Health Centre Policies
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Patient Confidentiality
The Health Centre respects your right to privacy and keep all your health information confidential and secure. This information is only available to those involved in your care and you should never be asked for personal medical information by anyone not involved in your care.
Every member of staff at the Health Centre is bound by a Confidentiality Clause in their Contract of Employment.
You have a right to know what information we hold about you. If you would like to see your records, please contact the Practice Manager.
The Health Centre is committed to providing a safe, comfortable environment where patients and staff can be confident that 'best practice' is being followed at all times, and the safety of everyone is of paramount importance. This Chaperone Policy adheres to local and national guidance and policy - ‘NCGST Guidance on the role and effective use of chaperones in Primary and Community Care settings’.
If you would like to have a chaperone present during an examination by a doctor, please let the doctor know. The Health Centre is happy to arrange for a chaperone to be present. All patients are entitled to have a chaperone present for any consultation, examination or procedure where they consider one is required. The chaperone may be a family member or friend, but on occasions a formal chaperone may be preferred.
Patients are advised to ask for a chaperone if required, at the time of booking an appointment, if possible, so that arrangements can be made and the appointment is not delayed in any way. The Healthcare Professional may also require a chaperone to be present for certain consultations.
All the staff is aware of and have received appropriate information in relation to this Chaperone Policy. All trained chaperones understand their role and responsibilities and are competent to perform that role.
There is no common definition of a chaperone and their role varies considerably depending on the needs of the patient, the healthcare professional and the examination being carried out.
Their role can be considered in any of the following areas:
If you would like to have a chaperone present during an examination by a doctor, please let the doctor know. The Health Centre is happy to arrange for a chaperone to be present. All patients are entitled to have a chaperone present for any consultation, examination or procedure where they consider one is required. The chaperone may be a family member or friend, but on occasions a formal chaperone may be preferred.
Patients are advised to ask for a chaperone if required, at the time of booking an appointment, if possible, so that arrangements can be made and the appointment is not delayed in any way. The Healthcare Professional may also require a chaperone to be present for certain consultations.
All the staff is aware of and have received appropriate information in relation to this Chaperone Policy. All trained chaperones understand their role and responsibilities and are competent to perform that role.
There is no common definition of a chaperone and their role varies considerably depending on the needs of the patient, the healthcare professional and the examination being carried out.
Their role can be considered in any of the following areas:
- Emotional comfort and reassurance to patients
- Assist in examination (e.g. during IUCD insertion)
- Assist in undressing
- Act as interpreter
- Protection to the healthcare professional against allegations / attack
Zero Tolerance
The Health Centre tries to treat our patients courteously at all times, and expect our patients to treat our staff in a similarly courteous way.
In line with the rest of the NHS, we have a Zero Tolerance Policy towards violent or aggressive patients. An act of verbal aggression towards any member of the Practice team, other patients or visitors will receive a warning of removal from the practice list. Any repeat of the behaviour will result in removal from the practice list.
An act of violence by a patient to a member of the Health Centre team, another patient or visitor or damage to Practice property will result in the police being called, removal of the patient from the premises, possible criminal proceedings and immediate removal from the Health Centre List.
The Health Centre tries to treat our patients courteously at all times, and expect our patients to treat our staff in a similarly courteous way.
In line with the rest of the NHS, we have a Zero Tolerance Policy towards violent or aggressive patients. An act of verbal aggression towards any member of the Practice team, other patients or visitors will receive a warning of removal from the practice list. Any repeat of the behaviour will result in removal from the practice list.
An act of violence by a patient to a member of the Health Centre team, another patient or visitor or damage to Practice property will result in the police being called, removal of the patient from the premises, possible criminal proceedings and immediate removal from the Health Centre List.