Please share...thank you. **PUBLIC HOLIDAYS - 2020**

Sanquhar Health Centre Dear Patients, During this pandemic we cannot have patients wander through the building to various departments. You must help us to help you. If you have a pre-arranged appointment with the GP Practice please go to the main door and ring the bell. A member of the team will ask you questions following current government guidelines, ask you to wear a mask, sanitise your hands and keep in line with current social distancing guidelines. Please do not walk through the building to various departments. If you require Dental advice / appointment please telephone 01659 50493 and follow the dental guidance. Thank you for your cooperation at this time.

***COVID-19 INFORMATION*** The free Protect Scotland Mobile App from NHS Scotland’s Test and Protect is designed to help us protect each other, reduce the spread of coronavirus and avoid further lockdowns. To get the app, type Protect Scotland or protect.scot into the Apple/iPhone App Store or Google Play. More info at: www.protect.scot. No more than 6 people in total (from a maximum of 2 households) can meet socially; this applies both in people’s homes and also public places, including cafes, bars or restaurants. There are, however, some exceptions; more details [and other coronavirus info] at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-phase-3-staying-safe-and-protecting-others/pages/seeing-friends-and-family/ Coronavirus Testing in Dumfries and Galloway is available for all members of our community with Coronavirus symptoms who are aged 5 years or older, through the Mobile Testing Unit that moves around the region on a daily basis. Locations are: Mon 14 Sep – Stranraer Ashwood House, DG9 7JJ Mon 14 Sep – Moffat Station Car Park Tue 15 Sep – Stranraer Ashwood House, DG9 7JJ Tue 15 Sep – Annan Newington Sports Centre, Shawhill Rd, Standalane, DG12 6JY Wed 16 Sep – Dumfries DG1 Leisure Centre, DG1 2HT Wed 16 Sep – Sanquhar Fun Pool, DG4 6DB Thu 17 Sep – Dumfries DG1 Leisure Centre, DG1 2HT Thu 17 Sep – Langholm Kilngreen Car Park, DG13 OJN Fri 18 Sep – Dumfries DG1 Leisure Centre, DG1 2H Fri 18 Sep – Newton Stewart Riverside Car Park, DG8 6NQ Sat 19 Sep – Gretna Richard Greenhow Centre, DG16 5AQ Sat 19 Sep – Thornhill Community Centre Sun 20 Sep – Gretna Richard Greenhow Centre, DG16 5AQ Sun 20 Sep – Castle Douglas Market St Car Park DG7 1AE Appointments can be made by logging on to the website: https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test If you do not have access to the internet please phone: 0800 028 2816

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The Practice has seen an increase in calls over the last month. We want to provide good patient care in a realistic timely manner. We would like to assure our patients that if you need a Clinician (GP, Paramedic, and ANP) they are still available to help you. The GP and the team can deal with many problems over the telephone and will be trying to deal with as much as possible in this way. They can also consult with you using NHS Attend Anywhere. Please do not be offended if the reception staff asks you questions, this is Practice Protocol to try and help you and to ensure you are dealt with in the safest possible way. They can also help to signpost to make sure you are receiving the right care at the right time. Patient Care is very important to us so please help us to help you. Please remember to be vigilant, continue to stay safe, and follow the Scottish Government Guidelines. If you have an urgent on the day problem please call your Practice between 08.30 – 12.30pm. The admin team will add your details to the triage column and you will receive a call from one of the clinicians. Any calls after 12.30pm will be routine, but if you do need urgent advice, please telephone the Practice and your details will be passed to the Clinician. We also have telephone appointments for routine and follow up consultations. PRESCRIPTIONS:- Sanquhar Health Centre:- Please use letter box provided. Kelloholm Clinic:- Please use box provided by main door (porch area). Sanquhar Health Centre is open 8am – 6pm Monday – Friday (Booking Telephone Consultation from 08.30am each day). Kelloholm Clinic is open 08.30 – 1pm and 2 – 5pm Monday, Tuesday and Friday. Wednesday and Thursday 08.30 – 1pm. **Please take care and stay safe everyone.** From All the Team at Upper Nithsdale Group Practice.

**OUR CLINICAL TEAM** DR. DESAI Monday, Thursday and Friday. DR. EVERSON (Locum) (is currently on leave at the moment and will return Tuesday, 6th October. ) Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. DR. TERZIEV (Locum) Monday and Tuesday. DR. STEWART (Locum) Will be working with us in September and October. DR. KOLEOSO (Locum) Will be working with us in September. SINEAD - Paramedic Monday – Thursday. **NURSING TEAM** ZOE - Practice Nurse / Trainee ANP Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday. JANETTE - Practice Nurse Monday and Wednesday. CARA - Practice Nurse Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. DENISE - Healthcare Assistant Monday – Friday (half day Thursday). ****************************************

***Coronavirus*** There are three simple actions we must all do to keep on protecting each other:- · Wash hands keep washing your hands regularly · Cover face wear a face covering in enclosed spaces · Make space stay at least 2 metres apart If you have coronavirus symptoms:- · a high temperature · a new, continuous cough · a loss of, or change to, your sense of smell or taste - Please follow the TEST & PROTECT guide which can be found at https://www.nhsinform.scot/campaigns/test-and-protect TEST AND PROTECT IN BSL:- The Scottish Government have released information about the Test and Protect system. Here are the links for the British Sign Language versions of that information: First Minister Letter: https://youtu.be/YlpxJ1VoHTU Leaflet: https://youtu.be/sjOJev6_0_w Test and Protect step by step guide: https://youtu.be/lcjy4ZmRlZg