Welcome!
Scotch Quarter Practice Opening Hours
Monday to Friday: 0830 - 1230 and 1330 - 1730
Closed Saturday and Sunday
Contact numbers:
Appointments - 02893315835
Enquiries - 02893315955
Emergencies - 02893315834
Prescriptions - 02893315837 (0900-1230)
Out of hours contact: Dalriada Urgent Care on 02825663500
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Autumn 2024 Covid-19 and Influenza Booster Vaccination Programme
To date, all eligible patients have been contacted either by SMS Text message or by letter.
We will be offering a limited number of catch-up clinics for any patients who have not yet been vaccinated. Please contact the surgery on either number below.
Dedicated booking lines 02893315923 or 02893315954.
Did Not Attend / Missed Appointments
The practice is experiencing an increase in the number of booked appointments missed by patients, especially practice nurse appointments.
We have reviewed our DNA policy to reflect this with the hope that educating those responsible will help to reduce the incidents going forward.
Please click on the link below to review the practice's policy:
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccination Programme
The Department of Health has approved the roll out of a new vaccination programme aimed at protecting newborns and older adults against the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and its complications.
From this September, all pregnant women will be offered the RSV vaccination, providing infants with protection against the virus from birth. Adults aged from 75-79 years of age will also be offered the RSV vaccination.
What is RSV?
RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms in adults and children, however the severity of illness developed can vary. For infants, RSV can cause bronchiolitis which can be serious. After infants, older adults are most likely to experience severe complications from RSV that could lead to hospitalisation. Older adults are more likely to have underlying chronic health conditions such as lung and heart disorders that increase the likelihood of severe RSV complications.
MMR Catch-up Campaign
A number of people have recently had measles in Northern Ireland. In the past, high levels of immunisation uptake have provided protection, but unimmunised people are at risk and can catch and spread measles.
• Measles is caused by a very infectious virus giving a rash and high fever. It can also be very serious. Adults are likely to be more ill than children and for longer. Someone with measles usually has to spend about five days in bed and be off school or work for ten days. Adults are also more susceptible to complications.
• Complications of measles can include ear and chest infections, fits, diarrhoea, encephalitis (infection of the brain), and brain damage. About 1 in 2,500 to 1 in 5,000 individuals with measles is likely to die.
If you have missed one or both of your MMR vaccinations contact your GP surgery to arrange an appointment.
For further information see link below:
Shingles Vaccination
You are eligible for the vaccine if you are aged 65 or 70 years
(i.e. born between 2/9/1957 and 1/9/58 or 2/9/1952 and 1/9/1953)
or if you are aged 50 years or over and are immunosuppressed.
Patients who are 71 years on 1/9/23 but not yet had their 80th birthday and have not previously been vaccinated are also entitled to the vaccine. You may also be offered a vaccine to protect against pneumococcal disease at the same time.
Further information on the shingles vaccine can be found by clicking this link -
*Patients can hear an audio recording of whether they are eligible for the vaccine by telephoning 028 9536 2000*
Childhood Immunisations
Childhood vaccination uptake rates have been declining in Northern Ireland. All children are entitled to vaccinations from 8 weeks throughout their childhood. Please click on the link below for further information on the importance of having your child vaccinated against common illnesses.
For babies under one year:
For pre-school children:
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Scotch Quarter Practice were delighted to team up with Versus Arthritis to offer a self management course held at Carrickfergus Amphitheatre
Click on below link to book:-
Allyson Dollin , Dr Nancy Conroy and Chris Carey pictured above.
Click on the link for more information on pain management and Opioid medication reduction : - Opioid Reduction Leaflet
You can now refer yourself to musculoskeletal physiotherapy without a visit to your GP!
How to self-refer
Online Form
https://www.northerntrust.hscni.net/services/physiotherapy-services/physiotherapy-service-outpatient-service/musculoskeletal-msk-physiotherapy-self-referral/
Paper Form
Self-referral forms are available in both your GP practice and in your local physiotherapy department.
Who can self-refer?
You are 16 years or older, reside in the Northern Trust, Have a neck or back problem, joint or muscles pain, or a recent injury such as a sprain or strain
Who should speak to their GP first?
If you are under the care of a consultant for the same issue
If you require a home based appointment
If you are seeking treatment for a neurological, respiratory, obstetric, gynaecological or continence issue
If you are experiencing pregnancy related pain
Have a red, hot, swollen joint
Have a fever, or feel unwell
Have a history of cancer
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Pneumococcal Vaccinations
Pneumococcal vaccinations are available to patients aged over 65 years - please contact the surgery if you have not yet had one.
What is Pneumococcal Infection?
Pneumococcus bacteria may be carried in the nose and throat of healthy individuals, without causing any symptoms. However, in a small proportion of infected individuals it can cause life threatening illness, such as:
• pneumonia
• septicaemia (blood poisoning)
• and meningitis (inflammation of the brain).
The germs that cause pneumococcal infection are spread by coughing and sneezing. They are most common in winter months.
Who is at risk: adults aged 65 or over and children and adults with certain long-term health conditions, such as a serious heart or kidney conditions
Further information can be found by clicking the link below
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See link at bottom of page to amend contact details.
TELEPHONE TRIAGE ARRANGEMENTS
Like many GP surgeries, we operate a telephone triage system each morning. We have two available lines: 02893315835 and 02893315955 from 0830 until 1000 (or until all triage slots are used).
To ensure patient safety is maintained, there is a limited number of slots daily so the clinicians are not dealing with unmanageable numbers of calls.
We are a Queen's University Belfast Medical School Teaching Practice hosting Medical students on placement. The curriculum and learning objectives for each stage in their undergraduate training ensures that by the end of medical school they have a broad understanding of the role of a GP and General Practice as a career option. They benefit hugely from speaking to patients, and many of our patients say how much they enjoy talking to medical students. As a patient you may be seen by a medical student under the supervision of a qualified Practice clinician. You can, of course, decline this option. Please do let our reception team know if you would prefer not to be seen by our student. These are our doctors of the future and as a practice we are proud to be a part of their journey.
Should you require URGENT MEDICAL ADVICE at any time, please do not hesitate to contact us.
We also have triage booking slots for patients registered for online access. These slots will be available daily - when booking, you should provide as much information as possible to enable clinicians to assess the priority of these appointments.
You will either be contacted by a GP or a member of the admin team with further advice. Please ensure you are available to take a call back; if you miss the call you will be required to phone back to the practice and will go to end of the triage list again OR you may be requested to phone back the following day. The call will come from a private number.
When you phone the surgery you will be advised of the following:
If the call is received BEFORE 10.00 am, and the quota has not been reached for that morning, then you may expect a call back before the end of the day, however if the call is received AFTER 10.00 am then you will be asked to ring back the following morning except if requiring URGENT MEDICAL ADVICE.
Patients expecting a call back any morning should be available to take a call from 8.30 onwards; the call will show as a private number or No Caller ID. If you do not answer your phone a message will be left, where possible, but we will not phone back and you will go to end of the triage call list.
We will only call ONCE!
Patients cannot specify a time to be called. Online triage slots will not be made at the specific time booked. It may not necessarily be the specified GP you request who calls you back.
During particularly busy times, you may hear an engaged tone; this is because we are dealing with other calls in as efficient and timely manner as possible.
The prescription line is open between 9.00 am to 12.30 pm daily on 02893315837.
REGISTER NOW FOR ONLINE SERVICES:
You can order repeat prescriptions, check on booked appointments and book online triage appointments
Send an email requesting to be set up for Online Access to Reception.Z00387@gp.hscni.net
We will ask you to complete and return an online registration form; on receipt we will forward a Verification Code for you to complete the registration process. You can also request a form via this website by simply clicking on 'Contact Details' at the bottom of the home page.
The online appointments booking is not available currently as all calls are triaged by telephone as detailed above.
You can order repeat medication as they become due; requests for other/urgent medication will be considered but it will remain the responsibility of the patient to check if these requests have been issued by the Doctor.
The Online Messaging service is available to you on the same login page. This facility can be used to send NON-URGENT messages or requests to the surgery. PLEASE NOTE THAT APPOINTMENTS CANNOT BE BOOKED USING THIS FACILITY.
SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS 
Scotch Quarter Practice has a robust Complaints Procedure, a copy of which is available to download on this website under the section 'Further Information' and then 'Practice Policies' or can be obtained from Reception. Patients are encouraged to discuss, either formally or informally, any issues which they might have with their treatment in the Practice.
The use of Social Media to make derogatory comments about either our services or individual staff members will not be tolerated and may result in the immediate removal from our Practice List.
We regularly monitor all posts on social media and would encourage any patient to screen shot and/or inform us of any such negative posts.
The Practice will be closed on the following dates for staff training from 13.30 to 5.00 pm:
19th & 27th November 2024
Emergency cover will be provided by phoning 028 9331 5834
Your Health in Safe Hands
The team here at Scotch Quarter Practice want to provide all patients with a professional and caring healthcare experience in friendly and personal surroundings. With discretion and confidentiality guaranteed your welfare is safe, secure and in good hands. If you have any suggestions for improving our services you can drop us a note here in Contact Details or speak to one of the reception staff.
(Site updated 01/11/2024)