Practice Newsletter Autumn 2026

Practice news

We now close from 1pm to 2pm

The practice is now closed between 1pm and 2pm every day. This hour gives our team time to catch up on paperwork and work through patient requests.

We still answer emergency calls during this time. For anything routine, please call back after 2pm.

Booking ahead, and cancelling if you can't make it

We keep a small number of appointments that you can book up to four weeks in advance.

More appointments are being missed than before, and every missed slot is one another patient could have used. If you can't come, or no longer need to, please call reception as early as you can so we can offer it to someone else.

Getting ready for winter

Flu and COVID vaccines

GP practices no longer give flu or COVID vaccinations, so we're not able to book these for you. Winter vaccines are now arranged by the NHS health board.

If you're eligible, you'll be contacted by letter, text or email with an appointment or details of how to book. You can check whether you're eligible, and book or change an appointment, on NHS inform's winter vaccines page.

Looking after winter illnesses

Coughs, colds and flu all pick up as the weather turns. Most can be looked after at home, and NHS inform has clear advice on what to do and when to seek help: winter illness on NHS inform.

Your local pharmacy is also a good first stop for many winter bugs. See the next section for more on what they can help with.

Getting the right help

When you contact us, our reception team may ask a little about why you're calling. That's so they can point you to the person best placed to help, which isn't always a GP.

Start with your pharmacy

Through NHS Pharmacy First Scotland, any community pharmacy can give free advice and, where needed, treatment for a wide range of minor illnesses and common conditions. You don't usually need an appointment. See what your pharmacist can help with.

Our wider practice team

Reception will help you decide who to see.

Good to know

Repeat prescriptions

Please allow 72 hours for us to process your request and send it to your chosen pharmacy. Order in good time so you don't run out.

If you're checking on a prescription, please contact your pharmacy first to see whether they have it. Only call us if they haven't received it.

Fit notes

You can ask for a fit note on our website or by calling reception. If you've been off for seven days or fewer, you can usually self-certify. For a new illness, you may need to speak to a GP before we can issue one.

Test results

Please call after 4pm. This gives our clinicians time to review results before we pass them on.

Opening hours

8am to 6pm, closed from 1pm to 2pm.

Community support

Our community link worker is based here at the practice. They can put you in touch with local groups, organisations and other support, whether that's help with money worries, feeling isolated, or finding something to get involved in.

If you think this could help you, just ask any member of the team.

Patient information sessions

Our free patient information sessions are back. They offer practical advice and support on common health topics, including:

• Living with chronic pain
• Menopause and HRT
• Sleeping better
• Bowel health
• And more to come

You can register your interest on our website. Registering doesn't book you onto a particular session. Once dates and times are confirmed, we'll text you with the details and how to attend.

Contacts

Thank you for working with us to keep appointments free for the people who need them. We hope you've found this issue useful.

The team at Braehead Medical Practice