Comments and Suggestions

Our aim is to provide our patients with the best possible care within the resources available to us and to deal with any problems as quickly and efficiently as possible.  Patients wishing to make constructive or critical comments on the services provided by the practice should leave comments in the suggestion box at reception.

Complaints

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 amicable, as possible.

To persue a complaint please contact the Practice Manager who will deal with your concerns appropriately.  Further written information is available regarding our complaints procedure from reception.

Confidentiality & Medical Records

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 eg from district nurses and hospital services.
• To help you get other services eg from the social work department.  This requires your consent.
• When we have a duty to others eg in child protection cases.

Reception, administration and nurisng 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.

Access to Medical Records

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.

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.

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.