Dear Patients,

Unfortunately during the school holidays of October 2021 we are short staffed due to a combination of factors including clinical and administrative staff illness, leave and covid restrictions.

As always, we will endeavour to help as many patients as safely and quickly as possible. We ask for your understanding when contacting us or awaiting a reply. We are trying our absolute best to provide a safe service under extreme pressure.

We also need to advise you that prescriptions are taking between 7-10 working days to process so please be mindful of this and request your medication via the pharmacy with this in mind.

Our whole team including our reception team are doing all we can in a really difficult situation. Our Patient Care Advisors on the phones and at reception desk are experiencing a high level of patient frustration, which is understandable (we are frustrated too!), however this has a serious impact on their working day and own health, so we are asking you to please be kind. We know people are worried and feeling unwell. We want to help.

Your understanding and co-operation is greatly appreciated.

Wester Hailes Medical Practice

The Winter Vaccination Programme 2021

Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership 

The Winter Vaccination Programme will start in September 2021.

You can find out if you’re in a priority group eligible for a flu vaccine on NHS inform

We don’t have all the details at the moment but we can tell you:

• You will not get your vaccine at your GP surgery

• You will get your vaccine at a clinic set up to vaccinate large numbers of people quickly

• You will have a pre-booked appointment or be invited to make a booking at a vaccination clinic.

Details on the vaccination clinics are being finalised and when supplies of vaccines become available we will update this page as soon as we have more information.

Please don’t phone the practice as we don’t have any additional information for the moment.

Please keep an eye on our website or NHS inform

Stop the spread of Covid-19 in Edinburgh

Regular testing for people with no COVID-19 symptoms is one of the ways we can all help keep people safe and stop the spread new variants in Edinburgh. Infection rates are rising across Edinburgh, so we’re urging people to keep testing, even if they’ve been vaccinated.

People with no COVID-19 symptoms can come along for a test at:

• Mobile testing unit at Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre, Harvesters Way from Monday 12 July to Sunday 18 July

We’re open from 9am to 6pm and there’s no need to book. We also have home testing kits people can pick up. Testing is free, fast and safe. It will only take around 15 minutes to take the test and 45 minutes for people to be sent their results.

If you can’t get to the library, you can order free rapid lateral flow test kits online or by phoning the National Testing Centre on 119. 

Almost 1 in 3 people infected with Covid-19 don’t have any of the usual symptoms but are potentially passing on the virus unknowingly to family, friends and others in the community. By getting tested people can find out if they are positive and self-isolate at home to stop spreading the virus to others. People who have been vaccinated are also encouraged to take a test as they may still carry the virus.

You can find out more about community testing on our web pages at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/communitytesting

Econsults have been suspended until week commencing 25th October 2021. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. 

PHONE UPGRADE - MARCH 2021

Due to an upgrade to our phone system, calls from the Medical Practice will now show on your phone as being from 0131 537 8396.

Please note that this number does not work for inbound calls to the practice.

Coronavirus related updates

1. Vaccinations

Covid-19 Vaccination at Wester Hailes Medical Practice  

Across Lothian, vaccination of priority groups of people is taking place at GP Practices.

If you or your relative or someone you care for is in these groups you / they will receive an invitation from us, either by letter or by phone to have your vaccination at the practice. 

We understand that there is concern that some people in this cohort have not yet been invited for vaccination either at the practice or at home. Please be assured that our team are working tirelessly to ensure that all patients are offered a vaccination in a timely fashion and in line with the latest government guidance. 

You may also be concerned that someone you know in a lower priority group has been invited to be vaccinated at a mass vaccination centre ahead of your own vaccination appointment. However, please note that invitations to mass vaccination centres are being administered nationally and are separate to the GP programme.  Those letters can be sent out quite far ahead of appointments.  Our contact with you will be much closer to the date of  your appointment.

We can assure you we are vaccinating as fast as vaccine supplies allow and everyone eligible for vaccination here will be invited to attend.

We are very grateful for your patience while you wait your turn.

For more information about the vaccination programme please see

NHS Lothian’s Vaccine Hub on their website

NHS Inform

Thank You,

Wester Hailes Medical Practice

2. Self certification form for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

Click here to download.

3. Get an isolation note

Click here to get an isolation note.

MIA - Online Minor Injury Assessment

Remember that NHS services remain available to you when the surgery and pharmacies are closed. For minor injuries, Call MIA to get advice quickly and safely.

Signposts for Health and Other Support