Please download the form or collect from Reception

Guide to Type 2 Diabetes

Just been diagnosed? There is a lot of information to take in. Use the link to access the Diabetes Scotland guide to Type 2 diabetes. This is the booklet our Nurse will have sign posted you to.

Birthday Medical Review (BMR)

What is the BMR?

It is a personalised review of a patients chronic disease (diabetes, asthma, COPD, heart disease etc.).

Why do we do a BMR ?

To improve the efficiency of our review process and to streamline patients care. It will also reduce the amount of appointments patients need to attend as all conditions will be reviewed during the one BMR annual review appointment. A Patient’s Birthday month is a good way of alerting patients to when their review is due, so they don’t have to wait for a letter. Please help us use our resources better, if its your Birthday, don’t wait for a letter!

How does it work?

We run searches to identify patients who need a review based on their medical conditions. To evenly distribute the reviews throughout the year, we have chosen to base this on their birthday month.

We hope that patients will be proactive and book a BMR appointment about a month before their Birthday before we send a letter. (this saves postage costs and staff time) We may also do this by phone so please ensure we have the correct contact details and these are kept up to date.

Some conditions will require patients to have a blood test as part of the review. This should be done before the formal review to ensure we have the results available and to reduce the need for the patient to return again. Patients will be advised at the time of booking a BMR appointment if a blood test is required. Any further appointments required will be booked at each appointment.

Why a patient may be contacted?

If patients do not think they are due an annual review BMR. We would ask that patients query this with our Receptionists. If we do need to send a letter do not ignore the invitation Contact us in this instance so that we can discuss this and update our records if necessary.

We ask that you phone us after the busy time in the morning, phone after 10.30am when possible.

Do patients need to do anything or bring anything to the appointment?
A number of patients will need their blood pressure checking. If it is raised we will ask them to come back for a repeat or check it at home.

If a patient already checks their blood pressure at home, we would ask them to monitor their readings over a week and bring them to their appointment.

Some patients, including diabetics, will need to bring a sample of the first urine of the day in a white top bottle.

If a patient uses an inhaler please remember to bring them and any associated devices (e.g. spacers) in with them to their appointment.

Hepatitis C – Blood Transfusion prior to September 1991

NHS Inform Hepatitis C Helpline 0800 22 44 88

If you think you may be have been affected by the infected blood transfusions that has been publicised in the media contact the NHS Inform Helpline or you can discuss with the Practice and where appropriate we can organise a blood test. We are awaiting more information from the Chief Medical Officer

Make https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/ your first destination when Travelling abroad for vaccination and other travel health information. http://NHSFife.org has information on Travel Vaccines available on the NHS and how to access their vaccination service

Medication for going abroad

Travelling out of the country for less than 3 months. For patients who inform us they will be out of the country for less than 3 months we will provide sufficient medications for an existing condition for the period while the patient is away, where it is safe to do so. Drugs that require frequent monitoring may not be prescribed where there are safety concerns. Patients who inform us they will be travelling out of the country for more than 3 months will be prescribed sufficient medication to enable them to make alternative arrangements at their destination (up to a 3 month supply where it is safe to do so). They will also be removed from our Practice list. We will be pleased to register patients on their return to our Practice area. Electronic medical notes are kept by NHS Scotland for reference for your return. In the case of illness whilst abroad, please seek medical help using your Travel Insurance, Global Health Insurance Card or privately.

Medication for Fear of Flying: Why we do not prescribe

People sometimes ask the doctor or nurse to prescribe diazepam, or similar drugs like lorazepam temazepam or clonazepam, for fear of flying or to help sleep during flights.

Prescribing these drugs is not recommended any more for these reasons:

1. Although plane emergencies are rare, taking Diazepam reduces awareness and reaction times for patients so you risk not being able to react to save your life if you have to escape quickly. You may also put other people in danger by getting in their way or making them help you.
2. The use of these drugs can make you sleep in an unnaturally deep sleep. This means you won’t move around as much as during natural sleep so you have a bigger risk of getting a blood clot (Deep Vein Thrombosis – DVT) in the leg or lungs. Blood clots are very dangerous and can kill. This risk is bigger if your flight is longer than 4 hours.
3. They have short term bad effects on memory, co-ordination, concentration and reaction times, and are addictive if used for a long time, with withdrawal leading to fits, hallucinations, agitation and confusion. They have also become widely used drugs of abuse since they first came on the market. Diazepam in the UK is a controlled drug. The prescribing guidelines doctors have to follow say that that use to treat short-term ‘mild’ anxiety is inappropriate. They are only to be used short term for a ‘crisis in generalised anxiety’. But if you are having such a crisis you are not likely to be fit to fly. Fear of flying in isolation is not a generalised anxiety disorder.
4. Some people get agitated and aggressive after taking diazepam and similar drugs, and behave in a way that they would not normally, which can pose a risk on the plane. This affects everyone’s safety and could get you into trouble with the law. A similar effect can be seen with alcohol, which has led to people being removed from flights.
5. There is evidence use of these drugs stops the normal adjustment response that would gradually lessen anxiety over time, and may increase anxiety in the long term, especially if used repeatedly.
6. Diazepam and similar controlled drugs are illegal in a number of countriesi. They may be confiscated or you may find yourself in trouble with the police.
7. Diazepam stays in your system for some time. If your job or sport needs you to have random drug testing you may fail this having taken diazepam.
8. It is important to tell your travel insurer about your medical conditions and medications you take. If not, there is a risk of your insurer not paying if you try to make a claim.

So we will no longer be providing Diazepam or similar drugs for flight anxiety. Instead please try one of these aviation industry recommended flight anxiety courses.

Fly And Be Calm™

Fly And Be Calm™ is an instant download and comes with a money back guarantee (Guarantee does not apply to app versions).6 MP3 tracks which include instructions, the fear removal tool and two hypnotic tracks. Visit the website: https://flyandbecalm.co.uk/

The least expensive option, takes very little time, works on the root cause of your problem. If you are not 100% happy you can get a full refund.

Easy Jet
www.fearlessflyer.easyjet.com

British Airways
https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/travelassistance/flying-with-confidence

Virgin Atlantic
https://www.flyingwithoutfear.co.uk/

FIT TO FLY – PREGNANCY

We do not assess for Fit to Fly here at the Practice, check with your airline what they might require, if anything. The ante natal service on 01592 729 089 can book you a fit to fly appointment, we believe there is £30 payable at the cash office at the hospital prior to attending the appointment. The ante natal care service will give you more information.

Pre Flight Assessment for patients with lung disease [hypoxic challenge test] – The pre flight assessment is undertaken to determine if you need oxygen when flying.
This assessment is not the same as assessing your general fitness to fly.
The health care professional making the referral will only do so, if they feel you are fit enough to fly
but need an oxygen assessment to ensure you can fly safely ask at Reception for a leaflet and further information about referral

GENERAL PRACTICES IN FIFE NO LONGER PROVIDE A TRAVEL SERVICE

Mental Health Improvement in Fife

May 2023

Go to this Sway

If you are referred to a hospital or other NHS premises for specialist NHS treatment or diagnostic tests by a doctor, dentist or another health care professional, you may be entitled to claim a refund of reasonable travel costs. There are some leaflets available at the Practice or a PDF copy can be found at http://www.nhsfife.org/services/patients-carers-and-visitors/coming-to-hospital/how-to-get-to-our-main-hospitals/ Telephone numbers for the Cashier Office are listed below. Opening times vary so please refer to the leaflet for further information.

Victoria Hospital 01592 643 355 ext 28725, Queen Margaret Hospital 01383 623 623 ext 23501, Stratheden Hospital 01334 652 611 ext 56307, Lynebank Hospital 01383 623 623 ext 35265

Day or Night Tel 111

Supporting People

Description

Royal Voluntary Service volunteers provide Community Transport for trips where mobility issues can make it difficult, if not impossible, for you to use public transport or if you live in rural areas with limited transport. Trips usually include getting to or from hospital or to a GP appointment but can also include trips to the shops or into town or to social activities. Our Community Transport is comfortable and reliable, with a trusting relationship built between you and your volunteer driver.

Organisation	Royal Voluntary Service
Location	New Volunteer House
Street	16 East Fergus Place
Town	Kirkcaldy
County	Fife
Postcode	KY1 1XT
Contact email	fifegnhs@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk
Contact number	01592 269654
Monday	08:30-16:00
Tuesday	08:30-16:00
Wednesday	08:30-16:00
Thursday	08:30-16:00
Friday	08:30-16:00