Patient’s Rights to General Medical Services
- To be offered a health check on joining a doctor’s list for the first time.
- To have appropriate drugs and medicine prescribed.
- To be referred to a Consultant acceptable to them when they and their GP thinks it is necessary, and to be referred for a second opinion if they and their GP think it is advisable.
- To have access to their health records, subject to any limitations of the law, and to know that those working for the NHS are under a legal duty to keep those records confidential.
- To choose whether to take part in research or medical student training.
- To receive a copy of their doctors practice leaflet, setting out the services that he or she provides.
- To receive a full and prompt reply to any complaints they make about the care they receive at the Brook Health Centre/ Silverstone Surgery.
Brook Health Centre/Silverstone Surgery Philosophy
Our aims are to offer the highest standard of health care and advice to our patients, with the resources available to us.
We have a team approach to patient care and endeavour to monitor the service provided to patients, to ensure that it meets current standards of excellence.
We are dedicated to ensuring that Practice staff and Doctors are trained to the highest level and to provide a stimulating and rewarding environment in which to work.
Our Practice Charter
- You will be treated with courtesy and respect by all Practice personnel.
- An urgent appointment with a Doctor or Nurse Practitioner will be available on the same day.
- A non-urgent appointment with a doctor will be offered as soon as possible
- Our standard is to see 80% of patients within 20 minutes of their appointment time. If you have waited longer than this, please ask the Receptionist for an explanation.
- We aim to answer the telephone within six rings.
- An appointment with a Practice Nurse will be available within three working days.
- Requests for repeat prescriptions will be dealt with within 72 hours.
- All comments and suggestions about the service are welcome. Please use the box provided in the waiting area.
- If you have a complaint, please speak to any member of staff. Your complaint will be dealt with in a professional and efficient manner.
- We wish to make the Brook Health Centre/ Silverstone Surgery as accessible as possible. If you have hearing, visual, or physical difficulties please let the receptionist know so that we can enable you to fully use our services.
Patient’s Responsibilities
- If you are unable to attend for an appointment, please let us know so that we can offer it to someone else.
- If you are late for your appointment you may be asked to rebook at another time. Try to let us know in advance if you are going to be unavoidably delayed, so that we can make alternative arrangements to help you.
- A home visit should only be requested for those who are unable to come to the surgery because of serious illness or infirmity. Please ring the surgery before 10.00am if possible.
- An urgent appointment is for an urgent medical problem. Please speak to the Receptionist if you require a sick / fit note or repeat prescription.
- We would ask you to be patient if the Doctor is running late. This is often due to unforeseeable emergencies but please ask for an explanation from the Receptionist.
- Make a separate appointment for each patient that needs to be seen. This allows the Doctor enough time to treat each patient with the time that they deserve.
- Please act in a responsible and courteous manner whilst on the Practice premises for the safety and comfort of others.
Please treat all surgery staff, fellow patients, carers and visitors politely and with respect, Violence or verbal harassment will not be tolerated or accepted. You may be asked to register with another surgery if this behaviour occurs.
Patient Access To Medical Records
In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 patients are entitled to request to see their medical records. The records can be viewed on the computer in the presence of a Clinician or a copy can be printed and collected from the practice reception. The request must be made in writing with a signature to the Practice Manager and will be dealt with within 21 days. A GP may refuse the right to release the medical records of a patient in certain circumstances. A fee of £10 will be charged for a copy of electronic medical records and £50 will be charged for copies of paper records.
Zero Tolerance
The practice upholds a zero tolerance policy. Any patient who is violent and/or abusive to doctors, health care professionals or any member of staff on the practice premises will not be seen in the surgery.
More information here.
Confidentiality - Protection And Use Of Patient Information
The computer system is part of the national programme for IT and connected to the NHS spine. The spine is part of the electronic summary care record which is available to NHS staff involved in your care anywhere in the country and will allow for better care of patients. If you do not want your medical details to be shared on this you are able to opt out. Everyone working for the NHS has a legal duty to keep information about you confidential. We only ever use or pass on information about you if people have a genuine need for it in your own and everyone’s interest. Whenever we can we remove details that identify you.