Zero Tolerance Policy

The NHS has a 'Zero Tolerance to Violence' policy that means we can refuse service to anyone who is violent or is perceived as threatening violence to any member of staff. We can refuse the service on that occasion or can request that patients are removed from the Practice list. Plymouth Primary Care Trust provides a dedicated primary care service for patients who are removed from the practice lists because of violent behaviour. Details of this service will be provided by Devon Patient and Practioner Service Agency to any pateint who is removed from the list due to violent behaviour.

Complaints

The Practice welcomes constructive comments regarding its provision of a complrehensive and efficient service. However, we recognise that there may be occasions when you nedd to complain, or raise a concern. The Practice operates a complaints procedure and in order that we may speedily resolve a problem please contact the Practice Manager.

If you remain dissatisfied with the response to your complaints you have the right to ask the Healthcare Commission is an independent body established to promote improvements in healthcare through the assessment of performance of those who provide services. You can contact the Healthcare Commission on 02074 489200, visit their website, or write to them at:-

Healthcare Commission Freepost Nat 18958

Complaints Team

Peter House

Oxford Street

Manchester

M1 5AN

Patient Notice

Access to Medical Records and Data Protection Act Information.

We ask you for informaation so that you can receive proper care and treatment.

We keep this information, together with details of your care, because it may be needed if we see you again.

We may use some of this information for other reasons: for example, to help us protect the health of the public generally and to help ensure the NHS runs efficiently, is able to plan for the future, train its staff, pay its bills and account for its actions.

Information may also be needed to help educate tomorrows clinical staff and to carry out medical and other health research for the benefit of everyone.

Sometimes the law requires us to pass on information; for example, to notify a birth.

The NHS Central Register for England and Wales contains basic personal details of all pateints registered with a General Practitioner. The Register does not contain any clinical information.

You have a right to access your own health records.

Everyone working for the NHS has a legal duty to keep information about you confidential.

You may be receiving care from other people as well as the NHS.

So that we can sll work together, for your benefit, we may need to share some information about you.

We only ever use, or pass on, information about you if people have a genuine need for it and it is in everyone's interests. The sharing of some types of very sensitive, personal, information is strictly controlled by law.

Anyone who receives information from us is also under a legal duty to keep it confidential.