Staff Training

Please be aware that we will be closed for staff training one Thursday afternoon every month. During this time the NHS111 will cover the surgery if you require urgent medical assistance.

Training Practice

The practice is committed to the further training of health professionals. These include medical students, nurses and GP trainees. Staff receiving training are fully supervised but if you prefer not to receive care from someone in training please say and we will honour your preference.

Why do we sometimes charge fees?

The NHS provides health care free of charge, but there are exceptions.

It is important to understand that GPs are self-employed and offer their services to the NHS and they have to cover their costs eg. staff, buildings, heating, lighting, etc. The NHS covers these costs for NHS work, but for non-NHS work.

The British Medical Association (BMA) suggests fees for non-NHS work which is not covered under a GP’s NHS contract. However, these fees are guidelines only, not recommendations, and a doctor is not obliged to charge the rates suggested.

Why can it take a long time to complete a form?

Time spent completing forms and preparing reports takes the GP away from the medical care of his or her patients. Most GPs have a very heavy NHS workload and this paperwork is done around the patient care.

When a doctor signs a certificate or completes a report, it is a condition of remaining on the Medical Register that they only sign what they know to be true. In order to complete even the simplest of forms, therefore, the doctor might have to check the patient’s entire medical record. Carelessness or an inaccurate report can have serious consequences for the doctor.

What is the charge?

 

Every patient at the practice is allocated a named, accountable GP. This ensures you have a ‘usual’ GP as a point of contact and to assist with continuity of care. You should always try and see your usual GP, especially for ongoing problems, however we understand this is not always possible which is why there are no restrictions on seeing other doctors.

It is possible to change your named GP at any time, please contact reception who will be happy to help.

You can find out how we have been rated:

• GP patient survey
• NHS Choices
• CQC

We will:

1. Ask you if you have information or communication needs, and find out how to meet your needs.
2. Record those needs clearly and in a set way.
3. Highlight or flag your notes so it is clear that you have information or communication needs and how to meet those needs..
4. Share your information and communication needs with other providers of NHS and adult social care, when we have consent or permission to do so.
5. Take steps to ensure that you receive information which you can access and understand, and receive communication support if you need it.

This is a guide to the General Practitioners Publication Scheme as required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Introduction

This Publication Scheme is a complete guide to the information routinely made available to the public by Priory View Medical Centre . It is a description of the information about our Doctors and the Practice, which we make publicly available. It will be reviewed at regular intervals and we will monitor its effectiveness.

How much does it cost?

The publications are all free unless otherwise indicated within each Class. (Where information is provided at a cost the charges are as below).

How is the information made available?

The information within each Class is currently available via this website, in our information folder in reception and can be requested in hard copy from reception (There will be a small charge for photocopies of documents).

Your rights to information

In addition to accessing the information identified in the Publication Scheme, you are entitled to request information about the practice and the partners under the NHS Openness Code 1995.

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 recognises that members of the public have the right to know how public services are organised and run, how much they cost and how the decisions are made.

From January 1st 2005 General Practitioners have been obliged to respond to requests about information that they hold, that is recorded in any format. These rights are subject to some exemptions, which have to be taken into consideration before deciding what information can be released.

Under the Data Protection Act 2018, you are also entitled to access your clinical records or any other personal information held about you and you can contact the practice secretary to do this.

Feedback

If you have any comments about the operation of the Publication Scheme, or how we have dealt with your request for information from the Scheme, please write to:

Mrs Helen Walker, Priory View Medical Centre, 2a Green Lane, Leeds LS12 1HU 0113 295 4260

Classes Of Information

All information at Priory View Medical Centre is held, retained and destroyed in accordance with NHS guidelines. Our commitment to publish information excludes any information, which can be legitimately withheld under the exemptions set out in the NHS Openness Code or Freedom of Information Act 2000. Where individual Classes are subject to exemptions, the main reasons are for the protection of commercial interests and personal information under the Data Protection Act 2018. This applies to all Classes within the Publication Scheme. The information on this Scheme is grouped into the following broad categories:

Who We Are

Details of the practice, organisational structures and key personnel can be found in the practice profile in our patient information folder. The practice adheres to the National General Medical Services contract. The contract is with the NHS England.

The practice aims to follow National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) and National Health Service guidelines. Copies of these can be found on the NICE website or the Department of Health website.

The NHS is a very large part of the public sector. It is possible to find out information about practices, Primary Care Trusts and other NHS services in your area by using NHS Choices Website. A full list of local General Practices can also be found there.

The full names of the GPs are listed in the introduction to this scheme, the practice leaflet and practice profile. As can be seen from the profile we employ a practice manager, practice nurses and a full range of administrative staff.

Our Services

The range of services we provide includes:

• Cervical cytology
• Child health surveillance
• Contraceptive services
• Immunisations
• Chronic disease management
• Minor Surgery
• ENT clinic
• Access to district nurse, midwife and health visitor
• Out of hours cover is currently Local Care Direct through the 111 service.

Financial information

Funding details and charging policies:

• The practice receives money from NHS England according to its contract in exchange for providing services for patients.
• The practice also charges for certain services which are not provided within the NHS.

Regular publications and information for the public

Guidance and information leaflets

Complaints

If you wish to make a complaint about any aspect of our service you should first contact:

Mrs Helen Walker, Priory View Medical Centre, 2a Green Lane, Leeds LS12 1HU 0113 295 4260

The complaints procedure can be found on this website, on the notice board in reception, and in the patient information folder.

Our policies and procedures

Policies and procedures for use within the practice include, but are not restricted to: data protection; prescribing and prescription; and health and safety.

This Publication Scheme

In this class, we will publish any changes we make to this Publication Scheme, the criteria on which our information management policies are made and a referral point for all enquiries regarding information management. We will also publish any proposed changes or additions to publications already available.

Cost of Information

We will charge you only for hard copies or the transfer of media onto external devices. Some information is available free, but for others, there may be a charge. The charges will vary according to how information is made available. Charges are as follows:

1. Via the practice intranet – photocopying charges only.
2. Leaflets – leaflets on services we offer to the public, health advice leaflets and information regarding complaints/suggestions and Access to data are available free of charge from reception and can be viewed in our patient information folders.
3. “Glossy” or other bound paper copies, CD Rom, video or other mediums, are not currently available from the practice.

The charges will be reviewed regularly.

Useful Resources

Websites

Information Commissioner website.

Publications

Freedom Of Information Act 2000.

NHS England Contracting.

Copyright

Material available through this Publication Scheme is subject to the copyright of this General Practice unless otherwise indicated. Unless expressly indicated to the contrary, it may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium provided it is done so accurately in a manner which will not mislead. Where items are re-published or copied to others, you must identify the source and acknowledge copyright status. This permit does not extend to third party material, accessed through the scheme. See HMSO Guidance Notes.

GDPR – General Data Protection Regulation

GDPR came into force on 25th May 2018, and was designed to modernise laws that protect the personal information of individuals.

The Practice handles medical records in-line with the laws on data protection and confidentiality. All patients’ records on file or computer are completely confidential. The Practice complies with the access to Medical Records Act, the Data Protection Act and the Freedom of Information Act.  Access to patient records is limited to health professionals and administration staff who are bound by a code of confidentiality, In order to maintain confidentiality, test results will only be given to the patients themselves or parents of minors.

Primary Care Networks:

All practices in the UK are members of a Primary Care Network (PCN), which is a group of practices who have chosen to work together and with local community, mental health, social care, pharmacy, hospital and voluntary services to provide care to their patients.

PCNs are built on the core of current primary care services and enable greater provision of proactive, personalised, coordinated and more integrated health and social care.

We are members of Armley PCN along with: Thornton Medical Centre and Armley Medical Centre

This arrangement means that practices within the same PCN may share data with other practices within the PCN, for the purpose of patient care (such as extended hours appointments and other services), Each practice within the PCN is part of a stringent data sharing agreement that means that all patient data shared is treated with the same obligations of confidentiality and data security.

Privacy Notice

Further information around how we share data with other organisations and why we do so can be found here.

General Practice Data for Planning and Research: GP Practice Privacy Notice – NHS Digital

Privacy Notice

Easy Read Privacy Notice

GP Connect Transparency Notice – NHS Digital

Priory View Medical Centre utilise a third party to process New Patient Registrations. This enables us to register patients quickly and accurately. To support this, we have a Patient Privacy Policy to cover the data that is processed. Please read the following Privacy Policy that covers this specific process. Privacy Policy for Patients v.7

Opt-Out form

Patients can also complete a Type 1 Opt-Out form and hand it in or post to the surgery if you would like to opt-out of data sharing. The Type 1 Opt-out form is available here 

GDPR and My Patient Record

Click on the link below to view how General Practices in Leeds use and share information about you.

Rights

• All patients registered at the practice have a named, accountable GP responsible for their overall care, but any patient can see any doctor or nurse they choose.
• Patients have the right to say if they would prefer to see a particular doctor or nurse and we will try to arrange this (as long as they are available). We understand that ‘continuity of care’ is important. Seeing the same nurse or doctor for a particular condition can make it easier to get the right diagnosis and plan your treatment/management better.
• Registered patients are invited to have a health check from time to time. We hope you will take up this service.
• We also offer all patients over 40 an NHS Health Check every 5 years. Please contact reception to discuss this.
• Patients have the right to see their own health records, subject to the terms of the Data Protection Act.

Responsibilities

• Please arrive on time for your appointment. That way clinics are more likely to run on time.
• Please inform the practice if you can’t make an appointment or if the appointment is no longer necessary, so the slot can be offered to another patient.
• Please try and attend the surgery and do not make a request for a home visit unless absolutely necessary. Home visits are for bedbound or seriously ill patients. In the time it takes to conduct 1 home visit we can typically see at least 4 patients at the surgery.
• Please make requests for repeat prescriptions in good time. We suggest at least 72 hours before you need more medication.
• Please co-operate with all practice staff and treat them courteously. They are trying to help you.

Your Suggestions

We are always seeking to enhance our service and welcome suggestions for the improvement of the practice and the website. Our address is:

Mrs Helen Walker, Priory View Medical Centre, 2a Green Lane, Leeds LS12 1HU 0113 295 4260

You Can Also Send Feedback Online:

• If you register for online booking you can also make suggestions about the service given by the practice.

Complaints

Everyone at Priory View Medical Centre endeavours to provide the best service and care possible. Unfortunately, we understand that there may be times when you feel this has not happened. If you have a complaint about the practice please feel free to talk to one of the Doctors or our Practice Manager. You can do this in person, or by phoning the practice or by writing to us at the above address.

Making a complaint

Most problems can be sorted out quickly and easily with the person concerned, often at the time they arise, and this may be the approach you try first.

Where you are not able to resolve your complaint in this way and wish to make a formal complaint you should do so, preferably in writing as soon as possible after the event and ideally within a few days, giving as much detail as you can, as this helps us to establish what happened more easily. In any event, this should be:

• Within 12 months of the incident,
• or within 12 months of you becoming aware of the matter  You may also make your complaint directly to the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB): By email: wyicb.pals@nhs.net
• By post: Complaints Team, West Yorkshire ICB, White Rose House, West Parade, Wakefield, WF1 1LT
• By telephone: 01924 552 150, Monday to Friday, 9am – 4.30pm, excluding bank holidays.
• Send your written complaint to: Helen Walker, Practice Manager
• We are able to provide you with a separate complaints form to register your complaint and this includes a third-party authority form to enable a complaint to be made by someone else. Please ask at reception for this. You can provide this in your own format providing it covers all of the necessary aspects.
• If you are a registered patient you can complain about your own care. You are not normally able to complain about someone else’s treatment without their written authority. See the separate section below for what to do in this case.

What we do next

We aim to settle complaints as soon as possible.

We will usually acknowledge receipt within three working days, and aim to resolve the matter as soon as possible but will give you some idea of how long that may take at the outset. You will then receive a formal reply in writing, or you may be invited to meet with the person(s) concerned to attempt to resolve the issue. If the matter is likely to take longer than this we will let you know, and keep you informed as the investigation progresses.

When looking into a complaint, we attempt to see what happened and why, to see if there is something we can learn from this, and make it possible for you to discuss the issue with those involved if you wish to do so. When the investigations are complete, a final written response will be sent to you.

Where your complaint involves more than one organisation (e.g. social services) we will liaise with that organisation so that you receive one coordinated reply. We may need your consent to do this. Where your complaint has been initially sent to an incorrect organisation, we may seek your consent to forward this to the correct person to deal with.

The final response letter will include details of the result of your complaint and also your right to refer the matter further to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (details shown below) if you remain dissatisfied with the response.

Complaining on Behalf of Someone Else

We keep to the strict rules of medical and personal confidentiality. If you wish to make a complaint and are not the patient involved, we will require the written consent of the patient to confirm that they are unhappy with their treatment and that we can deal with someone else about it. In the event the patient is deceased, then we may agree to respond to a family member or anyone acting on their behalf or who has had an interest in the welfare of the patient.

Please ask at reception for the Complaints Form, which contains a suitable authority for the patient to sign to enable the complaint to proceed. Alternatively, we will send one to you to return to us when we receive your initial written complaint.

Where the patient is incapable of providing consent due to illness, accident or mental capacity, it may still be possible to deal with the complaint. Please provide the precise details of the circumstances that prevent this in your covering letter.

Please note that we are unable to discuss any issue relating to someone else without their express permission, which must be in writing, unless the circumstances above apply.  You may also find that if you are complaining on behalf of a child who is capable of making their own complaint, we will expect that child to contact us themselves to lodge their complaint.

We may still need to correspond directly with the patient, or may be able to deal directly with the third party. This depends on the wording of the authority provided.

If you are dissatisfied with the outcome

You have the right to approach the Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman.
Their contact details are:

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
Millbank Tower
30 Millbank
London
SW1P 4QP

Tel:   0345 0154033

Website: www.ombudsman.org.uk

http://www.ombudsman.org.uk/make-a-complaint (to complain online or download a paper form).

You may also approach PALS, Healthwatch or the Independent Health Complaints Advocacy for help or advice;

The local Healthwatch can be found at: http://www.healthwatch.co.uk/

The IHCA is able to be contacted at: http://www.seap.org.uk/services/nhs-complaints-advocacy/

The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is based at The Mount, 44 Hyde Terrace, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 9LN  Tel: 0800 0525 790