Banchory Group Practice

26/09/2025

❤️❤️❤️

16/09/2025

The practice will be CLOSED on Monday 22nd September for the public holiday. We will reopen on Tuesday 23rd September.

If you require medical attention or advice, when the practice is closed, please dial 111.

In a medical emergency dial 999.

The eConsult service will also be unavailable but you will still be able to access the self help guides.

Thank you.

10/09/2025

Walking Aid – Return & Reuse

Do you have a zimmer frame, crutches, or a walking stick that you no longer need?

If so, please return them so they can be cleaned and re-issued to patients who need them.

Drop-off points in Deeside:

Aboyne Community Hospital – Reception

Banchory Glen O’Dee Hospital – Reception

For more information please call 01339 889428.

Please do not bring them to the surgery as we cannot accept them. Thank you!

18/08/2025

The Practice will be closed on Wednesday 27th August from 1pm-4.30pm for staff training.

If you need urgent medical advice, during these times, please call our usual number (0345 013 0750) and you will be advised what to do.

Thank you.

11/08/2025

Deaf Action

Offer help with cleaning and retubing NHS hearing aids (tubes should be changed every 3-6 months to avoid feedback and maintain sound quality) and provide batteries at their free drop-in sessions:

Where: Banchory Library, Bridge Street, Banchory, AB31 5SU
When: 10 am - 12 pm on the fourth Wednesday of every month

If you require assistance, but are unable to attend a drop-in session, please contact them using the details below and they can arrange a home visit.

If you have any queries, please contact Sam on 07772 105 015 or Kirstin on 07772 104 700 or email aberdeenshire@deafaction.org

08/08/2025

Transport support from THInC

Do you, or someone you know, have difficulty travelling to and from health or social care appointment? THInC can help.

• Phone: 01467 536111 (Monday to Friday, 9am-4.30pm)
• Email: travel@thinc-hub.org

05/08/2025

Sign up today for your Functional Fitness MOT by visiting www.eventbrite.co.uk and searching 'FFMOT Banchory'

31/07/2025

Our Patient Participation Group Banchory Group Practice PPG is organising an event in September to learn all about the Glen O'Dee Community Hospital.

This will be an opportunity to learn about what the Community Hopsital offers, how to access services and what plans they have for the future.

Please share with your friends and family and pop it in your diary.

Thank you.

Our next evening educational event of 2025 will be all about the Glen O'Dee Community Hopsital.

Please save the date and tell all your friends!

Thank you!

24/07/2025

UK Wide Mobile Phone Issues

We’ve been made aware of ongoing UK wide issues affecting the major mobile phone providers, including EE and Vodafone.

These issues are impacting mobile connectivity throughout the UK and are affecting our ability to make calls to mobile numbers, from landlines and mobiles.

The mobile provider for NHS Scotland, EE, have confirmed that the issue has been identified and that they are actively working on a resolution.

17/07/2025

🚢⚓ Don’t go overboard during Tall Ships 2025

With hundreds of thousands of people expected to flock to the Tall Ships when they dock in Aberdeen later this week, NHS Grampian is encouraging people to enjoy themselves safely.

With quayside concerts every night and a packed daytime programme it is set to be an extremely busy few days. As such, the health board is issuing the following top tips:

▪ Slap on the SPF. With much of the event focused on outdoor activities, protecting the skin is vital. At least SPF30, but preferably SPF50, suncream should be applied generously and regularly topped up.

▪ It might be Yo-Ho-Ho, but is the bottle of rum necessary? Pacing yourself, alternating non-alcoholic drinks, and having something to eat means you won’t feel like walking the plank the morning after.

▪ If a salty sea dog, or marvellous mermaid, should catch your eye, make smart decisions about your sexual health and use a condom. This isn’t just about preventing an unwanted pregnancy, it’s also about stopping the spread of STIs. Condoms are available for free at locations across Grampian, check out our (treasure) map here: www.nhsgrampian.org/service-hub/sexualhealth/free-condoms

There will be several first aid posts and a larger medical facility on site, at which staff from Scotia Medical Group will be on hand to provide immediate support. These facilities should be your first port of call for any non-urgent incidents at the event.

Dr Kirsty Smith, a consultant in the emergency department at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, said: “In an ideal world, we would love it if not a single person taking part in – or coming to see – the Tall Ships needed our care. However, if they do, it is vital they use NHS services correctly, especially if they aren’t familiar with the way we work.

“For minor ailments, the NHS Inform website is packed with useful self-care guides. If over the counter medicines or simple supplies like bandages are required, Aberdeen City Centre is well stocked with pharmacies, and you can get additional expert advice from the pharmacists if you need it.

“For minor injuries, call NHS 24 on 111. You’ll be able to speak to trained professionals and if you need further treatment or an X-Ray, they can arrange an appointment for this.

“I cannot stress enough, calling 999 or coming direct to the emergency departments at Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital or Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, should be for medical emergencies only.”

Emma Wadee, project manager for The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen said: “Everyone at the Tall Ships Aberdeen want every single one of our visitors to have the best time possible, while staying safe and well during this brilliant event.

“We would urge people to follow the simple and sensible top health tips the NHS Grampian experts have provided. But if anyone does need assistance, please head towards one of our well-signposted first aid posts or alert any of the Tall Ships team who will be on hand to help visitors.”

Anyone requiring healthcare who does not normally live in the UK may have to pay for some or all their treatment, depending on their country of origin. More information on this is on the NHS Inform website: www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights/health-rights/access/healthcare-for-overseas-visitors -and-holidaymakers

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25/06/2025

Know someone who is considering a career in medicine? Here’s a really useful tool to help navigate the application process!

Your Med Future is the guide you need if you're applying to medical school in Scotland.

20/06/2025

Why some patients are struggling to get a GP appointment?

“When you are unwell or need support managing a condition, we know that you want an appointment with a GP or member of the practice team as quickly as possible and with a minimum of fuss. But, too often, that is something that practices struggle to provide.

If it often feels like you are in competition with hundreds of other people to get through to us and secure an appointment, then that is because it is quite literally true We absolutely appreciate that this is hugely frustrating at times, but practices and all our staff are working as hard as we can. We simply do not have the resources, or sufficient GPs to do all that is asked of us. And the explanation for that is the failure of the Scottish Government to invest in and recruit and retain the GPs you – and Scotland need.

While the number of NHS consultants working in Scotland has increased by 30% in the past 12 years as the health needs of the population have increased, the number of GPs has fallen by 6%. In that time the number of patients registered with a GP has increased by nearly 9%. As a result of this, while there was one GP for every 1,515 patients in 2013 there is now only one GP for every 1,735 patients. Simply put, there are not enough GPs to provide the level of access to General Practice that patients were previously able to benefit from.

Worse than that, despite the big increases in hospital staff numbers, patients are waiting longer than ever for treatment and therefore need more GP appointments and support while they are waiting. Despite General Practice in Scotland providing over 650,000 appointments every week, it is simply not enough to meet demand.

Poor access to General Practice is frustrating for GPs who want to deliver the best possible service and it is frustrating for patients who feel they are struggling to be seen when they need it. The majority of Scotland's 898 General Practices are run as independent businesses. They are mainly funded with a fixed income, no matter how much work is asked of them to look after the local community. With that fixed pot they must pay for all their staff, upkeep their buildings and meet all their running costs. General Practice is recognised as being the most efficient part of the NHS in the UK, but a lack of sufficient investment has resulted in where we are today. Ultimately this is a result of funding decisions taken by Scotland’s politicians and will only truly be addressed with sufficient investment directly into General Practice.

In 2008, the NHS spent around 11% of its whole budget on General Practice. Today, that figure is less than 6.5%.

Practices have also faced significant additional financial turbulence in recent years, and the recent increase to Employer National Insurance Contributions as a result of the 2024 budget at Westminster will add further bills of tens of thousands of pounds to every practice. Without funding from Government to meet this cost, the only choice that many practices will have, is to cut services further. This means fewer doctors and nurses to care for you and a smaller reception team to answer your calls and help guide you. “

Contacting your MSP: how you as a patient can support your local GP practice:

“The problems in General Practice can be fixed, but it requires a commitment from politicians of all parties to rebalance investment in the NHS so that General Practice receives a proportion of funding in line with the way things used to be.

With proper investment, we can radically improve your ability to see a GP or member of our team and can do so much more to deliver high quality health services in our local community. We want, like you do, to see GP delivered care with continuity and quality at the heart. Free healthcare for all cannot exist without an efficient and functioning General Practice. Help us protect the core principles of the NHS.

If you want to see that protection and want to improve our services, please consider taking the time to contact your MSPs and make clear that you believe more investment needs to go to General Practice as a priority. By working together we can look to a healthier future.”

Thank you.