Confidentiality

We ask for information about you so that you can receive the best possible care and treatment. We keep this information, together with details of your care, to ensure that your doctor or nurse has accurate and up-to-date records.

There are times when we have to pass on information about you to other institutions such as hospitals, Social Services or the Health Authority. This is always done confidentially or by removing your identifying details when they are not essential.

Everyone working for the NHS has a legal duty to maintain the highest level of confidentiality about patient information. We are a computerised practice, registered under the Data Protection Act.

Suggestions & Complaints

We aim to provide a high quality service and we are always interested in hearing how you, as patients, feel that our system might be improved.

If you feel that at any time we have not met these high standards in any aspect of our treatment, please contact the Office Manager, Mrs. D Phoenix, who will be happy to discuss any such matters with you.

GP Registrars

This doctor will have had experience of working in a hospital and is attached to our practice before obtaining a practice of his/her own.

Medical Students

We train medical students for the University of Liverpool. Placement at a GP surgery is a vital part of their training. The students may simply be observing our GP’s or nurses. However, they may ask to take a history and examine you before you see the doctor for your appointment.

You will be informed before your appointment if a medical student is in attendance. If you do not wish to see a medical student please do not hesitate to inform a member of the reception staff.

PREFERRED PRACTITIONER
Patients registered at St George’s Medical Centre are registered with the practice, rather than with a particular GP. However, you have a right to express a preferred GP when booking an appointment. Please see the information under ‘Appointments’ on page 4 of this booklet for more details.

APPOINTMENTS
Once you have booked an appointment, it is your responsibility to attend at that time. If you are unable to attend an appointment, please ring the practice as soon as possible to rearrange or cancel. Please do not miss appointments.

CHAPERONE
During your consultation, it may be necessary for you to be examined. If you wish to be accompanied, you can either bring a friend or relative with you, or have a member of staff/nurse accompany you. If you require either of the two options, please inform your doctor or nurse at the beginning of the consultation.

ZERO TOLERANCE CAMPAIGN
This practice supports the Government’s Zero Tolerance Zone Campaign. GPs and their staff have the right to care for others without the fear of being attacked or abused. The Government asks that you treat your GP and practice staff properly, without violence and abuse. Violent patients will be reported to the police and removed from the practice list. For more information, please visit www.nhs.uk/zerotolerance.

AUDITING
To ensure the provision of quality care we undertake audit. From time to time you may be asked to complete a questionnaire. The results will enable us to improve future care and facilities; your time and cooperation will be greatly appreciated on this matter .

AMMENDING DETAILS
Please make sure that you keep us up-to-date with your contact details. We have forms available at reception to cover changes in name, address, and telephone number. If, for any reason, these details change, please obtain appropriate form(s) from reception and fill in all the details as requested. Please return them to us as soon as possible. We also have forms to correct inaccuracies in our records with regards your date of birth. Please be aware that we ought to have any changes put to us in writing.

DISCLOSURE: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000
Patients have the right to request information from their medical records. This may be necessary if you are making a personal injury claim, for example. Such requests might be made by your insurance company or solicitor. Please note that we are unable to release your actual documented notes, only the information they contain. Therefore, information may be provided as a photocopy of your notes or as a print out of electronic notes. A fee may be charged to cover the cost of producing these documents.