Other Information

Non NHS Services

Medical Examinations

The doctors are able to perform official medical examinations for patients such as elderly drivers, heavy goods vehicle drivers, pre-employment and fitness to undertake sports and to travel. They will also complete reports for insurance and personal injury claims and provide various other services. These do not form part of their NHS work and are therefore subject to a fee. Details can be obtained from reception.

Travel Advice & Other Immunisations

It is particularly important to prevent disease when travelling abroad. Our nurses can advise you on sensible precautions and give the appropriate vaccinations. You will need to make an appointment at least six weeks before your intended date of travel. There may be a charge for certain vaccinations.

Suggestions or Complaints

We aim to provide a high quality service and are very interested in hearing how our systems could be improved. Furthermore, if you are unhappy with any aspect of your treatment please contact the practice manager or her deputy who will be happy to listen to your suggestions or criticisms and initiate any appropriate action. Further details of our complaints procedure are available from reception.

If you need advice, have concerns, or don't know where to turn or you wish to take a complaint further contact the PATIENT ADVICE AND LIAISON SERVICE (PALS) on 01903 505456 or email pals@westsussexcpct.nhs.uk.

Confidentiality Statement

All doctors, nurses and administration staff who work in the practice are aware that patient confidentiality must be respected at all times. Any information about any patient must not be divulged in any way outside the surgery. It is a breach of confidentiality even to disclose that a person is registered with the practice. Staff should restrict their own access to patients' records to that which is necessary in order to carry out their duties.

Information about patients (including those under 16) is not given to relatives or friends without their consent. Please do not ask any member of the practice team to provide any information about another person without that person's written consent. Such a request will always be refused.

Access to medical information is given to relevant clinicians outside the practice only with the patient's explicit consent. Access to records is given to other agencies only with the patient's express written consent.

The practice is registered under the Data Protection Act 1998. The principles contained within this Act protect the processing of all Health Records, both electronic and written and ensure that patients' records are only passed to those other people who are entitled to receive them within the provisions of the Act.

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.

Access To The Health Centre For Disabled Patients

There is a wheelchair ramp next to Shoreham Library which provides access to the health centre. There is also a lift from the health centre car park entrance.

Parking

There is a car park underneath where you may be able to park while visiting the health centre. Please do not use it while shopping as this prevents other patients from being able to park.

Carers

Are you someone who is looking after a relation, friend or neighbour who is ill, frail or disabled? If so please let us know (at reception) so that we can record this.

If you need help or advice please contact the Carers Liaison Service on 01903 528600.

Access To Personal Medical Records

Everyone is entitled to see their medical records within 21 days of asking to see them. You may have a computer summary which should have details of all your important medical conditions and events. This will cost £10. If you still feel that you need a photocopy of something in the old written notes then there is a charge of 35p per sheet for photocopying up to a maximum of £50. Copies of your latest blood test result or hospital referral letter are free.

If your doctor feels that there is something in the record that needs explaining to you then they can request that you make an appointment to see them and a charge can be made for this consultation.

To collect the notes in person from the practice you will need to bring with you some form of identification (passport, driving licence, utility bill, bank card etc).

If you plan to move abroad permanently, make sure you get copies of your notes from us before you move, because it is very difficult to retrieve them later.

Chaperones

This practice is committed to providing a safe, comfortable environment where patients and staff can be confident that best practice is being followed at all times. There will be occasions when the doctor or nurse or the patient themselves considers that it is appropriate for a chaperone to be present during an examination. All patients should feel free to ask for a chaperone. The patient will be given a choice as to whether a member of staff provides the chaperone, or a person of their own choice. It may be embarrassing to the patient if a staff member is known to them, so a choice of alternative staff member may be necessary. If necessary another appointment may have to be made for the examination.

Patient Surveys

Occasionally we do a survey of patients' views and the results are sent away for analysis. It is completely anonymous, but it helps us to know how we are doing and what we need to change. It is very helpful in enabling us to improve our service and we are very grateful to those of you who have completed a survey. We publish the results of our survey in our practice newsletter and if you want to see the results please ask at reception. The PCT will also do a survey by post of randomly selected patients. If you receive one of these in the post, please reply to it as it helps us to provide you with a good service.

Referral To Hospital - Choose & Book Scheme

We now have a new way of arranging your hospital appointments for most types of referral. It is called Choose and Book and allows you to ring the hospital of your choice and choose a time and date of appointment to suit you. This means that you can fit your hospital appointment in with your life rather than the other way round. If your GP has decided to refer you to hospital, we will post to you the details of your reference number and details of the number to ring to book you’re appointment.  You may have a free copy of your referral letter, please leave a stamped addressed envelope at the surgery for the secretary to post you a copy of the letter once it has been typed.

Primary Care Trust

This practice comes under the auspices of: -

West Sussex Primary Care Trust

The Causeway, Goring-by-Sea, Worthing, West Sussex BN12 6BT
Telephone (01903) 708400 Fax (01903) 700981 www.westsussexpct.nhs.uk

Details of primary medical services in the area can be obtained from the PCT.

The PCT provide services for: -

Violent patients, drug misuse and care of the homeless which this practice does not provide.

The functions of the PCT are due to be taken over in the next few years by the Coastal West Sussex GP Federation.

Registration of Patients and Medical Records are dealt with by the Primary Care Support Service.

Brooklands House, Lancing, West Sussex, BN158AF Telephone 01903 756800.

Rights and Responsibilities of patients

As a patient, you can expect to be treated by an appropriate health care professional. Sometimes this will involve referring you to a specialist. You should expect to be treated courteously, in privacy, and what you say will be confidential. You should receive a good quality of care. We aim to continually improve services, concentrating on prevention as well as treatment.
You in turn should be courteous and respectful to staff, you should try and manage minor illness yourself, you should attempt to comply as best you can with recommended treatment, and you should make every attempt to attend appointments, and if this is not possible, you should telephone the surgery to cancel an appointment at the earliest opportunity.
Your co-operation in helping us to help you will enable us to provide the best possible service to all our patients.
The practice operates an equality policy and does not discriminate on the grounds of race, gender, social class, age, religion, sexual orientation, appearance, disability or medical condition.
In line with other NHS organisations this practice operates a Zero Tolerance Policy in respect of unacceptable behaviour by patients (or any persons accompanying them).
Violent, abusive or threatening behaviour, including verbal, may lead to the police being called and / or removal from the practice list.
For a more detailed list of Rights and Responsibilities, please ask at reception.