Welcome to Cromwell Harbour Medical Practice
This winter, please help us by getting the right care in the right place by:
- searching NHSInform.Scot for self-help advice on common symptoms and a guide to local services and opening times
- visiting your local pharmacy first to help treat minor illnesses, many can provide consultations without an appointment and prescribe medicines previously only available from your GP
- calling the GP practice for routine or urgent care during normal opening hours
- contacting your dentist for dental problems or an optician for eye problems
- calling 111, day or night, for minor injuries advice and treatment or for urgent care when your GP or dental practice is closed
- dialing 999 or attend A&E ONLY in a critical emergency
For more information please visit: services.nhslothian.scot/rightcare
Across East Lothian, there are a wide range of health, medical and care services that can be accessed by getting in touch with the most appropriate health professionals the first time around.
Right Care. Right Place.
East Lothian Mental Health Service
Staff at GP practices across the county are having to deal with rising levels of abusive language from patients. This is incredibly hard for staff who have been doing their very best to support patients throughout the pandemic.
Dr Jon Turvill, East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership (ELHSCP) clinical director and local GP, said: “Primary care teams have been on the frontline and working incredibly hard throughout Covid and we have to understand that the pandemic is not over yet.
“Primary care teams and vulnerable patients have to be kept safe. We can only do that by keeping face-to-face contact for those who need it most and are most vulnerable.
“Practices are dealing with more calls than ever and we know that many people find telephone, video and online contact helpful and efficient.
“However, clinicians are seeing thousands of patients face-to-face weekly where that is needed.
“We would ask that people treat our hard-pressed staff with consideration and kindness, as they would wish to be treated themselves.
“We understand the frustrations of difficulties with access, but angry and abusive language is completely unacceptable.”
Frequently Asked Questions 💭
Why are GP Practices still working differently? GP Practices worked hard to provide a service through lockdown and continues to do so. To protect everyone, we must maintain safe infection control and minimise unnecessary physical contact.
Why do receptionists ask questions? GP Reception staff are a vital part of the health care team and are there to triage enquiries. You don’t have to tell them anything that makes you uncomfortable, however, they can help you get the most appropriate appointment as quickly as possible. All the information they handle is treated confidentially.
What has changed? All appointments are being triaged. This helps keep you safe and makes sure that those who need to be seen in person are prioritised. We will see everyone in person who needs to be seen.
What is triage? This is an assessment to decide, with your agreement, whether it is best for you to be seen in person, or given advice over the phone or via video consultation, or helped by another healthcare provider such as a community pharmacist, physiotherapist, dentist or optician.
I wanted to see my GP, so why am I seeing someone else? Many GP practice teams include, or are supported by, nurses, advanced nurse practitioners (who can diagnose and treat health conditions), occupational therapists, pharmacists, physiotherapists and link workers. By using the skills of each healthcare professional we can ensure you are assessed as quickly as possible by the right person.
What about emergencies? Always dial 999 in a life-threatening emergency. If you need help with minor injuries or urgent care when your GP practice is closed, dial NHS 24 on 111.
Where else can I get help? Visit NHS Inform for advice on common symptoms and a list of local services or speak to your pharmacist first for advice on minor illnesses. Call 111 for minor injuries, urgent mental health advice and guidance, if you’re too ill to wait for your GP or dentist to open.
The Herbert Protocol
The Herbert Protocol helps the police to locate people with dementia more easily if they go missing.
Cromwell Harbour Medical Practice 