Here at Mackenzie Medical Centre we provide healthcare for patients living within the designated practice area.  The doctors, nurses and clerical staff work together to provide care for patients with acute and long-term health conditions.  GPs assess and investigate health problems, advise on treatments, provide prescriptions and refer patients on to hospital or other clinics, if required.  The practice nursing team offers a range of services including management of long-term conditions, taking blood and sexual health. The practice team work alongside district nurses, health visitors and midwives in the community. 

We run a Sexual Health drop in clinic every Tuesday between 2pm-4pm. This practice is a C Card Point.  You can sign up at reception for a free C Card (giving just your date of birth and postcode), and this allows you to get free condoms at a number of locations, including the practice.

The pharmacy will supply medications which are prescribed by your GP or nurse.  This will be free of charge, provided you are eligible for NHS care.  They also sell ‘over the counter’ medications, which do not require a prescription.  Local pharmacies also offer advice and treatment for minor ailments such as colds, coughs and sore throats and should be your first contact for these problems.  They often also offer support for stopping smoking and provide emergency contraception (morning after pill). 

Dentists care for teeth and mouth problems and provide regular check-ups and treatment.  Many dentists provide NHS care; however, you may still be asked to contribute towards the cost of your treatment.  You can choose to register with any dental practice.

In a dental emergency you should contact your own dentist between 9am and 6pm.  Outwith these times you should contact NHS 24 on 111. If you are not registered with a dentist, you should call Chalmers Emergency Dental Centre on 0131 567 8801.

If you need to find your nearest GP, pharmacy or dentist you can use this website:  https://www.nhsinform.scot/scotlands-service-directory/gp-practices/

We have an Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner (APP) in the practice who you can book in directly with at reception. You can also self-refer to the NHS physiotherapy service without seeing a doctor by filling in a form which is available from reception or by accessing https://services.nhslothian.scot/ecps/self-referral/.  There is also a very informative website with lots of information on exercises and other measures you can take to help muscle and joint problems www.nhsinform.co.uk/MSK.

Opticians carry out eye examinations, these are free of charge every 2 years. In Edinburgh opticians also provide emergency appointments for acute eye problems, they should be your first contact if you have an urgent eye problem.

Podiatrists specialise in treating foot problems.  You can self-refer to your nearest NHS podiatry service by completing a form which you can request at reception.

Chalmers Centre on Lauriston Place offers a variety of sexual health services, including contraception, advice, testing and treatment for STIs and many specialist clinics.  To contact Chalmers, you can call 0131 536 1070.

There is a specialist drop-in service for young people who are under 19 years old.  This is called Healthy Respect + and offers free condoms and other contraception, as well advice and STI testing, please see their website for details.

www.lothiansexualhealth.scot.nhs.uk

There are two Minor Injuries Unit is located at the Western General Hospital and The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Hospital.  This is a service which is open 7 days a week.  It provides assessment and treatment for a wide range of injuries, including sprains, cuts, burns, wound infections and simple broken bones. To arrange to be seen you should call NHS 24 on 111 to arrange a face-to-face appointment. If you arrive without arranging an appointment via 11 you may be asked to return. Face to face consultations are scheduled in advance to prevent long waits when you attend.

The A&E department is located at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.  This is a service for serious accidents and emergencies only.  Before attending A&E please consider if there are other more appropriate services which may be able to help you.

NHS 24 runs the ‘out of hours’ GP services.  These are doctors and nurses who look after patients with urgent problems when their own GP surgery is closed (between 6pm and 8am Monday to Friday and all-day Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays).  They can give advice or appointments for assessment by a GP or nurse in one of the out of hours centres. 

You must telephone NHS 24 on 111 if you require advice or assistance when your own surgery is closed, unless there is an emergency when it is more appropriate to contact 999 for emergency services.