South Queensferry Medical Practice

12/12/2025

Between yesterday morning (Thurs 11th December) until lunchtime today, we’ve had 25 patients who have not attended the practice or answered their telephone call.

Some of these appointments were made only earlier this week and we have some examples where appointments were made only hours before.

This has a huge impact on our availability of appointments for patients, especially in this period of high demand.

We understand that sometimes things happen which mean that patients can’t attend, but please let us know as far in advance as possible so that we can offer the appointment to another patient.

11/12/2025

🤧Cold and Flu Season 2025 🤧

Understanding how to manage symptoms at home and when to seek professional help ensures you get the right care and helps the NHS manage demand for urgent services.

❗️Colds vs. Flu: Key Differences ❗️

🤧Colds usually develop gradually and mainly affect your nose and throat, with symptoms like a blocked or runny nose, sneezing, a sore throat and cough.

🤒Flu symptoms appear suddenly and are more severe, with symptoms including a high temperature, often above 38°C, chills and sweats, headache, aching muscles and joints, extreme tiredness, a dry persistent cough, reduced appetite.

❌Antibiotics do not work against cold and flu viruses. ❌

👍Self-Care at Home👍

For most healthy people, rest and home care are the best remedies.

😴Rest and stay warm.
💊Take over-the-counter medication like paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower a temperature and ease aches and pains. Always check the packaging or speak to a pharmacist first to ensure they are suitable for you.
👃Relieve sinus pressure with steam inhalation and congestion with nasal sprays
🍋Soothe sore throats and maintain hydration with salt water gargles or hot lemon and honey drinks.
🏠Stay home from work or school until you feel better to prevent spreading the illness.

❓When to Contact the GP or NHS 111❓

You generally do not need to see a doctor for a simple cold or flu but you should contact us if you experience:

➡️Fever lasting more than three days
➡️A cough lasting more than two weeks
➡️Feeling more out of breath than usual or pain when breathing or coughing
➡️Sinus pain with fever or worsening symptoms
➡️Symptoms that are not improving after seven to ten days
➡️Concerns about a child under five
➡️Chest discomfort, unusual palpitations
➡️Dizziness or confusion
➡️Worsening of asthma, COPD, diabetes or other chronic conditions

Please also contact us if you have a serious underlying health condition (e.g., heart, lung, kidney disease, diabetes, or a weakened immune system or you are pregnant.

If you are attending the practice, please wear a mask to prevent spread and to protect others. 😷

04/12/2025

Please find our opening hours over the festive period. 🎄

28/11/2025

Unfortunately we have a high level of absence in our administrative team today.

Please try to avoid calling for more routine matters and results today.

Thank you for your support.

27/11/2025

The Mental Health Hub can provide immediate support. Ring 111 at any time of the day and choose option 1 when presented with the menu of options.

24/11/2025

Some interesting information we have compiled to share with you all.

11/11/2025

❗️We are currently experiencing high levels of absence across both our clinical and administrative teams.❗️

Please be mindful when you call that we may have less availability than usual, and it may take longer to answer your call.

08/11/2025

⚠️ Scam Alert ⚠️

There have been reports from across Scotland of scam phone calls impersonating GP practices.

The caller or automated message asks you to press a button to update your details, threatening that if you fail to do this you will be removed from the GP's practice list.

GP surgeries and hospitals will never request personal information in this way and will never threaten patients with removal from practice lists in this way.

Some patients have also received scam text messages that state they will be removed from a waiting list unless they respond to the message.

How to Avoid ⬇️
- If in doubt about the legitimacy of a call or message about GP or NHS services, hang up, clear the line and call your GP practice or local health service using a publicly listed number.
- Do not press 1 or follow any other instructions given in an automated message
- Don't click on links in unexpected text messages or emails.

09/09/2025

A reminder that we will be closed this coming Monday 15th September for the public holiday.

The practice will be closed on Monday 15th September for the public holiday.

We will reopen as normal on Tuesday 16th at 8am.

01/09/2025

The practice will be closed on Monday 15th September for the public holiday.

We will reopen as normal on Tuesday 16th at 8am.

28/08/2025

🚨THIS HAS NOW BEEN POSTPONED TO THURSDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER.🚨

‼️Front Door Replacement‼️

Our front automatic doors will be replaced on Wednesday 3rd September.

Throughout this day, entry and exit will be via the fire exit at the side of the building.

There will clear signposts to guide you to the fire exit and back out of the building again.

All appointments will be taking place as usual.

22/08/2025