As from 1st April 2015, all patients registered at Earls Barton Medical Centre will be allocated a named accountable GP (usual GP).

If you would like to know the name of your accountable GP then please ask at the surgery.

What does this mean to you?

You are unlikely to see any notable change in the way care is delivered to you by the practice as this is just a formalisation of our current process.

You should continue to book appointments with the practice in the same way with the GP of your choice however if your usual GP is available then we would encourage you to book with them where possible for continuity of care.

Please note that although our GPs work alongside other Health and Social Care Professionals to deliver care needs, your ‘Accountable named GP’ will not be responsible for the care provided by any agency other than Earls Barton Medical Centre.

EBMC CHAPERONE SERVICE

OUR STAFF HAVE RECEIVED TRAINING IN “GUIDANCE AND THE ROLE AND EFFECTIVE USE OF CHAPERONES IN PRIMARY CARE”.

• The role of the Chaperone is to provide comfort and support for the patient and protection for the health care practitioner
• To ensure the patients’ dignity and privacy is upheld
• To identify unusual or unacceptable behaviour
• To ensure the room is suitable and the consultation will not be disturbed during your examination.

Should you wish to have a chaperone present during your consultation, please ensure you speak with a receptionist or your GP.

Your Data Matters to the NHS

Information about your health and care helps us to improve your individual care, speed up diagnosis, plan your local services and research new treatments. The NHS is committed to keeping patient information safe and always being clear about how it is used.

How your data is used

Information about your individual care such as treatment and diagnoses is collected about you whenever you use health and care services. It is also used to help us and other organisations for research and planning such as research into new treatments, deciding where to put GP clinics and planning for the number of doctors and nurses in your local hospital.  It is only used in this way when there is a clear legal basis to use the information to help improve health and care for you, your family and future generations.

Wherever possible we try to use data that does not identify you, but sometimes it is necessary to use your confidential patient information.

You have a choice

You do not need to do anything if you are happy about how your information is used. If you do not want your confidential patient information to be used for research and planning, you can choose to opt out securely online or through a telephone service. You can change your mind about your choice at any time.

Will choosing this opt-out affect your care and treatment?

No, choosing to opt out will not affect how information is used to support your care and treatment. You will still be invited for screening services, such as screenings for bowel cancer.

What do you need to do?

If you are happy for your confidential patient information to be used for research and planning, you do not need to do anything.

To find out more about the benefits of data sharing, how data is protected, or to make/change your opt-out choice visit www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters

Download a copy of the patient leaflet

ALL MEMBERS OF THE PRIMARY CARE TEAM ARE DEDICATED TO A QUALITY POLICY TO ACHIEVE HEALTH SERVICES WHICH MEET THE PATIENT’S REQUIREMENTS.

SURGERY PREMISES:

Our surgery building will be welcoming, easy for patients to find their way around and appropriate to the needs of users, including the disabled.

PATIENTS’ RIGHTS TO GENERAL MEDICAL SERVICES:
Patients have the right to:

• be registered with a General Practitioner
• change doctor if desired
• receive emergency care at any time from the practice
• receive appropriate drugs and medicines
• be referred for specialist or second opinion if they and the GP agrees
• have the right to view their medical records, subject to the Acts and to know that those working for the NHS are under legal obligation to keep the contents confidential.

ACCESSING MEDICAL RECORDS:

• The Patient Services Manager will assist any patient wishing to have access to their own medical record, subject to the relevant Acts.
• The patient’s doctor will be available to explain medical terminology within the legal timescales.

COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS & COMPLAINTS:

• The Practice Complaints Manager is responsible for handling comments, suggestions and complaints about any service provided by the practice
• All constructive comments and suggestions will be considered by the practice
• All complaints will be recorded, and written complaints will be acknowledged within five days of receipt. We will respond to all complaints within 12 weeks. Where a complaint is made about a doctor, the patient will be able to discuss this with another doctor in the practice, if preferred.

CHANGES TO PROCEDURES:
When changes are introduced to practice procedures that affect patients, we will ensure that these are clearly explained, by means of this brochure; waiting room notice-boards or individual leaflets.
REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS:
The procedure for obtaining repeat prescriptions will be explained in our Practice Leaflet. Prescriptions will be available from the reception desk – 48 hours notice (two working days) (5 working days for hospital prescriptions) for a repeat prescription is required.
REFERRALS:

• Urgent referrals to other health and social care agencies will be made within one working day of the patient consultation
• We will normally process non-urgent referrals within five working days of the patient consultation or the doctor’s decision to refer.

TEST RESULTS:
When a doctor or nurse arranges for a test to be taken the patient will be informed about how to obtain the result.
TRANSFER OF MEDICAL RECORDS:
The Practice will endeavour to dispatch any medical record required by the Health Authority within seven working days and same day if the request is urgent.
PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY:
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 give you the best possible advice and care. This is information is only available to those involved in your care and you should never be asked for personal medical information by anyone not involved in your care. You have a right to know what information we hold about you. If you would like to see your records, ask to speak to the Patient Services Manager.
APPOINTMENTS:
With a Doctor: For routine consultations we will endeavour to offer patients an appointment within two working days of the request. For medically urgent requests, we will offer an appointment on the same day.
With a Practice Nurse: For routine appointments we will offer an appointment within five working days.
HOME VISITS:
The practice policy for home visits is explained on page 13.
OUT OF HOURS EMERGENCIES:
We will do everything possible to ensure that our system for contacting the duty doctor is easy to follow, reliable and effective.
WAITING TIMES:

• surgeries will normally start on time
• we expect patients to be seen within twenty minutes of their appointment time, and in the event of a delay we will offer an explanation
• when a doctor is called away on an emergency we will inform the patients and give them an opportunity to book an alternative appointment, or if preferred, to be seen by another doctor.

With these rights come responsibilities and for the patients this means:

• Courtesy to the staff at all times – remember they are working under doctors’ orders
• Please cancel your appointment if you are unable to attend. Someone else could use it!
• Please be punctual, but be prepared to wait if your own consultation is delayed by an unexpected emergency
• An appointment is for one person and one problem only – where another member of the family needs to be seen or discussed or you wish to discuss more than one problem, another appointment should be made
• Patients should make every effort when consulting the surgery to make best use of nursing and medical time – home visits should be medically justifiable and not requested for social convenience
• When patients are asked to give 48 hours notice for repeat prescriptions, please give us this time as it is to allow for accurate prescribing
• Use the tear off slip to request your repeat prescription whenever possible. Please attend for review, when asked, before your next prescription is due
• Out-of-hours calls (e.g. evenings; nights & weekends) should only be requested if they are felt to be truly necessary
• Do not ask for information about anyone other than yourself
• Tell us of any change of name or address, so that our records are accurate
• Do let us know whenever you feel we have not met our responsibility to you
• We would, of course, be pleased to hear when you feel praise is due as well

There is a new Central NHS Computer System called the Summary Care Record (SCR). It is an electronic record which contains information about the medicines you take, allergies you suffer from and any bad reactions to medicines you have had.

Why do I need a Summary Care Record?

Storing information in one place makes it easier for healthcare staff to treat you in an emergency, or when your GP practice is closed.

This information could make a difference to how a doctor decides to care for you, for example which medicines they choose to prescribe for you.

Who can see it?

Only healthcare staff involved in your care can see your Summary Care Record.

How do I know if I have one?

Over half of the population of England now have a Summary Care Record. You can find out whether Summary Care Records have come to your area by looking at our interactive map or by asking your GP

Do I have to have one?

No, it is not compulsory. If you choose to opt out of the scheme, then you will need to complete a form and bring it along to the surgery. You can use the form at the foot of this page.

More Information

For further information visit the NHS Care records website

Download the opt out form

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 and record in the patient’s medical records the fact of the removal and the circumstances leading to it.