Practice Charter Standards

These are the local standards set within this practice for the benefit of our patients. We are commited to giving you the best possible service. Following discussion with you, you will receive the most appropriate care, given by suitably qualified people. No care or treatment will be given without your informed consent. In the interest of your health it is important for you to understand all the information given to you. Please ask us questions if you are unsure of anything.

Our Responsibility To You

Names: People involved in your care will give you their names and ensure that you know how to contact them. The surgery should be well signposted and the doctors’ names are indicated on their surgery rooms.

Waiting Time: We run an appointment system in this practice. You will be given a time at which the doctor or nurse intends to see you. You should not wait more than 30 minutes in the waiting room without receiving an explanation for the delay.

Access: You will have access to a doctor rapidly in case of emergency, within half a working day in cases of urgency, and otherwise within three working days. We will arrange a home visit as appropriate for those who are too ill or infirm to be brought to the surgery.

Telephone: We will try to answer the phone promptly and to ensure that there is sufficient staff available to do this. You will be able to speak to a doctor by telephone.

Test Results: If you have undergone tests or x-rays ordered by the practice, we will inform you of the results at your next appointment. If no further appointment needs to be arranged, we will advise you when and how to obtain the results.

Respect: Patients will be treated as individuals and partners in their health care, irrespective of their ethnic origin, sexual orientation or religious and cultural beliefs.

Information: We will give you full information about the services we offer. Every effort will be made to ensure that you receive that information which directly affects your health and the care being offered.

Health Promotion: The practice will offer patients advice and information on: steps they can take to promote good health and avoid illness; self-help which can be undertaken without reference to a doctor in the case of minor ailments.

Your Responsibility To Us

Help Us To Help You

Please let us know if you change your name, address or telephone number.

Please do everything you can to keep appointments. Tell us as soon as possible if you cannot. Otherwise, other patients may have to wait longer.

We need help too. Please ask for home visits by the doctor only when the person is too ill to visit the surgery.

Please keep your phone call brief and avoid calling during the peak morning time for non-urgent matters.

Test results take time to reach us, so please do not ring before you have been asked to do so. Enquiries about tests ordered by the hospital should be directed to the hospital, not the practice.

We ask that you treat the doctors and practice staff with courtesy and respect.

Please read our practice booklet. It, along with this website, will help you to get the best out of the services we offer. It is important that you understand the information given to you. Please ask us questions if you are unsure of anything.

Remember, you are responsible for your own health and the health of your children. We will give you our professional help and advice. Please act upon it. Do ask if you wish to see your doctor.

HEALTH PROMOTION

Many serious diseases can be prevented by a healthy way of life; you may discuss the various ways of promoting improvements in your general health with a Doctor or Practice Nurse.

ALCOHOL

A small amount of alcohol will do no harm but it is important to know the limits. 1 units = 1 pub measure of spirits/1 sherry/half a pint of beer of lager. 2 units = 1 standard glass of wine Safe limits (spread over a week) are: Women 14 units Men: 21 units

DIET

To control weight and to reduce cholesterol in the blood to prevent heart disease.

EXERCISE

To reduce weight and increase wellbeing.

BREAST SCREENING

This is recommended for women from the age of fifty and is performed at the Jarvis Clinic, Guildford and at mobile clinics. Women are routinely recalled. Breast self-examination is encouraged for all ages and can be learnt from our practice nurses.

Zero Tolerance

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