Surgery policies and procedures

Data Protection Act / Confidentiality

The practice adheres to the data protection act of 1998. Within this we observe strict confidentiality in the Practice. Details from your medical records cannot be released without your permission unless requested by a court or if there is a danger of serious harm to your self or others. We would advise, however that necessity of disclosure of information to others Health professionals for the purpose of referrals or other clinical procedures. Plus Verification of Post Payment within the NHS.

The practice endeavours to give the highest level of care to the patients. To make this possible the practice uses Databases in relation to various conditions: This assists us in staying in contact with our patients when it is necessary and also enables us to review their medical care on a regular bases. if you should have any queries on the above they should be put in writing to Jacqui Munro, Practice Manager

Complaints Procedure

We operate a practice complaint procedure and a patient information leaflet can be obtained from reception. Initially any complaints should be put in writing to Jacqui Munro, Practice Manager.

Your Rights and Responsibilities

As a patient you have the right to be treated with respect by the surgery staff, and at the same time the responsibility to treat staff in the same way. In particular, we request patients to keep appointments and where this is not possible, inform us with us much notice as possible. This will enable the allocation of the appointments to others who may need them urgently, and minimise wastage of valuable appointment time.

Violent or Abusive Patients

Violent or abusive behaviour is fortunately rare in our practice however, we do 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.

Policy for Late Attendance for Surgery Consultations

We appreciate the effort our patients make to attend their appointment on time and therefore do our best to run as close to the booked appointment times as possible. Enforcing a late attendance policy assists the practice in doing this.

Patients who arrive more than 6 minutes late to an appointment will be recorded as a 'did not attend' and will be advised by reception to arrange another appointment. 

Receptionists are not permitted to interrupt doctors during surgery to request them to see late patients.