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GENERAL INFORMATION
Dispensary
For patients living outside Oswestry, the dispensary is open during reception hours except between 1 and 2pm. Rural patients may obtain their prescriptions from our dispensary. If you take regular medication please discuss it with your doctor who will arrange for repeat prescriptions. Details of these are kept on computer under the terms of the Data Protection Act, 1998.
To obtain your repeat prescription please give 48 hours notice. You can leave a message on the answerphone by dialling 658519 giving your computer number, name and address and the name(s) of the medication(s). If you need to speak to a member of the dispensary staff personally, you can dial direct on 659250. Otherwise you can complete the order form attached to your previous prescription and hand it in to the receptionist or send it through the post. You may also submit an order via the Repeat Prescription link on our website at www.caxtonsurgery.co.uk. If you require medication urgently when the surgery is closed, please contact Shropdoc on 08450 20 21 31.
Medication Reviews
To make sure we give the best possible care, patients who receive regular medication from their doctor should have a drug review at least once a year. The back of the prescription listing repeat medication includes the date when your review is due and will need to see the doctor again. Please make a double appointment with the health care assistant at least 1 week before your medication review is due so that any blood tests, blood pressure recordings etc. are up to date by the time you see the doctor.
Patients suffering from coronary heart disease or diabetes should be aware that if their cholesterol has not been checked in the last 6 months, a fasting blood test will be required. We hope that this system will prove to be more convenient for patients who should either call into the surgery or telephone 653600 to make their appointments.
Test Results
All test results are seen by your doctor who will follow-up all abnormal results. Results will only be given over the phone to the patient themselves and then only as "normal" or "please discuss this with the doctor". Reception staff are not qualified to discuss the clinical aspect of results; any concerns should be discussed with either a practice nurse or GP.
Occasionally, abnormal blood results are reported out of hours to the doctors at Shropdoc when they do not have access to any clinical information. This makes clinical decision-making very difficult so we have given consent for triage doctors working for Shropdoc to have access to previous test results to help make a correct decision regarding further care. This is via a password protected link and will not allow access to any other part of patients’ medical records.
Pregnancy tests take about 4 days and the results of these are left in a sealed envelope for the patient to collect. Results will not be given to anybody else without written authorisation from the patient.
Cervical smear tests take about 6 weeks and results are sent directly to patients' homes.
Hospital Referrals (Choose and Book)
Your GP may need to refer you to a hospital to be seen by a specialist. You now have a “choice” and will be given contact details for making your appointment.
- You can choose from at least 4 hospitals
- You can choose the date and time of your appointment.
- The referral is done electronically so there is less chance of it getting lost in the post.
Health Promotion
Feeling Well - Keeping Well
There are key areas which are important in health maintenance and in reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke:
- smoking
- blood pressure
- weight
- diet
- exercise
- alcohol intake
If you need any advice concerning a healthier lifestyle, please make an appointment to see one of our Practice nurses. If you are keen to give up smoking you can be given advice and support by one of the nurses in our Smoking Cessation Clinic. Please contact the receptionist to make an appointment.
REMEMBER - TIME WELL SPENT NOW COULD ADD TO YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE.
Access to Medical Records
We keep information about you for your future care and treatment. We only ever use or pass on information about you if people have a genuine need for it. Whenever we can, we remove details, which identify you.
The sharing of some types of very sensitive personal information is strictly controlled by law. However, sometimes the law requires us to pass on information, for example to notify a birth or an infectious disease. Anyone who receives information from us is also under a legal duty to keep it confidential. The Practice also operates a “Teenage Friendly” Policy.
You have a right to see your medical records. To do this you will need to make a written request. Please ask a receptionist for details or contact the Practice Manager.
Complaints Procedure
We offer a Practice Complaints Procedure to deal with comments, suggestions and complaints about the service we provide. The Practice Manager will give you further information or you can obtain a form from any of the reception staff. Our aim is to give the highest possible standard of service and we try to deal with any problems quickly and efficiently.
Zero Tolerance of Violent or Aggressive Behaviour
Surgery staff deserve the right to do their jobs without being verbally or physically abused. Most of out patients respect this right and we thank you for being one of them. Types of behaviour that will not be tolerated include the following:
- Loud or intrusive conversation or shouting.
- Threatening or abusive language involving excessive swearing or offensive remarks.
- Derogatory remarks of any kind, including comments regarding race, religion, gender, sexuality.
- Malicious allegations relating to members of staff, other patients or visitors.
- Threats or threatening behaviour.
- Physical violence.
The Caxton Surgery has a duty to provide a safe and secure environment. Violent or abusive behaviour will not be tolerated and decisive action will be taken to protect staff, patients and visitors.
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