Appointments

We will always try to offer you an appointment but due to high demand we currently have a waiting time of two to three weeks for routine appointments.  This may be longer if you wish to book with a specific GP.

Our reception team will ask you for details of why you need your appointment.  This is to ensure we are directing you to the most appropriate professional to deal with your problem.  The more information you can give the receptionist the more helpful this will be.

Across East Lothian, there are a wide range of health, medical and care services that can be accessed by getting in touch directly with the most appropriate health professionals first time around. 

You can GO DIRECT to a number of primary care services without needing to speak to a GP first by clicking on the link to the Right Care, Right Place page. 

Urgent Appointments

If you have an urgent problem and cannot wait for a routine appointment, please tell the receptionist, who will attend to you promptly.

Please remember we are not an emergency service.  If you feel your problem is life threatening, please dial 999.

Practice Nurses

In a number of cases it might be worth considering an appointment with a practice nurse rather than a doctor. Practice nurses are qualified to deal with many ailments and you may be seen more quickly.

CTACS Nurses (Community Treatment and Care Service)

The CTACS nurses visit Dunbar Medical Practice on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.  if you require a dressing, wound care or are on a prescription for vitamin B12 injections.  The CTACS nurses will also take some blood tests when requested by hospital clinics (eg for cancer care or haematology).  For contact details please follow the CTACS link on the Right Care, Right Place page.

CWIC (Care When It Counts) Mental Health Team

CWIC Mental Health is a primary care service for people in East Lothian aged over 17 years and 9 months.  The team includes mental-health occupational therapists, mental-health nurses and primary care administrators, who are based at East Lothian Community Hospital, Haddington and Musselburgh Primary Care Centre.

The team works closely with GP practices, Adult Mental Health services and local third sector services to help you get the right support for your needs.   For contact details please follow the Mental Health link on the Right Care, Right Place page.

Pharmacy First

Pharmacists and their teams are experts in medicine and can help with minor health concerns.  It is often worth speaking to a pharmacist before a GP.  Our reception team can let you know if your problems is something that can be dealt with at the pharmacy.

Teaching

Our practice supports medical education and will occasionally provide opportunities for medical students to be present during surgery consultations.  This is a valuable educational experience for the doctors of the future, but if you would not like the student to be present during your consultation then just ask your doctor.

Cancellations

If you cannot attend an appointment for any reason please inform us as soon as possible in order for us to give the slot to someone else.

Home Visits

Whilst we encourage our patients to come to the surgery, where we have the proper equipment and facilities available, we do appreciate this is not always possible. If you think you need a home visit please call reception before 10am.  Normally home visits take place after morning surgeries.  If you call after 10am then, if you need a home visit, it may not be done until the following day.

You should only request a home visit if you are permanently housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. Your GP will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires it and will also decide how urgently a visit is needed. Please bear this in mind and be prepared to provide suitable details to enable the doctor to schedule house calls.

You can also be visited at home by a community nurse or our health care assistant if you are referred by your GP.

Urgent Home Visits

If you have an urgent problem and think you might need a home visit that same day then please phone as early in the day as possible.

Please remember we are not an emergency service.  If you feel your problem is life threatening, please dial 999.

Fit Notes (previously known as 'sick notes')

You do not require a doctor's certificate for any illness lasting seven days or less. Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or on the HMRC website.

For most people getting back to work as soon as possible is good for your health.  Fit Notes can include extra information to help your employer support your return to work.

Evidence that you are sick

Please note that certificates cannot be dated in the future and can take up to three days to process.

If you are sick for more than seven days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of SSP (statutory sick pay).

It is up to your employer to decide whether you are incapable of work. A medical certificate, now called a 'Statement of Fitness for Work’ (see below) from your doctor is strong evidence that you are sick and would normally be accepted, unless there is evidence to prove otherwise.

You could also provide evidence from someone who is not a medical practitioner, e.g. a dentist or other health care professional. Your employer will decide whether or not this evidence is acceptable.  If your employer has any doubts, they may still ask for a medical certificate from your GP.

For more information see the DirectGov website.