Practice Charter

GPs' Responsibilities

• You will be treated as an individual and will be given due courtesy and respect at all times. You have the right to be treated confidentially.
• Respect for religious and cultural beliefs will be honoured.
• We will answer the telephone promptly and courteously.
• Home visits will be made when requested and if a doctor feels that you are not well enough or are too infirm to attend the surgery. The final decision rests with the doctor. Where possible visits to be requested before 11.00am daily.
• We may give you your test results when you telephone the surgery or you may be asked to make an appointment with the doctor to discuss them.
• On registering as a new patient you will be offered a health check with the nurse.
• You will be given a time to see a doctor in accordance with the system used in this practice. If there is a substantial delay for any reason, you will be given an explanation.
• Repeat prescriptions Please allow at least 48 hours before collecting repeat prescriptions. Please also note repeat prescriptions can now be ordered online, anyone interested should ask at reception for details.
• Routine referral letters for hospital appointments will normally be dispatched within one working day of referral being agreed with the doctor. Urgent referrals for hospital appointments may be faxed, telephoned or provided as a hand-written note for a patient to take to the hospital.

Patients' Responsibilities

• We ask that you treat our doctors and all practice staff with due courtesy and respect.
• The first hour of the morning can be extremely busy. Please take the advice given to you at the practice.
• Let us know immediately if you change your address or name and remember to give your phone number and postcode.
• Please contact the surgery between 8.30 and 11.00am for a home visit during the day which will be at the discretion of the doctor.
  A home visit for a genuine emergency can be requested at any time.
• If tests are ordered for you, please ask your doctor or a member of staff about receiving the results.
• Please let us know if you are unable to keep an appointment. We can then offer it to someone else.
• Please check our patient information booklet for the procedure for obtaining repeat prescriptions.