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Privately Provided Weight Loss Injection

Please be advised that we do NOT review your medical records or accept any medicolegal liability for ensuring there are no contraindications to you being prescribed

For women under age 55 years prescribed weight loss injections privately

We have been informed by your private prescriber that you are taking weight loss injections. Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) may mean that your contraception pills do not work effectively. If you are using the contraceptive pill, please use condoms for four weeks after each dose change, to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. This does not apply to Semaglutide (Ozempic). Please contact the practice for a routine appointment if you want to discuss your contraception. 

For women prescribed weight loss injections privately and prescribed oral combined HRT or oral progesterone (Medroxyprogesterone / Norethisterone / Utrogestan) in combination with oestrogen patch / spray / gel 

We have been informed by your private provider that you are using weight loss injections. These may have an impact on the effectiveness of your HRT to adequately protect your endometrium (womb lining). Please do contact the practice for a routine review so that we can discuss potential alternatives. 

 NHS Prescribing Requests

We have received a high volume of queries regarding prescribing of weight loss injections such as Wegovy and Mounjaro following the published approval by National Institute for Clinical Excellence and Scottish Medicines Consortium. However the funding for this has not yet been agreed either centrally by Scottish Government or locally by any Health Board in Scotland and therefore GPs are not in a position to prescribe these medications.

We have also been advised by NHS Lothian against referring to the Lothian Weight Management Service specifically for weight loss injections at this time. We will update this section once we have received approved guidance regarding this.

Understanding Meningitis: Symptoms, Vaccination and when to Act

In light of recent reports of Meningitis B cases in the South of England, we want to ensure our patients in Scotland have the information they need to stay safe.

While the current outbreak is localised to Kent, meningitis is a serious condition that can develop very quickly. Knowing the symptoms and staying up to date with vaccinations are the best ways to protect yourself and your family.

Most cases of meningitis are rare, but awareness of symptoms is important.

What is Meningitis?

Meningitis is an infection of the protective lining that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. While it is rare, it can become serious very quickly and requires urgent medical attention.

University students and young people are at a slightly higher risk because they often live, study, and socialise in close groups.

Symptoms to Look Out For

Symptoms can appear in any order and may not all be present. Look out for:

• A high temperature (fever)
• Vomiting or feeling sick
• A severe headache
• A stiff neck
• Dislike of bright lights
• Feeling very drowsy or difficult to wake
• Seizures (fits)
• A blotchy rash that does not fade when pressed (the “glass test”)
• Other early symptoms can include cold hands and feet, limb pain, pale or mottled skin, and confusion.

Please note: Early symptoms may not always be present. Do not wait for a rash to appear. If you or someone you care for feels unwell and you are concerned, seek medical advice immediately.

Useful Resources

• View detailed signs and symptoms on Meningitis Now
• Learn more about Meningitis on NHS Inform

Can Meningitis be Prevented?

Yes, many types of meningitis can be prevented with free NHS vaccines. These include:

• MenACWY vaccine: Usually given to teenagers around age 14. Students under 25 and international students can still get this for free if they missed it.
• MMR vaccine: Given during childhood to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella.
• MenB vaccine: Offered to babies born after May 1st, 2015.

Currently, the NHS does not offer “top-up” or “booster” doses for the MenB vaccine once childhood vaccinations are complete. 

Private Meningitis B vaccinations may be available at some private clinics and pharmacies, depending on their supply. If you are interested in this, you can contact local pharmacies directly to check availability and costs.

Vaccination remains the most effective way to protect against several types of meningitis.

Missed a Vaccine?

Don’t worry if you aren’t sure about your vaccination history. It is easy to check if you or your child are fully protected. You can find out how to view your records and what to do next by following the link below:

Check your vaccination history and find out how to contact your local immunisation team

What You Should Do

We encourage everyone to familiarise themselves with the symptoms.

• Emergency: Call 999 or attend your nearest Emergency Department immediately if meningitis is suspected
• Act fast: Do not wait for all symptoms to appear
• Get advice: Call NHS 24 on 111 if unsure
• Follow up: Seek help again if symptoms worsen or you remain concerned.

Mental health support

We want to support you in making 2026 your healthiest year yet. Here are some simple ways to improve your physical and mental wellbeing using resources available right here in Scotland.

Our mental health is just as important as our physical health. If you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or low this January:

• Mind to Mind: Visit the Mind to Mind section on NHS inform to hear how others manage their mental wellbeing and find practical advice on everything from dealing with money worries to improving your sleep.
• Be Active Outdoors: Even a short walk in your local park can boost your mood. Check out Walking Scotland for easy walking routes in our community.

• Guided Self Help (GSH): Visit the Health in Mind Website for further information about thhis effective approach for people who are experiencing symptoms of mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress and other related difficulties. GSH is based on a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) approach.
• How to Access Guided Self-Help:
  To arrange your first session you make an enquiry through the Health in Mind
  website or ask your GP or link worker for a referral. Once you have decided
  that you would like to proceed, a GSH worker will contact you to arrange an
  assessment appointment. 
• For more information, please contact on 0131 225 8508, email hello@health-in-mind.org.uk, or visit our website: www.health-in-mind.org.uk.

Quit your way - stop smoking service

Patients can be seen by our service both in person and through telephone consultations. Please note that we do not offer support to patients who are looking for support to stop vaping only at the moment.

The closest in person clinics are:

·                     Pennywell All Care Centre, Mondays 17:30-18:30 (Group)

o        Starting on 05/01/26 

·                     Leith Community Treatment Centre, Tuesdays 13:00-16:30 (1:1 appointments) and 16:30-18:30 (Group)

One of the benefits of receiving in person support is that you will have the opportunity to have a carbon monoxide reading completed at every appointment. Our devices will measure the amount of CO on a patient's breath and acts as a good motivational visual aid for patients throughout their quit journey to measure progress.

Patients can self refer by calling our local office on 0131 286 5113, find us on Facebook or go to QuitYourWay.scot to refer themselves. 

Fertility Network UK for patients based in Scotland

Please see links below about the support services and fertility groups available at Fertility Network UK for patients in Scotland who are struggling to conceive and possibly waiting for a fertility clinic referral.

Weight Loss Support

Pregnancy Loss Support

Subscribe to our e-Newsletter | Fertility Network

Support and Information Line: 01424732361

Letters from NHS Lothian are now being sent electronically

NEW Private Provider Requests

From the 1st June 2024 – NEW PRIVATE PROVIDER REQUESTS 

From 1 June 2024 we will no longer be able to take on prescribing and monitoring of shared-care medications or specialist monitoring of certain medical conditions for ANY patients with a diagnosis made in the private sector. These shared-care medications and/or conditions require specialist monitoring and review, and many such medications are either only licensed for specialist prescribing or prescribed outside their licensed use.  Medications prescribed for ADHD, gender incongruence, dementia, Isotretinoin for severe acne, monitoring after private bariatric surgery are some examples.

This is a decision that has been agreed across GP practices in Lothian and supported by the Lothian Local Medical Committee due to capacity and workload issues, the longstanding underfunding in primary care, and the impact of long NHS waiting lists. We appreciate your understanding during these challenging times. We are more than happy to discuss onward NHS referrals in a routine appointment for a second opinion or transfer of care, but we cannot prescribe in the interim period.

Where a private specialist recommends the prescribing of a non-formulary or unlicensed medication we can only agree to ongoing prescribing if we have experience of the medication requested. If this is not the case, you will be directed back to the private provider for private provision or offered a suitable, formulary-based alternative that is within our remit as NHS GPs.

With regards to a private provider requesting investigation by the GP, the British Medical Association guidance clearly states that investigation should only be arranged through the GP-patient encounter and within the competencies of the GP. With regards to a private provider seeking a GP opinion for appropriateness of a privately provided treatment, again this is not within the NHS-funded duties of a GP. There are many other instances where the request from the private provider may not be accepted, and we will communicate this clearly to the best of our ability.