Practice Policies & Patient Information
Accessible Information Standard
The Practice wants to communicate better with our patients to ensure that we always meet the Accessible Information Standard. This will allow the practice to identify those patients who may need extra help from staff, adaptations to correspondence sent to patients, methods of communication and external assistance. In order for the practice to understand patients needs we need you to tell us what changes you require.
Therefore, we need to make sure you are able to read and understand the information we send to you. If you find it difficult to read our letters, and need the information in braille, large print or easy to read please let us know so this information can be entered on your records and the correct format can be sent to you.
If you need someone to support you at appointments a British sign language interpreter/advocate or support for those hard of hearing or deaf, please let us know so we can arrange for this within the practice.
The practice is committed to helping all of our patients to receive the best treatment and experience when accessing our services. Please inform us when you next visit the practice so we can make these changes for you.
Complaints/Praise
All members of the practice team are keen to provide patients with the best possible care. If you are unhappy about something we have or have not done for you please let us know. We are always seeking to improve our service and your comments could help others in the future.
If you have a serious complaint and feel you require an explanation or apology please ask the practice manager for information on the practice complaints procedure.
Data Protection Act
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.
Subject Access request
The right of access gives individuals the right to obtain a copy of any personal information that is held about them . An individual is only entitled to their own personal data.
Subject access requests can be made in writing to the Practice Manager . You may be asked to verify your identity .
Freedom of Information Act
The practice is registered under this Act and information can be requested from the practice manager.
General Data Protection Regulations
GP Net Earnings
GP Earnings
The average pay for GP’s working at the North Leverton Surgery in 2022-23 was £34,138 before tax and National Insurance. This is for 2 full time GP’s, 1 part time GP and 2 locums.
Named Accountable GP
All patients have been allocated an accountable named GP who will have overall responsibility for their care and support provided by the surgery.
The allocation has been based on alphabetical order of patients Surname.
Although your accountable GP will have overall responsibility for your care this does NOT prevent you from seeing any GP within the practice as you currently do.
Sharing Your Health and Care Records
Information used to support your care
When you see a doctor, nurse or any other health or social care professional, we ask you to share information about yourself. This helps us offer treatment and care adapted to your needs. We keep a record of relevant information, which may be written down or held on computer. This record is known as your health, medical or care record.
Your care record may include:
- Basic details about you such as name, address and next of kin
- Details of any diagnosis and treatment you receive including drug prescriptions
- Results of investigations such as blood tests and X-rays
- Details of contact you have with other health or social care professionals such as visits to clinics
- Relevant information from other professionals and those who care for you Different health and care professionals involved in your care may make their own notes, so you may have care records in different parts of the NHS and social care services.
Record Sharing
In order to deliver the best integrated health and social care services to you in the Bassetlaw area we share relevant personal data between professionals involved in your care – this means sharing records between your GP, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospital, Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust, GP out-of-hours, EMAS ambulance services, 111 provided by Yorkshire Ambulance Service and other health and social care organisations including the Local Authority, which would only be used for the benefits of sharing health information.
Sharing your records helps us to ensure you receive the safest, most appropriate care for you, and reduces the need for you to repeatedly tell your story.
Security & Confidentiality
NHS and social care staff will ensure that all personal data is handled in a lawful manner.
Information about you is securely managed and controlled within Bassetlaw area NHS and social care systems. We won’t usually share your records with anyone who isn’t involved in your treatment, care or support.
Your Rights
You have the right to access your records – for more information please ask your care provider.
You have the right to opt out of your records being shared at any time. However, by not agreeing to share your records you may not always receive the best available service that meets your specific needs.
For Further Information
Please discuss with your GP, reception, or see the Bassetlaw CCG website:
A brief film has also been produced regarding the local service which showcases inspiring stories from local people who have used and benefited from the service during the pilot phase.
This can be viewed via the following link to the YouTube channel – Bassetlaw Telehealth Pilot.
Summary Care Record
There is a new Central NHS Computer System called the Summary Care Record (SCR). It is an electronic record which contains information about the medicines you take, allergies you suffer from and any bad reactions to medicines you have had.
Why do I need a Summary Care Record?
Storing information in one place makes it easier for healthcare staff to treat you in an emergency, or when your GP practice is closed.
This information could make a difference to how a doctor decides to care for you, for example which medicines they choose to prescribe for you.
Who can see it?
Only healthcare staff involved in your care can see your Summary Care Record.
How do I know if I have one?
Over half of the population of England now have a Summary Care Record. You can find out whether Summary Care Records have come to your area by looking at our interactive map or by asking your GP
Do I have to have one?
No, it is not compulsory. If you choose to opt out of the scheme, then you will need to complete a form and bring it along to the surgery. You can use the form at the foot of this page.
More Information
For further information visit the NHS Care records website
Violent or abusive Patients
The practice operates a policy of zero tolerance to the above. Patients who are violent or abusive towards a doctor, staff or persons present on practice premises will be quickly removed from our practice list. Violence includes actual or threatening physical violence or verbal abuse leading to fearing for a person’s safety. We reserve the right to report the matter to the police.
Your Medical Records and Confidentiality
All medical records, written and computerised, are confidential and information from records cannot be disclosed to anyone other than the patient unless authorisation has been attained. However patients have a legal right to have access to their own medical records under the Data Protection Act 1998 and applications to view records should be in writing and patients should be aware that a fee will be payable.
The practice complies to the statutory requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the misuse of Computers Act 1990.
The Practice share the full patient record to Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) clinicians for direct care purposes and demographic details to allow direct appointment booking.