Practice Policies
Mutual Responsibility
Routine access to a doctor of your choice and the availability of specialist health care at Hoveton & Wroxham Medical Practice is good. Yet we cannot hope to give all patients the appointment of their choice all the time.
If you require an urgent appointment, we cannot always arrange for you to see a doctor of your choice. All doctors have to respond to emergencies from time to time; so, occasionally, your consultation may be delayed. In such cases, all patients will get the best from our service if they are understanding and thoughtful of the needs of other patients.
Your Responsibilities
We would like you to treat doctors and practice staff with the same level of respect that you expect from them. The doctors require the receptionists to gather information for reasons detailed earlier in this leaflet, please answer them as fully and clearly as possible. If you cannot keep an appointment or if you change your address and telephone number don't forget to let us know.
We look forward to enjoying a good working relationship with all of our patients and are committed to achieving this, we would like you to feel the same.
Confidentiality
All records are entirely confidential and our aim is to keep them fully up to date.
Computerisation of all medical records produces many benefits for preventative medicine and prescribing and information held on computer systems could occasionally be used for research by authorised personnel only.
All computerised records are protected under the terms of the Data Protection Act. If you would like additional information, or do not wish for your records to be used for research purposes, please advise our Reception staff
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. An appointment will be required. In some circumstances a fee may be payable.