Practice Charter

Our responsibilities to you:

To give you the most appropriate care and refer you to a suitable specialist if necessary.
To discuss and explain your medical problem to you.
To provide you with emergency care when necessary.
All our consultations are confidential.
You will be treated with courtesy and respect.
To give you access to your health records in accordance with current legislation.
To address any of your concerns or complaints promptly.
To explain the effects of any treatment which you may need.

Your responsibilities as a patient:

We expect patients to treat the doctors and the practice staff with courtesy and respect at all times.
Please inform the practice of any change of your name, address or telephone number.
It is more effective if we deal with one main problem at the time of consultation.
Please do everything you can to keep your appointment and contact the practice in advance if you are unable to attend.
Please ask for home visits only when you are too ill or infirm.
Please keep your phone call brief and avoid calling during the peak morning time for non-urgent matters.
Remember, you are responsible for your own health and the health of your children. We will give you professional advice; please act upon it.

Chaperone Policy

Christchurch Hall practice 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 guidelines and policy as laid out in the Clinical Governance Support Team Chaperone Framework (2005).

All our Practitioners and Staff are aware of the Policy.

We, Christchurch Hall Surgery, undertake to:-

Be sensitive and respectful of the patients' dignity and confidentiality.
Explain procedures to be undertaken to the patient and respond to their questions.
Provide an area for the patient to dress and undress in private.
Comply with any request from a patient not to carry out any procedure.
Reassure the patient if they show any signs of distress.
When examining a child or vulnerable adult, ask that a parent/carer accompany them unless it is contrary to the declared wishes of a “Gillick competent child” (Fraser Guidelines). A trained Practice Chaperone will be present during the examination in such a case.
Explain what we are doing during the examination. Keep discussions relevant and avoid personal comments.
Record the examination with the name and professional position of the chaperone present.
Administrative staff required to undertake the role of chaperone are appropriately trained and will be present during the entire examination.
The Practice undertakes to train all members of staff as Chaperones.

The presence of a Chaperone is a safeguard for all participants – the patient and the Doctor.

Patient Concerns

View a copy of our Practice Complaints Procedure (PDF, 75KB)