Due to increased concerns around the safety of prescribing diazepam for the use prior to flying, the practice has decided to review the policy. Airlines, and the clinicians within the team feel it is no longer safe to prescribe medications to cope with fear of flying. We understand that you may have been prescribed this medication in the past, however more information is now available regarding safety.

The following information highlights why we do not feel this medication is safe to prescribe.

1. Medications such as diazepam cause sedation, which impairs our ability to react quickly and respond to emergencies if needed. This is particularly important when combined with other substances such as alcohol.

2. This medication is more likely to make you drowsy, and therefore less mobile on flights. This increases our risk of blood clot formation. This is especially important on long haul flights.

3. In some individuals, medications such as diazepam can cause aggression and agitation, this could put yourself and other passengers at risk.

4. Sedative medications are illegal in many countries. You may be breaking the law by bringing these medications into the country.

5. Sedative medications reduce our breathing rate. This can be harmful when flying due varying oxygen levels.

We understand that this change in policy may be upsetting for some. Our primary concern is your safety. We therefore hope you understand why we have come to this decision. Alternatively, our clinicians can refer you for NHS online phobia courses. Many airlines offer fear of flying courses. Please find information on where to find these below.

This will have a greater long-term impact on your ability to manage the fear of flying. www.flyingwithconfidence.com www.fearless-flyer.com https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/wellbeing-and-health/flying-without-fear.html

We currently have a Senior Advanced Nurse and an Advanced Nurse Practitioner attached to Simpson Medical Group.

Here is some information about the role that they do:

Advanced Nurse Practitioners are experienced, professional, registered Nurses who work at an extremely high level of Practice. They have advanced clinical skills which are relevant to their specific roles.

They manage the complete care of patients in an acute or chronic situation and have the authority to investigate, refer, and admit and discharge within their defined clinical roles.

They are competent in the investigation of results. They can prescribe medications, administer sick lines, refer to secondary care for specialist review and can care for patients just as effectively as a GP. 

From Tuesday 19th April our appointment system is changing. Patients will be able to choose whether they wish to be seen face to face or have a telephone consultation.

Acute appointments (same day) will be released at 8am for patients who are unwell and require same day assessment. There will be a limited amount of acute appointments (Book on the day) available daily. Once these appointments have been filled, it will emergency only appointments that will be available. In which case you will be asked to call back at 8am the next working day if your symptoms do not warrant an emergency appointment.

PLEASE NOTE that these appointments can only be booked via telephone and not at the front desk.

Routine appointments will also be available to book in advance. These will also be offered as a choice of face to face or telephone consultation.

Alternatively, we offer an online consultation tool called E-Consult which is suitable for many ailments or administrative queries.

We will continue to accept prescription requests via telephone in the short term. We would ask that these requests are made after 10am. Please also call after 10am for results, prescriptions can also be ordered via this website or by emailing simpson.scripts@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk

These appointments can be booked by telephone at any time between 8am and 6pm. For acute illnesses please phone at 8am in the morning for a same day appointment. Appointments can be either face to face (see the GP in person), or a telephone consultation.