Ileach Update 14th August 2021
Update from Islay Medical Services
New Website
We are pleased to announce the launch of our newly upgraded website – this can be found at www.islaymedicalservices.com. You will find a regularly-updated COVID-19 page containing information regarding testing on Islay and links to help with symptoms, a new page for visitors to Islay outlining how to access medical help for urgent problems while on Islay (holiday home owners, please highlight this to your guests!), information about how to access appointments and prescriptions, plus links to various self help pages and a section containing social media updates for those not on Facebook - and of course a back-catalogue of Ileach updates should you miss one! We hope this will be a useful resource for our patients and visitors.
Lateral Flow Device Testing Kits
We now have Lateral Flow Device (LFD) test kits available for registered patients to collect from our dispensing practices, namely Port Ellen Surgery and Rhinns Medical Centre. You do not need to telephone to request these – just turn up and you will be given a box of 7 tests. The kits contain instructions regarding how to perform the tests, interpret the results and how to report positive tests. Please note, these tests are only suitable for patients who are well and asymptomatic – if you develop symptoms of COVID-19, you must arrange a PCR test and isolate along with your household until the result is available. PCR testing for symptomatic patients can be obtained by telephoning 01496 305308 and leaving your details – a member of our admin team will get back to you and arrange a time for you to come for a test.
Vaccine Programme
We are continuing to make excellent progress with the vaccination programme across Islay – 92.2% of patients over the age of 18 years have had at least one vaccine, and at least 84% of people have had two vaccines – we are continuing with regular clinics to provide the second dose to the remainder of people waiting for this. The lowest uptake is in the 18-29y group – if this is you and you have not had your first vaccine, please seriously consider this and get in touch if you would like one. If you are over the age of 18 and have not yet been contacted and offered a vaccine, please get in touch via Bowmore Surgery on 01496 305305 – the likelihood is that we have incorrect contact details for you and have been trying the wrong number. Please ensure that your contact details are kept up to date with your registered practice so we can get hold of you as needed.
High school students aged 16 years and over as of 31st August will be offered the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine on Wednesday 18th August – this will be administered at school.
Easing of restrictions
As of Monday 9th August, the Scottish Government has outlined easing of legal restrictions relating to COVID-19 beyond level zero. This is obviously very positive and hopeful but, in keeping with Government guidance, we would recommend caution particularly around social contacts. The risk of cases being identified either through positive lateral flow testing, or in those with symptoms, means that we can continue to experience disruption as contacts of positive cases isolate pending test results. As previously stated, Islay Medical Services is not in a position to provide details of positive cases. Current numbers of positive cases over a 7 day period can, as always, be accessed via the Scottish Government website – the direct link is on the COVID-19 page of our new website.
While restrictions are easing for everyday life, the Government have recommended that healthcare settings should continue to maintain a 2 metre social distancing policy, and continue the use of surgical masks in surgeries and in hospitals. For this reason, we will continue to run our appointment system as telephone triage as the first point of contact, with face to face appointments arranged by a GP if necessary once your problem has been assessed by telephone. We hope to be able to open up a bit more in the near future, but for now please bear with us while we continue to try and keep everyone as safe as possible and minimize risks to both patients and staff. We appreciate your ongoing support and patience as we navigate a cautious return to a more normal service.