Dear Sir/Madam

In Scotland, Cardiovascular Disease (Heart Disease) is the second most common cause of death after cancer. It causes over 25% of all deaths in Scotland with many of these in people aged under 75 years old. Many of these are avoidable which means that they are preventable or treatable through timely and effective intervention. Many people are not aware that they are living with risk factors that increase their risk of Cardiovascular Disease such as raised Blood Pressure. It is estimated that one in three adults have high Blood Pressure but only around a quarter of these are treated and controlled.

As such, the Scottish Government have commenced a national programme to address this issue with the aim to significantly reduce avoidable cardiovascular deaths. Pitcairn Practice has agreed to participate in this programme to help our patients improve their cardiovascular health.

Patients aged 35-60 years old who have not received the full list of Cardiovascular checks within the past 3 years are being invited to attend the practice. These checks include:

•    Blood Pressure
•    Bloods for cholesterol and diabetes check
•    Weight and waist circumference
•    Smoking status

Following this, each patient will receive a telephone appointment with a GP or Practice Nurse to discuss their results.

You have been identified as being eligible for the above assessment and we kindly invite you to contact Pitcairn Practice for your Cardiovascular Disease risk assessment. We strongly encourage that you do this to address any risk factors and improve your cardiovascular health.

If you have any questions, please get in contact with a member of the practice team on 01334 871164.

Yours faithfully,

Dr Craig Morrison

NHS Fife provides the mental health services for Fife’s population but does not currently have a specialist neurodevelopmental service for adults. Therefore, only those with very significant mental health and serious functional compromise are accepted to the waiting list for assessment. 

Since covid, there has been an unprecedented demand surge for adult neurodevelopmental assessment such as ADHD. This service gap is now being explored further to see what resources may be required in future, however meantime the following resources are recommended: 

-         The information in our Neurodevelopmental Hub website on MoodCafe might be useful to you. This can be accessed at MoodCafe 

-         All people living in Fife can access a range of groups or other helpful approaches. Up to date information about what is currently available is on our website www.accesstherapiesfife.scot.nhs.uk.. This website is updated regularly to include new information. 

-         Fife’s One Stop Shop for autism is a local resource funded by the Health & Social Care Partnership. Offering a range of signposting advice, the One Stop Shop can support people who identify as neurodivergent and their families, across a range of issues including understanding identity, managing transitions and employment, as well as offering peer and parent support groups. 

      The One Stop Shop can be contacted either by phone on 01592 645350 or via email at fife@scottishautism.org

In the interest of patient and medicines safety, NHS Fife are continually reviewing medications in order to ensure our prescribing remains appropriate, effective and safe.

Rybelsus (semaglutide) tablets (3 mg, 7 mg and 14 mg) are being replaced with a new formulation which will contain smaller amounts of the active ingredient (1.5 mg, 4 mg, and 9 mg instead of 3 mg, 7 mg, and 14 mg). Even though the dose is lower, the new tablets work just as well because your body can absorb the medicine more easily. This means you’ll get the same benefit from the new tablets as you did from the old ones.

Your Rybelsus treatment has been reviewed and will be switched to the new strength as follows:

• Current Rybelsus Tablet (oval shape) - 3mg/7mg/14mg once daily
• New Rybelsus Tablet (round shape) - 1.5mg/4mg/9mg once daily

As the new strength of tablet is equivalent to the old strength you should notice no difference in its effect and it should still be taken once daily. The only difference is that your current Rybelsus tablet is oval in shape and the new Rybelsus tablet is smaller and round in shape. The outer packaging of the new tablet will also be of a smaller size but will remain the same colours as your current tablets.

Your medication list has been updated at the practice for your next supply. Please finish your current supply of tablets before starting the new strength the following day. If you receive a Serial Prescription (CMS) or a Compliance Aid (Nomad) then your prescription will be updated with your pharmacy directly.

If you have any questions regarding this change please contact the practice to receive a call back from the Practice Pharmacy Team or, alternatively, you can speak with your community pharmacist. If you are no longer taking Rybelsus tablets then please also let us know so we can update your medication list.