Practice Leaflet

Vacancies:

The Practice supports the NHS policy of Zero Tolerance which defines violence as:

“Any incident where staff are abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances related to their work, involving an explicit or implicit challenge to their safety, well-being or health”.

 

Violence and aggression towards a person may also be defined as:

“A physical contact with another person which may or may not result in pain or injury. The contact is uninvited and is an attempt to cause harm, injury or to intimidate. Non-physical aggression includes the use of language which causes offence or threatens the safety of a member of staff”.

Newtons Practice support for staff subjected to abuse

 

The Practice takes a serious view of any incidents of physical and verbal abuse against its employees and will support them, if assaulted, threatened or harassed, so long as the employee is correctly carrying out his or her duties.

 

The Practice Manager or supervisor will assist victims of violence with the completion of the Significant Event Form and where appropriate will report the incident to the police.

 

In the event of serious physical and or verbal abuse, patients causing this will be removed from the Practice List.

 

Our Practice staff are here to help you.

• Our aim is to be as polite and helpful as possible to all patients.
• If you consider that you have been treated unfairly or inappropriately, please ask the reception staff to contact the manager or supervisor, who will be happy to address your concerns.
• However, shouting and swearing at Practice staff will not be tolerated under any circumstances and patients who are abusive may be removed from the Practice List.
• Please help us to help you.

 

Actions following an incident

The Practice is required to report to CQC any incident reported to, or investigated by the police that is associated with the delivery of the service and affects or may affect the health, safety and welfare of a person using the service, its staff, or anyone who visits the service.

 

The Partners of Newtons Practice. July 2013

How information about you helps the NHS to provide better care

Information about you and the care you receive is shared, in a secure system, by health care staff to support your treatment and care.

It is important that the NHS, can use this information to plan and improve services for all patients. NHS England would like to link information from all the different places where you receive care, such as your GP, hospital and community service, to help us provide a full picture. This will allow them to compare the care you received in one area against the care you received in another, so they can see what has worked best.

Information such as your postcode and NHS number, but not your name, will be used to link your records in a secure system, so your identity is protected. Information which does not reveal your identity can then be used by others, such as researchers and those planning health services, to make sure we provide the best care possible for everyone.

How your information is used and shared is controlled by law and strict rules are in place to protect your privacy.

We at Newtons Practice need to make sure that you know this is happening and the choices you have.

Benefits of sharing information

Sharing information can help improve understanding, locally and nationally, of the most important health needs and the quality of the treatment and care provided by local health services. It may also help researchers by supporting studies that identify patterns in diseases, responses to different treatments and potential solutions.

Information will also help to:

•  find more effective ways of preventing, treating and managing illnesses;
• guide local decisions about changes that are needed to respond to the needs of local patients;
• support public health by anticipating risks of particular diseases and conditions, and help us to take action to prevent problems;
•   improve the public’s understanding of the outcomes of care, giving them confidence in health and care services; and
• guide decisions about how to manage NHS resources fairly so that they can best support the treatment and management of illness for the benefit of patients.

What will NHS England do with the information?

We will only use the minimum amount of information we need to help us improve patient care and the services we provide.

We have developed a thorough process that must be followed before any information can be shared. We sometimes release information to approved researchers, if this is allowed under the strict rules in place to protect your privacy. We are very careful with the information and we follow strict rules about how it is stored and used.

We will make sure that the way we use information is in line with the law, national guidance and best practice. Reports that we publish will never identify a particular person.

Do I have a choice?

Yes. You have the right to prevent confidential information about you from being shared or used for any purpose other than providing your care, except in special circumstances. If you do not want information that identifies you to be shared outside your GP practice, please visit https://www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters/# and set your opt out preference. This will prevent your confidential information being used other than where necessary by law, (for example, if there is a public health emergency).

You will also be able to restrict the use of information held by other places you receive care, such as hospitals and community services.

Your choice will not affect the care you receive.

Do I need to do anything?

If you are happy for your information to be shared you do not need to do anything. Thereis no form to fill in and nothing to sign and you can change your mind at any time.

If you have concerns or are not happy for your information to be shared, visit https://www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters/#

Where can I get more information?

Leaflets in other languages and formats are available from the website.

For more information, please go to the website at https://www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters/#

You can also get further information from the website at www.hscic.gov.uk.

Or you can speak to staff at your GP practice.

Named Accountable GP for all our patients.

 

All our patients will have a named GP who will have overall responsibility for the care and support that our surgery provides to them.   Confirmation of that GP will be highlighted on your repeat prescription or when you come in and see a clinician. If you are not sure which GP is your accountable doctor, please ask at Reception.

 

The named GP will work with other relevant health and care professionals to ensure that patients’ care packages meet individual needs. Please let us know if you have a preferred GP – you can contact us, write on your  prescription  counterfoil or better still when you next see a GP tell them your preference.

 

This does NOT mean that you  can only see your accountable GP nor will they be  responsible  for 24 hour care. Many of Newtons Practice GPs are part time and so you will still be able to continue to choose to see  any GP or nurse who is  available.

We are a Training Practice

This practice is an appointed general practitioner training practice and often benefits from the services of GP registrars. These are fully qualified doctors with extensive hospital experience who hope to enter general practice.

Telephone calls are recorded for training and monitoring purposes.

Video Consultations

There may be times when the Registrar will need to video their consultations for their learning program.  This is a powerful tool in developing effective communication skills when viewed by their trainer alongside the Registrar and remains completely confidential.

We will always ask you for your permission and ask you to sign a consent form beforehand and then again after the consultation.

You will be given the choice to decline this offer, and your decision will be fully respected and will not  affect the care you are given.

We are also a recognised Training practice for all aspects of Family Planning .

We run a Family Planning clinic on a Tuesday afternoon for patients of the practice led by Dr Gwynne-Hellier.

Covid 19 privacy notice

Privacy Notice for Enhanced Access scheme

Privacy Notice for Direct Care

Privacy Notice for Emergencies

Privacy Notice for National Screening Programmes

Privacy Notice for Payments

Privacy Notice for Care Quality Commission

Privacy Notice NHS Digital

Privacy Notice Public Health

Privacy Notice Risk Stratification

Privacy Notice Safeguarding

Privacy Notice Summary Care

 

Information in relation to Summary Care Records in light of Covid-19

Purpose – During the Covid19 pandemic practices have been told to share details of patients personal confidential and special category data onto the summary care record. The NHS in England uses a national electronic record called the Summary Care Record (SCR) to support patient care. It contains key information from your GP record. Your SCR provides authorised healthcare staff with faster, secure access to essential information about you in an emergency or when you need unplanned care, where such information would otherwise be unavailable.

Legal Basis – Direct Care

The relevant COPI notice states that its purpose: “…is to require organisations to process confidential patient information for the purposes set out in Regulation 3(1) of COPI to support the Secretary of State’s response to Covid-19 (Covid-19 Purpose). “Processing” for these purposes is defined in Regulation 3(2) and includes dissemination of confidential patient information to persons and organisations permitted to process confidential patient information under Regulation 3(3) of COPI. Full details of the Summary Care Record supplementary privacy notice can be found here

 

Patients have the right to opt out of having their information shared with the SCR by completion of the form which can be downloaded here and returned to the practice. Please note that by opting out of having your information shared with the Summary Care Record could result in a delay care that may be required in an emergency. Processor – NHS England and NHS Digital via GP connect

 

Confidentiality

The practice complies with Data Protection and Access to Medical Records legislation. Identifiable information about you will be shared with others in the following circumstances:

• To provide further medical treatment for you e.g. from district nurses and hospital services.
• To help you get other services e.g. from the social work department. This requires your consent.
• When we have a duty to others e.g. in child protection cases Anonymised patient information will also be used at local and national level to help the Health Board and Government plan services e.g. for diabetic care.

If you do not wish anonymous information about you to be used in such a way, please let us know.

Reception and administration staff require access to your medical records in order to do their jobs. These members of staff are bound by the same rules of confidentiality as the medical staff.

 

COMPLAINTS

We make every effort to give the best service possible to everyone who attends our practice.

However, we are aware that things can go wrong resulting in a patient feeling that they have a genuine cause for complaint. If this is so, we would wish for the matter to be settled as quickly, and as amicably, as possible.

We operate a practice complaints procedure as part of a NHS system for dealing with complaints. To pursue a complaint please contact the Practice Manager who will deal with your concerns appropriately.   You can either phone or write and your complaint with will dealt with as per the practice complaints procedure.

Julia Storr, Practice Manager.  Email: sxicb-wsx.newtons.reception@nhs.net  Tel: 01444 412280

 Further written information is available on the complaints procedure from reception desk and on the website:

Complaints procedure leaflet for patients

If you are unhappy with the practice response, you can contact NHS Sussex:

NHS Sussex Complaints Team:  0300 140 9854 (excluding weekends and bank holidays)

Via Post:

NHS Sussex, Sackville House, Brooks Close, Lewes, BN7 2FZ

Email: sxicb.complaints@nhs.net

If you are making a complaint, please put “For the attention of the complaints team” in the subject line.

 

Alternatively contact your local Healthwatch:  0300 012 0122  Website: https://www.healthwatchwestsussex.co.uk/

Other useful contacts:

Independent Complaints Advocacy Service (ICAS) – West Sussex Phone: 0300 303 8536

Email: icas@westsussexcab.org.uk

Chaperone Policy

Newtons Practice is committed to providing a safe, comfortable environment where patients and staff can be confident that best practice is being followed at all times and the safety of everyone is of paramount importance.

All patients are entitled to have a chaperone present for any consultation, examination or procedure where they feel one is required. On occasions you may prefer a formal chaperone to be present, i.e. a trained member of staff.

Wherever possible we would ask you to make this request at the time of booking appointment so that arrangements can be made and your appointment is not delayed in any way. Where this is not possible we will endeavour to provide a formal chaperone at the time of request. However occasionally it may be necessary to reschedule your appointment.

Your healthcare professional may also require a chaperone to be present for certain consultations in accordance with our chaperone policy.

If you would like to see a copy of our Chaperone Policy or have any questions or comments regarding this please contact Ms Nicola Serdiuk the Reception Manager.

Consent to contact

Please note that consent to contact via mobile phone (phone call or SMS) will be assumed if no other option is marked on the registration form or when the mobile phone number is provided to the Practice.

Dear Patients,

You may have become aware of a Government initiative to extract data from patient records for the purposes of health service planning. The practice has received numerous enquiries and the main points have been summarised for your perusal:

GPs are legally required, under the Health and Social Care Act 2012, to disclose data to the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) for the purposes of the national data programme unless an individual patient has objected.

This means, as a practice, we do not have a choice.

Practices have an obligation to raise awareness in patients so you understand these changes and that you, the patient, has an opportunity to object and how to do so (please see below).

Extraction commenced in 2018

Patients may also obtain further information by visiting  https://www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters/#  where you will find further information. Leaflets are available in our waiting areas.

Patients who have opted out of Summary Care Record (SCR)

National data opt out and Summary Care Record are two quite different initiatives:

Summary Care Record

-is an electronic health record that provides healthcare staff with rapid access to essential information about a patient in order to provide them with direct care and treatment.

National data

-extracts data from all care settings to ensure commissioners and providers obtain a more complete and balanced picture of care being delivered to NHS patients to address variations in the quality, efficiency and equity of health service provision.

Opt-out of Summary Care Record does NOT opt patients out of National data

Note:  Any unidentifiable data will still be extracted from all records regardless of patient choice.

Patient Handout

Summary Care Record

The NHS proposes to introduce a shared care record enabling medical agencies to access and share information, if clinically necessary.

Patients are able to Opt Out of this scheme and the form can be downloaded using the link below.

Opt Out form

If you wish to Opt Out please complete the form and return it to us.

Information regarding Summary Care Records in light of Covid-19

Purpose – During the Covid19 pandemic practices have been told to share details of patients personal confidential and special category data onto the summary care record. The NHS in England uses a national electronic record called the Summary Care Record (SCR) to support patient care. It contains key information from your GP record. Your SCR provides authorised healthcare staff with faster, secure access to essential information about you in an emergency or when you need unplanned care, where such information would otherwise be unavailable.

Legal Basis – Direct Care

The relevant COPI notice states that its purpose: “…is to require organisations to process confidential patient information for the purposes set out in Regulation 3(1) of COPI to support the Secretary of State’s response to Covid-19 (Covid-19 Purpose). “Processing” for these purposes is defined in Regulation 3(2) and includes dissemination of confidential patient information to persons and organisations permitted to process confidential patient information under Regulation 3(3) of COPI. Full details of the Summary Care Record supplementary privacy notice can be found here

 

Patients have the right to opt out of having their information shared with the SCR by completion of the form which can be downloaded here and returned to the practice. Please note that by opting out of having your information shared with the Summary Care Record could result in a delay care that may be required in an emergency. Processor – NHS England and NHS Digital via GP connect

 

 

Patients have the right to see their medical records and where copies of records are requested, a fee may be applicable.

Please contact the practice manager for further information or alternatively visit www.westsussex.nhs.uk/summary-care-records or telephone the dedicated NHS Summary Care Record Information Line on 0300 123 3020.