Diabetic Reviews

Everyone who has been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes should undergo a diabetes care review at least once annually so we can monitor your general health.  If you are newly diagnosed, a child or have diabetic complications, we may invite you for a diabetic review more often.  You will have two appointments:

At appointment 1 with the nurse, we will:

• Take your height and weight
• Take your blood pressure and pulse
• Do blood tests
• Do a urine test

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At appointment 2 with the GP or Lead Nurse, we will:

• Discuss any issues you have with your diabetes or health in general
• Review your medication including any side effects
• Advise of any change in treatment, lifestyle or medication
• Check your feet for circulation and sensation.

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You will also be invited for Retinal Screening at the hospital.  At this appointment the back of the eye (retina) is checked for early diabetic changes which could lead to vision complications if left untreated.  For more information on diabetes, visit NHS - Diabetes or Diabetes UK

Sick Day Rules – for advice about your medication when you are unwell please click here.

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Pre-Diabetic Review

Many more people have blood sugar levels above the normal range, but not high enough to be diagnosed as having diabetes.  This is sometimes known as pre-diabetes or Non Diabetic Hyperglycaemia.  If your blood sugar level is above the normal range, your risk of developing full-blown diabetes is increased.  It is very important for diabetes to be diagnosed as early as possible because it will get progressively worse if left untreated.

If you have a blood test and this shows raised blood sugar levels, you will be invited for a pre-diabetic annual review.

At appointment 1 with the nurse, we will:

• Take your weight and height
• Check your blood pressure and pulse
• Do blood tests
• Do a urine test

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The results will be reviewed by a Nurse and either a letter or appointment arranged.

By making lifestyle changes you can prevent or delay the development of diabetes. Read more at Diabetes UK - Pre-Diabetes

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Gestational Diabetes

You will be invited for an annual blood test.

Heart Disease Review

Patients with the following heart conditions will be invited for an annual review:

• Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
• Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
• Stroke
• Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

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At appointment 1 with the nurse, we will:

• Take your height and weight
• Take your blood pressure and pulse
• Do blood tests
• Do a urine test

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These results will be reviewed by a Nurse and either a letter or appointment arranged.

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Please note that patients with Heart Disease are at increased risk of depression, please make an appointment with your GP if you are worried about your mood. 

For more information on heart disease, visit British Heart Foundation, H.E.A.R.T. UK, NHS - Coronary Heart Disease, NHS - Cardiovascular Disease, NHS - Peripheral Artery Disease, NHS - Stroke and NHS - TIA.

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Sick Day Rules – for advice about your medication when you are unwell please click here.

Hypertension Review

Persistently high blood pressure (BP), Hypertension, causes strain on the arteries carrying blood around the body, which may eventually lead to Heart Attacks and Strokes.

At appointment 1 with the nurse, we will:

• Take your height and weight
• Take your blood pressure and pulse
• Do blood tests
• Do a urine test

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The results will be reviewed by a Nurse and either a letter or appointment arranged.

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For more information on Hypertension and monitoring your BP at home, visit the following websites:

• NHS - High Blood Pressure
• The British Hypertension Society – provide a list of recommended home BP devices and a home blood pressure diary
• British Heart Foundation – provide guidance on monitoring your BP at home and a list of recommended BP devices

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Sick Day Rules – for advice about your medication when you are unwell click here.

Atrial Fibrillation Review

Atrial fibrillation is a heart condition that causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate. This can cause problems including heart palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath and tiredness. You will be invited to two appointments:

Appointment 1 with the nurse:

• Take your height and weight
• Take your blood pressure and pulse
• Do blood tests

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The results will be reviewed by a Nurse and either a letter or appointment arranged.

For more information on atrial fibrillation, visit NHS - Atrial Fibrillation or the British Heart Foundation.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Review

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a long-term condition where the kidneys don’t work as well as they should. It is a common condition often associated with getting older.

At appointment 1 we will:

• Take your height and weight
• Take your blood pressure and pulse
• Do blood tests
• Do a urine test

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The results will be reviewed by a Nurse and either a letter or appointment arranged.

For more information on kidney disease, visit NHS - Chronic Kidney Disease or Kidney Care UK.

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Sick Day Rules – for advice about your medication when you are unwell click here.

Asthma Reviews

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Asthma is a common lung condition that causes occasional breathing difficulties.  It affects people of all ages and often starts in childhood, although it can also develop for the first time in adults.

Every year, we invite all patients with asthma to have an asthma review. This helps us make sure your symptoms are well controlled, your inhalers are right for you, and that you have the support you need to stay well.

Below is an overview of how the review process works at our practice.

Why Your Asthma Review Matters

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Regular asthma reviews help us to:

• Check how well your asthma is controlled

• Make sure you’re using the right inhalers

• Reduce your risk of asthma attacks

• Update your treatment plan

• Answer any questions you may have

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Even if your asthma feels stable, small changes can make a big difference to your long‑term health.

How You Will Be Invited

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Each month, we identify patients whose asthma review is due, this will usually be the month of your birthday.

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You may receive:

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A Text Message (via Accurx)

If you have a mobile number, we will send you a link to complete an Asthma Control Test (ACT) online. This questionnaire helps us understand how you’ve been managing your asthma recently.

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Or

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A Letter and Paper Questionnaire

If we don’t have a mobile number/email for you—or if you are aged 12–16 and need a parent/guardian involved—we will post the questionnaire instead.

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After You Send Your Questionnaire

Once we receive your ACT questionnaire, a clinician will review your answers along with your medical record.

We classify asthma control into three categories:

Good Control

• You’re experiencing few or no symptoms

• You rarely need your reliever inhaler
  If everything looks stable, we may simply renew your prescriptions and message you with advice or reassurance.

Poor Control

• You may be using your reliever inhaler more often

• You might be having night‑time symptoms or flare‑ups
  In this case, we will invite you for an asthma review appointment so we can support you in improving your control. 

High‑Risk / Severe Asthma

Some signs suggest you may need closer monitoring, such as:

• Frequent use of reliever inhalers

• Several asthma attacks in the last year

• Being on maximum inhaler therapy but still having symptoms

If this applies to you, we will contact you to arrange a more urgent review.

If You Do Not Respond

We understand that life gets busy. If we don’t hear back:

• We will send the questionnaire again after 2 weeks

• After a further 2 weeks, we will try to contact you by telephone

• If we still don’t receive a response, your GP may renew only a short supply of your inhalers and ask again for the questionnaire to be completed

• You may also receive a letter reminding you to book a review

Patients who repeatedly do not respond will still be reviewed when they next attend the practice for any reason.

If You Miss a Review Appointment

If poor control was identified but you did not attend your review:

• Your inhalers may be renewed in smaller quantities

• You will be encouraged again to rebook your asthma review

• A GP may also review your case for safety

For patients identified as high‑risk, clinicians will decide whether another appointment is required or whether to update your record as a non‑responder.

Need Help or Have Questions?

If you are unsure about your appointment, need help completing the questionnaire, or feel your asthma has worsened, please contact the practice. We are here to support you.

For more information on asthma, visit NHS - Asthma and Asthma + Lung UK.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Review

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties. It includes:

• emphysema – damage to the air sacs in the lungs
• chronic bronchitis – long-term inflammation of the airways

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Before your review, please complete the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) PDF or on the CAT website and send it to us at least 48 hours before your appointment. You can send your results by email to ork.skerryvorepractice@nhs.scot or bring them to your appointment.

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You will be invited for an annual review to see a nurse, they will

• Review of your COPD treatment and lifestyle factors affecting your respiratory health including stopping smoking
• Take a FEV1 lung function test (2 second blow test)
• Review your medication and your inhaler technique (please bring your inhaler and spacers with you)

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For more information on COPD, visit NHS - COPD or British Lung Foundation