Coronavirus outbreak

As you are aware there is a global outbreak of a viral infection known as COVID-19. If you have symptoms possibly related to this please DO NOT come to the surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

If you have symptoms such as a new cough, fever or breathlessness you should call 111.  This number is now also for use during the day as well as overnight and weekends if you are concerned about Coronavirus.  After a telephone consultation you may be given advice to self isolate or, if necessary, be given an appointment to be seen at the Coronavirus assessment Centre. This will open at Migdale Hospital early next week.  

To keep everyone safe and reduce strain on  the health service everyone must remain isolated at home. You should not travel except for essential shopping, for health requirements such as going to essential appointments, or for essential work which cannot be done from home. This is something we all can, and must, do to reduce the spread of Coronavirus.
You can go out for exercise once per day but should remain at least two metres away from anyone else.

Useful information can be found at Health Protection Scotland

Due to this outbreak we have changed how the practice operates.  It is important to minimise contact with people who may be infectious.  People can spread the virus before they develop symptoms. 

We will conduct as many consultations as possible by telephone.  Reception will give you a telephone appointment and a doctor will call you.  If you need to be seen we will arrange a time for you to come in and try to avoid having many people in the waiting room at one time   

You may be asked to wait in your car and be telephoned and asked to come in so you can avoid siting in the waiting room at all.  People with symptoms of Coronavirus may be asked to come in through a different door and be seen in a different part of the building.

Most people with chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol are safer to wait for the pandemic to settle before coming in for routine reviews of these conditions. Prescriptions will be issued for longer.

If you need a note for work because you are self isolating due to symptoms you can arrange this online - here.  You do not need a fit note from the surgery.

Public Access Defibrillator

There is a defibrillator in a cabinet on the front wall of the surgery.  Available 24 hours per day. 

Other Defibrillators are available at:

Mitchell’s chemist. This is the defibrillator normally at the Castle but due to the pandemic this has been relocated to make it more accessible.

Royal Dornoch Golf Club - during opening hours, accessed via reception

Embo Hub (The old School house) - outside main entrance, available 24 hours per day.

Clashmore Hall. Available 24 hours per day.

Defibrillators are simple to use and lifesaving.  Please remember to call 999 for an ambulance to ensure help is on the way.