GENERAL INFORMATION

How to Register

If you live in the area of our practice, as listed below, please call in to reception to complete an application form to join the practice. The practice staff will enter your details on the computer. As it takes up to 6 – 8 weeks for your notes to be transferred from your previous GP we ask all our new patients to book in with our Health Care Assistant for a new patient medical.

Ampthill, Clophill, Eversholt, Flitton, Flitwick, Greenfield, Houghton Conquest, Haynes West End, Lidlington, Maulden, Millbrook, Pulloxhill, Ridgmont, Silsoe, Stewartby and Westoning

Change of Address

If you change your address or telephone number please inform us as soon as possible, if we need to contact you urgently it is very important that we have the correct contact number. If you move out of the practice area you need to register with a Doctor in your new locality.

Temporary Residents

We are prepared to see patients who are temporary residents in the area should medical advice be required.

Laboratory Tests and Results

Please hand laboratory specimens into Reception before 11.30am on weekdays. The results of most blood, urine tests and X-rays can be given over the telephone. In order to maintain confidentiality results will only be given to the patients themselves, or to parents of children. When enquiring for a result please telephone after 2pm, when the switchboard is quieter and results will have been received and reported on by a doctor. Sometimes the Receptionist will ask you to make an appointment with your Doctor to discuss the result.

Sickness Certificates

A sickness certificate completed and signed by your Doctor is only required for an absence from work for more than seven days. Absences of up to three days do not require certificates, and absences for between three to seven days are covered by a "self certificate". These forms are available from your employers who should be aware of these rules.

New Patient Medicals

Patients newly registered at the Practice are offered a check-up with our Health Care Assistant. It is important that all new patients take this opportunity to be seen as it can take between 6 - 8 weeks for your medical notes to arrive from your previous GP. The HCA will take details of your repeat medications, height, weight and any other important illness that we need to be aware of.

Non NHS Medical Examinations

These include medical examination for HGV licences and insurance purposes. These are by appointment with your Doctor and will be charged as recommended by BMA.

DATA PROTECTION ACT – PATIENT INFORMATION

We need to hold personal information about you on our Computer system and in paper records to help us to look after your health needs, and your doctor is responsible for their accuracy and safe-keeping. Please help to keep your record up to date by informing us of any changes to your circumstances.

Doctors and staff in the practice have access to your medical records to enable them to do their jobs. From time to time information may be shared with others involved in your care if it is necessary. Anyone with access to your record is properly trained in confidentiality issues and is governed by both a legal and contractual duty to keep your details private.

All information about you is held securely and appropriate safeguards are in place to prevent accidental loss.

In some circumstances we may be required by law to release your details to statutory or other official bodies, for example if a court order is presented, or in the case of public health issues. In other circumstances you may be required to give written consent before information is released – such as for medical reports for insurance, solicitors etc.

To ensure your privacy, we will not disclose information over the telephone or fax unless we are sure that we are talking to you. Information will not be disclosed to family, friends or spouses unless we have prior written consent, and we do not leave messages with others. You have a right to see your records if you wish. Please ask at reception if you would like further details.

Suggestions and Complaints

If you have any complaints about any aspects of the service we offer please discuss the difficulties as soon as possible with your own Doctor or the Senior Partner. If he or she is not available we will always ring you back as soon as possible.

Violence Against GPs and their Staff

THE NHS zero tolerance zone is a nationwide campaign to stop violence against staff working in the NHS.

The campaign has been initiated by the Secretary of State for Health, and has the full support of the Home Secretary, the Lord Chancellor and the Attorney General. Violence means any incident where GPs or their staff are abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances arising out of their work, involving an explicit or implicit challenge to their safety, well-being or health.

Staff working in the NHS so to care for others. They do not go to work to be victims of violence.

Aggressive, violent and threatening behaviour does not go with the job and will not be tolerated any longer. Violence against staff working in the NHS is a crime and employers will work with the police locally to prevent it. Individuals behaving violently towards staff will be reported to the police.

Those few patients in Bedfordshire who are violent or abusive to GPs or their staff will in future only be treated at the Secure Treatment Scheme run by the local health services in Luton.

ZERO TOLERANCE MEANS RIDDING THE NHS OF INTIMIDATION AND VIOLENCE.

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