PETERSFIELD PRACTICE CHARTER

Health care is a partnership between patients and the practice. We both need to help each other so that you can receive the finest possible care.

The practice sees over 30,000 patients a year. To allow us to give each one the best requires a commitment from us all.

OUR PROMISE:- We will provide you with the best possible practice services free of charge. We will treat you with consideration and courtesy whatever your age, sex, race or illness.

Accommodation

We will provide a waiting room that is clean, comfortable and warm.

Confidentiality and privacy

We will keep your records and everything learned about you during your consultation confidential. Your privacy will be respected at all times.

Openness

We will allow you to read your own medical records and any reports written about you by the practice.

Health promotion

We will provide appropriate health promotion and advice.

Training

We will ensure that all practice staff are properly trained and committed to keeping up to date. We are proud of our reputation as a training practice. Every year a fully qualified doctor who is new to general practice works with us to improve patient care. Occasionally we may ask you to allow your consultation to be video recorded. You may of course refuse.

Appointments

We will run an appointment system to shorten any waiting time in the surgery. We will try to keep to time but please bear with us as emergencies do occur and no system can predict exactly when they will happen. Demand in general practice can vary greatly without warning. We will always try to provide extra appointments when demand is heavy. If the doctor is called out of surgery in an emergency we will inform you of any likely delay to your appointment. We employ locums for holiday cover at our own cost.

Medical emergencies

We will see all medical emergencies on the day that they occur. (A medical emergency is a painful or life threatening condition).

Repeat prescriptions

We will have repeat prescriptions sent to your nominated pharmacy or ready for collection within 2 working days.

Referral

We will make an appointment for you as quickly as possible if the doctor thinks that a second opinion would be helpful.

Complaints and suggestions

We will investigate fully and respond sympathetically to any complaints about the services that we provide. Mr Michael Soteriou our complaints manager or Mrs Karen Soteriou, our practice manager, handles all complaints. Please feel free to write to them. Suggestions as to how we may improve our services are always welcome. The practice runs a Practice Reference Group (PRG) made up from any patient who wishes to be a member of the group. The group is consulted on any changes the practice proposes and any surveys they conduct.

HELP US HELP YOU-

Appointments

Please telephone or call in to make appointments on 01708 343113 Option 1. You may phone between 8.00 am - 6.030 pm weekdays. Please let us know if you cannot keep an appointment as someone else may be able to use it. 

Emergencies

Only come without an appointment if you have a medical emergency. An emergency is either a painful or life threatening condition. Needing a sick certificate is not an emergency. Problems that have been present for a long time are not emergencies.

Repeat prescribing

Try not to run out of all your tablets before ordering new ones.

Home Visits

Home visits are for housebound patients only. Please try to call before 10.30am for a same day visit.

 Change of circumstances

Please let us know if you move house or change your name or telephone number. This makes it easier for us to contact you.

Rudeness

We will remove from our list any patients who are rude, violent or abusive to our staff.

Minor Illness

Many illnesses go away by themselves without treatment. There is no need to consult the doctor for coughs and colds. Try the advice given in the practice leaflet for a few days first. We do not believe in prescribing for these conditions as it does not make you get better any quicker.

Most diarrhoea and vomiting will stop within 48 hours if you follow goverment guidelines.

Keep Healthy & Look after yourself

Try and take regular exercise. Do not smoke. men and women are advised not to drink more than 14 units of alcolhol a week on a regular basis. spread your drinking over 3 or more days if you regularly drink as much as 14 units a week.  (one unit is equal to 1/2 pint beer, 1 glass wine, I pub short). Keep to a low fat diet. Help us to keep you well by coming for your cervical smears and immunisations when requested.