Rights & Responsibilities

We are committed to giving you the best possible service. This will be achieved by working together. Help us to help you.

As a patient your rights and expectations as described in the NHS Constitution include:

• Convenient and easy access to health services free of charge and within maximum waiting times
• A good quality of care and environment based on best practice
• Not to be discriminated against on the grounds of gender, race, religion and belief, sexual orientation, disability or age.
• To receive drugs and treatment as recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) for use in the NHS if your doctor feels it is clinically appropriate for you
• Decisions made in a clear and transparent way so you can understand how services are planned and delivered
• To be treated with dignity and respect in accordance with your human rights
• The right to privacy and confidentiality

With the aforementioned rights come responsibilities and we would respectfully request that you:

• Treat practice staff and doctors with the same consideration and courtesy that you would like to receive
• Ensure that you order your repeat medication in plenty of time – allowing 48 working hours
• Attend any specialist appointments that have been arranged for you or cancel them if your condition has resolved or you no longer wish to attend
• Please follow up any test or investigations done for you with the person who has requested the investigation
• Attend appointments on time and check in with the Patient Services Team or the self check-in screen situated in the entrance foyer
• Understand that patients who are late for their appointment may not be seen
• Recognise that you can make a significant contribution to your own and your family’s good health and wellbeing and take some personal responsibility for it
• Register with a GP practice as the main point of access to NHS care
• Treat NHS staff and other patients with respect
• Provide accurate information about your health, condition and status
• Keep appointments or cancel in reasonable time so that other patients can benefit from the appointment slot
• Follow the course of treatment which you have agreed with your GP and talk to your doctor if this is difficult
• Give feedback, both positive and negative, about the care you have received