Patient Services
Confidentiality
Everyone working for the NHS has a legal duty to keep information about patients confidential. However, information may sometimes need to be shared with other organisations involved in your care (eg hospital or social services). We will require your written consent before passing information about you to anybody else.
Comments and Complaints
We always aim to provide the best service possible but if you have a complaint about any aspect of the service you have received, please let us know by contacting the practice manager, Valerie Taylor, either by phone or in writing.
In accordance with the NHS complaints procedure, your complaint will be acknowledged within two working days and will be dealt with within 10 working days.
You will be given an information leaflet detailing our complaints procedure when you make a complaint, or at any other time if you request one.
Database
The practice is fully computerised. All prescriptions are checked automatically to exclude interactions with other medication or allergies. The computer also helps us to remind you when certain check-ups are due. Information about you remains confidential and is never divulged without your consent, although anonymised data is used for research. You need to tell us promptly about changes of address etc. to keep our records up to date.
Firearms Certificates
We have a practice policy not to complete forms in support of firearms. Please refrain from asking as refusal only causes offence.
Freedom of Information—Publication Scheme
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 obliges the practice to produce a Publication Scheme. A Publication Scheme is a guide to the ‘classes’ of information the practice intends to routinely make available.
This scheme is available from reception.
Health Checks
Our Practice Nurses are happy to discuss many aspects of prevention of illness including advice on diet, exercise, stopping smoking and holiday vaccinations.
Medical Records
All current registration details and medical records originated after 2001 are held in an electronic form on computer. We also keep all the old paper records on file. Only authorised persons have access to this information and the practice is registered under the Data Protection Act 1998.
If you require copies of your records for non-legal purposes, please speak to one of the receptionists. You may be charged an administrative fee for this service.
New Patients
You may register with the practice if you live within the Practice area, details of the practice area are enclosed for reference. Patients joining the Practice will be offered a health check with our Practice Nurse, as part of our programme for health promotion.
NHS Direct
Is a 24 hour health advice line, staffed by nurses and health information advisors. They will advise you as the best course of action to take for particular health problems.
Tel: 0845 4647 or online at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Patients Charter 2010
Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of the patient to ensure that they are punctual to appointments. If for any reason you cannot attend your appointment, please inform us as soon as you can so we can give the time to somebody else. Please respect other patients by staying with the doctor for your allocated time only. One appointment last’s around ten minutes, if you think you’ll need more time please book a double appointment.
Rights
It is the right of the patient to choose which practitioner they would like to see, although please be aware that you may have to wait longer to see your selected doctor. If you have a problem that you wish to discuss in private, please inform our receptionists and they will do their best to accommodate for you.
Telephone Advice
If you wish to speak to a GP or Practice Nurse on the telephone other than in an emergency, the receptionist will give you the appropriate time to ring back when the Doctor or Practice Nurse is likely to be able to take your call. It would help if you are able to leave a message with the receptionist as to the reason for your call so that the Doctor or Practice Nurse can have the appropriate information to hand.
Tests Results
Please pick up the relevant form at reception if your Doctor has arranged for some tests.
If you have to go for an X-RAY or ULTRASOUND examination, it will be at THE CALDERDALE ROYAL HOSPITAL.
THE OPENING TIME ARE:
Weekdays 9.00 am—Noon 1.00 pm—4.00 pm
BLOOD SPECIMENS will be taken at THE CALDERDALE ROYAL HOSPITAL
THE OPENING TIME ARE:
Weekdays 9.00 am—4.00 pm
ALL DEPARTMENTS ARE CLOSED ON BANK HOLIDAYS.
TIME TAKEN FOR RESULTS TO RETURN BACK TO PRACTICE
|
Blood tests (most) |
5 working days |
|
Cervical Smears |
3—5 weeks |
|
General swabs & Stool specimens |
5 working days |
|
Mid stream urine |
4 working days |
|
Pregnancy test |
Variable (ask at reception for this) |
|
Vaginal swab |
3 working days |
|
X-Rays |
10-14 working days |
The practice reserves the right to remove from our list any patient who is abusive or violent to any staff or other patients.
Zero Tolerance