PRACTICE CHARTER

The surgery

YOUR RIGHTS

As a patient of this practice you can expect:

to be seen the same day for conditions you and your doctor agree are urgent.
to be seen by a doctor within two working days for non-urgent conditions.
to have your records treated confidentially, subject to your wish to have relatives and friends informed of the progress of your treatment.
to be seen within thirty minutes of any appointment you are offered at the surgery, and failing this an explanation.
to be seen at home at your doctor's discretion.
to have your long term medication and treatment reviewed at agreed intervals.
to be informed (through leaflets, this site etc.) of the practice's services and how best to use them.
to receive healthcare in clean, comfortable and appropriate surroundings.
to be treated with courtesy.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

We would expect you:

to treat the doctors and practice staff with courtesy.
to be punctual for your appointment time, or if you are unable to attend, to cancel.
to make more than one appointment if more than one person needs to be seen.
to be prepared to make further appointments if you have numerous or complicated problems.
to be patient if appointment times are running late - it may be you who needs the extra time on another occasion.
to ask for a home visit only if the illness prevents you from attending the surgery - children can usually be brought to the surgery safely.
to contact the out of hours service only in cases of an emergency which cannot wait until the next working day.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The practice is registered with the Data Protection Act, and takes its duty to protect confidential information seriously. All staff are trained in and regularly reminded of the arrangements for keeping patient data private. However, if you have concerns about the way that your data is being handled, or any other aspect of the service, please contact Jude Bedderson, practice manager.

We can remove you from our practice list, as a last resort, if we find that you cannot meet your responsibilities. Violence towards staff will not be tolerated and you will be taken off the list immediately. You may choose to register with another practice if you find that we cannot meet your needs or expectations.