See a Doctor or Healthcare Professional

A range of common illnesses such as cold and flu and minor injuries can be treated at home simply by combining a well-stocked medicine cabinet with plenty of rest. Many patients attend with conditions that would get better with self-care. Studies show that 25-40% of consultations with a GP are unnecessary so it would help if patients only booked an appointment with a GP if they really need to.

Examples of the ailments best treated by yourself are:

• Upset stomach
• Grazed knee
• Common cold
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Colds & Flu

There are a wide variety of helpful Self Care information and resources available which could help you to treat your illness without the need for an appointment:

We have provided our patients with a list of services that you can self-refer to without the need to see a GP or Nurse. You can normally self-refer by phone, attend a drop in clinic or by completing a self-referral form which you can send via email or post to the service of your choice.

Visit a Pharmacy for healthcare advice without an appointment

It is estimated that every year, 50 million visits to the GP are made for minor ailments such as coughs and colds, mild eczema, and athlete’s foot. By visiting your pharmacy instead, you could save yourself time and trouble.

Your local Pharmacist is able to help with minor cuts, sprains, aches and pains, colds and flu, headaches, rashes, cystitis, emergency contraceptive (most Pharmacies now offer this service) and other common conditions.

No appointment is necessary and your local Pharmacist is usually open late, is available at weekends and many public holidays. It will also save you making an appointment with your GP.

Please note during the current pandemic, physical distancing restrictions will be in place, it maybe more appropriate to telephone the pharmacy before attending.

Breathing Space was launched in 2002 to address serious concerns about the mental wellbeing of people in Scotland. The service became a national phone line in 2004.

Breathing Space complements the work of other phone lines and agencies which are endeavouring to reduce suicide rates in Scotland.

Our advisors come from a range of mental health, counselling and social work backgrounds. There is an equal ratio of male to female advisors.

Need help now? Call free on 0800 83 85 87.

Community Optician

Whatever your eye problem your first port of call should be an Optometrist. An Optometrist is the best person to assess urgent eye problems, check for eye disorders and treat eye conditions. They have the professional training and necessary equipment to assess most eye problems.

Opticians can also refer patients to Hospital if and when appropriate.

Find a local Optician in your area (once you are linked to the NHS Inform page, select your local Health Board or local Authority to find an Optician near you).

Self-help guide: Eye problems

Find out more about your eye problems, when you can use self-care, and what to do if your condition worsens and you need medical help.

If you meet a set of criteria you may be entitled to a number of benefits when using NHS ophthalmic services. These could include free NHS eye examinations, NHS optical vouchers and refunds. This guide will explain these entitlements and who is eligible.

If you sustain an eye injury that requires immediate emergency treatment go to your nearest Accident and Emergency.

For dental emergencies, call the dentist with whom you are registered. You should receive a recorded message advising you of the arrangements that have been made for emergency cover. If you have not registered with a dentist, please try to do so as soon as possible. Dentist’s can perform an appropriate assessment and advise on necessary intervention including use of any antibiotics.

However, if you are unregistered currently and you require emergency treatment, you should contact NHS 24 on 111.

Receiving NHS dental treatment in Scotland

Dental emergencies are: acute dental pain, facial or oral swelling, bleeding from the mouth or trauma.

There are lots of services which offer help and support to improve your quality of life and allow you to continue to live in your own home. For example, if you are elderly or disabled, have a long-term health condition or are unwell. However, it can sometimes be confusing to try to work out what help is available and who offers what services.

Call 111

Call 111 when we are closed to speak to an NHS professional on any urgent health or medical issue.

Calls are free from landlines and mobiles.

You should call 111 if:

• it’s not a 999 emergency
• you think you need to go to A&E or another NHS urgent care service
• you don’t think it can wait for an appointment with your GP
• you don’t know who to call for medical help.

If you have an emergency please call 999

Medical emergencies can include:

• loss of consciousness
• an acute confused state
• fits that aren’t stopping
• chest pain
• breathing difficulties
• severe bleeding that can’t be stopped
• severe allergic reactions
• severe burns or scalds

Mental Health Crisis?

You should call 999 or go to A&E if you, or someone you know, experiences a life-threatening medical or mental health emergency. These are cases where there is immediate danger to life or physical injury. A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a medical emergency. If you feel like you may be close to acting on suicidal thoughts or have seriously harmed yourself, you should call 999 or go to A&E directly if you need immediate help and are worried about your safety.

Call the Samaritans

Whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. We’re here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Call us for free on 116 123.

It’s important to use A&E only for serious injuries and major emergencies.

For everything else, Minor Injury Units, out-of-hours services and your local pharmacy can also help.

Textphone and BSL users

If you use a textphone you can call NHS 24’s 111 services (18001 111).

If you’re deaf but want to use the phone service you can use the ContactSCOTLAND-BSL interpreting video relay service, available 24/7.

Find out more about the 111 service

The new Call MIA service, provides quicker, more convenient treatment for minor injuries and avoids overcrowding to help keep staff and patients safe.

Anyone with a minor injury is asked to call MIA – the new Minor Injuries Assessment service on 111 before they attend the Minor Injuries Unit at Stirling Health and Care Village or the Emergency Department at Forth Valley Royal Hospital.

Patients will then be offered a video assessment so they can quickly access clinical advice or an appointment in either Stirling or Larbert so they don’t have to wait to be seen when they attend.

Call MIA Video Consultations

Offering video consultations for minor injuries means that patients can be seen at a convenient time from the comfort of their home or workplace.

You will need to use a device such as a smartphone, tablet or computer with a webcam. At the time of your appointment, simply click on the link provided which will open a live secure chat. An experienced practitioner will then ask you questions, perhaps look at the injury and advise you on the next steps. These may be:

• Self Care Advice
• Ask you to attend the Minor Injuries Unit either same day or next day (an appointment time will be given)
• Use local services such as a Pharmacy

Injuries that ARE suitable for the Call MIA service

• Strains, sprains and suspected broken bones
• Infected wounds
• Minor burns
• Cuts and grazes
• Minor eye and ear injuries

Patients NOT suitable for the Call MIA service

• Those who need emergency care (e.g. for chest pain, loss of consciousness or severe bleeding)
• Injuries from more than two weeks ago
• Patients who are seeking a second opinion
• Children under the age of one

If your condition is serious or life-threatening you should go to the Emergency Department at Forth Valley Royal Hospital or dial 999.

The Park Terrace Medical Practice Nurses are Mrs Helen Scott (RGN, RM) and Ms Chris Francke (RGN RM). They are responsible for well woman and contraceptive advice, asthma clinics, blood pressure clinics, diabetic and heart disease clinics, travel vaccine clinics and the treatment of minor injuries and minor illness. They can also offer advice on weight management, diet and many other health related issues including smoking cessation. They are available by appointment and are also usually available for advice over the phone throughout the day.

We also have a trainee ANP Fiona Mrs Fiona McLaughlin (RGN, BSc) who will triage and see patients on the day.

Our Mental Health Nurse Mrs Brenda Fleming (RMN & PGD in CBT in group work) is available for appointments and telephone consultations.

Healthcare Assistants

Mrs Brenda Mitchell (f)
Our Health Care Assistants have been fully trained to undertake procedures such as taking bloods, measuring blood pressures and checking urine samples. They are available by appointment.

Ms Clare Drummond (f)
Our Health Care Assistants have been fully trained to undertake procedures such as taking bloods, measuring blood pressures and checking urine samples. They are available by appointment.

Our Nurses are usually able to assess the situation and in some cases will organise initial blood tests and other investigations prior to arranging a follow up appointment with your doctor.

Some patients, often those with complex and long-standing medical problems, may need an appointment with a doctor.

Due to the current COVID 19 pandemic we are not arranging online booking of appointments. We are operating a telephone triage prior to being seen.