General Information

Access To Medical Records

Requests for access to medical records should be made in writing to the practice manager. The practice complies with the Data Protection Act and Access to Health Records Act.

Bereavement

If one of our patients dies please contact reception and we will advise you. If the patient was recently seen by a doctor and death was expected, the doctor can visit and confirm the death and issue a death certificate. The Funeral Director will need to be contacted. If the death occurs out of hours and was expected, our out-of-hours team will confirm the death, notify us and we can arrange the death certificate when we re-open. In the event of an unexpected death, the doctor will need to notify the coroner. You will then be given further instructions.

Change Of Address

It is important that you/your family keep us up to date of any change in address or telephone numbers as incorrect information causes us problems if we need to contact you or make a referral. You can do this by completing a Patient Update Form available from Reception. The completed from should be returned to Reception team. You may be asked to reregister if you have moved outside the practice area.

Complaints/Suggestions

If you have any queries or worries, please let us know. We are always interested in improving our services to our patients. If you wish to do this informally, please use the suggestion box in reception. For other complaints please telephone or write to the practice manager.
If you have any concerns, suggestions, queries or comments about local NHS services whether it be in the practice, community or local hospital, you can contact them Monday to Friday, between 09:00 – 17:00 at:
NHS North Central London PALS and Complaints Service
Freepost RSSE-SHET-UJTL
NHS North Central London PALS & Complaints
5th Floor, Stephenson House, 67-87 Hampstead Road, London, NW1 2PL
Tel: 020 3317 3003 / Email: pals.ncl@nclondon.nhs.uk

Confidentiality

It is a legal requirement that confidentiality of patient records is maintained at the highest level by all staff. We keep confidential patient information on our computer system and comply with the Data Protection Act. We may occasionally share information with other healthcare professionals. Please advise us if you do not wish such information to be shared.

Data Protection

We are registered with the Data Protection Agency and are bound by the rules governing the collection and storage of personal data. Patients are entitled to see their medical records and to have copies for a small fee. We recommend that if you wish to see your records a time is arranged to do this with your registered GP as there may be medical terminology that requires explanation.

Freedom Of Information - Publication Scheme

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 obliges the practice to produce a Publication Scheme. A Publication Scheme is a guide to the ‘classes’ of information the practice intends to routinely make available.

Fit Notes

If you’re off work sick for seven days or less, your employer should not ask for medical evidence that you’ve been ill. From April 2010 workers who are off sick for longer than seven days will receive fit notes instead of sick notes. Doctors will still be able to say someone is not fit for work, but they will also be able to detail aspects of jobs workers can still perform. The onus will be on employers to help staff return to work in some capacity.

Non-NHS Services

The surgery charges for all non-NHS services provided including private certificates, prescriptions, insurance claim forms, reports, passports, and driving licence forms.
Payment in advance by cash or cheque is required for all non-NHS services. Our current tariff of fees is clearly displayed in the surgery. Medicals for insurance, employment, fitness to travel etc, are by special appointment only. A fee will be charged for such appointments. We need signed patient consent to release any report and please clearly indicate if you wish to see the report before it is sent.

Parking And Disabled Access

There are pay and display areas on Regent's Park Road and the surrounding areas. The surgery has one disabled parking bay which is for the use of disabled patients. We also have a mobile ramp for patients in a wheelchair. Please ask at the Reception desk for help.

Zero Tolerance

We strongly support the NHS policy on zero tolerance. Anyone that is attending the surgery who abuses the GPs, staff or other patients be it verbally, physically or in any threatening manner whatsoever, will risk instant removal from the practice list. In extreme cases we may summon the police to remove offenders from the practice premises.