Practice Charter
Patient Information
Patients' Rights to General Medical Services:
Patients have the right to:
- Be registered with a general practitioner.
- Change doctor if desired.
- Be offered a health check on joining the practice.
- Receive appropriate drugs and medicines.
- Be referred for specialist or second opinion if the GP agrees.
- Have the right to view their medical records, subject to the Acts and to know that those working for the NHS are under legal obligation to keep the contents confidential.
With these rights comes responsibilities and for patients this means:
- Courtesy to the staff at all times - remember they are working under doctors' orders.
- Patients who are violent or abusive will be removed from the practice list.
- To attend appointments on time or give the practice adequate notice that they wish to cancel. Someone else could use your appointment!
- An appointment is for one person only - where another member of the family needs to be seen or discussed, another appointment should be made.
- Patients should make every effort when consulting the surgery to make best use of nursing and medical time. Home visits should be medically justifiable and not requested for social convenience.
- When requesting repeat prescriptions, please give us a minimum of 24 hours to allow for accurate prescribing.
- Out of hours calls (eg evenings; nights and weekends) should only be requested if they are felt to be truly necessary.
Complaints/Comments
We always try to give you the best services possible, but there may be times when you feel this has not happened. We have a procedure in place to enable you to let us know if you have a complaint or concern about the
service you have received from either doctors or staff working at this practice. Please ask for a leaflet should you wish to comment. All complaints will be recorded and written complaints will be acknowledged within five
working days of receipt.
Freedom Of Information - Publication Scheme
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 obliges the practice to produce a Publication Scheme. A Publication Scheme is a guide to the 'classes' of information the practice intends to routinely make available. This scheme is
available from reception.
Confidentiality
The practice computer is registered under the Data Protection Act and strict confidentiality is maintained. All staff are bound by strict rules of confidentiality and sign a confidentiality agreement when commencing
work at the surgery. Patients can request access to their own written and computer records. If copies of a computer printout are required a charge is made for this to cover costs incurred. Access to medical records for
people outside the health care team (or who are involved in the patient's clinical care) is only given with the patient's express written permission.
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