Patient Rights
You will be treated with respect and as a partner in your care. Being a partner means you have responsibilities too.
We will:
- Ensure our Patient’s have 24 hour access to medical service.
- 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 and views 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. We would respectfully ask that you:
- Let us know if you intend to cancel an appointment or are running late.
- Treat staff with courtesy and respect. Reception staff may have to ask some personal questions to assist us in providing you with the best service.
- Inform the practice staff of any alterations in your circumstances, such as change of surname, address or telephone number. Please ensure that we have your correct telephone number.
As Patient’s, you are responsible for your own health and that of any dependants. 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.
In the modern Health service we recognise that clients have rights and responsabilities.
Your rights:
- To be treated with respect and consideration at all times
- To have your concerns listened to seriously, and to be fully involved in decisions about your care
- To have relevant information about your care provided to you in a way that you can understand and consent to
- To have appropriate and timely examination, investigation, referral or treatment
- To have any information you reveal to us treated with confidentiality
- To have access to your medical records under the Data Protection Act
- To have your cultural and religious beliefs respected
- Not to be discriminated against on the grounds of religion, race, gender, age, cultural or political background, sexual orientation, disability or due to the nature of your illness
Your responsibilities
- To be civil in your dealings with practice staff – in particular, our staff will not tolerate abusive or threatening behaviour directed against themselves or against other patients
- To be considerate of the rights and needs of other patients in the waiting area
- To be punctual for surgeries and appointments, and to cancel your appointment if you cannot attend
- To reveal such details of personal or family history, domestic arrangements, previous treatments or illnesses which may be relevant to your management – all these matters will be treated confidentially
- To comply with agreed advice and treatment
- To inform the doctor or nurse if you are receiving concurrent treatment from another practitioner, or taking over-the-counter medications or cures
- Not to damage or deface practice equipment, property or furnishings