general information

TEMPORARY RESIDENTS

You are entitled to see a doctor anywhere in the UK if you are away from home and are in need of medical help. We will be happy to see any friends or relations staying with you if they need a doctor.
 

DISABLED ACCESS

The surgery is provided with safe and easy access to wheelchair users and those with walking difficulties. A disabled patients' WC is accessed from the main corridor.
 

CHANGE OF ADDRESS/TELEPHONE NUMBER

Please inform us immediately if you change your address or telephone number (including ex-directory numbers). Failure to do so may result in you being taken off our doctors? lists by South West Essex PCT.
 

PRIMARY CARE TRUST (PCT)

We are part of South West Essex PCT. We work with other GPs in the area (as well as with the District Council, Social Services, voluntary agencies and members of the public) to improve local services and introduce relevant health improvement programmes.
 

CONFIDENTIALITY AND USE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

We ask you for personal information so that you can receive appropriate care and treatment and this information is kept secure. This information is recorded on computer and we are registered under the Data Protection Act. No personal health information will be disclosed to a third party without prior consent of the patient, other than in exceptional circumstances when it is felt to be in the public interest. There are occasions when we have to share information about you with others such as hospitals, Social Services or the Health Authority. We ensure confidentiality by following strict guidelines and removing all non-essential personal identifiers.

All those working in the NHS have a legal obligation to maintain patient confidentiality.

If at any time you would like to know more about the way we use your information contact the practice manager.
 

PRACTICE CHARTER

You, as patients, together with all partners and staff, have certain rights as well as responsibilities towards each other. The practice charter outlines these rights and responsibilities.
 

MEDICAL RECORDS

The practice team will keep your medical records entirely confidential.
Every patient has a right of access to information held about them, unless it is likely to cause serious harm to their mental or physical health. If you wish to see your medical records or have copies of them (subject to payment of a fee) please consult the administrator.

Patient-held records, such as the Personal Child Health Record ('Red Book') and Antenatal Case Notes, should always be kept in a safe place and made available to all practitioners when they are needed. Reports for non-medical bodies (solicitors, insurance companies etc) are returned within three working weeks, unless we are asked to treat them as urgent.
 

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

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. Details of this scheme are available from reception.
 

SELF-HELP

We encourage all our patients to share the responsibility for their health. Many diseases can be avoided by a healthy lifestyle and without the need for drugs. You are likely to be fitter and have a more enjoyable life if you do not smoke, maintain a healthy diet and have regular exercise.

Many conditions get better on their own and can be treated successfully at home. Your pharmacist may be able to help you with these and advise about medications you can buy over the counter.
 

MUTUAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Patients, clinicians and staff, have certain responsibilities towards each other.

Appointments
Please arrive in good time and book in at reception. If you cannot attend for your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible in order that your appointment can be offered to another patient. On occasions surgeries can run late because earlier consultations have taken longer than normal or your doctor has been called out to an emergency. We will offer an explanation when this happens and ask for your understanding and patience at such times.

Telephone
We aim to answer the telephone promptly and courteously. Peak demand generally occurs during the early morning and mid-afternoon. If possible, please telephone at other times - you will find it easier to get through.

Access
Please remember that your doctor may not always be available due to other commitments, holidays etc and you therefore need to book in advance to see a specific doctor. We will ensure that you will be able to see a doctor for acute need within 48 hours.

Change in Circumstance
We will keep you informed of changes within the practice that are likely to affect you. Please let us know if you change your name, address, telephone number (including ex-directory numbers) etc so that our records for you and other members of your family are up to date. Failure to do so may result in you being taken off our practice list by the Health Authority.

Zero Tolerance
We support the government's NHS zero tolerance zone campaign. GPs and their staff have the right to care for others without fear of being attacked or abused. Violent patients will be reported to the police and struck off the GP's list. We ask that you treat your GP and practice staff properly - without violence or abuse.

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