New NHS Minor Ailment Service
This is a new NHS service for people, including children, who don't pay prescription charges. What this means for you is that if your pharmacist thinks you need medecine they can give it to you on the NHS without you having to pay for it. This will save you having to make an appointment with your GP simply to get a prescription.
You can use the NHS Minor Ailments Service if:
- you are registered with a a GP surgery in Scotland, and
- you don't pay for your prescriptions, and
- you don't live in a nursing or residential care home.
How does it work?
- You register for the service with the community pharmacy of your choice
- You don't have to make an appointment. You can go along at a time which suits you.
- If your pharmacist thinks you need a medicine or product to treat your symptoms they will give you this without you needing to pay.
How do I register?
- Go to a community pharmacy - which one is your choice
- The pharmacist will ask you for some details - name, date of birth, gender and postcode. The pharmacist will check whether you pay for your prescription.
- The pharmacist will then complete a form which you must sign to register for the service.
- You will be asked to mark the reason why you don't pay for your prescription on the form.
- The pharmacist may ask you for proof of exemption, for example you maternity or medical exemption certificate or HC2 certificate.
- The pharmacist will print a separate form for each member of your family, including children.
What does the service offer?
You will be able to get advice and free treatment from your community pharmacist for minor illnesses and ailments such as:
acne, cough, constipation, headache, ear ache, diarrhoea, head lice, sore throat, mouth ulcers, indigestion, hay fever, pain, warts and verrucae, period pain, cold sores.
For more information, contact: NHS Helpline on 0800 22 44 88 or ask your local pharmacist or GP.
Scottish Network for Families Affected by Drugs (SNFAD)
Are you or a member of your family affected by drugs? If you would like to talk to someone or simply find out what's available in your local area, then contact the FREE confidential helpline on: 08080 101011.
Crusaid Hardship Fund
We have been asked to let all know that the administration of the Crusaid Hardship Fund will be transferring from Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland (formerly PHACE Scotland) based in Glasgow to Waverley Care Trust based in Edinburgh.
The fund will be closed from Friday 2nd March 2007 to allow for the smooth transfer. Any applications received after 2nd March will be redirected to Waverley Care to process as of 1st April 2007. We have been informed that the Grants Officer will be based in Solas.
We have been informed that Crusaid felt the merger of PHACE Scotland and THT constituted a conflict of interest for the fund and therefore decided to move the fund to a new contractor. The transfer of contractor should not be seen as anything other than the reasons stated.
On behalf of our members we as an organisation wish to thank the Grants Officer for assisting in developing and adminstering the fund for over 10 years on behalf of CRUSAID.
Scotland's Carers Manifesto 2007
Do you think that all carers deserve the right to live free of poverty and have an opportunity to access employment, training and leisure opportunities? If you answered yes then read the manifesto and complete the carer postcard (available from our office) and forward it to your local counciller, MP or MSP. If you wish to post a comment and don't know who to forward the card to, send it back to us and we will forward it on your behalf.
Glasgow's Free Evening Visitor Service - hospital visiting made easier
If you live within Glasgow City then you can access this free door to door service to the following hospitals:
Glasgow Royal Infirmary
Stobhill
Gartnavel General
Western Infirmary
Victoria Infirmary
Southern General
This service is free and operates between 6.00pm and10.00pm Monday to Friday.
This is a new partnership initiative between NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Glasgow City Council, Strathclyde Passenger Transport and Community Transport Glasgow.
The Booking Hotline Number is: 0845 128 4027. The line is open 2.00 - 4.00pm (Monday to Thursday) and 2.00 - 3.30pm (Friday). In the event of the service being oversubscribed priority will be given to older people, individuals who are registered disabled, and those on low income.
Hamilton/East Kilbride District Carers Forum
It is important that the forum continues to grow in numbers and take forward issues and concerns raised by carers. If you would like to attend future meetings and/or send a representative from your organisation please contact the forum for more information on 01698 428090, or write to us at:
Hamilton/East Kilbride Carers Forum
c/o Princess Royal Trust Lanarkshire Carers Centre
46 Campbell Street
Hamilton
Cambuslang And Rutherglen Mental Health Issues Group
A group of local service users and carers who wish to address the many issues that affect us while working together with any agency that will help improve mental health services for all. The new group which meets every last Monday of the month at 2.00pm in the Cambuslang Institute, Greenlees Road, Cambuslang. For more information call 01698 265232
Fire Safety Check
Do you have a smoke alarm? If yes, is it fitted in the right place, and does it work? When did you last check it? Does someone in your family smoke, or do you sometimes light candles in your house? Are all your electrical appliances fitted with the correct fuse? Do you use and electric blanket? Do you use a chip pan or hot oil to cook? Do you grill fatty foods?
When was the last time you thought about these things, or even how you and your family would get out of the house safely in the event of a fire?
If you want more information or a FREE risk assessment to help you identify potential fire hazards in your home, or you would like FREE smoke alarms fitted, call HFSV FREE on 0800 0731 999, or visit www.dontgivefireahome.com.
South Lanarkshire Carers Network Limited
The carers meeting takes place on the first Wednesday of each month. All meetings are held in the network offices at 29 Clydesdale Street, Hamilton, ML3 0DD.
Support the Network and go along to the next meeting. Call 01698 285163 for more information.
Your Comments
It is important to let you know that we welcome your comments, good, bad or indifferent. If you want to give us a story for the next edition of our newsletter that would be great. It's good to share your experience as someone may read the article and think to themselves "There is someone in the same situation as myself. Maybe I will give them a call."
Remember you can give any first name you want us to use, and this retains your confidentiality. Send any articles to our office.
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