Reception Triage

We operate a total triage system for all GP appointment requests. This means every request is reviewed by a clinician first to ensure you receive the most appropriate care as quickly as possible.

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How to request an appointment

• Please complete the form via the 'I have a health problem' box below, available 8.00am and 12.00pm Monday to Friday or:
• Contact reception on 01856 888240 between 8:30am and 12:00pm, Monday to Friday and our reception team will complete the same form on your behalf.
• A GP will review your request and decide the best next step.

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Same-day capacity

We manage requests based on safe clinical capacity each day, this means that on occasion we may need to close requests early. 

If this happens:

• Routine requests will be taken the next working day
• Urgent requests will still be triaged by the on call doctor. 

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Requesting a specific GP

You may request a specific GP when contacting reception.
We will do our best to accommodate this, depending on availability and clinical urgency.

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Why we use this system

• Reduces missed appointments and wasted clinical time
• Ensures patients are prioritised safely
• Helps you receive the right care, in the right way, sooner

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Dental problems

We are unable (and untrained) to treat dental problems at our medical practice. You are advised to contact one of the services on the NHS inform website: NHS Orkney Public Dental Services

Eye problems

Clark's Optometrists is the only Optician on the island. They work with a triage system like ourselves for urgent problems, Therefore, they ask that you phone them as early in the day as possible on 01856 872857. Eye care is provided on the NHS free of charge for UK residents only. Please contact them for more information.

Cancellations

It is important that you inform the Reception Staff if you no longer need your phone appointment or are unable to attend the Practice for your appointment in person.  This will allow that appointment to be offered to another patient.

If you frequently fail to notify the Practice that you are unable to attend, you will be sent a letter informing you that you have defaulted from your appointments.  Persistent defaulters may be removed from the list.

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If you are late

Please attend your appointment on time, if you are 10 minutes or more late we will ask you to re-book.

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Premises

Our premises provide suitable access for all disabled patients.

Should you require a wheelchair for your appointment there are ones available at the main entrance of The Balfour.

A Hearing Loop is also available at the Reception Desk.

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Translation Services

Non-English speaking patients can request assistance from a translator using the Language Line.  

Patients who use British Sign Language (BSL) can request assistance from an interpretor using SignLive.

Please ask at Reception if you would like to use either of these services during your appointment.

Home Visits

If you are too ill to attend the surgery and require a home visit, please try and telephone the surgery between 08:30 and 10:00.  The Receptionist will ask you for some details about your illness, so that the doctors can plan and attend the most urgent cases first. 

Please remember that home visits are for seriously ill patients and people who are housebound.  The doctor can see 4 or 5 patients at the surgery in the time it takes to do one home visit.  There are also better facilities for examining and treating patients at the surgery so we would appreciate your support in attending the practice wherever possible.

Text Message Appointment Reminders

The Practice operates a text message appointment reminder system. 

If you would like us to contact you in this way please let our reception team know. 

Non-NHS Services

Some services provided are not covered under our contract with the NHS and therefore attract charges. Examples include the following:

• Medicals for pre-employment, sports and driving requirements (HGV, PSV etc.)

We usually hold one medical clinic a month and you may be placed on a waiting list. We advise contacting the practice as soon as possible once you receive your paperwork.

• Insurance claim forms

Please allow for 28 working days for these to be completed. 

The fees charged are based on the British Medical Association (BMA) suggested scales and our Reception staff will be happy to advise you about them along with appointment availability. 

Please see the document below for a list of private fees:

List of Fees 2026

Please note, we can only offer these services to patients registered at Skerryvore. 

Travel to Scottish Mainland Hospitals

NHS Orkney's travel administration department is responsible for booking travel for patient's with NHS appointments on the Scottish mainland.

All completed forms should be returned to the them at the main reception desk at The Balfour. 

Please see their comprehensive guide to booking your travel.

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We have provided downloads to the forms below or patient's can collect these from the main desk at The Balfour reception.

For any queries, Travel administration can be contacted on 888045.

Form 1 - All patients with an appointment need to fill this in  

Form 2 (1st page) - If you require an escort, fill in this form and tick all boxes that apply to you. 

Form 3 (2nd page) - If you are requesting an escort but are unable to tick any of the boxes on form 2, a GP will need to fill in form 3 with supporting information.

This will not automatically guarantee your escort will be approved as the decision is not made by the GP. 

If you need to ask a GP to fill in Form 3, please bring all your paperwork to the  Skerryvore reception desk. The admin team will ask for details of your appointment and the medical reason for your request for an escort. 

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Orkney Charitable Trust

Orkney Charitable Trust helps people resident in Orkney under the age of 25 in times of ill health, disability, hardship or disadvantage.

Their ‘Help from Home’ scheme can provide financial support for local families who require the help, financially with a child accessing hospital care on the Mainland UK.

For further information on how they can help please visit www.octrust.org.uk.

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Practice Training

We are a training practice, accredited with the NHS Education for Scotland Deanery.

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HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS IN TRAINING

It is vital for the future of the NHS that we train enough healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists etc. You may meet various healthcare professionals at different stages of training when being looked after by Skerryvore Practice.

Through exposure to the excellent training opportunities within our practices, we hope that this will lead to a sustainable workforce with new GPs keen to come and work here in the future!

Below are the different kinds of students and trainees working here.

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MEDICAL STUDENTS

We provide 1 year educational placements for 3rd year ScotGEM medical students from Dundee.

ScotGEM is a four-year graduate entry medical programme.  It is designed to develop doctors interested in a career as a generalist practitioner within NHS Scotland.  The programme is tailored to meet the current and future needs of the NHS in Scotland and focuses on rural medicine and healthcare improvement.

Medical students will always be working under the close supervision of a named experienced GP who will be at hand for advice or support as necessary.

On completing their medical degree, medical students become licenced by the General Medical Council (GMC) as doctors.

Our medical student this year is:

To be confirmed

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GENERAL PRACTICE SPECIALIST TRAINEES (GPST1 and GPST3)

These are doctors, who have completed at least 2 years working in hospital and have now chosen to specialise in General Practice. They work in the Practice for 6 months in their first year (GPST1) and for 12 months in their last year of GP training (GPST3). They will take on clinical responsibility but can still refer to a supervising GP for advice if needed. After successful completion of training, they will be fully qualified GPs.

As part of training we sometimes videotape consultations.  This only happens with patient's written consent.  For more information, please click here.

Dr Florence Bell GPST3
GMC: 7604411

Dr Megan Hutchinson GPST1
GMC: 7669925

Dr Romade Ope-Ewe GPST1
GMC: 7738706

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FOUNDATION YEAR 2 (FY2)

An FY2 (Foundation Year 2) is a fully qualified doctor who has graduated and has completed one year of hospital-based training.  In their second year, they undertake structured training designed to broaden their experience across various medical specialties, including general practice.  FY2 doctors work under supervision, gradually taking on more responsibility for patient care while continuing to develop their clinical skills. 

Dr Ibukunoluwa Obisesan FY2
GMC: 8039548

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NON-MEDICAL TRAINING

The Practice also supports a variety of health care workers to gain additional qualifications, for example in prescribing or clinical examination. You may find you are asked if you mind a nurse, pharmacist or physiotherapist sitting in on your consultation. Like all persons working at the practice, they are fully bound by the rules of confidentiality and professional accountability.

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