To register, it is usual to call in person in order to complete the necessary forms. If you have your medical card with your current GP's details this would be helpful. Patients now register with a practice but you may state a preferred doctor and we will make a note of this. However, this does not prevent you seeing any of the doctors at the surgery.
We offer a health check for all new patients over the age of 5 years, carried out by the practice nurse within the first 6 months of registration. Patients over the age of 75 years can request an annual check and patients between 16 and 75 years who have not seen a doctor in the previous 3 years are entitled to a consultation on request. Please ask the receptionist to make these arrangements for you.
If you have a carer, or are yourself a carer, please let us know. Please note that there is a Cornwall Carers Website at www.cornwallcarers.org.uk
If you experience difficulty in registering with a
practice please contact the Central Cornwall Primary Care Trust, Sedgemoor
Centre, Priory Road, St Austell PL25 5AS Tel No 01726 77777, who will be able
to help.
The
surgery is routinely open from 8.30am – 6.30pm, Monday to Friday.
All consultations are by appointment. Please arrange appointments either at the surgery or by telephoning during normal surgery hours.
If the doctor of your choice is fully booked you will be offered an appointment with another doctor.
Medically urgent cases will always be seen on the same day.
For routine matters please try to make your appointment in good time, preferably not at the beginning of the week when it tends to be particularly busy.
If you are unable to keep your appointment please do let us know.
Each consultation is 10 minutes so if you have a number of things to discuss then please request a double appointment.
We aim to keep to appointment times but, obviously, on occasions you may have a short wait.
If you wish to speak to your doctor it is
best to call after morning surgery or before evening surgery.
Telephone 01726 843701. If the doctor is unable to take your call please
leave your name and contact number and the doctor will ring you back.
If you wish to speak to a nurse, the
receptionist will take your name and contact number for the nurse to return your
call.
If you require a home visit because of illness or infirmity, where possible please phone before 10.30am, giving some indication of the problem so that the doctors can plan their visits. Whenever possible we encourage patients to come to the surgery because we have better facilities for examining and treating you in the practice.
If you require urgent medical advice always telephone the usual surgery number 843701. If your call occurs out of normal working hours you will be automatically transferred to the Out Of Hours Service.
General Practice Training
Our practice is a recognised training practice for qualified hospital doctors seeking a career in general practice. We usually have one such doctor working with us each year.
Occasionally, senior medical students and student nurses
join the practice as part of their training – please feel free to request to be
seen privately if you do not wish to discuss your problem with a student
present.
Test Results
The
receptionists will be happy to give you results of your tests after consulting
the doctor. For confidentiality these will only be given to the patient or, in
the case of a child, the parent or guardian. The doctor will advise you when
the results should be available. Please ring after 4.00pm. Pregnancy test
results will only be given to the woman concerned by the doctor or whoever he
appoints. Results of cervical smears will be posted directly to you from the
Primary Care Trust.
For patients living more than a mile from the nearest
chemist we are a dispensing practice and our staff will provide details as to
whether you are entitled to this service.
Our Dispensary is open from 8.30 am until 6.00 pm Monday to Friday and can
provide your medication immediately after a consultation with a doctor or nurse
if required for your treatment.
Our team of experienced and fully qualified dispensers are available to help you
with any queries you may have about your medication. If we cannot answer your
enquiry immediately we can liaise with a doctor or nurse and get back to you as
soon as possible.
We can discuss with you any problems you may be having with using your
medication or help you with synchronising your medicines so that they all run
out at the same time. This may save you or you carers unnecessary trips to the
Surgery or Pharmacy.
If you are on a regular repeat prescription that you collect to take to a
Pharmacy we can offer a Repeat Dispensing service where you need only order your
prescription from the Surgery once every 3 or 6 months. Please ask a dispenser
whether you are suitable for this service.
For your convenience we can arrange delivery of your medication to our branch
sites at Gorran Haven and St. Ewe during clinic times or we can arrange to
deliver to your home on a Monday.
The videoing of consultations for training of future
general practitioners is undertaken during some surgeries. Patients will be
notified and their consent required before this takes place.
Patients Under 16 Years of Age
The doctors and nurses are happy to see and treat patients under 16 without their parents’ permission if they are satisfied the patient is able to understand the consequences. The practice believes everyone has the right to confidentiality, whatever their age. Only in exceptional circumstances, such as if someone is in physical danger, would we pass on information to a third party, and then, only after discussion with the patient.
The Practice holds the EEFO kite mark which means that the Practice will address patient requests in a sensitive and timely manner.
Please inform the surgery as soon as possible if you change your name, address or telephone number.
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide parking for
patients but there is a local authority short stay Pay and Display car park next to the surgery.
Access for disable patients is available at all premises.
Doctors are not trained to deal with dental problems. In a dental emergency please contact your own dentist. If you have a problem contacting a dentist, please ring the Primary Care Support Agency Helpline Freephone 0800 371 192
Medical examinations and certificates for some items are not covered by the NHS and attract a special fee. These include driving (HGV, PSV, Elderly) medicals, sports medicals, life assurance and employment examinations, insurance claims etc. You will need to ring the doctor concerned to arrange an appointment.
Friends of the Surgery
This
group of patients has raised funds for equipment used in the practice and by the
community nurses. If you have any suggestions or ideas, please contact the
surgery.
We hope
that you will be satisfied with the services that you receive from the practice
and we are always happy to receive feedback. Equally, if you are unhappy about
any aspect of our services please contact us so that we have the opportunity to
address your concerns and put things right. The practice has an in-house
complaints procedure. In the event of you needing to make a complaint, please
consult with the Practice Manager or Dr Keast who will give you further
information about the complaints procedure.
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PATIENT
A copy of these rights and responsibilities is on display in the surgery entrance foyer.
The practice has the right to remove a patient from their list if the patient commits an act of violence or is verbally abusive to anyone present on practice premises. The Central Cornwall Primary Care Trust will be informed in writing, as well as the patient, if this is reasonably practical.
DISCLOSURE OF PATIENT INFORMATION
The main use of information held about a patient is to assist in their healthcare treatment. All NHS staff has a legal duty to keep this information confidential. Information to third parties will only be disclosed with the patient's written permission unless the safety of others is at risk. A copy of the leaflet "Your Records" is available at the surgery reception if you require more information.