PRACTICE STAFF

The practice is part of a purpose built building called the Fort William Health Centre (Completed May 2007).  The 2 other town surgeries are co-located here along with all of the Community Services, such as District Nurses, Podiatry, Dentistry, Mental Health Team and Learning Disability Nurses.  There is also a shared minor ops suite and phlebotomy room.  There is ample car parking for both patients and staff and the centre is serviced by regular buses from the town and adjoining villages.  Ground floor location means access for people with disabilities and there is a portable loop system for those visitors and patients who are hard of hearing.  All GP's, Practice Nurses and the GP Trainee have a dedicated consulting room and there is a dedicated training room which includes the Practice Library, which can be used by the Trainee and visiting Medical Students for quiet periods of study.  There is also a PC there for access to the Internet, eLibrary etc.  This room is also used for both clinical and staff meetings. 

The Postgraduate Centre is in Inverness with full educational programme and regular Trainee and GP courses, including Day Release courses. Regular tutorials are also held in the surgery and regular meetings are held in Fort William of the Lochaber Medical Society and there are combined Clinical Meetings with Medical and Surgical Departments of the Belford Hospital.  Practice-based Small Learning Group - meets monthly with neighbouring practices.

All records are A4 and electronically summarised. 

The practice makes good use of information technology.  We have the Inps Vision Clinical Systemalong with Docman Imaging (Microtech), which enable us to scan all patient and practice related paper.  We are in effect "paperlite".  All consultation are completed via the computer. Computers are installed in all consulting rooms.

The Belford Hospital is located in the town and has a Accident and Emergency Department (along with Mountain Rescue operation), Surgical and Medical Wards, a Maternity Unit and a Renal Dialysis Unit.  There is open access to X-ray and Physiotherapy and a full range of Out Patient Clinics run by both resident and visiting consultants.  Trainee attendance can be arranged.

The Practice has a strong emphasis on preventative medicine. Well Baby Clinics are held weekly and Well Woman and Well Men by demand.  Screening programmes run in association with these clinics.  There are also regular clinics held for patients who suffer with Diabetes, Chronic Heart Disease, Asthma and other respiratory conditions and patients who have suffered with a  stroke.  Minor surgical procedures are carried out in the main surgery. There are also regular visiting clinics by a Dietician and a Physiotherapist.