GP Practices System Upgrades – Emergency Appointments Only

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From next week, week commencing 20 June, we will begin our system upgrades to all GP Practices across Orkney. This programme of upgrades will take place across summer with each practice being affected for a minimum of two days. Please ensure you familiarise yourself with the timetable for your practice in the notice below. These times may be subject to change and we’ll do our best to ensure they are updated and are as accurate as possible.

This programme is being rolled out across NHS Scotland, the upgrades are designed to modernise our primary care IT systems, improving performance and resilience and ensuring a consistent and secure platform for the delivery of patient care for the years to come.

During the migration process GP Practices will remain open however will only be able to accommodate emergency care and appointments. Throughout these periods, please utilise the other options available, where practical, NHS Inform has a wealth of information available online, https://www.nhsinform.scot/ or head to our local pharmacies for pharmacy first care (https://www.nhsinform.scot//pharmacy-first-scotland).

We’d ask everyone to please order your repeat prescriptions in plenty of time throughout the summer with these upgrades in mind.

David Firth, Programme Lead at NHS Orkney said: “This upgrade is a significant milestone for primary care across Orkney and we’re pleased to get underway with the migration. We recognise that the migration will result in some disruption and reduced access to GP services during the dates outlined. Our GP Practices and primary care teams are very grateful for your patience and understanding as we get underway with this programme of upgrades.”

Programme of Updates:

  • Stromness Surgery
    Migration week commencing 22 June
    Practice expected to operate emergency appointments from 14:00 on Tuesday 23 June, returning to regular service on Thursday 25 June. This includes Flotta.
  • Dounby Surgery
    Migration week commencing 6 July
    Practice expected to operate emergency appointments from 14:00 on Wednesday 1 July, returning to regular service on Tuesday 7 July
  • Heilendi Surgery
    Migration week commencing 20 July
    Practice expected to operate emergency appointments from 14:00 on Monday 20 July, returning to regular service on Wednesday 22 July. This includes Shapinsay and North Ronaldsay
  • Orcades Practice
    Migration week commencing 3 August
    Practice expected to operate emergency appointments from 14:00 on Wednesday 5 August, returning to regular service on Friday 7 August. This includes Hoy, Sanday, Stronsay, Eday, Westray and Papa Westray
  • Skerryvore Practice
    Migration week commencing 17 August
    Practice expected to operate emergency appointments from 14:00 on Tuesday 18 August, returning to regular service on Thursday 20 August
  • Islands View/Rousay
    Migration week commencing 31 August
    Practice expected to operate emergency appointments from 14:00 on Tuesday 1 September, returning to regular service on Thursday 3 September
  • Daisy Villa
    Migration week commencing 7 September
    Practice expected to operate emergency appointments from 14:00 on Wednesday 2 September, returning to regular service on Tuesday 8 September