Your Rights

The Practice accepts the patient right to:

• Receive quality health care including prevention and health screening as well as continuing care.
• Be referred to a specialist by our own GP when considered appropriate.
• Be provided with information on all aspects of your care, including the alternatives available before you agree to treatment.
• Receive prompt treatment in an emergency.
• See your medical records going back to November 1991 in the presence of a doctor or a senior member of the staff. Certain details may be withheld if your GP believes this is in your best interests. You will be told if this is the case.
• Have complaints investigated thoroughly, speedily and without prejudice. Confidentiality at all times.

When you visit the Surgery

• You will be treated as an individual, with dignity, courtesy and respect at all times, irrespective of your ethnic origin, sexuality, religious belief, personal attributes or the nature of your health problems.
• Patients need for privacy will be respected at all times.
• Wherever possible we will provide an area set-aside for confidential conversations between patients and reception staff.
• We will return reports for information for non-medical bodies (solicitors, insurance, companies etc) within three weeks, unless greater urgency is stressed. Our medical work takes priority.

The Patient - How You Can Help

• Patients should extend the same courtesy and politeness to the practice team, as they would expect to receive. ‘Out of Hours’ visits (evening visits, night visits, visits at weekends and on Bank Holidays) should only be requested where they are essential and for an urgent medical necessity. Telephone calls at night time should only be made where they cannot be left until the next day. The duty doctor usually has to work the next day and will appreciate it if all calls for advice are restricted to essential matters.
• Please remember that appointments are for one person only. Where another family member needs to be seen, even for the same symptoms you need to make a separate appointment.
• Whilst privacy will be respected by staff, patients should indicate whether they wish an appointment for routine information, i.e. test results, health checks etc.
• To request repeat prescriptions in good time (at least 48 hours).
• To seek help and advice for non-urgent conditions during normal surgery hours.
• To value and respect advice on treatment.
• To make every effort to be on time for appointments and to notify the practice as soon as possible if you are unable to keep the appointment.
• To understand that it is not the receptionists fault if the doctor is delayed.