Information
How Do I Register With A Doctor?
Please bring your medical card to the surgery and a receptionist will register you with a doctor. If you do not have a medical card, please ask at reception for an application form. Temporary residents are registered on a special form at reception. This practice has a system of personal lists. This means that although you sign on with the practice, you will be registered with a named doctor and will be seen by that doctor. We believe this gives greater continuity of care for our patients.
Order a Prescription
We aim to provide routine repeat prescriptions authorised by your doctor
within 48 hours. These may be obtained by completing the tear-off slip
on the right-hand side of your prescription. Your slip should be submitted
to the surgery by hand or post.
If you would like your prescription posted
to you, please enclose an SAE. Alterations to items on your prescription
or new items added by the hospital may take slightly longer to prepare.
Some of your local chemists may be able to deliver your prescription if you are housebound. Please mark your slip 'to be delivered' if you need this service.
N.B. Please do NOT telephone for repeat prescriptions due to the risk of errors.
Your medication will need to be reviewed periodically - your doctor will inform you if you need to be seen.
New Patients
New patients will be given a health and medical questionnaire to fill
in and an appointment for a health check by the nurse. This is important
as it allows us to get to know you better and collect important information
on past medical health, current problems and medication.
It is also a good time to ensure that all immunisations, contraceptive advice, cervical
smears and blood pressure measurements are up to date. There can sometimes
be a delay in obtaining your medical records from your previous doctor
and, therefore, the new patient information is vital to your new doctor.
Home Visits
In view of the facilities for diagnosis and treatment at the medical centre, we try to limit visits to essential ones only. It may be inconvenient and unpleasant, but attendance at the medical centre is essential. Please phone BEFORE 10.00AM except in an emergency.
Out Of Hours
If an urgent medical problem arises out of surgery hours, including Saturday mornings, please telephone 0845 600 10 13 and speak to Dorset Emergency Care Service. If your injury or illness is severe, or you have had a serious accident, call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
The Practice Computer
We have had a computer since July 1982 and it is constantly in use in producing repeat prescriptions, recall programmes for cervical smears, vaccinations etc and storing other relevant information. Under the Data Protection Act you have the right to see information held about you on computer. Our fee for supplying this information is the current BMA recommended fee.
Languages
If your first language is not English, if you give us advance notice, the practice can make arrangements for you to have telephone access to an interpreter during the consultation. The best Medical advice is to learn to understand and express yourself in English.
Patient Confidentiality and Data Protection
We ask you for personal information so that you can receive care and treatment. This information is recorded on computer and 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 it is sometimes necessary that medical information about you is shared between members of the practice team.
Suggestions
We have a suggestions box in the waiting area and are always happy to receive ideas for improving the practice. Please put your name on your suggestion so that you can be contacted to discuss it, if appropriate.