Cowdenbeath Medical Practice

23/12/2025

Many pharmacies will be closed or have reduced hours this week.

The NHS Inform and the NHS 24 Online app offer advice on getting more medicine if your prescription runs out.

For more information, visit: nhsinform.scot/tests-and-treatments/medicines-and-medical-aids/prescriptions/

22/12/2025

🎄Important Notice – Christmas and New Year Public Holiday 🎄

The Practice is closed on the following dates over the festive period:

Thursday 25th and Friday 26th December 2025
(re-opening Monday 29th December 2025 at 8am)

Thursday 1st and Friday 2nd January 2026
(re-opening Monday 5th January 2026 at 8am)

Please ensure you order prescriptions in plenty time, if required, allowing time for these to be processed.

If you require urgent medical attention which cannot wait until we re-open please contact NHS 24 by dialling 111 or for helpful information visit www.nhsinform.

For further information relating to our opening hours please visit our website www.cowdenbeathmedicalpractice.co.uk.

Thank you for your continued support.

22/12/2025

⚠ Failure to Attend Appointments ⚠

Where Patients have been unable to book an appointment because we are fully booked, it is very frustrating when one of those booked appointments does not attend (DNA).

If you are unable to attend your appointment then please let us know so that we can offer this to somebody else.

Remember that your DNA is another Patient's denied appointment

22/12/2025

Face Coverings and Respiratory Symptoms

We would like to make patients aware of current guidance for GP surgeries regarding flu and other respiratory infections. If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as a cough, fever, or high temperature, please follow the advice below when attending an appointment in person.

If you are experiencing symptoms of a respiratory infection, including flu, COVID-19, or the common cold:

Please arrive at your appointment time and no earlier, to help reduce the risk of infection spreading.

You are advised to wear a face mask while waiting to be seen and during your appointment.

Face masks are available at the main door on entering the building or from the reception desk if you do not have one.

These measures help protect vulnerable patients and our staff.

Face mask exemption

If you are unable to wear a face mask due to a health condition or disability, please inform the practice in advance of your appointment. This allows us to make suitable arrangements to ensure everyone’s safety.

Keeping everyone safe

Wearing a face covering when you have respiratory symptoms and following instructions from practice staff helps keep the clinical environment safe for all patients and staff.

Please note that guidance may change depending on national advice and local infection levels.

13/12/2025

Not sure if you’ve got a cold or the flu? 🤔 In this NHS 24 video, Dr Julie Roland explains the main differences between these common illnesses, including sy...

27/11/2025

🦠 Norovirus is circulating in our communities.

Often called the winter vomiting bug, it can strike at any time of year, but it’s more common in winter.

It spreads easily and causes symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, mild fever, and headaches. While unpleasant, it’s usually not dangerous.

If you become unwell:

✅ Stay home until you’ve been symptom-free for 2–3 days
✅ Drink plenty of fluids (water is best)
✅ Rest and recover
✅ Avoid preparing food for others
✅ Don’t visit friends, relatives, hospitals, or care homes
✅ Wash your hands regularly
✅ Don’t share towels or toothbrushes
✅ Clean household surfaces

For more information, visit: https://brnw.ch/21wXS5W

16/11/2025

Battling the flu? 🤧 Here are some top tips from NHS inform to help you feel better and stop the flu from spreading:

TREATING FLU

🔹 Rest and Sleep: Give your body the time it needs to recover.
🔹 Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated.
🔹 Medication: Take paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce fever and ease aches and pains.

The symptoms of flu usually develop 1 to 3 days after becoming infected, and most people will feel better within a week.

PREVENTING THE SPREAD

🔹 Good Hygiene: Wash your hands often with warm water and soap.
🔹 Cover Up: Use a tissue or your elbow to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
🔹 Get Rid: Bin used tissues as soon as possible.
🔹 Stay Home: If you have a high temperature or feel unwell, stay at home to avoid spreading the flu to others.
🔹 Clean Surfaces: regularly disinfect places like your computer keyboard, telephone and door handles.

Remember flu is spread by germs from coughs and sneezes, which can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours. Follow our hygiene tips above to prevent the virus from spreading further!

16/11/2025

16/11/2025

Not sure whether you need to go to A&E?

Calling 111 helps get you to the right care in the right place, often with a scheduled appointment.

nhsfife.org/rightcare

13/11/2025

Flu season has arrived about a month earlier than usual in Scotland, and cases are rising rapidly.

Our latest blog focuses on what's happening this season, how we're monitoring flu and vaccine uptake, how to ensure you're protected and what to do if you have symptoms.

👉Given the early start to the season, we’re encouraging those who are eligible to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
👉Flu viruses change constantly, and this year’s vaccine is designed to protect against the three main types of flu viruses we usually see.
👉Most people who are eligible for this year’s vaccination are receiving their invitations by text, email or post, in a white envelope with clear NHS Scotland branding. Invitations will continue to be sent out as the programme progresses through the winter.
👉To prevent the spread of flu, we continue to recommend regular handwashing and advise people with symptoms of respiratory illness to stay and home and avoid spreading the virus to others.

Read more here: https://publichealthscotland.scot/our-blog/2025/november/with-this-year-s-flu-season-starting-early-find-out-how-to-stay-protected/

10/11/2025

ℹ️ Protected Learning Time (PLT) - 11th November ℹ️

On Tuesday 11th November 2025 the Practice will close for training in the afternoon from 1pm-6pm. The Practice will operate as normal from 8am-1pm.

We will re-open at 8am on Wednesday 12th November 2025.

If you require urgent medical attention which cannot wait until we re-open please contact the Urgent Care Service by dialling 01592 729250 or for helpful information visit: www.nhsinform.scot.

For information relating to our opening hours please visit our website: www.cowdenbeathmedicalpractice.co.uk or our page.

Thank you for your co-operation

Some GP practices are taking part in a Protected Learning Time session on Tuesday 11 November between 1pm and 6pm.

Practices take part in a number of sessions throughout the year to allow staff to access training. During this time:

▶️ patients requiring urgent care should call 01592 729 250
▶️ appointments should attend unless advised otherwise
▶️ pharmacies should call 01592 729 250 for urgent enquiries

Access to urgent care for patients of surgeries taking part will continue throughout. More: https://brnw.ch/21wXfGI

07/11/2025

ℹ️ Think Again!