Practice Policies & Patient Information
CQC General Information
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates all health and adult social care services in England, including those provided by the NHS, local authorities, private companies or voluntary organisation. It also protects the interests of people detained under the Mental Health Act.
The CQC makes sure that essential standards of quality and safety are being met where care is provided, from hospitals to private care homes. It has a wide range of enforcement powers to take action on behalf of people who use services if services are unacceptably poor.
The CQC’s aim is to make sure better care is provided for everyone, whether that’s in hospital, in care homes, in people’s own homes or elsewhere. Read more about CQCs vision and values
Involving people
The CQC makes sure that the voices of people who use health and adult social care services are heard by asking people to share their experiences of care services. It makes sure that users’ views are at the heart of its reports and reviews. In some cases patients and their carers work alongside inspectors to provide a user’s view of services.
Registration
By law all NHS providers (such as hospitals and ambulance services) must register with the CQC to show they are protecting people from the risk of infection. The registration system applies to NHS provider trusts (acute, ambulance, mental health and primary care) and the NHS Blood and Transplant Authority.
From October l 2010 all health and adult social care providers must be registered and licensed with the CQC to show they are meeting essential standards of quality and safety. Without registration, providers will not be allowed to operate.
Enforcement
The CQC has been given a range of legal powers and duties. It will take action if providers don’t meet essential standards of quality and safety, or if there is reason to think that people’s basic rights or safety are at risk.
The CQC can be flexible about how and when to use its enforcement powers, such as fines and public warnings. It can apply specific conditions in response to serious risks. For example, it can demand that a hospital ward or service is closed until the provider meets safety requirements or is suspended. It can take a service off the register if absolutely necessary.
Improvement
The CQC also carries out periodic and special reviews in order to improve health and social care in the UK.
The CQC’s priority is to improve the public’s experience of health and social care.
Declarations of Interest
Click here to view:
Disclosure of Earnings
All GP practices are required to declare the mean earnings (e.g. average pay) for GPs working to deliver NHS services to patients at each practice.
The average pay for GPs working at the Northgate Surgery in the last financial year was £100,470 before tax and National Insurance contributions. This is for 3 full time GPs and 7 part-time GPs who worked in the practice for more than six months.
National Data Opt out
The national data opt-out is a new service that allows people to opt out of their confidential patient information being used for research and planning. The NHS wants to make sure you and your family have the best care now and in the future. Your health and adult social care information supports your individual care. It also helps us to research, plan and improve health and care services in England.
There are very strict rules on how this data can and cannot be used, and you have clear data rights. We are committed to keeping patient information safe and will always be clear on how it is used.
You can choose whether or not your confidential patient information is used for research and planning.
You have a choice.
If you don’t want your confidential patient information to be used for research and planning, you can opt out of this. If you do opt out, there are some specific situations where your data may still be used. Data that does not identify you may still also be used.
Your confidential patient information will still be used to support your individual care. Any preference you set using this service will not change this.
If you opt out, your decision will only apply within the health and care system in England. Your opt-out will not apply to your health data where you have accessed health or care services outside of England, such as in Scotland and Wales.
You can find out more on the NHS England https://digital.nhs.uk/national-data-opt-out
Key information summary
Important things to remember are:
- your data can be used to help research and planning
- you don’t have to do anything if you are happy for this to continue
- your decision will not affect your own individual care in any way
- you can change your mind any time in the future
Opt Out Online
You must have an email address or phone number registered with an NHS service to continue online. Ask your GP Practice for help if you need to confirm your contact information is up to date.
To continue you will need:
- to be aged 13 or over
- access to your email or mobile phone
- your NHS number
- follow the link to https://digital.nhs.uk/national-data-opt-out and select ‘manage your choices’ and follow the instructions.
Opt Out by Phone
Contact the NHS Digital Contact Centre to verify your identity and discuss your data sharing choices. We may be able to guide you through the service or set a choice on your behalf.
Call: 0300 303 5678
Open: 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays)
Opt Out by Post
https://assets.nhs.uk/prod/documents/Non-Digital_Opt-Out_Form_V14.pdf
Opt Out for Someone Else
You can also set a choice on behalf of another individual by proxy. For example, a parent may want to set a choice on behalf of their child.
https://assets.nhs.uk/prod/documents/Non-Digital_Proxy_Opt-Out_Form_V16.pdf
Accessible resources
Watch a British Sign Language video of the Your Data Matters to the NHS patient handout.
Listen to an audio version of the Your Data Matters to the NHS patient handout.
Order a braille version of the Your Data Matters to the NHS patient handout.
Patients’ Charter
Our Patients’ Charter is a modern device to help ensure the maintenance of our traditional good service and its future enhancement.
We commit ourselves to a level of service you can reasonably expect and advise how you can help.
We hope we will often exceed the standard set. If, occasionally, we do not achieve it, you are entitled to know why.
It does not cover everything and may seem obvious in parts. It makes a start in the use of up-to-date methods of quality control and clarifies our provision of care.
Under Our Patients’ Charter You can expect:
- To be greeted in a friendly and courteous manner
- That the premises will be clean, tidy and comfortable and that easy access for disabled and elderly patients will be provided
- Our staff will wear name badges so that you can identify the person you are speaking to
- To be offered an urgent appointment with an unspecified Doctor the same day.
- The Doctors aim to see you within 30 minutes of your appointment time. Should there be a delay an explanation will be given.
- A repeat prescription to be ready for collection after 2 working days. (Saturday and Sunday not included)
Patients Have Responsibilities Too
- To treat Doctors and staff in a reasonable and courteous manner, we operate a zero tolerance policy towards violence or aggression. If this is not adhered to patients will be removed from our list.
- To make every effort to be punctual for your appointment and cancel if you are unable to attend. We operate a very strict policy on missed appointments. If you miss 2 appointment it is likely that you will be asked to leave our list.
- To book more than 1 appointment if you have more than one problem or if you wish other members of your family to be seen
- To call before 11.00am if you require the G.P. to make a home visit
- To make sure the Doctor knows how to find your home
- To inform us of any change of address
- Accompany children aged less than 16 years when they are consulting with a health care professional
- Ensure that your family is fully immunised
Practice Policies
Policy on Failure to Attend Pre-Booked Appointments
If a patient fails to attend a pre-booked appointment on three or more occasions in a six month period, a warning letter will be sent to the patient, advising them that a further occurrence within six months could risk removal from the practice. If a further non-attendance occurs within six months, a final warning letter will be sent informing them that if they miss any further appointments, they will be discussed at the next Practice meeting and the likely outcome will be that they will be removed from the Practice list. Following agreement with the Partners, if they are to be removed, the Practice Manager will write to the patient and explain the reasons for removal. The term ‘appointment’ includes face to face AND telephone appointments.
Warning letters are valid for a period of 12 months.
Confidentiality & Medical Records
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.
Freedom of Information
Information about the General Practioners and the practice required for disclosure under this act can be made available to the public. All requests for such information should be made to the practice manager.
Access to Records
In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and Access to Health Records Act, patients may request to see their medical records. Such requests should be made to the Administration Department and may be subject to an administration charge. No information will be released without the patient consent unless we are legally obliged to do so.
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.
If you wish to pursue an informal or formal complaint one of the Management team will be happy to talk to you – the Practice Manager, Rebecca Clegg can be contacted on 01977 703635 or email [email protected] who will deal with your concerns appropriately. Further written information is available regarding the complaints procedure from reception, or click here.
Violence Policy
The NHS operate a zero tolerance policy with regard to violence and abuse and the practice has the right to remove violent patients from the list with immediate effect in order to safeguard practice staff, patients and other persons. Violence in this context includes actual or threatened physical violence or verbal abuse which leads to fear for a person’s safety. In this situation we will notify the patient in writing of their removal from the list and record in the patient’s medical records the fact of the removal and the circumstances leading to it.
Privacy Notice
Please click here to view our Privacy Notice. To view the children’s notice please click here.
Conflicts of Interests Policy
Each year we publish on our website details of any conflicts of interests staff who are in a position of authority might have. Please see below details for each relevant person
| Dr Vega | Dr Riddett | Dr Ibrahim |
| Dr Kemshell | Dr Clark | Dr Brennan |
| Dr Seddon | Dr Baldwin | Dr Wong |
| ACP Jayne Thomas | Charlotte Barter (Assist Practice Mgr) | Rebecca Clegg (Practice Mgr) |
| COMING SOON | COMING SOON | COMING SOON |
To view the Conflict of Interest Policy for Northgate Surgery please click here.
Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians
We have qualified pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working in the practice to support safe, effective and cost-effective prescribing. These healthcare professionals are all registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council and are a valuable resource in helping us maintain the best patient care around prescribing. In order to administer direct patient care, these professionals require access to patients’ clinical records. Each individual works in accordance with the Data Protection Act and Caldicott guidelines and have signed a confidentiality agreement.
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 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 or the HSCIC Website
Download the opt out form >>>>
Text Message Reminders
You can now register to receive information by text message on your phone regarding appointments and health care.
If you wish to register for this messaging service please fill out the consent form.
New Data Protection Regulations from May 2018 (GDPR)
Under the new data protection regulations introduced from 25th May 2018, we will continue to contact patients via text messages regarding the delivery of care if they have provided consent to do so.
If practices are sending messages about recommended treatment for the management of a specific health issue, then this is defined as providing appropriate care for patients, not marketing purposes.
If you would like ot opt out of any future contact via text messaging, then please complete the form and indicate in the marked section.
Training
The practice is a training practice and therefore has a GP registrar working in the surgery as a trainee, usually for a period of six months but occasionally for 12 months. Dr Vega and Dr Kemshell, Dr McGraw, Dr Brennan and Dr Clark are responsible for their progress. We also have campus clinics medical students, intercalated students and Trainee Physician’s Assistants. You will be notified and asked for consent if a student is to be present during your consultation.