The Data Protection Act allows you to find out what information about you is held on computer. This applies to your health records. If you want to see them, you should make a written request to the Practice. You are entitled to receive a copy, but should note that a charge will be made.
 

Carers

Please inform our reception staff if you are a carer or are cared for by another person. This will alert us to your possible needs in this role. Our reception staff will be able to give you an information pack which will have details of contacts which provide support and general information.
 

Change of personal details

Patients are asked to notify the Practice as soon as possible of any change of name, address or telephone number; not forgetting to indicate all the persons involved in this change. In an emergency this could be absolutely vital. If you are crossing the county border from Hertfordshire to Bedfordshire, or vice versa, please advise the receptionist.
 

Chaperone

Should you need a professional chaperone present at a consultation or procedure then please alert reception staff who can ensure that Teresa, our health care assistant, is available for the appointment. A joint appointment will be booked.
 

Collection of sharps bins

Local Council contact names and telephone numbers:

Heather Johnson (Principal Environmental Health Officer)
new patients Tel 01727 819444

Jo Goodrum (Client Services Liaison Officer) 
regular patients only Tel 01727 819391

*Collections are on a weekly basis on Wednesdays.

*Patients are advised to call on the above numbers on Mondays or Fridays to arrange a collection from their home for the following Wednesday.

*Patients can leave their sharps bin on their doorstep for collection on Wednesdays from 7am.
 

Confidentiality

As you are aware, we ask you for personal information in order that you can receive appropriate care and treatment. This information is recorded on a computer; consequently, we are registered under the Data Protection Act.

The Practice will ensure that patient confidentiality is maintained at all times, by all members of the practice team. However, for the effective functioning of a multi-disciplinary team, which is what we are, it is sometimes necessary that medical information about you is shared with other members of the team.
 

Sickness Certification

If you are off work for one to two days, no certificate is required.

However, if absent from work for a period of three to six days you may need to complete a self-certification form, which is obtainable from your employer.
If you are absent from work for seven days or more, because of illness, you may require a doctor's certificate. In which case, you must arrange an appointment with a doctor, otherwise a certificate will not be issued.

If, for whatever reason, you require a doctor’s certificate covering a period of less than seven days, a private certificate can be issued at an appointment; there will be a charge for such a certificate.
 

Staff Protection

When persons attending the premises display abusive, threatening or violent behaviour it should be noted that the Practice has adopted the zero tolerance policy that is now in place throughout the National Health Service.  All staff and doctors in this Practice have the right to work in an environment that is free from abusive, threatening and violent behaviour, and everything will be done to protect that right.

Let there be no doubt about it: such behaviour will not be tolerated in this Practice.

Persons who do not respect the rights of our staff may be reported to the police with a view to prosecution under the Criminal Law. If such persons are patients they may well be deregistered and removed from our medical list.

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