Patient’s rights and responsibilities

As a patient you have the right to:

  • Be registered with a named doctor, all our patients have a named accountable GP, but remember that you may have to see any of our doctors.

  • Have your problem assessed when you call reception and be booked in at the practice or signposted to an Urgent Care Facility.

  • Receive appropriate drugs and medicines (NHS hospitals are contracted to provide you with the first 7 days of a new medication. Private hospitals should also provide medication, or if they are unable to give patients this, an expectation that your GP will look at their request within 4 weeks).

  • Be referred for specialist or second opinion if they and GP agrees.

  • See your medical records or a copy, subject to certain laws.

  • Know that by law, everyone working for the NHS must keep the contents of your medical records private. With these rights come responsibilities for the public. That means:

     a.  you must be courteous to staff at all times;
     b.  you must ensure you are as prompt as possible for all appointments; and
     c.   you are responsible for cancelling appointments in adequate time.

We respect your right to privacy and keep all your health information confidential and secure. It is important that the NHS keeps accurate and up-to-date records about your health and treatment so that those treating you can provide the best possible care. We have a fully computerised medical record system which means information about your healthcare is held on a secure server. You have the right to know what information we hold about you. Please ask the receptionist if you wish to see or obtain a copy of your record. If you are referred to a hospital specialist you are also welcome to request a copy of the referral letter.

We aim to treat our patients courteously at all times and expect our patients to treat our staff in a similarly respectful way. We take seriously any threatening, abusive or violent behaviour against any of our staff or patients. If a patient is violent or abusive, they will be warned to stop their behaviour. If they persist, we may exercise our right to take action to have them removed, immediately if necessary, from our list of patients.

All routine appointments operate on a waiting list based system. if your problem is classed as routine, reception will keep your details and phone you back when an appointment becomes available. if the problem is urgent, you may be booked in to the emergency list at the practice if there are appointments or instead, signposted to urgent care if not.

Nurses based at our practice treat patients for a wide range of common conditions (e.g. minor injuries/illnesses, removing stitches, immunisations and so on). You can expect to see a nurse within two working days. Our practice nurses are also specially trained to run routine clinics for certain conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease. (Each of our nurses specialises in a different area, so you need to book ahead with the most appropriate person). Our reception staff will be able to advise whether a nurse appointment is appropriate.

We work closely with other healthcare professionals who are part of our Primary Health Care Team working in the community, such as the district nursing team, midwives and health visitors. If you have an illness or incapacity that means that you need nursing care in your own home, the district nurse will visit you. Patients who are likely to benefit from this service include the housebound, the elderly, people with a terminal illness, and those who have recently been discharged from hospital. District nurses provide wound care, palliative care, continence advice, health promotion advice and advice on coordinating care packages. If you move permanently into a care home locally, the district nurse may be able to continue your care. Your GP may also be willing to continue to care for you, or a number of GPs may provide services for the residents of local care homes.