Penny's Hill Practice Charter
Ambience
We believe that the ambience of the Practice should encourage good health rather than ill health, and ease rather than disease. To this end the waiting room will be clean, comfortable and relaxing. Reception will be swift and efficient to ease anxiety. There will be an area to occupy children, whilst the rest of the area will be considered pleasant by Ferndown residents. Music will be relayed but there will be no audible telephones.
Humanity
We believe that all parties should show respect and concern for each other. We should respect each other's point of view, listen and share, and be aware of our expectations as well as needs. We should be punctual, polite and courteous.
Standards
We will respect confidentiality, privacy and discretion. We shall attempt to obtain the best possible mental and physical activity incorporated in the Standards laid down by the World Health Organisation.
The Consultation
We believe that this is still the most important interface between the patient and their doctor. The doctors will provide enough appointments and time for consulting, whilst their patients are aware of the constraints of time on the doctor.
Home Visiting
We believe that home visiting is an integral part of British General Practice. It is beneficial to both the doctor and the patient. We are aware however that this comfortable arrangement can impair good patient care by denying the patient the best and latest treatment and diagnostic methods. We hope to be able to respond to emergency visits at all times, but we are also aware that this may inconvenience other patients, and hope that there is understanding at the burden this responsibility places on us. Home visiting is a privilege which should be used with care.
The Doctor/Patient Relationship
The practice believes in the sanctity of the relationship, and that its values and duties far outweigh the obligations of more recent Doctor/Client or Provider/Consumer Relationships. It leans less towards Patients' Rights and more towards Professional Duties, both moral and ethical. Where differences exist, we must try to reconcile them so that there is continuity between families and their doctor. We believe in personal lists that offer the benefit of a doctor rather than a practice. In this way we will avoid "the collusion of anonymity" so prevalent in modern medical practice.
Sharing Information
Information and knowledge should be a two way process. On one hand the patient should reveal all appropriate information to help in diagnosis knowing it to be confidential. On the other hand the doctor should be prepared to explain in understandable terms the knowledge and thought processes by which an opinion was formed. We should be aware of cultural differences which may prejudice opinions. We believe that this sharing process is best produced by mutual respect and continuity of care.