In June 1997 the NHS published guidelines relating to the priority treatment of war pensioners, and this was updated in December 2007. From 1st January 2008, all service veterans should receive priority access to NHS care for any condition which is likely to relate to their military service. This is also subject to fair treatment of all other patients based on clinical needs. Several special mental health schemes have also been established.

The purpose of this protocol is to raise awareness of the requirements in relation to veterans and to summarise the DoH guidance on the subject.

Many conditions do not become obvious until after a veteran has left military service, therefore all GPs should be aware of the government wish to prioritise care of this nature and consider the military aspects of a condition when diagnosing and referring to secondary care.

The July 2015 update to the NHS Constitution ensures that, in line with the Armed Forces Covenant, military veterans are supported, treated equally and receive the same standard of, and access to, healthcare as any other UK citizen in the area they live.

For those with concerns about their mental health who may not present for some time after leaving Service, they should be able to access services with health professionals who have an understanding of Armed Forces culture. Veterans who have lost a limb as a result of their service will be able to access prostheses that reflect their clinical need. Veterans receive their healthcare from the NHS and are encouraged to identify themselves to their GP as member of the Armed Forces Community.

Full Military Veteran Policy Protocol

The Surgery prides itself in maintaining professional standards. For certain examinations during consultations an impartial observer (a “Chaperone”) will be required.

This impartial observer will be a practice nurse who is familiar with the procedure and be available to reassure and raise any concerns on your behalf. If a nurse in unavailable at the time of your consultation then your examination may be re-scheduled for another time.

You are free to decline any examination or chose an alternative examiner or chaperone. You may also request a chaperone for any examination or consultation if one is not offered to you. The GP may not undertake an examination if a chaperone is declined.

The role of a Chaperone:

• Maintains professional boundaries during intimate examinations.

• Acknowledges a patient’s vulnerability.

• Provides emotional comfort and reassurance.

• Assists in the examination.

• Assists with undressing patients, if required.

View our full Chaperone Policy

Advice Notice Regarding Administration of Over the Counter Medication in Nurseries & Schools

Non-prescription/over the counter (OTC) medications DO NOT need a GP signature/authorisation in order for school/nursery/child-minder to give it.

The ‘Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage,’ which governs institutions looking after and caring for children used to state that all medicines needed to be prescribed by a doctor, nurse or pharmacist. This has recently been amended to only state that prescribed medication needs this in written format.

The British Medical Association has advised that MHRA licences for medicine and classifies them when appropriate as OTC, based on their safety profile. This is to enable access to those medicines without authorisation from a GP which applies to both inside and outside an educational environment.

It is appropriate for OTC medicines to be administered by a member of staff in the nursery or school, or self-administered by the pupil during school hours, following written permission by the parents s they consider necessary.

It is a misuse of GP time to take up an appointment just to acquire a prescription for a medicine just to satisfy the needs of a nursery/school. This was agreed and supported by the Department of Childrens, School and families who confirmed in a letter aFP10 is not required unless it is a prescription drug.

We hope that this explains as a Practice why we will not be providing letters/prescriptions for medication available over the counter, for example, calpol so that your child’s nursery/school/child-minder can administer them.

We are grateful for your understanding.

The Partners

WHAT IS A PRIVACY NOTICE?

A privacy notice is a statement that discloses some or all of the ways in which the practice gathers, uses, discloses and manages a patient’s data. It fulfills a legal requirement to protect a patient’s privacy.
Specific privacy notices can be found by clicking on the relevant link on the right hand side of this page

WHY DO WE NEED ONE?

To ensure compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), The Chislehurst Medical Practice must ensure that information is provided to patients about how their personal data is processed in a manner which is:

• Concise, transparent, intelligible and easily accessible;
• Written in clear and plain language, particularly if addressed to a child; and
• Free of charge

 

WHAT IS THE GDPR?

The GDPR replaces the Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC and is designed to harmonise data privacy laws across Europe, to protect and empower all EU citizens’ data privacy and to reshape the way in which organisations across the region approach data privacy. The GPDR came into effect on 25 May 2018.

 

HOW DO WE COMMUNICATE OUR PRIVACY NOTICE?

At The Chislehurst Partnership, the practice privacy notice is displayed on our website, through signage in the waiting room, and in writing during patient registration (by means of this leaflet). We will:

• Inform patients how their data will be used and for what purpose
• Allow patients to opt out of sharing their data, should they so wish

 

WHAT INFORMATION DO WE COLLECT ABOUT YOU?

We will collect information such as personal details, including name, address, next of kin, records of appointments, visits, telephone calls, your health records, treatment and medications, test results, X-rays, etc. and any other relevant information to enable us to deliver effective medical care.

 

 

HOW DO WE USE YOUR INFORMATION?

Your data is collected for the purpose of providing direct patient care; however, we can disclose this information if it is required by law, if you give consent or if it is justified in the public interest. The practice may be requested to support research; however, we will always gain your consent before sharing your information with medical research databases such as the Clinical Practice Research Datalink or others when the law allows.

 

MAINTAINING CONFIDENTIALITY

We are committed to maintaining confidentiality and protecting the information we hold about you. We adhere to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the NHS Codes of Confidentiality and Security, as well as guidance issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

 

RISK STRATIFICATION

Risk stratification is a mechanism used to identify and subsequently manage those patients deemed as being at high risk of requiring urgent or emergency care. Usually this includes patients with long-term conditions, e.g. cancer. Your information is collected by a number of sources, including The Chislehurst Medical Practice; this information is processed electronically and given a risk score which is relayed to your GP who can then decide on any necessary actions to ensure that you receive the most appropriate care.

 

INVOICE VALIDATION

Your information may be shared if you have received treatment, to determine which Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is responsible for paying for your treatment. This information may include your name, address and treatment date. All of this information is held securely and confidentially; it will not be used for any other purpose or shared with any third parties.

 

OPT-OUTS

You have a right to object to your information being shared. Should you wish to opt out of data collection, please contact a member of staff who will be able to explain how you can opt out and prevent the sharing of your information; this is done by registering a Type 1 opt-out, preventing your information from being shared outside this practice.

 

ACCESSING YOUR RECORDS

You have a right to access the information we hold about you, and if you would like to access this information, you will need to complete a Subject Access Request (SAR). Please ask at reception for a SAR form and you will be given further information. Furthermore, should you identify any inaccuracies; you have a right to have the inaccurate data corrected.

 

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS

Should you have any questions about our privacy policy or the information we hold about you, you can:

1. Contact the practice’s data controller at The Chislehurst Medical Practice. GP practices are data controllers for the data they hold about their patients[1]
2. Write to the data controller at The Chislehurst Medical Practice, 42 High Street, Chislehurst, Kent BR7 5AQ
3. Ask to speak to the practice manager.

The Data Protection Officer (DPO) for The Chislehurst Medical Practice is Claire Clements based at South East London

National Data Opt Out

https://digital.nhs.uk/services/national-data-opt-out/supporting-patients-information-and-resources

COMPLAINTS

In the unlikely event that you are unhappy with any element of our data-processing methods, you have the right to lodge a complaint with The Chislehurst Medical Practice. For further details, visit chislehurstmedicalpractice.co.uk.

We regularly review our privacy policy and any updates will be published on our website and on posters to reflect the changes. This policy is to be reviewed on 31/1/24

Chislehurst Medical Practice will make a reasonable charge for providing information. The charges will vary according to how the information is made available but will include staff time; administration costs; printing or photocopying costs; postage and any other out of pocket expenses incurred by the Practice in the provision of this information. Charges will be advised upon receipt of the request and must be agreed before the information is provided.

https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/employment/fees/why-gps-charge-fees

As a general guide, charges are as follows:

• Via the General Practice/Primary Care Trust Web Site – Free of charge, although any charges for Internet Service provider and personal printing costs would have to be met by the individual.
• For those without Internet access, a single print-out as on the website would be available by personal application at Chislehurst Medical Practice. However, requests for multiple printouts, or for archived copies of documents which are no longer accessible or available on the web, may attract a charge for the retrieval.

View our Fees for Private Services – In line with recommended BMA rates

We make every effort to give the best service possible to everyone who attends our practice.

However, we are aware that things can go wrong resulting in a patient feeling that they have a genuine cause for complaint. If this is so, we would wish for the matter to be settled as quickly, and as amicably, as possible.

To pursue a complaint please contact The Patient Services Manager details of how to pursue a complaint are available in our complaints leaflet (see link below)

We are continually striving to improve our service. Any helpful suggestions/feedback would be much appreciated and a suggestion box is located in the lobby and on the ‘contact us’ page of this website.

Complaints leaflet

The Health Service Ombudsman in England

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman website contains detailed information on raising a complaint about any aspect of the NHS in England.

The ICO has published a new Model Publication Scheme that all public authorities are required to adopt.

Model Publication Scheme – further information

The practice complies with Data Protection and Access to Medical Records legislation. Identifiable information about you will be shared with others in the following circumstances:

• To provide further medical treatment for you e.g. from district nurses and hospital services.
• To help you get other services e.g. from the social work department. This requires your consent.
• When we have a duty to others e.g. in child protection cases anonymised patient information will also be used at local and national level to help the Health Board and Government plan services e.g. for diabetic care.

If you do not wish anonymous information about you to be used in such a way, please let us know.

Reception and administration staff require access to your medical records in order to do their jobs. These members of staff are bound by the same rules of confidentiality as the medical staff.

The surgery data security policies are available should you wish to view them. Please ask a staff member.