Free WiFi Wireless Internet Spot

The practice waiting room now has a free wireless internet access point.

If you have a wireless laptop, or a WiFi enabled PDA (such as the Palm TX), then you can use it to surf the internet or send/receive emails from the practice waiting room.

Simply select 'Strachur Medical - Public WiFi' from your wireless device to use the free service.

Like the internet, the WiFi spot is an open network. So don't send anything confidential (such as passwords or bank details) unless you are connected to a secure web page. Secure pages are indicated by https:// at the start of the address and a lock icon in your browser.

See here for more information on using WiFi.

Medication Reviews

We now have the automated medication review system up and running. It took a bit of time (there were several hundred patients with nearly two thousand medications that all had to be updated on the computer by hand).

This system will allow us to monitor patients on repeat medications more safely. The system will automatically remind you when you are due for a medication review. Medication reviews are usually done every six to twelve months, and they allow the doctor to check that you have had all the right monitoring done. This greatly improves the safety of repeat prescribing.

You should also notice that your repeat ordering form has been tidied up, making it easier to order your repeat medications.

The safest way to order your medication is to tick the boxes on your repeat order form, and to hand this in to reception. You can also post it to us at the address at the top of this webpage. Or you can fax it to us on 01369 860 225. Please try and avoid phoning in repeat requests if at all possible, as this is more likely to lead to mistakes and ties up the phone line and staff time.


Your medication will be ordered and checked, and will be ready to collect from the dispensary in 2 working days.

If you see a note on your repeat ordering form saying your medication review is due, then simply make an appointment to see the doctor for review before ordering any more medication.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

The staff at the Strachur Medical Practice would like to wish all of our patients a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

The surgery will be closed on Monday and Tuesday 26th and 27th of December 2006 and Monday and Tuesday 1st and 2nd of January 2007.

Dr Coull will be on call over Christmas and Dr Wright over New Year. In an emergency, you can contact us on 01369 860 224 as usual.

Hot drinks now available in the waiting room

The waiting room now has it's Flavia coffee/tea maker up and running. It's already popular, and patients can now make themselves freshly brewed coffee, tea, or hot chocolate from the dispenser.

Personally, I can't stand machines that make instant coffee/tea from freeze dried stuff. I think it tastes terrible. So, I've invested in a Flavia SB100, which I've seen used in some NHS hospitals, churches, and so on.

It is an excellent machine which makes fresh coffee/tea from individual brewing bags. It's a little more complicated to use at first, but I think the effort is worth it. There is an instruction leaflet explaining how to use the machine, but don't hesitate to ask for a demonstration.

We've also got real mugs, fresh milk, and napkins (as well as take away cups). And we're buying new leather chairs for the waiting room (a leather sofa is awaited as well for those who prefer to lounge while they wait).

A daily newspaper, and new copies of Top Gear, Gardeners' World, Empire, and Marie Claire are available on the coffee tables to read.

To help cover the running costs of the coffee machine, we do ask if you could put £1 in the honesty box when you make yourself a drink (the water cooler is, of course, still free).

If you have any comments or suggestions, please don't hesitate to let us know.