Noticeboard

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From 2nd January 2018, the Family Practice will not be taking repeat prescription requests over the telephone.

You can request your repeat medication by the following methods:-

1. Using your repeat slip (right hand side of prescription) ticking the items you need to order and handing this slip into the practice or posting it to the practice.

2. Order Online - to set up an oline account please bring a form of ID to the Reception desk (this is for patients aged 16 years and older).

3. Fax your repeat medication slip to the practice.

We understand that this might not be popular with some patients but we hope that you will understand that safety is of paramount importance.

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REGIONAL EMERGENCY SOCIAL WORK SERVICE

02895049999

THE SERVICE IS AVAILABLE OUTSIDE NORMAL OFFICE HOURS INCLUDING WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Practice Policies

Confidentiality & Medical Records

Locked blue folder The practice complies with data protection and access to medical records legislation. Identifiable information about you will be shared with others in the following circumstances:

To provide further medical treatment for you e.g. from district nurses and hospital services.
To help you get other services e.g. from the social work department. This requires your consent.
When we have a duty to others e.g. in child protection cases anonymised patient information will also be used at local and national level to help the Health Board and Government plan services e.g. for diabetic care.

If you do not wish anonymous information about you to be used in such a way, please let us know.

Reception and administration staff require access to your medical records in order to do their jobs. These members of staff are bound by the same rules of confidentiality as the medical staff.

Freedom of Information

Information about the General Practitioners and the practice required for disclosure under this act can be made available to the public. All requests for such information should be made to the practice manager.

Data Protection

In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and Access to Health Records Act, patients may request to see their medical records. Such requests should be made through the practice manager and may be subject to an administration charge. No information will be released without the patient consent unless we are legally obliged to do so.

Access to Records

We use a processor, iGPR Technologies Limited ("iGPR"), to assist us with responding to report requests relating to your patient data, such as subject access requests that you submit to us (or that someone acting on your behalf submits to us) and report requests that insurers submit to us under the Access to Medical Records Act 1988 in relation to a life insurance policy that you hold or that you are applying for.

iGPR manages the reporting process for us by reviewing and responding to requests in accordance with our instructions and all applicable laws, including UK data protection laws.

The instructions we issue to iGPR include general instructions on responding to requests and specific instructions on issues that will require further consultation with the GP responsible for your care.

Patients' Rights and Responsibilities

Patients have the right to:

Be registered with a G.P.
Change GP if desired.
Be offered a health check on joining the Practice.
Receive emergency care at any time from the Practice.
Receive the appropriate drugs and medicines required.
Be referred to a specialist or have a second opinion granted if they and the GP agree to do so.
Have the right to view their medical record, subject to the relevant Acts and to know that those working for the NHS are under a legal obligation to keep the contents confidential.

Within these rights come responsibilities and for the patient this means:

Be respectful towards other patients and staff.
Cancel appointments in good time if unable to attend.
Share your concerns and provide suggestions that will help us supply you with quality service and care.

Complaints

Customer service form We make every effort to give the best service possible to everyone who attends our practice.

However, we are aware that things can go wrong resulting in a patient feeling that they have a genuine cause for complaint. If this is so, we would wish for the matter to be settled as quickly, and as amicably, as possible.

To pursue a complaint please contact the practice manager who will deal with your concerns appropriately. Further written information is available regarding the complaints procedure from reception.

Violence Policy

The NHS operate a zero tolerance policy with regard to violence and abuse and the practice has the right to remove violent patients from the list with immediate effect in order to safeguard practice staff, patients and other persons. Violence in this context includes actual or threatened physical violence or verbal abuse which leads to fear for a person’s safety. In this situation we will notify the patient in writing of their removal from the list and record in the patient’s medical records the fact of the removal and the circumstances leading to it.