Frequently Asked Questions

The freedom of information act is an Act of Parliament of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that creates a public “right of access” to information held by public authorities

This is a guide to the General Practitioners Publication Scheme as required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Introduction

This Publication Scheme is a complete guide to the information routinely made available to the public by Fieldhead Surgery. It is a description of the information about our Doctors and the Practice, which we make publicly available. It will be reviewed at regular intervals and we will monitor its effectiveness.

How much does it cost?

The publications are all free unless otherwise indicated within each Class. (Where information is provided at a cost the charges are as below).

How is the information made available?

The information within each Class is currently available via this website, in our information folder in reception and can be requested in hard copy from reception (There will be a small charge for photocopies of documents).

Your rights to information

In addition to accessing the information identified in the Publication Scheme, you are entitled to request information about the practice and the partners under the NHS Openness Code 1995.

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 recognises that members of the public have the right to know how public services are organised and run, how much they cost and how the decisions are made.

From January 1st 2005 General Practitioners have been obliged to respond to requests about information that they hold, that is recorded in any format. These rights are subject to some exemptions, which have to be taken into consideration before deciding what information can be released.

Under the Data Protection Act 1998, you are also entitled to access your clinical records or any other personal information held about you and you can contact the practice secretary to do this.

Feedback

If you have any comments about the operation of the Publication Scheme, or how we have dealt with your request for information from the Scheme, please write to:

The Practice Manager, Fieldhead Surgery, 65 New Road Side, Leeds, LS18 4JY

Classes Of Information

All information at Fieldhead Surgery is held, retained and destroyed in accordance with NHS guidelines. Our commitment to publish information excludes any information, which can be legitimately withheld under the exemptions set out in the NHS Openness Code or Freedom of Information Act 2000. Where individual Classes are subject to exemptions, the main reasons are for the protection of commercial interests and personal information under the Data Protection Act 1998. This applies to all Classes within the Publication Scheme. The information on this Scheme is grouped into the following broad categories:

Who We Are

Details of the practice, organisational structures and key personnel can be found in the practice profile in our patient information folder. The practice adheres to the National General Medical Services contract. The contract is with the NHS England.

The practice aims to follow National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) and National Health Service guidelines. Copies of these can be found on the NICE website or the Department of Health website.

The NHS is a very large part of the public sector. It is possible to find out information about practices, Primary Care Trusts and other NHS services in your area by using NHS Choices Website. A full list of local General Practices can also be found there.

The full names of the GPs are listed in the introduction to this scheme, the practice leaflet and practice profile. As can be seen from the profile we employ a practice manager, practice nurses and a full range of administrative staff.

Our Services

The range of services we provide includes:

• Cervical cytology
• Child health surveillance
• Contraceptive services
• Immunisations
• Chronic disease management
• Minor Surgery
• ENT clinic
• Access to district nurse, midwife and health visitor
• Out of hours cover is currently NHS111

Financial information

Funding details and charging policies:

• The practice receives money from NHS England according to its contract in exchange for providing services for patients.
• The practice also charges for certain services which are not provided within the NHS.

Regular publications and information for the public

Guidance and information leaflets

Complaints

If you wish to make a complaint about any aspect of our service you should first contact:

The Practice Manager, Fieldhead Surgery, 65 New Road Side, Leeds, LS18 4JY 0113 2953410

The complaints procedure can be found on this website, on the notice board in reception, and in the patient information folder.

Our policies and procedures

Policies and procedures for use within the practice include, but are not restricted to: data protection; prescribing and prescription; and health and safety.

This Publication Scheme

In this class, we will publish any changes we make to this Publication Scheme, the criteria on which our information management policies are made and a referral point for all enquiries regarding information management. We will also publish any proposed changes or additions to publications already available.

Cost of Information

We will charge you only for hard copies or the transfer of media onto external devices. Some information is available free, but for others, there may be a charge. The charges will vary according to how information is made available. Charges are as follows:

1. Via the practice intranet – photocopying charges only.
2. Leaflets – leaflets on services we offer to the public, health advice leaflets and information regarding complaints/suggestions and Access to data are available free of charge from reception and can be viewed in our patient information folders.
3. “Glossy” or other bound paper copies, CD Rom, video or other mediums, are not currently available from the practice.

The charges will be reviewed regularly.

Useful Resources

Websites

Information Commissioner website.

Publications

Freedom Of Information Act 2000.

NHS England Contracting.

Copyright

Material available through this Publication Scheme is subject to the copyright of this General Practice unless otherwise indicated. Unless expressly indicated to the contrary, it may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium provided it is done so accurately in a manner which will not mislead. Where items are re-published or copied to others, you must identify the source and acknowledge copyright status. This permit does not extend to third party material, accessed through the scheme. See HMSO Guidance Notes.

Fieldhead surgery is actively contributing to medical research which we believe plays an important role in improving the medicine we practice.

Overview

As well being committed to improving the care our own patients receive, we also believe in helping the progress of medicine in general. We have joined the National Institute for Health Research as a ‘research ready practice’ and have been approved by the Royal College of General Practitioners.

By being part of this network we hope to help develop medical research within primary care. This can mean supporting research studies and clinical trials, collecting data and working in partnership with other practices and NHS organisations.

We have participated in several studies already such as the management of pain from cancer, hand osteoarthritis and Helicobacter eradication.

What does this mean for patients?

It simply means that occasionally we could ask you if you would be interested in participating in some research, in the same way you might be asked if you go to a local hospital. However, you do not have to take part if you do not want to.

A summary of our commitment to patients and what we expect from you.

Rights

• All patients registered at the practice have a named, accountable GP responsible for their overall care, but any patient can see any doctor or nurse they choose.
• Patients have the right to say if they would prefer to see a particular doctor or nurse and we will try to arrange this (as long as they are available). We understand that ‘continuity of care’ is important. Seeing the same nurse or doctor for a particular condition can make it easier to get the right diagnosis and plan your treatment/management better.
• Registered patients are invited to have a health check from time to time. We hope you will take up this service.
• We also offer all patients over 40 an NHS Health Check every 5 years. Please contact reception to discuss this.
• Patients have the right to see their own health records, subject to the terms of the Data Protection Act.

Responsibilities

• Please arrive on time for your appointment. That way clinics are more likely to run on time.
• Please inform the practice if you can’t make an appointment or if the appointment is no longer necessary, so the slot can be offered to another patient.
• Please try and attend the surgery and do not make a request for a home visit unless absolutely necessary. Home visits are for housebound or seriously ill patients. In the time it takes to conduct 1 home visit we can typically see at least 3 patients at the surgery.
• Please make requests for repeat prescriptions in good time. We suggest at least 72 hours before you need more medication.
• Please co-operate with all practice staff and treat them courteously. They are trying to help you.

Smoking in all enclosed / indoor public places and workplaces in the UK is illegal.

Anyone caught smoking in a prohibited area is liable for a fine of £50 (£30 if paid within 15 days). Failure to pay would result in a fine of £200 and a criminal record.

Local Authority Environmental Health Departments are responsible for enforcing the smoking ban.

• The Practice displays ‘No Smoking’ notices, which conform to the legislation.
• Smoke alarms are fitted in public areas and toilets (to discourage illegal smoking)
• Patients found smoking will be requested to leave. Where difficulties arise, the police will be called without delay and without challenging the offender further
• Patients repeating the offence will be removed from the practice list

Electronic cigarettes must not be used on practice premises, as they emit a nicotine vapour

If you would like help to stop smoking you can find further information on our Stop smoking services page.

A zero tolerance policy towards violent, threatening and abusive behaviour is now in place throughout the NHS. The doctors, nurses and staff in this practice have the right to do their work in an environment free from violent, threatening or abusive behaviour and everything will be done to protect that right.

At no time will any such behaviour be tolerated in this practice. If you do not respect the rights of our staff we may choose to inform the police and make arrangements for you to be removed from our medical list.