Medical Practice 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.
  • To the best of our ability, we will answer the telephone promptly and courteously.
  • You have a right to information about your own health (illness and treatment, possible side effects, prevention or recurring illness 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 and if a doctor feels that you are not well enough to attend the practice. The final decision rests with the doctor.
  • If your doctor believes that you need a second opinion then they will arrange this.
  • You will be given a time to see a doctor in accordance with the appointment system used in this practice. If there is a substantial delay for any reason, you will be given an explanation.
  • Repeat prescriptions will normally be ready within two working days from the surgery, or three working days for collection from a local pharmacy following your request arriving at the practice.
  • Routine referral letters for hospital appointments will normally be dispatched within three working days of the referral being agreed with the doctor.

 

Patient Responsibilities

 

  • We ask that you treat our doctors and all practice staff with courtesy and respect at all times. We have a strict policy regarding the breach of this agreement, whether by abusing the staff, or misrepresenting the advice and care offered to you by the practice and allied workers.
  • Please let us know if you are unable to keep an appointment. We can then offer this appointment to someone else.
  • Please contact the surgery between 8.00am and 10.00am for an urgent appointment during the day.
  • The first hour of the morning can be extremely busy. Please keep telephone calls brief.  Routine calls are handled later in the day, including queries around your health such as test results or prescription requests.
  • 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 address or name and remember to give your phone number and postcode.
  • If tests are ordered for you, please ask your doctor or a member of staff about receiving the results.
  • You can discuss any medical matter with the doctor, including asking for a second opinion.
  • Please check our website/practice leaflet for the procedure for getting repeat prescriptions.
  • Where an appointment or acknowledgement of a routine referral for a hospital appointment is not received within twelve weeks, contact the hospital concerned.
  • Please visit our website to get the best out of the services we offer.