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Practice
Charter
GPs'
Responsibilities
You will be treated as an individual and
will be given courtesy and respect at all times. You have the right to be treated
confidentially. Respect for religious and cultural beliefs will be honoured.
Normally,
we will answer the telephone promptly and courteously.
You have the right
to information about your own health (illness and treatment, possible side effects,
prevention of recurring illnesses etc).We will offer medical advice and information
for promotion of good health.
You have the right to see your own medical
records subject to the limitations of the law. A charge may be made.
Home
visits will be made when requested if the doctor considers that you are not well
enough to attend the surgery. The final decision rests with the doctor.
We
may give you test results when you telephone the surgery in accordance with the
doctor's suggested interval, or you may be asked to make an appointment with the
doctor to discuss results.
You will be given a copy of our practice booklet
on registering as a new patient, and offered a health check.
If the doctor
believes that you need a second opinion, then he/she will arrange this.
You
will be given a time to see the doctor in accordance with the system used at this
practice. If there is likely to be a substantial delay for any reason, then you
will be given an explanation.
Repeat prescriptions will normally be ready
within 48 hours of your written request being received at the surgery.
If
you are 75 years or over, we will offer you annual health checks.
If you are aged between 16 years and 74 years inclusive, and have attended neither a consultation nor a clinic at the surgery within the preceding three years, you may request a consultation.
Patients'
Responsibilities
We ask that you treat the doctor and all
practice staff with courtesy and respect.
The first hour of the morning
is the busiest time. Please keep telephone calls brief. When the surgery is closed,
telephone only if you consider the problem urgent.
You are responsible
for your own health and that of your children. Please take the advice given to
you at the practice.
Let us know immediately if you change your name or
address, and remember to give us your postcode and telephone number.
Please
speak to a member of the practice staff if you wish to see your medical records.
This may then be arranged with the doctor. You may be charged a fee.
Please
contact the surgery between 9.00 and 10.00am for a home visit during the day.
Night
visits should be requested only if truly necessary.
If tests are ordered
for you, please ask the doctor or a member of staff about receiving the results.
You
can discuss any medical matter with the doctor, including asking for a second
medical opinion.
Please let us know if you are unable to keep an appointment
as we could offer it to another patient.
Please acquaint yourself with the procedure used to obtain repeat prescriptions.
Our staff have the right to work in safety. We do not tolerate abusive or threatening behaviour from our patients
at any time and adopt the NHS's Zero Tolerance policy. If necessary, patients may be asked to leave the practice.
Suggestions and Complaints
We hope to provide an efficient and friendly service to our patients at all times.
We are open to any suggestions as to how you would like our services improved.
Please contact our practice manager, Mr David James.
Data Protection And Freedom Of Information
The practice is registered under the Data Protection Act and conforms to its requirements and those of the Freedom of Information Act.
From time to time the Primary Care Trust may inspect records held by the practice in order to monitor
performance and verify claims. We are careful to ensure that patient information
is kept totally confidential, but disclosures to the Primary Care Trust or other
organisations directly related to the care of our patients are inevitable (for
example, for sending invitations for child immunisations, smear tests etc).
From time to time the practice carries out research projects in conjunction with the
MRC (Medical Research Council). We would always seek your written consent (after
discussion) before disclosing any information.
Referrals For Further Care
At times, it may be appropriate for the doctor to
refer you to a hospital consultant. This would normally be done through the NHS “Choose and Book” system, which
provides the patient with the opportunity to choose from a selection of hospitals and subsequently book the date
and time of the relevant appointment. The doctor will advise you of the choice of hospitals available at the time
of your consultation. Further details of the “Choose and Book” system are available within the surgery.
There may be occasions when it is not appropriate to
refer you through the “Choose and Book” system, eg the service is not available or it represents continuing care.
In this case, a referral letter will be sent to the hospital, who will subsequently contact you. If an appointment
or acknowledgement is not received within four weeks (or two, if the referral is urgent), please contact the
hospital.
Urgent referrals may be faxed, telephoned to the
hospital, or provided as a letter or handwritten note which is given to the patient to take to the hospital.
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