Primary Care is the term used to describe community health services which are services that the public can access directly to meet health care needs.  These are made up of a number of services including:

General Practice - The general practice team is made up doctors called General Practitioners (GPs), Nurses, Administrators, Pharmacy and sometime other Allied Health Professions.  You can find your local General Practice.

GP services across Scotland are changing to make sure you get to see the right person, at the right time in the right place. Our aim is to provide safe, effective, person- centred, sustainable health care services for the people of Glasgow.

As part of our programme of change, we are implementing our Primary Care Improvement Plan which reflects the changes introduced from April 2018 within the new contract for GP practices. This describes new ways of working which will help address pressures being experienced in General Practice.

You can read our Primary Care Improvement Plan Bulletins and additional information.

There are a number of strategies and plans that include more detail about Primary Care.

Currently, GPs see most people who come into their practice, even though there are other health professionals who may be more of a specialist in dealing with your symptoms. In the future, where it is safe, appropriate and improves patient care, some of the tasks currently carried out by GPs (or their staff) will be undertaken by other members of a multi- disciplinary team. These health professionals may be based in the practice or may be made available to patients at another site. Information is on the Know Who to Turn To Banner.

Community Pharmacy – your local Pharmacy is able to provide advice and treatment for common health conditions including; indigestion, colds, warts/verruca, cold sores, diarrhoea, hay fever. In addition, there is a national Pharmacy First scheme now available in pharmacies across Glasgow.  Through this service you can receive advice and / or treatment for skin infections and for some urinary tract infections in women aged 16 to 65. Community pharmacists can also help with stopping smoking, emergency contraception, sexual health advice and provide advice on prescribed medicines and how to get the most benefit from them. 

Dentist – your local dentist can provide information and advice on If you have swelling to your mouth, painful or bleeding gums, tooth pain, injury to your mouth or if you are seeking advice on oral hygiene then your dentist is best placed to help you. If you are not registered with a dentist, you can find Information about practices near you by going to: https://www.nhsinform.scot/scotlands-service-directory. The Scottish Government has published an Oral Health Improvement Plan.

Optometrist (optician) – Your local high street Optician can deal with an eye problem. As eye specialists, they are able to use their state-of-the-art equipment and knowledge to diagnose your issue and, depending on the problem, may be able to write a prescription which you can take straight to your pharmacy.  So no need to visit a GP. And if you need to be seen urgently by a hospital specialist they can refer you directly.