About Our Health Partnership
What is Our Health Partnership?
Our Health Partnership is a new and unique GP super-partnership in Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield and beyond. It hopes to ensure that Ridgacre Medical Centres thrives and that all our patients benefit for many years to come. The super-partnership was formed in November 2015, founded with 32 surgeries, including your surgery.
Why has Our Health Partnership been formed?
General practice and the wider NHS is under pressure. Surgeries are trying to cope by working together. The NHS has already said that practices should work more closely with each other. The overall vision of Our Health Partnership is to make life better for patients. We believe this super-partnership will protect your GP services and develop new and better ways of providing healthcare closer to home.
What does Our Health Partnership mean for patients?
You will not notice any obvious change to the way that Ridgacre Medical Centres operates, as it will:
not move
look the same
have the same staff
have the same doctors and nurses
have the same contact numbers
Most of the work in setting up Our Health Partnership that has taken place “behind the scenes”. As the super-partnership develops we believe you will notice:
doctors and nurses spending less time on administration and more time caring for patients
better direct links with hospitals, social and community care
development of services to provide more complex care
the ability to treat more people closer to home
the sharing and development of good clinical practice between practices
Happier doctors are better for patients
Our Health Partnership also aims to make life better for the doctors, nurses and other staff that work at Ridgacre Medical Centres. We firmly believe that patients benefit from happier practice staff. We are doing this by developing ways of supporting staffing levels across the super-practice and helping the business side of Ridgacre Medical Centres run more efficiently.
Have your say
We want to you to have the opportunity to ask questions and understand what is happening. Information can be found on our website: www.ourhealthpartnership.com
You can email us at info@ourhealthpartnership.com
Our Health Partnership is a new and unique GP super-partnership in Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield and beyond. It hopes to ensure that Ridgacre Medical Centres thrives and that all our patients benefit for many years to come. The super-partnership was formed in November 2015, founded with 32 surgeries, including your surgery.
Why has Our Health Partnership been formed?
General practice and the wider NHS is under pressure. Surgeries are trying to cope by working together. The NHS has already said that practices should work more closely with each other. The overall vision of Our Health Partnership is to make life better for patients. We believe this super-partnership will protect your GP services and develop new and better ways of providing healthcare closer to home.
What does Our Health Partnership mean for patients?
You will not notice any obvious change to the way that Ridgacre Medical Centres operates, as it will:
not move
look the same
have the same staff
have the same doctors and nurses
have the same contact numbers
Most of the work in setting up Our Health Partnership that has taken place “behind the scenes”. As the super-partnership develops we believe you will notice:
doctors and nurses spending less time on administration and more time caring for patients
better direct links with hospitals, social and community care
development of services to provide more complex care
the ability to treat more people closer to home
the sharing and development of good clinical practice between practices
Happier doctors are better for patients
Our Health Partnership also aims to make life better for the doctors, nurses and other staff that work at Ridgacre Medical Centres. We firmly believe that patients benefit from happier practice staff. We are doing this by developing ways of supporting staffing levels across the super-practice and helping the business side of Ridgacre Medical Centres run more efficiently.
Have your say
We want to you to have the opportunity to ask questions and understand what is happening. Information can be found on our website: www.ourhealthpartnership.com
You can email us at info@ourhealthpartnership.com
Access & Parking
Disabled Access
Ridgacre House Surgery
There is a ramp at the main surgery entrance and lift to access the upper level. There are disabled toilet facilities on the ground level.
Highfield House Surgery
There is a ramp at the main surgery entrance and disabled toilet facilities.
Car Parking
Ridgacre House Surgery
Access to the patient car park is via White Road
Highfield House Surgery
There is a public park car park located opposite the surgery on Highfield Lane.
Ridgacre House Surgery
There is a ramp at the main surgery entrance and lift to access the upper level. There are disabled toilet facilities on the ground level.
Highfield House Surgery
There is a ramp at the main surgery entrance and disabled toilet facilities.
Car Parking
Ridgacre House Surgery
Access to the patient car park is via White Road
Highfield House Surgery
There is a public park car park located opposite the surgery on Highfield Lane.
Can a GP visit my home to see me?
Home Visits
If possible please try to telephone reception before 10 am if you require a home visit.
A doctor or nurse may phone you back as it may be that your problem can be dealt with by telephone advice, or that it would be more appropriate to send a nurse, or indeed arrange a hospital attendance.
House visits are only available for patients who are housebound because of illness or disability.
Please remember that several patients can be seen in the practice in the time that it takes to make one home visit. There are also better facilities for examining and treating patients at the Health Centre.
Telephone Advice
If you feel that your problem could be resolved by a telephone discussion with the doctor or nurse, please mention this to the receptionist. You will be required to leave a number and a doctor or nurse will phone you back.
If possible please try to telephone reception before 10 am if you require a home visit.
A doctor or nurse may phone you back as it may be that your problem can be dealt with by telephone advice, or that it would be more appropriate to send a nurse, or indeed arrange a hospital attendance.
House visits are only available for patients who are housebound because of illness or disability.
Please remember that several patients can be seen in the practice in the time that it takes to make one home visit. There are also better facilities for examining and treating patients at the Health Centre.
Telephone Advice
If you feel that your problem could be resolved by a telephone discussion with the doctor or nurse, please mention this to the receptionist. You will be required to leave a number and a doctor or nurse will phone you back.
How can I book an appointment?
You can book an appointment by using Online Services – please do not email or fax an appointment request. If you are unable to book online then call us on 0121 422 3111
How can I choose and book?
If you have been referred for a Choose and Book Appointment recently, you will need to book your own hospital appointment. You will have been sent the paperwork to do this within 2 weeks. Please contact the appointment centre details on section 2 on the enclosed paperwork and give details of both your reference number and password. You should then be able to arrange an appointment at your convenience at your chosen hospital.
Should you contact the e-referral service and there are no appointments available to book at your selected hospital, you will be put on that hospital waiting list for an appointment to be sent to you. It is the hospital’s responsibility to ensure you receive an appointment. Please be assured that you are on the hospital waiting list and will be sent an appointment in due course.
Should you contact the e-referral service and there are no appointments available to book at your selected hospital, you will be put on that hospital waiting list for an appointment to be sent to you. It is the hospital’s responsibility to ensure you receive an appointment. Please be assured that you are on the hospital waiting list and will be sent an appointment in due course.
How can I track my e-referral (choose and book)?
If you have not heard from the hospital with an appointment, please contact the hospital directly quoting your reference number and password. Please see the direct telephone numbers for the hospitals as below as they manage their own waiting lists.
Birmingham Eye Hospital 0121 507 6712
Birmingham Treatment Centre – 0121 507 4151
Birmingham Women’s Hospital – 0121 627 2786
Children’s Hospital – 0121 333 9700
Solihull/Heartlands – 0121 424 1234
Royal Orthopaedic Hospital – 0121 685 4186
Queen Elizabeth Hospital – 0121 371 7066
To track your e-Referral you will need the following details to log into the e-Referral website:
Your date of birth
Reference number – this will be on the first page of your letter
Password – this will be on the last page of your letter
Please make sure to update your mobile number.
Birmingham Eye Hospital 0121 507 6712
Birmingham Treatment Centre – 0121 507 4151
Birmingham Women’s Hospital – 0121 627 2786
Children’s Hospital – 0121 333 9700
Solihull/Heartlands – 0121 424 1234
Royal Orthopaedic Hospital – 0121 685 4186
Queen Elizabeth Hospital – 0121 371 7066
To track your e-Referral you will need the following details to log into the e-Referral website:
Your date of birth
Reference number – this will be on the first page of your letter
Password – this will be on the last page of your letter
Please make sure to update your mobile number.
How do I request a repeat prescription?
Requesting a repeat prescription is easy. Please sign up to GP online services and you’ll be able to use a website or app to order repeat prescriptions online. The service is free and available to everyone who is registered with a GP.
Alternatively please visit out our Online Services Registration and or log into the SystmOnline
Alternatively please visit out our Online Services Registration and or log into the SystmOnline
How much does my GP earn a year? (GP net earnings)
All GP practices are required to declare the mean earnings (i.e. average pay) for GPs working to deliver NHS services to patients at each practice.
The average pay for GPs working at Ridgacre Medical Centre in the last financial year was £49,329 before tax and national insurance. This is for 5 full time GPs and 10-part time GP’s who worked in the practice for more than six months.
The average pay for GPs working at Ridgacre Medical Centre in the last financial year was £49,329 before tax and national insurance. This is for 5 full time GPs and 10-part time GP’s who worked in the practice for more than six months.
How to provide feedback or complain?
Is your feedback positive or negative?
Positive Feedback: We really work hard to provide you with good quality healthcare services and we are human too. If you are happy with our services then please do tell us and tell others too.
Negative Feedback: If you have a complaint or concern about the service you have received from the doctors or any of the staff working in this practice, please let us know. We operate practice complaints procedure as part of a NHS system for dealing with complaints. Our complaints system meets national criteria.
How to complain
Complaints Procedure
Although we always try to offer our patients the best care, despite the increasingly heavy demands made of us, we accept that there may be times when you have comments or complaints to make.
If you are unhappy about any aspect of our service or have constructive suggestions for improvement then please contact our practice business manager. We would ask that you let us know of any problems as soon as possible. We hope that most problems can be sorted out easily and quickly, preferably at the time they occur. Information is obtainable from reception.
If you feel you cannot raise your complaint with us, you can contact
PALS,
Adams Hill Centre,
190 Adams Hill,
Bartley Green,
Birmingham.
B32 3PJ.
If you remain unhappy after everything has been done to try to resolve your concern or complaint you have the right to approach the Ombudsman.
Tel: 0345 015 4033
Email: phso.enquiries@ombudsman.org.uk
Write: Millbank Tower, Millbank, London SW1P 4QP.
NHS Complaints. members of the public, patients and their representatives can also contact NHS England.
Customer contact centre,
NHS England,
PO Box 16738,
Redditch
B97 9PT
Telephone: 0330 311 22 33
Email: england.contactus@nhs.net.
British Sign Language (BSL): if you use BSL, you can talk to NHS England via a video call to a BSL interpreter. Visit NHS England’s BSL Service NHS England opening hours are: 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, except Wednesdays when they open at the later time of 9.30am.
Positive Feedback: We really work hard to provide you with good quality healthcare services and we are human too. If you are happy with our services then please do tell us and tell others too.
Negative Feedback: If you have a complaint or concern about the service you have received from the doctors or any of the staff working in this practice, please let us know. We operate practice complaints procedure as part of a NHS system for dealing with complaints. Our complaints system meets national criteria.
How to complain
Complaints Procedure
Although we always try to offer our patients the best care, despite the increasingly heavy demands made of us, we accept that there may be times when you have comments or complaints to make.
If you are unhappy about any aspect of our service or have constructive suggestions for improvement then please contact our practice business manager. We would ask that you let us know of any problems as soon as possible. We hope that most problems can be sorted out easily and quickly, preferably at the time they occur. Information is obtainable from reception.
If you feel you cannot raise your complaint with us, you can contact
PALS,
Adams Hill Centre,
190 Adams Hill,
Bartley Green,
Birmingham.
B32 3PJ.
If you remain unhappy after everything has been done to try to resolve your concern or complaint you have the right to approach the Ombudsman.
Tel: 0345 015 4033
Email: phso.enquiries@ombudsman.org.uk
Write: Millbank Tower, Millbank, London SW1P 4QP.
NHS Complaints. members of the public, patients and their representatives can also contact NHS England.
Customer contact centre,
NHS England,
PO Box 16738,
Redditch
B97 9PT
Telephone: 0330 311 22 33
Email: england.contactus@nhs.net.
British Sign Language (BSL): if you use BSL, you can talk to NHS England via a video call to a BSL interpreter. Visit NHS England’s BSL Service NHS England opening hours are: 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, except Wednesdays when they open at the later time of 9.30am.
Is my personal data safe? How do you process my personal data?
Ridgacre House Surgery takes the protection of our patient’s data and privacy very seriously. we have gone to great lengths to ensure we are fully compliant with GDPR legislation.
What are the opening hours?
Ridgacre House
Ridgacre House is open at the following times:-
Please note that calls are only taken between 8.30am and 6.30pm
Monday 8:00am – 6:30pm
Tuesday 8:00am – 6:30pm
Wednesday 8:00am – 6:30pm
Thursday 8:00am – 6:30pm
Friday 8:00am – 6:30pm
Weekends closed
We also offer extended access appointments on Saturdays at The Nechells Practice.
Ridgacre House is open at the following times:-
Please note that calls are only taken between 8.30am and 6.30pm
Monday 8:00am – 6:30pm
Tuesday 8:00am – 6:30pm
Wednesday 8:00am – 6:30pm
Thursday 8:00am – 6:30pm
Friday 8:00am – 6:30pm
Weekends closed
We also offer extended access appointments on Saturdays at The Nechells Practice.
What is a list of useful numbers and links?
view our list of useful umbers and links here
What is our policy on zero tolerance
Violence Policy
The NHS operate a zero tolerance policy with regard to violence and abuse and the practice has the right to remove violent patients from the list with immediate effect in order to safeguard practice staff, patients and other persons. Violence in this context includes actual or threatened physical violence or verbal abuse which leads to fear for a person’s safety. In this situation we will notify the patient in writing of their removal from the list and record in the patient’s medical records the fact of the removal and the circumstances leading to it.
The NHS operate a zero tolerance policy with regard to violence and abuse and the practice has the right to remove violent patients from the list with immediate effect in order to safeguard practice staff, patients and other persons. Violence in this context includes actual or threatened physical violence or verbal abuse which leads to fear for a person’s safety. In this situation we will notify the patient in writing of their removal from the list and record in the patient’s medical records the fact of the removal and the circumstances leading to it.
What NHS services are available to a patient?
NHS Services
In addition to GP consultations the Practice offers a comprehensive range of healthcare services and specialist clinics:
Adult Immunisations – are your vaccinations up to date? If not, make an appointment to see one of our Practice Nurses to have your routine vaccinations. Adult Vaccines available on the NHS
Ante-natal Care – the Doctors work closely with the midwives to deliver your ante-natal care. Please arrange an appointment with your Doctor if you are pregnant.Child Health Surveillance 6 – 8 week developmental review -Appointments for consultations will be sent from the practice. These are undertaken by the GP.Childhood immunisations – Appointments for your child’s immunisations will be sent to you direct from the child health team. It is important that you attend for these appointments as the vaccinations need to be given at specific times in your child’s development (8, 12, and 16 weeks). If you are unable to attend please let us know so that we can re-arrange in a timely fashion. Childrens Vaccination ScheduleContraception and Sexual Health – a full range of contraceptive services are available – this includes fitting coils as well as hormonal methods e.g. the pill, injections and implants. These services are also available to residents who are not registered with the Practice.
Chronic Disease Reviews – We have changed the way we invite our patients with chronic diseases, so that hopefully it will make it easier to know when you will be invited and reduce the number of times we ask you to attend. By chronic disease, we mean Diabetes, Asthma, COPD, Stroke monitoring and Heart Disease. Instead of asking you to see the nurse about separate conditions, we will invite you to attend for a nurse appointment each year in the month of your birth for a review of any of these conditions. So, if you suffer from 2 of these conditions, the nurse will review both conditions at the same appointment. You are welcome to book appointments if you have any concerns at any other time and the nurse will arrange any follow up you may need before your next routine review. We hope this will make your review appointment procedure simpler and more effective.
Holiday/ Routine Vaccinations – are your tetanus and polio vaccinations up to date? If not, make an appointment to see the Nurse to have a booster dose. Holiday vaccinations are just as important- ask for details at reception
Health Promotion – the Practice firmly believes that good health can be maintained by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Advice and encouragement are available for all our patient
Minor Surgery – these clinics are held on some Fridays by appointment. In these clinics minor lumps and bumps, skin tags, verrucas and warts may be removed. Please see your Doctor for further details.
Smoking Cessation – we have a comprehensive programme of help if you want to stop smoking. This involves initial support to set a quit date, prescription of medication to help you to stop smoking and follow up advice to help you keep well when not smoking. Please book an appointment with reception if you want help to quit.
Travel Vaccinations – if you require any vaccinations relating to foreign travel you need to make an appointment with one of our Practice Nurses at least two months before your planned travel. This allows time to plan and complete a course of any necessary injections and sign post you to other specialist clinics.
Please see our travel form Click here
In addition to GP consultations the Practice offers a comprehensive range of healthcare services and specialist clinics:
Adult Immunisations – are your vaccinations up to date? If not, make an appointment to see one of our Practice Nurses to have your routine vaccinations. Adult Vaccines available on the NHS
Ante-natal Care – the Doctors work closely with the midwives to deliver your ante-natal care. Please arrange an appointment with your Doctor if you are pregnant.Child Health Surveillance 6 – 8 week developmental review -Appointments for consultations will be sent from the practice. These are undertaken by the GP.Childhood immunisations – Appointments for your child’s immunisations will be sent to you direct from the child health team. It is important that you attend for these appointments as the vaccinations need to be given at specific times in your child’s development (8, 12, and 16 weeks). If you are unable to attend please let us know so that we can re-arrange in a timely fashion. Childrens Vaccination ScheduleContraception and Sexual Health – a full range of contraceptive services are available – this includes fitting coils as well as hormonal methods e.g. the pill, injections and implants. These services are also available to residents who are not registered with the Practice.
Chronic Disease Reviews – We have changed the way we invite our patients with chronic diseases, so that hopefully it will make it easier to know when you will be invited and reduce the number of times we ask you to attend. By chronic disease, we mean Diabetes, Asthma, COPD, Stroke monitoring and Heart Disease. Instead of asking you to see the nurse about separate conditions, we will invite you to attend for a nurse appointment each year in the month of your birth for a review of any of these conditions. So, if you suffer from 2 of these conditions, the nurse will review both conditions at the same appointment. You are welcome to book appointments if you have any concerns at any other time and the nurse will arrange any follow up you may need before your next routine review. We hope this will make your review appointment procedure simpler and more effective.
Holiday/ Routine Vaccinations – are your tetanus and polio vaccinations up to date? If not, make an appointment to see the Nurse to have a booster dose. Holiday vaccinations are just as important- ask for details at reception
Health Promotion – the Practice firmly believes that good health can be maintained by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Advice and encouragement are available for all our patient
Minor Surgery – these clinics are held on some Fridays by appointment. In these clinics minor lumps and bumps, skin tags, verrucas and warts may be removed. Please see your Doctor for further details.
Smoking Cessation – we have a comprehensive programme of help if you want to stop smoking. This involves initial support to set a quit date, prescription of medication to help you to stop smoking and follow up advice to help you keep well when not smoking. Please book an appointment with reception if you want help to quit.
Travel Vaccinations – if you require any vaccinations relating to foreign travel you need to make an appointment with one of our Practice Nurses at least two months before your planned travel. This allows time to plan and complete a course of any necessary injections and sign post you to other specialist clinics.
Please see our travel form Click here
What should I do if I need to see a doctor urgently?
Complete an online triage form – you will be asked for a brief description of the problem and will offer you a sameday appointment to see a Doctor.
What’s your Slavery statement?
Modern Slavery Statement
Section 54 of the UK Modern Slavery Act (2015) requires commercial organisations operating in the UK with an annual turnover in excess of £36m to produce a ‘slavery and human trafficking statement for each financial year of the organisation’.
Organisational Structure and Business
Our Health Partnership is one of the UK’s biggest GP partnerships. It brings together 52 surgeries in the Midlands and Shropshire. By using our shared expertise to tackle the challenges of GP practice today, we can keep local surgeries thriving and provide the excellent care that our patients need now and into the future.
Our approach to slavery and human trafficking
We are committed to tackling modern slavery within every part of our business and its supply chains. Our Anti-slavery statement, in combination with the establishment of effective policies, demonstrates our commitment to the issue of modern slavery and ensures that appropriate and coordinated action is taken throughout the business.
Due diligence
We have taken action to understand and address the risks of modern slavery within our operations, including:
The development of robust processes around whistleblowing, grievance, disciplinary and bullying and harassment policies, to provide both staff and patients with assurance that modern slavery concerns will be raised and dealt with appropriately
Staff training and increasing awareness of modern slavery, on how to spot signs and raise complaints within the organisation, and monitoring the delivery of this training to staff
Putting in place Strict standards for conduct in the workplace, mirroring the NHS code of conduct, as referenced within our staff handbook and code of conduct policy
Ensuring inappropriate employment practices are avoided by adhering to our Illegal Working Prevention, DBS, and Recruitment policies, to ensure identity checks, DBS, qualifications and references are in place
Continued development of policies around safeguarding
Section 54 of the UK Modern Slavery Act (2015) requires commercial organisations operating in the UK with an annual turnover in excess of £36m to produce a ‘slavery and human trafficking statement for each financial year of the organisation’.
Organisational Structure and Business
Our Health Partnership is one of the UK’s biggest GP partnerships. It brings together 52 surgeries in the Midlands and Shropshire. By using our shared expertise to tackle the challenges of GP practice today, we can keep local surgeries thriving and provide the excellent care that our patients need now and into the future.
Our approach to slavery and human trafficking
We are committed to tackling modern slavery within every part of our business and its supply chains. Our Anti-slavery statement, in combination with the establishment of effective policies, demonstrates our commitment to the issue of modern slavery and ensures that appropriate and coordinated action is taken throughout the business.
Due diligence
We have taken action to understand and address the risks of modern slavery within our operations, including:
The development of robust processes around whistleblowing, grievance, disciplinary and bullying and harassment policies, to provide both staff and patients with assurance that modern slavery concerns will be raised and dealt with appropriately
Staff training and increasing awareness of modern slavery, on how to spot signs and raise complaints within the organisation, and monitoring the delivery of this training to staff
Putting in place Strict standards for conduct in the workplace, mirroring the NHS code of conduct, as referenced within our staff handbook and code of conduct policy
Ensuring inappropriate employment practices are avoided by adhering to our Illegal Working Prevention, DBS, and Recruitment policies, to ensure identity checks, DBS, qualifications and references are in place
Continued development of policies around safeguarding
Which items should not be routinely prescribed in primary care?
Earlier in the year NHS England published guidance on ‘Items which should not be routinely prescribed in primary care’ and subsequently the policy was produced. Medicines included in the policy are:
Co-proxamol
Dosulepin
Glucosamine and chondroitin
Herbal treatments
Homeopathy
Immediate release fentanyl
Lidocaine plasters
Liothyronine
Lutein and antioxidants
Once daily Tadalafil
Omega-3 fatty acid compounds
Perindopril arginine
Prolonged release doxazosin
Rubifacients (excluding topical NSAIDs)
Targinact – Oxycodone and naloxone combination
Tramacet – paracetamol and tramadol combination
Trimipramine
Vaccines administered exclusively for the purposes of travel (see list in policy)
NHS England Guidance:https://www.england.nhs.uk/medicines/conditions-for-which-over-the-counter-items-should-not-routinely-be-prescribed/
Co-proxamol
Dosulepin
Glucosamine and chondroitin
Herbal treatments
Homeopathy
Immediate release fentanyl
Lidocaine plasters
Liothyronine
Lutein and antioxidants
Once daily Tadalafil
Omega-3 fatty acid compounds
Perindopril arginine
Prolonged release doxazosin
Rubifacients (excluding topical NSAIDs)
Targinact – Oxycodone and naloxone combination
Tramacet – paracetamol and tramadol combination
Trimipramine
Vaccines administered exclusively for the purposes of travel (see list in policy)
NHS England Guidance:https://www.england.nhs.uk/medicines/conditions-for-which-over-the-counter-items-should-not-routinely-be-prescribed/
Will I be charged for Non-NHS services?
Suspension of private work.
We have been asked by NHS England to stop doing any private work for the duration of the Coronavirus outbreak. We are grateful for your understanding on this. Urgent patient care is our immediate priority at present.
Private Fees and Charges
Why do GPs charge fees?
The National Health Service provides most health care to most people free of charge, but there are some exceptions. For example Prescription charges have existed since 1951, and in other cases charges are made because the service isn’t covered by the NHS such as medical reports for insurance companies, letters and forms which require the doctor to review the patients medical records and some travel vaccinations.
It is important to understand that GP’s are not employed by the NHS, they are self employed, and they have to cover their costs – staff, buildings, heating, lighting etc in the same way as any small business.
The NHS pays the doctor for specific NHS work, but for non NHS services the Practice needs to charge a fee to cover the doctor’s costs.
What is covered by the NHS and what is not?
The government’s contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients. In recent years, more and more organisations have been involving doctors in a whole range of non medical work. Sometimes the only reason that GPs are asked is because they are in a position of trust in the community, or because an insurance company or employer wants to be sure that information provided is true and accurate.
Examples of non-NHS services for which GP’s can charge their patients
Certain travel vaccinations
Private medical insurance reports
Holiday cancellation forms
Referral for private care forms
Letters requested by or on behalf of the patient
In certain instances fitness to work forms
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge other institutions
Medical reports for an insurance company
Some reports for the DWP/Benefits agency
Examinations of local authority employees
Why does it sometimes take my GP a long time to complete my form?
Time spent completing forms and preparing reports takes the GP away from the medical care of his/her patients. Most GPs have a very heavy workload and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time. In addition non-NHS work must be undertaken outside of NHS contracted time.
I only need the doctor’s signature – What is the problem?
When a doctor signs a certificate or completes a report, it is a condition of remaining on the Medical Register that they only sign what they know to be true. Therefore in order to complete even the simplest of forms, the doctor needs to check the patient’s entire record. Carelessness or an inaccurate report can have serious consequences for the doctor, with the General Medical Council or even the Police.
VAT
The practice is registered for VAT and, where stated, VAT is included in our fees.
Fees for services not provided under the NHS
The services shown are not provided under National Health Service contracts and so the following fees will be charged by the Practice. If you have any questions relating to these fees, please address them to your Doctor or the Practice Manager before requesting the service.
View our services and fees here.
We have been asked by NHS England to stop doing any private work for the duration of the Coronavirus outbreak. We are grateful for your understanding on this. Urgent patient care is our immediate priority at present.
Private Fees and Charges
Why do GPs charge fees?
The National Health Service provides most health care to most people free of charge, but there are some exceptions. For example Prescription charges have existed since 1951, and in other cases charges are made because the service isn’t covered by the NHS such as medical reports for insurance companies, letters and forms which require the doctor to review the patients medical records and some travel vaccinations.
It is important to understand that GP’s are not employed by the NHS, they are self employed, and they have to cover their costs – staff, buildings, heating, lighting etc in the same way as any small business.
The NHS pays the doctor for specific NHS work, but for non NHS services the Practice needs to charge a fee to cover the doctor’s costs.
What is covered by the NHS and what is not?
The government’s contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients. In recent years, more and more organisations have been involving doctors in a whole range of non medical work. Sometimes the only reason that GPs are asked is because they are in a position of trust in the community, or because an insurance company or employer wants to be sure that information provided is true and accurate.
Examples of non-NHS services for which GP’s can charge their patients
Certain travel vaccinations
Private medical insurance reports
Holiday cancellation forms
Referral for private care forms
Letters requested by or on behalf of the patient
In certain instances fitness to work forms
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge other institutions
Medical reports for an insurance company
Some reports for the DWP/Benefits agency
Examinations of local authority employees
Why does it sometimes take my GP a long time to complete my form?
Time spent completing forms and preparing reports takes the GP away from the medical care of his/her patients. Most GPs have a very heavy workload and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time. In addition non-NHS work must be undertaken outside of NHS contracted time.
I only need the doctor’s signature – What is the problem?
When a doctor signs a certificate or completes a report, it is a condition of remaining on the Medical Register that they only sign what they know to be true. Therefore in order to complete even the simplest of forms, the doctor needs to check the patient’s entire record. Carelessness or an inaccurate report can have serious consequences for the doctor, with the General Medical Council or even the Police.
VAT
The practice is registered for VAT and, where stated, VAT is included in our fees.
Fees for services not provided under the NHS
The services shown are not provided under National Health Service contracts and so the following fees will be charged by the Practice. If you have any questions relating to these fees, please address them to your Doctor or the Practice Manager before requesting the service.
View our services and fees here.
Will there be someone else during intimate examinations?
Chaperone Policy
It is the policy of this practice to respect the privacy, dignity, religious and cultural beliefs of our patients.
If you feel you would like a chaperone to be present during a physical examination by a doctor or any other health professional you may be consulting at the surgery (or if you prefer to be examined by a doctor or health professional of the same sex as yourself) please let us know and we will do our best to comply with your wishes.
It is the policy of this practice to respect the privacy, dignity, religious and cultural beliefs of our patients.
If you feel you would like a chaperone to be present during a physical examination by a doctor or any other health professional you may be consulting at the surgery (or if you prefer to be examined by a doctor or health professional of the same sex as yourself) please let us know and we will do our best to comply with your wishes.