Other Services

Disabled Access

Parking for disabled patients is available on both sites. There is easy access with automatic front doors on both sites. At the Clements Surgery there is a lift available to carry patients to the waiting room on the upper floor.

Chaperone

In accordance with the General Medical Council and Royal College of General Practitioners guidelines, this practice operates a chaperone policy. This means that whenever your doctor or nurse needs to carry out an intimate examination on any patient regardless of age, sex, gender, or religious beliefs, you will be offered a chaperone. A chaperone is another fully qualified healthcare professional who is there for your benefit and protection. You are free to decline a chaperone if you so wish.

Carers

Are you a carer?

If you care for a family member, friend or are employed as a carer, please ask for a Suffolk Family Carers Referral Form from our receptionists. We have an information pack that may be useful to you. With your consent, we would like to record your status as a carer on your medical record. We have members of staff who would be happy to help or answer your questions. Please ask for Mrs Sonia Anderson or Mrs Karen Goodman.

Student Teaching

This practice is a teaching practice affiliated to the University of Cambridge Clinical Medical School. We regularly have student doctors on attachment with us. If you do not wish to have a student sitting in during a consultation, please inform the receptionist and your doctor. If you are interested in helping with student teaching, please leave a message for either Dr Paul Stephenson or Dr Sandra Weston and we will contact you.

Meeting Room

The surgery is equipped with a state of the art interactive whiteboard and projector.

The conference room is used for practice meetings with the local Primary Care Trust and educational meetings with consultants from Addenbrookes and West Suffolk Hospital.

Medical Records

• All medical record details are held on our computerised clinical system.
• We are registered with and comply with The Data Protection Act.

Clinical Coding and Scanning

We have a team of four members of staff who scan all patient related documentation into medical records and code pertinent clinical data.

Summarisers

Our team of four members of staff summarise and code new patient records and existing patient records. This is an ongoing project with a goal to have every patient record electronically summarised and available on screen.

Patient Confidentiality

We respect your right to privacy and keep all your health information confidential and secure. All members of our staff have signed a confidentiality agreement. It is important that the NHS keeps accurate and up-to-date records about your health and treatment so that those treating you can give you the best possible care. This information may be used for management and audit purposes. However, it is usually only available to, and used by, those involved in your care. You have the right to know what information we hold about you. If you would like to see your records please contact the Practice Manager.

Change of Address

If you change name, address or telephone number, please let our receptionists know by calling or writing to us. If you move outside the practice area you may need to find a doctor in your new area. There are instructions on what to do when you move to a new area on the back of your NHS medical card.

You can also inform us of changes to your address and telephone number using the internet. For details on how to register for internet access please contact the surgery and request a registration form.