Patient Responsibilities

• If you are unable to attend for an appointment please let us know so that we can offer it to someone else. 
• If you are late for your appointment you maybe asked to re-book at another time. Try to let us know in advance if you are going to be unavoidably delayed, so that we can make alternative arrangements to help you. 
• A home visit should only be requested for those who are unable to come to the surgery because of serious illness or infirmity. Please ring the surgery before 11am on the day if at all possible. 
• An emergency appointment is for an urgent medical problem. If you are unsure on whether you need an urgent appointment we recommend you call the NHS 111 advice line. They will give you up to date medical advice to help you decide if your issue requires an emergency appointment or if you can wait for a regular appointment with your GP.
• You can request a sick note or repeat prescription online.
• We would ask you to be patient if the doctor is running late. This is often due to unforeseeable emergencies but please ask for an explanation from the receptionist. 
• Make a separate appointment for each patient that needs to be seen. This allows the doctor enough time to treat each patient with the time that they deserve. 
• Please act in a responsible and courteous manner whilst on the practice premises for the safety and comfort of others.
• Please treat all surgery staff, fellow patients,carers and visitors politely and with respect. Violence or verbal harassment will not be tolerated or accepted, you may be asked to register at another surgery if this behavior occurs. More information on our zero tolerance policy can be found here.

Patient’s Rights to General Medical Services

• To be offered a health check on joining a doctor’s list for the first time.  
• To have appropriate drugs and medicine prescribed.  
• To be referred to a consultant acceptable to them when they and their GP thinks it is necessary, and to be referred for a second opinion if they and their GP think it is advisable.  
• To have access to their health records, subject to any limitations of the law, and to know that those working for the NHS are under a legal duty to keep those records confidential.  
• To choose whether to take part in research or medical student training.  
• To receive a copy of their doctors practice leaflet, setting out the services that he or she provides.  
• To receive a full and prompt reply to any complaints they make about the care they receive at The Village Medical Centre.