Patient charter

Our patients have the right to:

• Be treated courteously and with respect for their privacy, dignity and religious and cultural beliefs.
• Receive care and treatment on the basis of need.
• Be given clear information about any treatment or care proposed.
• Give or withhold consent to medical or other care and treatment.
• Choose whether or not to take part in GP or nurse training.
• See any reports made for insurance or employment purposes and information about them held on the computer.
• Be kept informed if they are waiting more than 20 minutes over their appointment time.
• Request a trained chaperone for their appointment.

Our patients have a responsibility to:

• Treat the practice staff courteously and with respect.
• Keep appointments made or notify the practice as soon as possible if they are unable to attend.
• Attend appointments on time.
• Attend the surgery wherever possible rather than ask for a home visit.
• Not expect a prescription at every visit; many illnesses are short term and do not require medication.
• Order repeat prescriptions at least 48 hours before they are needed.
• Advise surgery of change of address or contact numbers.
• Participate in annual reviews of their health as requested by the surgery.