Practice Charter

You will be treated with respect and as a partner in your care. Being a partner means you have responsibilities too.

Patients’ Rights

We will:

  • Ensure our patients have 24-hour access to medical advice.

  • Aim for you to have access to a suitably qualified medical professional within 48 hours of your initial contact during surgery hours, or in an urgent case, the same day.

  • Work in partnership with you to achieve the best medical care possible.

  • Involve you and listen to your opinions in all aspects of your medical care.

  • The prevention of disease, illness and injury is a primary concern. The medical staff will advise and inform you of the steps you can take to promote good health and a healthy lifestyle.

Patients’ Responsibilities

In order for the Practice to run smoothly, there are things we need ask of our patients:

Appointments

  • Wherever possible, you book routine appointments, preferably by phone or before leaving the building if the doctor has requested to see you again.

  • You arrive on time for your appointment.

  • Please phone and cancel an appointment as far ahead as possible if you are unable to keep it.

  • You understand that although we offer appointments, we have no way of knowing whether it will be necessary to spend more than the allotted time with a patient and you may be kept waiting beyond your appointment time. We would normally expect to see you within 30 minutes of your appointment time.

  • Please bear in mind that the reception staff are carrying out our instructions. Bad language and abusive behaviour towards any member of the practice staff will not be accepted.

  • If you are being seen as an Emergency patient you will not be given an appointment time. You will normally be seen in the order of arrival and you may have to wait for a considerable time. Please ensure you follow any guidance given to you by the receptionist about when to arrive at the surgery.

Repeat Prescriptions

  • Please request repeat prescriptions well before you run out of medication.

  • Requests are to be made on the tear off slips provided with your computer produced prescription and not by phone. If you provide a stamped self-addressed envelope we will return your prescription to you.

  • Prescriptions can also be ordered online via this website.

Visits

  • Wherever possible you attend the surgery rather than request a visit.

  • Requests for visits should be made before 12 noon wherever possible, to enable the doctors to plan their rounds efficiently within the practice area.

  • Give the receptionist brief details of your medical condition (to help the doctors to prioritise visit requests) and your telephone number.

As patients, you are responsible for your own health and that of any dependents. It is important that you adhere to information and advice given to you by health professionals, and co-operate with the practice in endeavouring to keep you healthy.