Surgery Policies and Procedures

Carer Aware

Are you a carer? Do you look after someone who is ill frail or disabled? Is that someone a member of you family, a friend or neighbour? Please let us know so that we can update our records and offer support.

Further support is available through Barnet Carers who can be contacted on 020 8343 9698.

Chaperone

If you would like a chaperone to be present during a physical examination, please ask at reception or speak to the clinician.

Confidentiality Policy

Introduction

This page sets out the arrangements in the practice for the confidentiality of patient data.

All patient information is considered to be confidential and we comply fully with the Data Protection Act. All employees have access to this information in relation to their role and have signed a confidentiality agreement. Information may be shared, in confidence, with other NHS organisations in the interests of patient care.

CCTV is installed internally in public areas and externally for security. Recordings are used entirely at the discretion of the partners including provision of images to the police or other official bodies, and will otherwise comply with the Practice’s Data Protection registration and the principles of patient confidentiality. Image data is held securely within the practice.

Protection against Viruses

Data is vulnerable to loss or corruption caused by viruses. Viruses may be introduced from floppy discs, CDROM/DVDROM, other storage media and by direct links via e-mail and web browsing.

Precautions to be Taken

• Virus protection software is installed on ALL computer equipment.
• The supplier of our clinical software manage the anti virus software version control and regular updates.

The Organisation’s Responsibilities

The organisation will ensure that employees fully understand all their responsibilities with regard to confidential data. The employees will sign a written statement of the responsibilities they are undertaking towards the security of the data.

The organisation will also ensure that arrangements are in place for the confidential disposal of any paper waste generated at work or the employees’ home.

The organisation will monitor and record when it is passing ownership of data to an individual (e.g. for project work or, research and development) and this will be individually and specifically authorised by the Caldicott Guardian. The individual may then need to be separately registered under the Data Protection Act. The practice will otherwise fully comply with all aspects of data security as required under the Act.

The organisation will strictly apply the rules of confidentiality and in general will not release patient information to a third party without proper valid and informed consent, unless this is within the statutory exempted categories such as in the public interest, in which case the release of the information and the reasons for it will be individually and specifically documented and authorised by the responsible clinician.

Privacy Notice

Click here for the practice Privacy Notice.

Disabled Facilities

There is disabled access and disabled toilet facilities at Sefton Avenue and Gervase Road. If you have difficulty climbing stairs, please ask to be seen downstairs when booking an appointment. A hearing loop is available at reception if needed.

Freedom of Information

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 obliges the practice to produce a Publication Scheme. A publication scheme is a guide to the ‘classes’ of information the practice intends to routinely make available. This scheme is available from reception.

Help Us to Help You

• Do not call the surgery between 8:15am and 10am unless you require a same day appointment.
• Keep us informed of any change of address and contact telephone number. This is particularly important for follow up of results or if you wish to receive appointment reminders or practice updates by text.
• Make an appointment for each person who wishes to be seen.
• Tell us if you need to cancel an appointment with 24 hours notice.
• Be on time for your appointment.
• Use the self check in machine in the front lobby.
• Please be patient if you are kept waiting, urgent unplanned situations can occur from time to time which may cause delays.
• Call for home visits before 10am.
• Call for test results after 10am.

Interpreting Service

If you need telephone or video remote interpreting service, including British Sign Language (BSL), for your appointment, please inquire at the reception desk for availability and remember to provide sufficient notice.

Medical Research

The practice is a research active practice and participates in research studies that have been approved by the National Institute for Health Research (NiHR).

All studies are approved by the GPs and patients may be asked from time to time to consider participating in a research study.  You will always have the opportunity to discuss any study with your GP.

Rights and Responsibility

We aim to treat our patients courteously at all times and expect our patients to treat the staff in a similarly respectful way.

Mulberry Medical Practice operates a policy of ‘Zero Tolerance’. If you are discriminatory, abusive or violent towards anyone on the premises we reserve the right to remove you from our list and inform the Health Authority and possibly the police. Action may be taken against anyone threatening or assaulting our staff.

Patients who persistently do not attend for booked appointments (DNA’s) may be asked to register with another Practice.

Statement of Purpose

We aim to deliver effective, high quality healthcare by a professional, well trained and highly motivated team in a happy & friendly environment. Each member of the team aims to be caring, supportive and helpful to patients and each other.

Training Practice

Mulberry Medical Practice is a training practice which means hospital doctors, medical students, nurses and occasionally work experience candidates spend time with us in order to gain experience.  You may be seen, on occasion, by a doctor in training at the surgery or at home.  As a training practice your medical records may be used for clinical educational purposes.

Use of Personal Information

The Practice manages the confidentiality of your medical records in accordance with the Data Protection Act. Please note that medical records are subject to inspection by the Primary Care Trust or its equivalent, for the purpose of financial audit, record validation and research. Should you wish your records to be excluded from such inspection or use, please speak with reception staff.