Confidentiality

In order to provide care for you, we are obliged to keep records. We are a computerised practice and we comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and other guidance on privacy and data confidentiality. In order to manage services and improve the quality of care we provide, we share some information on practice activity e.g. with Westminster Primary Care Trust.

Wherever possible, the information is anonymous i.e. names and other identifying details are removed.

Information is NOT shared with any third party outside the Health Service (e.g. insurer, employer, and solicitor) without explicit consent and agreement. We are obliged by law to provide certain information e.g. notification of infectious diseases to Public Health Specialists.

Everyone working for the NHS has a legal duty to keep information about you confidential and adhere to a Code of practice on protecting patient confidentiality.
If you would like access to your medical records, please apply in writing to Laura Nymark, Reception Manager.

What if I want to discuss my concerns about a family member or friend who is registered at your practice?

If you have serious concerns about a registered patient, please do not hesitate to let us know. 

However, to respect out patient's confidentiality we are unable to discuss the contents of any patient's records with a family member or friend without written consent from that patient allowing us to do so.

The exception to this is when a parent wishes to discuss their child's health. If a child under 16 consults about contraception, the parent is not entitled to access that information, although it is accepted practice for the doctor or nurse to encourage the child to discuss the contraception with his or her parents / guardian.

Your Medical Records

How do I get to look at my medical records?

If you would liek to look at your medical notes for any reason, please contact the reception staff. Your request will be discussed with the doctors. We will make an appointment for you to look at your notes with the reception manager.

How do I get a photocopy of my medical records?

If you would like a copy of anythign from your notes, please contact the reception staff. your request will be discussed with the doctors who must agree to your request.

There will be a charge to cover the photocopying.

What happens if an insurance company request information from my notes?

Suggestions/Complaints

Things go wrong even in the best run organisations, but if you feel something is going wrong, or could be done better, we want to know.

Located in the waiting area is a suggestion box and we welcome your comments.

Should you have a complaint, please contact Laura Nymark, Reception Manager.

All suggestions and complaints are taken very seriously, and will receive full investigation and the practice has a written complaints procedure. Depending on the situation, you mnay be asked to come to the surgery to discuss your concern. If a complaint has required investigation, you will be informed of the outcome.

 

Disabled Access

St Johns Wood Medical Practice is DDA compliant.

Wheelchair access is through the entrance at Brampton House off of Circus Road NW8 9SE.

There are wheelchair facilities in the WC.

We have several examination couches in various clinical rooms that drop to a low level to help the transfer of patients with limited mobility.

For the hard of hearing we have hearing loops for the reception and clinical rooms, please ask if you wish to use one.

Violence Policy - Zero Tolerance

We have a zero tolerance policy for abuse and will remove from our list any patient who is physically or verbally abusive or threatening towards staff or other patients.