Valentine Medical Centre - Surgery policies on confidentiality, comments and suggestions, data protection etc

Valentine Medical Centre
2 Smethurst Street
Blackley
Manchester, M9 8PP
Tel: 0844 815 1573

APPOINTMENTS

We have recently increased the number of pre-bookable GP appointments. It should now be easier to book face to face and telephone appointments to see a GP up to a month in advance.

If you cannot attend your appointment please inform us in advance so we can allocate the appointment to somebody else.

Out of Hours
If you telephone the surgery out of office hours your call will be directed to the Out of Hours Primary Care Centre (run by Go To Doc), alternatively you may contact them directly on 0161 336 3252.

Health Charities

01 Dec - 28 Feb
Marie Curie

Marie Curie Cancer Care is a UK charity dedicated to the care of people with terminal cancer and other illnesses. Over the financial year 2010/11, we reached a total of 31,799 patients

01 Dec - 28 Feb
YouthHealthTalk

Youthhealthtalk enables young people, their family and friends, and professionals such as doctors and teachers to understand young people's experiences of health, illness and life in general. The website feature real-life accounts of issues such as effect on work and education, social life and relationships, consulting health professionals and treatment.

03 Sep - 28 Feb
Macmillan Cancer Support

One in three of us will get cancer and it’s the toughest thing most of us will ever face. If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, or a loved one has, you’ll want a team of people in your corner supporting you every step of the way. Macmillan provide practical, medical and financial support and push for better cancer care.

BBC Health

GMC guidance on assisted suicide

The General Medical Council launches guidelines on assisted suicide to help it decide if doctors should face a disciplinary panel on the issue.

NHS translation bill 'tops £23m'

The NHS in England spends £59,000 a day on translating documents and providing interpreters, according to a health think tank.

Campaign to cut smoking in cars

A campaign to stop people smoking in cars when carrying children - and which could pave the way for a ban - is launched by the Welsh government.

Transplant jaw made by 3D printer

An 83-year-old woman is fitted with a jaw made by a 3D printer in what doctors say is the first operation of its kind.

'Birth defect risk' for diabetics

The risk of birth defects increases four-fold if the pregnant mother has diabetes, a study of 400,000 pregnancies in England suggests.

'A little too much drink' warning

Drinking "just a little more than they should" puts people at risk of serious illness including heart disease, stroke and cancer, the government is warning.

Malaria toll 'is twice as high'

The number of deaths worldwide from malaria has been underestimated, according to data published in the medical journal the Lancet.

Health bodies reject NHS reforms

Physiotherapist leaders have joined the Royal College of GPs in calling for the health bill in England to be scrapped, increasing pressure on the government.

Under 10s have eating disorders

A number of children under 10 are treated in hospitals in Northern Ireland for eating disorders, the Department of Health says.

Weekend hospital admission fears

Research which suggests that patients are more likely to die in hospital if they are admitted at the weekend is backed up by a major study.

Health Protection Agency

Current alert level: Level 3 - Cold Weather Action in one or more regions of England

There is a 100% probability of severe cold weather between 1000 on Monday and 1000 on Friday in parts of England.

Health Protection Agency confirms new incinerator study

A new study to further extend the evidence base as to whether emissions from modern well run Municipal Waste Incinerators affect human health has been approved by the Health Protection Agency.

HPA helps solve radon problems in West Oxfordshire homes

Hundreds of homes across West Oxfordshire have been found to have high levels of radioactive gas radon. Last summer, the Health Protection Agency invited about 9,000 householders across West Oxfordshire to apply for a free test for radon, a naturally occurring gas present in all homes.

HPA helps solve radon problems in Orkney homes

Hundreds of householders across Orkney are being advised to act to protect their health, after HPA tests detected high levels of radioactive gas radon.

Cornish radon hotspot targeted

Thousands of households in a part of Cornwall with historic radon problems are being offered a free test for levels of the radioactive gas radon.

New Guidelines to Control Group A Streptococcal (GAS) Infections in UK Hospitals Launched

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) together with the group A streptococcal (GAS) Working Group* has today launched new guidelines for the investigation, control and prevention of GAS infection in acute healthcare settings, including maternity units, in the UK.

Whooping cough cases increase

Cases of whooping cough (pertussis) reported to the Health Protection Agency (HPA) in England and Wales have more than doubled from 421 cases in 2010 to 1040 in 2011. Increases in levels of whooping cough are seen every three to four years and figures in 2011 are in line with cases reported in the last peak year of 2008.

HPA publishes second migrant health report

The Health Protection Agency’s (HPA) second report on Migrant Health, and the first UK-wide report is published today.

Levels of norovirus within seasonal norms

Norovirus is highly contagious and can be transmitted by contact with an infected person; by consuming contaminated food or water or by contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. The virus spreads rapidly in closed environments such as hospitals, schools, nursing and residential homes.

HPA warns winter sun seekers to seek protection from malaria

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is reminding UK travellers visiting friends and family or taking winter sun holidays to ensure they take anti-malaria tablets when visiting countries where malaria is prevalent.

Policies

Complaints Procedure

PALS

Policies

Disabled Access

We have suitable access and facilities for disabled patients.

Confidentiality

All patients notes are treated with the strictest confidence and we fully comply with the Data Protection Act.

Your Records

You may request copies of your medical records under the Data Protection Act. There is a charge for this service (see the Clinics and Services page). To request copies of your medical records print a copy of this form, fill it out and bring it in to the surgery.

Zero Tolerance

The practice supports the NHS policy of zero tolerance. At no time will any violent, threatening or abusive behaviour be tolerated in this practice. If you do not respect the rights of our staff and other patients we may choose to inform the police and make arrangements for you to be removed from our medical list

Chaperone Policy

All patients are entitled to have a chaperone present for any consultation, examination or procedure where they feel one is required. The chaperone may be a family member or friend. On occasion you may prefer a formal chaperone to be present ie. a trained member of staff. Your healthcare professional may also require a chaperone to be present for certain consultations in accordance with our chaperone policy.

Complaints Procedure

Opening hours at Valentine Medical Centre We hope that all complaints can be sorted out easily and quickly at the time they arise and with the person concerned. If your problem cannot be resolved in this way and you wish to make a complaint please let us know as soon as possible because this will make it easier to find out what has happened.

You should bring the complaint to the attention of the Practice Manager, Mr. Anthony Foster, in writing, and we will acknowledge receipt within three days. If you wish you may make an appointment with the Practice Manager or one of the Doctors to discuss your problem.

The complaint will be investigated promptly and thoroughly and we aim to have looked into it within 14 days of the date you raised it with us. We shall then be in a position to offer an explanation or a meeting. We will keep you informed if there is a delay and the reason for it.

When we look into your complaint we shall aim to:-

Find out what happened and what went wrong
Make it possible for you to discuss the problem with those concerned
Make sure you receive an apology, where this is appropriate
Identify what we can do to prevent the problem occurring again

Please note we keep strictly to the rules of medical confidentiality. If you are complaining on behalf of someone else we have to know you have their permission to do so. A note signed be the person concerned will be needed.

We hope you are able to use our practice complaints procedure. We believe this gives us the best chance of putting right whatever has gone wrong and an opportunity to improve our practice.

You may like to contact the Independent Complaint Advocacy Service (ICAS) for help with your complaint. They support and represent individuals complaining about the NHS. (Tel: 08451203784)

If you are unhappy with the outcome of your complaint you have the right to ask for an independent review through the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO). Their address is:-

Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman,
Millbank Tower,
Millbank,
London
SW1P 4QP
Tel: 0345 0154033
E.mail: phso.enquiries@ombudsman.org.uk

PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service)

As a patient, relative, carer, friend of a patient, or any other member of the public, you may have questions about the services provided by the NHS and you may need someone to turn to for on-the-spot help and advice. This is where the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) can help.

PALS can:

listen to your concerns and suggestions
provide on-the-spot information about NWS, services
advise and support patients, their families and carers
help sort out problems quickly on your behalf
help you contact other organisations to receive the help you need
record any comments you wish to make and learn from your experience.

PALS will treat all your information confidentially.

Call PALS on 0161 219 9451.

Or you can write to Patient Advice and Liaison Service, Newton Silk Mill, Holyoak Street, Manchester M40 1HA.

Alternatively, email the team on pals@manchester.nhs.uk

Further Information

For quick medical advice online or on the telephone contact NHS Direct

NHS 111 is a new service being introduced to make it easier for you to access local NHS healthcare services