housebound patients who have acute and chronic needs. If you wish to contact a District Nurse please telephone 0131 524 1180 and leave a message on the answer phone. Our District Nurses work from 8.15am until 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Out-with these hours there is an emergency service and details about how to contact this service are left on the answer machine message.
HEALTH VISITOR
Lisa Luhanga is the practice Health Visitor. Her remit is in health promotion for pre school children and antenatal mothers. All consultations are confidential however, she shares a responsibility to disclose information to the relevant authorities should she have concerns about the welfare of a child. The health visitor can be contacted directly by phone. The telephone number is 0131 669 3368. This machine has a voicemail facility where messages can be left. The Health Visiting Service works Monday to Friday.
SERVICES PROVIDED INCLUDE
All GP practices are contracted to provide “essential services”, that is basic treatment of ill people. We also provide the following additional services:
CHILD HEALTHCARE CLINIC
This is held on Wednesday afternoons with the Doctor conducting development checks. This system is run by appointment.
BABY CLINIC
You should contact the Health Visitors directly on 0131 669 3368 to discuss details of this clinic.
CHILD IMMUNISATION CLINIC
This is held on Wednesday afternoons and is run by appointment only. The appointments are sent out directly from the Child Health Department.
CONTRACEPTIVE ADVICE
All of the doctors and both practice nurses provide advice on all forms of contraception and emergency contraception. Coils and contraceptive implants can be inserted at the practice by Dr Waterer.
TRAVEL IMMUNISATION
Our practice nurse will advise on travel immunisation and boosters. Please book at least 6 weeks before your intended date of departure. Please note the NHS does not cover certain immunisations and a fee will be charged.
RESPIRATORY CLINIC
Our practice nurse runs a respiratory clinic on a Tuesday afternoon for the monitoring of patients with asthma and chronic obstructive airways disease.
MINOR SURGERY
Our doctors can undertake a variety of minor surgical procedures including excision, biopsiesand joint injections. These appointments can be booked with Dr Watt.
MATERNITY SERVICES
The Community Midwife Patricia Bell runs a weekly clinic at the surgery on a Tuesday afternoon. This is by appointment only.
NEW PATIENT CHECKS
All patients between the ages of 5 and 75, who are new to the practice, can request a registration check, which is provided by our practice nurses.
CERVICAL SMEARS
It is important that all women aged 20-60 who are eligible for smears present for this examination as regular smears do detect cervical cancer. A letter will be sent to you directly from Lothian Health Board when your smear is due. Once you receive this please make an appointment with our practice.
PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC/PSYCHIATRIC NURSES
We have close co-operation with our psychiatric colleagues. We have access to Community Psychiatric Nursing, who provide a service of continuing care and support in the community for those with mental illness.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
We also hold contracts with Lothian NHS Board for the following enhanced services: -
- an annual flu immunisation programme to protect the elderly and patients at risk
- regular monitoring, by blood and urine tests, for patients on a range of drugs for arthritis and bowel problems
- annual comprehensive reviews for patients with heart disease, diabetes and stroke
- minor surgery including joint injections
- review monitoring for patients with drug abuse problems.
SICKNESS CERTIFICATES
You do notrequire a doctor’s sickness certificate for any illness lasting 7 days or less. However, your employer may require you to complete a self-certificate form (SC1), which is available from your employer. For any illness lasting more than 7 days, you will need to see a doctor for a fit note and for any subsequent renewal of this certificate.
INTERPRETING SERVICES
There is an interpreting service available, which is provided by the City of Edinburgh Council Interpretation and Translation Services. Please inform reception if you require an interpreter for you appointment.
LEAFLETS
The Practice has written information about various illnesses and conditions in the main reception area. If you need information on something not on display please ask out practice nurse for further information.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR TELEPHONE NUMBER
It is very important to advise us of any change of address or telephone number as failure to do so could cause unnecessary delay in an emergency. Failure to keep us informed may also result in Lothian Health Board removing your name from our practice list without your knowledge and this will also cause unnecessary delay in re-registration and obtaining your medical records. If you move out-with the practice area you must register with another doctor. We can provide information about how to find a new practice.
PRIVATE MEDICAL FEES
A number of services are not available by the NHS and a fee will be charged prior to completion of the work for these. These include certain medical examinations such as HGV, sports, pre-employment, private sick notes, certain travel immunisations and certain insurance forms. A list of the fees is available at reception. GP’s are not obliged to provide these services. Please note doctors do not complete passport application forms
SUGGESTIONS, COMMENTS AND COMPLAINTS
We make every effort to give the best service possible to everyone who attends our practice. The doctors and staff welcome any suggestions from patients, which will enhance the standard of care at the surgery. Suggestions can be made verbally or in writing to the Practice Manager. However, we are aware that things can go wrong resulting in a patient feeling that they have cause for complaint. If this were so, we would wish the matter to be settled as quickly and amicably as possible. Should any patient have reason to make a complaint it should be addressed to the Practice Manager in writing in the first instance, who will deal with the matter promptly in conjunction with the doctors. Complaints are handled within the practice using a system which meets NHS criteria. Further written information about the complaints procedure is available from reception.