Practice Policies
Confidentiality and Data Protection.
Medical confidentiality is the cornerstone of trust between doctor and patient and we keep records secure and confidential. All members of the practice team are bound by strict rules of confidentiality. The practice is registered under the Data Protection Act and will not divulge any patient information to anyone without the patient’s express written consent.
For your direct care either from the practice or within the NHS hospital service we imply your consent to pass on relevant clinical information to other professional staff involved in your direct care. Only when there is a legal basis for the transfer of data, we may pass limited and relevant information to other NHS organisations to improve the efficient management of the NHS or to aid medical research.
If you would require any release of the details you need to sign a consent form and a nominal fee will be charged for the release of the documents.
If you wish to object to the use of your data for these “secondary” uses please speak to our Practice Manager – Mr Laurence Jackman
Freedom of Information
The practice complies with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and we are obliged to produce a Publication Scheme – this is a guide to the ‘class’ of information the practice intends to routinely make available. A copy of the scheme is available upon request.
Patient Responsibilities – Help Us to Help You
If you change your name, address or telephone/mobile numbers please inform the surgery to up-date your details by completing a form at reception. It is important that we are able to contact you. Please also inform us if you are the carer for someone to ensure is has been documented in the notes.
We also have access to ‘Language Line’ translation service to ease communication when there are severe language difficulties.
The surgery operates the NHS zero tolerance policy and we deal with all the patients with courtesy and respect. In situations in which the staff or the doctors feel threatened then a patient can be removed from the surgery list under the zero tolerance policy.
Complaints Procedure and Code of Practice for Patient Complaints
We want all our patients to be pleased with the service they receive, so we take complaints seriously. If a patient makes a complaint, we will deal with it promptly and courteously. Our aim is to resolve the matter as quickly as possible following the agreed procedure and, wherever possible, to the satisfaction of the patient.
A complaint may indicate a failing on our part, which we can learn from and make improvements to our service. We will adopt a ‘no blame’ approach when investigating a complaint and especially where individuals are identified, with the aim of reach a satisfactory conclusion. We will, at all times, be polite and respectful to our patients.
Practice procedure
- The Practice Complaints Manager – Jennifer Woolford/Cherie Maliphant is responsible for dealing with all complaints about our service.
- If the patient complains in writing or by e-mail, the complaint will be passed immediately to the Complaints Manager.
- Complaints about clinical care will be referred to the GP concerned, unless the patient requests otherwise.
- All complaints are acknowledged in writing as soon as possible but within two working days, and a final letter received within 30days.
- We will investigate the complaint speedily and efficiently and, as far a reasonably practicable, will keep the patient informed of our progress. Investigations will normally be completed within 4 weeks.
- On completion of our investigation, we will provide the patient with a full written report.
- an explanation of how the compliant has been considered
- the conclusions reached in respect of each specific part of the complaint
- details of any necessary remedial action and
- whether the practice is satisfied with any action it has already taken or will be taking as a result of the complaint.
- Proper and comprehensive records will kept of any complaint received as well as any actions taken to improve services as a consequence of a complaint.
If a patient is not satisfied with the result, then the complaint may be referred to:
Patient Support Services:
Phone: 0300 0200 159
Email: hdhb.patientsupportservices@wales.nhs.uk
Website: www.hduhb.nhs.wales
Freepost Feedback @ Hywel Dda
Withybush General Hospital
Fishguard Road
Haverfordwest
SA61 2PZ
- The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales, 1 Ffordd yr Hen Gae, Pencoed CF35 5LJ telephone: 0300 790 0203. ask@ombudsman.wales WWW.ombudsman.wales
- The General Medical Complaints Service, The Lansdowne Building, 2 Lansdowne Road, Croydon, Greater London CR9 2ER, 08456 120 540
- The General Medical Council, 37 Wimpole Street, London, W1M 8DQ the GP’s registration body.
Time limits – It is important that you make your complaint as soon as possible after the problem arises. We usually will only investigate complaints that are either:
- Made within 6 months of the event;
- Made within 6 months of you realising that you have something to complain about, as long as that is no more than 12 months after the event.
Getting help to raise your concern
If you need help to raise a concern, Llais – your voice in health and social care can help you do this. Llais is an independent body and its free Advocacy service and can provide information, advice and support to members of the public who may wish to raise a concern.
Llais can support you to raise a concern and give advice on the most appropriate course of action. You can contact your local Llais office at the following address:
Advocacy Service
Llais – West Wales
Suite 5, First Floor
Ty Myrddin
Old Station Road
Carmarthen
SA31 1BT
Tel: 01646 697610
e-mail:
westwalesadvocacy@llaiscymru.org
To access Llais’ website go to
Your voice in health and social care | Llais (llaiswales.org) (opens in new window)
Cael cymorth i fynegi eich pryder
Os oes angen help arnoch i fynegi pryder, gall Llais – eich llais mewn iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol eich helpu i wneud hyn. Mae Llais yn gorff annibynnol a gall ei wasanaeth Eiriolaeth rhad ac am ddim darparu gwybodaeth, cyngor a chefnogaeth i aelodau o’r cyhoedd a all ddymuno codi pryder.
Gall Llais eich cefnogi i fynegi pryder a rhoi cyngor ar y camau gweithredu mwyaf priodol. Gallwch gysylltu â’ch swyddfa Llais leol yn y cyfeiriad canlynol:
Gwasanaeth Eiriolaeth
Llais – Gorllewin Cymru
Swit 5, Llawr Cyntaf
Ty Myrddin
Heol yr Hen Orsaf
Caerfyddin
SA31 1BT
Ffôn: 01646 697610
E-bost:
westwalesadvocacy@llaiscymru.org
I gael mynediad i wefan Llais ewch i
Eich llais mewn iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol | Llais (llaiswales.org) (yn agor mewn ffenest newydd)
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