Beith Health Centre - GP Practice

03/02/2026

RE CO-CODAMOL 30/500

Dear Patients,

Owing to a nationwide shortage, which is not likely to be short term, we are unable to prescribe the above medication other than in a very small number of specific cases. The clinicians in the practice are individually reviewing all requests coming into the practice, so you will likely notice a change to your prescription. In addition our clinicians are proactively looking at the records of all patients currently prescribed this medication, so you should receive correspondence specific to your case in the coming weeks. This is a medication ideally intended for short term use only, so it may be that a change in prescription is suitable for you in any case.

If you have enough medication at present we would ask that you do not contact us as yet.

We thank you for your support and understanding in managing this difficult situation.

Kind regards,

Drs Graham, Gibb and Kissana.

23/01/2026

🤢💩 Caught norovirus? - here's our quick guide on what to do to help you feel better and prevent it from spreading to others.

TREATING NOROVIRUS

🔹 take paracetamol for any fever or aches and pains
🔹 get plenty of rest
🔹 use special rehydration drinks if you have signs of dehydration, such as a dry mouth or dark urine. These are available in community pharmacies

Norovirus can be very unpleasant but usually clears up by itself in a few days. You can normally look after yourself or your child at home.

⚠️Avoid going to your GP, as norovirus can spread to others very easily.

📱Phone your GP practice or NHS 24 on 111 if you’re concerned or need advice.

PREVENTING THE SPREAD

🔹 stay off work or school until at least 48 hours after the norovirus symptoms have stopped
🔹 avoid visiting anyone in hospital during this time
🔹 wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water particularly after using the toilet and before preparing or handling food
🔹 be aware alcohol-based hand gels don’t kill the virus
🔹 disinfect any surfaces or objects that could be contaminated, using a bleach-based household cleaner.
🔹 wash any items of clothing or bedding that could have become contaminated separately on a hot wash (60°C)
🔹 do not share towels and flannels
🔹 flush any poo or vomit in the toilet and clean the surrounding area with a bleach-based household cleaner
🔹 avoid eating raw, unwashed food
🔹 only eat oysters from a reliable source as they can carry norovirus

Remember norovirus spreads very easily in public places such as hospitals, nursing homes and schools. Follow our hygiene tips above to prevent the virus from spreading further!

23/01/2026

20/01/2026

Drs Graham, Gibb & Kissana
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BEITH HEALTH CENTRE,
REFORM STREET,
BEITH,
KA15 2AE

TEL: 01505 502888

Medical Administrator Vacancy – 29 hours 15 mins per week over 4 days – Permanent

Due to a forthcoming retirement, we are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic Medical Administrator to join our busy GP Practice.
This is an important role within the practice, supporting the clinical and administrative teams to ensure the smooth running of day-to-day services and the delivery of high-quality patient care.

This is a varied, rewarding, and challenging role requiring excellent communication skills. The post holder will be responsible for maintaining and managing a robust recall system, supporting workflow optimisation, booking appointments, and signposting patients to the most appropriate healthcare professionals for their presenting needs. The role will also involve filing, managing correspondence, results, minute taking, and undertaking a wide range of general administrative duties.

Excellent communication and competent computer skills are essential, along with the ability to work both on one’s own initiative and as part of a team, while meeting the high demands of a general practice environment.

Knowledge of EMIS, DOCMAN & SCI Gateway systems would be advantageous; however, full training will be provided.

Experience within a general medical practice environment would be preferred; however, consideration will be given to applicants with relevant and transferable skills suitable for this role.

£12.71 per hour rate of pay.

Applications by CV, addressed to:

Laura Martin & Vivienne Gerrelli – Practice Managers
Beith Health Centre, GP Practice
Reform Street
BEITH
KA15 2AE

Or email: laura.martin@aapct.scot.nhs.uk & vivienne.gerrelli2@aapct.scot.nhs.uk

Closing date for applications: Friday 30th January 2026.

Please note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application was unsuccessful on this occasion.

19/01/2026

NHS Ayrshire & Arran Outpatient Waiting Times

Sharing this information in case it is of help to anyone currently awaiting an out-patient appointment within Ayrshire & Arran.

The search function in the table within the link https://www.nhsaaa.net/nhs-ayrshire-arran-outpatient-waiting-times/ will show how long patients have recently waited to be seen in NHS Ayrshire & Arran for a hospital appointment or treatment. Please just select the service specialty using the drop down list. The specialty name can be found on the letter sent to patients when they were added to the waiting list.

If you are on the waiting list for an outpatient appointment, the specialty will be the one your General Practitioner (GP) referred you to.

If you are on the waiting list for an inpatient or day case date, the specialty name can be found on the letter sent to you when you were added to the waiting list.

The table shows how long 9 out of 10 patients waited to be seen in the last 3 months for an outpatient appointment or an inpatient / day case procedure.

This can be used as a guide to show how long patients may wait to be seen after they have been added to the waiting list.

If there is no waiting time shown in the table, this is because there have been less than 20 patients seen in the last 3 months and so the waiting time cannot be accurately calculated.

This information is updated on a monthly basis – last updated 1 December 2025.

Click on [Select a specialty] and choose your specialty from the drop down list.

The search function in the table below will show how long patients have recently waited to be seen in NHS Ayrshire & Arran for a hospital appointment or treatment. Please just select the service specialty using the drop down list below. The specialty name can be found on the letter sent to patients...

14/01/2026

13/01/2026

Did you know we have a range of Health Care Professionals working in the practice each week?

They are highly skilled professionals in their own right and can help with a wide variety of health concerns. Thanks to their broad skill mix, they are often the best first point of contact before seeing a GP or Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP).

Our Reception and Administration Team will also signpost you to the most appropriate professional where needed.

ADVANCED PHYSIOTHERAPY PRACTITIONER - Ryan MacLeod

An Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner is the first point of contact for patients with muscle and joint problems. They are specially trained to assess and treat pain affecting muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones. If you have a muscle or joint concern, please speak to our receptionist, who will be able to book an appropriate appointment for you.

Ryan works Monday afternoons and all day on Wednesdays. He can also receive and respond to e-Consult requests.

MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONER - Susanne Coleman

A Mental Health Practitioner is based within the practice to support patients with their mental health. They provide assessments for a range of mental health concerns. If you feel this support would be beneficial, please let our receptionist know and they will be able to arrange an appointment for you.

Unfortunately if you are already open to another specialty within the service i.e. CMHT, addictions etc. Susanne will be unable to see/speak to you.

Susanne is in the practice on Wednesdays and Fridays.

COMMUNITY LINK WORKER – Calum McVittie

The Community Link Worker’s aim is to improve people’s health and wellbeing by connecting them with services and support available in their local community. They help patients identify challenges or issues they are experiencing, focus on what matters most to them, and support them in achieving their goals by guiding them to the right resources and services.

They can point you in the right direction and help you access local services for a range of non-medical issues, including:

Housing and accommodation support
Financial advice and benefits guidance
Social activities and community groups
Emotional and wellbeing support including anxiety and low mood
Lifestyle and healthy living services
Volunteering, Education, training, and employment opportunities
Relationship difficulties

Please note: The Community Link Worker cannot provide prescriptions or fit notes.

Calum works in the practice on alternate Fridays.

GENERAL PRACTICE CLINICAL PHARMACIST’S - Zara Qureshi & Marc Revel

The role of General Practice Clinical Pharmacists is to support the safe and effective use of medications in the practice, both for patients and other health care professionals.

Examples of the work they may be involved in include:

Issuing acute prescription requests
Managing changes to medication following hospital discharge or clinic reviews
Providing advice on medication use and safety
Some tasks may involve a pharmacist contacting you if additional information is needed. They also help the practice:
Monitor high-risk medications
Answer medication queries from patients and other healthcare professionals
Resolve medication supply issues

If appropriate, patients may be booked to speak with a pharmacist for support with any of these tasks. In addition, pharmacists review patients’ medications to ensure they are appropriate. This may sometimes involve a face-to-face appointment with a pharmacist in the future. They can also support patients who have difficulties taking their medication or understanding what it is for, helping to make medication management easier.

If a pharmacist is unable to assist, they will refer you to another member of the practice team who can provide the support you need.

Zara works Monday mornings, all day Tuesday & Thursday. Marc works in the practice on a Wednesday.

PHARMACY TECHNICIAN – DONNA McKINNON

Pharmacy Technicians in general practice support the safe and effective use of medications and assist the pharmacy team and wider practice staff. Their work includes:

Preparing and processing prescriptions
Managing repeat prescriptions
Helping patients understand how to take their medications correctly
Supporting medication reviews and reconciliation, especially after hospital discharge
Liaising with community pharmacies and other healthcare providers
Helping to resolve medication supply issues

Pharmacy Technicians work closely with Clinical Pharmacists and the rest of the practice team to ensure patients receive the right medications safely and efficiently.

Donna works in the practice on Mondays and Thursdays

QUIT YOUR WAY SMOKING CESSATION CLINIC – HEATHER

Heather runs a Smoking Cessation Clinic within the practice on Mondays and has been supporting patients for over a year.

If you are thinking about stopping smoking or va**ng and would like support, you can speak with Heather. She can provide guidance and help to assist you on your journey. Please contact the practice to book a face-to-face or telephone appointment with her.

13/01/2026

Holly Health - Free Wellbeing App for Patients
If you would like help with mental wellbeing (dealing with stress and anxiety), along with help to aid better sleep, improve exercise and movement, and food and nutrition please visit:-
http://hly.app/beith-gp or scan the QR Code to sign up.

Holly Health - Free Wellbeing App for Patients

If you would like help with mental wellbeing (dealing with stress and anxiety), along with help to aid better sleep, improve exercise and movement, and food and nutrition please visit:-

http://hly.app/beith-gp or scan the QR Code to sign up.

13/01/2026

DO WE HAVE YOUR CORRECT CONTACT DETAILS?

It is important that we have the correct contact details for all our patients in case we need to get in touch with you, or if we need to refer you to secondary care.

Please contact a member of our Reception Team to ensure the details we have on our systems are correct if you have;

Moved home
changed mobile number
changed home contact number
changed or obtained a new email address
Next of Kin

We will also leave "Update Contact Details Forms" at our reception desk which can be completed and left with our Reception Team.

Many thanks

13/01/2026

If you would like support to stop smoking or va**ng, please contact the practice and we can arrange either a face-to-face or telephone appointment with Heather from the service. She is in the practice every Monday between 12pm-1pm.

Do you live in the Garnock Valley area and are thinking about stopping smoking?

Did you know Quit Your Way run weekly stop smoking clinics within Beith, Kilbirnie & Dalry Health Centre?

Face to face or telephone appointments can be made for registered patients, just contact your local health centre to book or contact QYW for further information.

Kilbirnie Health Centre every Tuesday 10am – 1pm

Dalry Health Centre every Monday 9.30am – 11.30am

Beith Health Centre every Monday 12-1pm

We offer FREE ni****ne replacement therapy and behavioural support.

You are 4 times more likely to stop smoking with support so why not book in and find out how we can help support you.