Practice Policies & Patient Information

Chaperone Policy

This practice is committed to providing a safe and comfortable environment and strives to achieve good practice at all times.

All patients are entitled to have a chaperone present during any consultation, examination or procedure. Clinicians at this practice will advise patients that a chaperone is necessary during any intimate examination; this is to safeguard both the clinician and you, the patient.

Where a chaperone is not available, the clinician may ask you to make an appointment and request the presence of a chaperone at the time of booking.

We only use clinical staff or those that have received additional training as chaperones as they have knowledge of the examination or procedure you may be undergoing.

Family and friends are not permitted to act as chaperones as they do not have the knowledge required, nor do they have the necessary training.

A copy of the policy is available under the ‘Our Documents’ page.

If you have any questions, please speak to the reception staff who will direct you to an appropriate member of the team.

Disclaimer

Accuracy

This internet site has been developed with the intention of providing information only. Whilst all attempts will be made to maintain accuracy and validity, the Practice accepts no responsibility for events arising from the use of the information provided.

Although the advice for patients is as comprehensive and accurate as possible, it is only general and should not be used as a substitute for the patient consulting their own doctor.

Availability

We cannot guarantee uninterrupted access to this website, or the sites to which it links. We accept no responsibility for any damages arising from the loss of use of this information.

Links

All links from this website are provided for information and convenience only. We cannot accept responsibility for sites linked to, or the information found there. A link does not imply an endorsement of a site; likewise, not linking to a particular site does not imply lack of endorsement.

If you use the Internet for medical information:

Always look for a balanced view – not just one site.
Remember that anyone can publish anything on the Internet.
Make sure the authors and their qualifications are listed.
Look at what other reliable information the site refers to.
Check that the site is regularly updated.
Look for advertising which might influence the information on the site.
Avoid online consultations or diagnoses.
Check on privacy and confidentiality.

Sites from outside the UK may mention treatments that are not available here.

GDPR

This is a new law that determines how your personal data is processed and kept safe, and the legal rights you have in relation to your own data. The changes in the law mean that we need to express permission from a patient to use their data. This includes handing over prescriptions, sick notes and other documents.

It also means we need permission to hold discussions about medical records or anything else relating to your information.

Please check the ‘Our Documents’ page for more information.

Manx Emergency Care Record (MECR)

What is the MECR?

If you are taken ill suddenly or are unconscious, it will help those trying to help you if certain information is available to them quickly. For this reason, and unless you decide to opt-out, all patients in the Isle of Man who are registered with an Isle of Man GP have an electronic record called a “Manx Emergency Care Record” (MECR)

What Will it Say About me?

Your name, date of birth and address.
Your GP name and Practice details.
Your National Health Service number (NHS number).
Information about any prescribed medicines.
Any significant or adverse reactions you’ve had to medicines and any allergies or sensitivities that are known about you.

Who Will be Able to View it?

Authorised staff involved in your care can look at your MECR on a computer if they need to treat you when your GP Practice is closed, for example at the A&E Department at Noble’s Hospital; the Minor Injuries Unit at Ramsey or when contacting the Manx Emergency Doctor Service (MEDS). However, they must ask you if you agree to this before they look at your information.

If you are unconscious or incapable, the authorised staff may look at your MECR without your agreement. This is so they can give you the best possible care. However, when they do so they will have to record the reason why your consent to view your information was not possible and the fact that they have done so will be flagged up to the Department of Health.

How Secure Will it be?

Your MECR will be stored electronically using the highest standards of security, and an electronic record will be kept of everyone who has looked at your MECR. Only staff directly involved in your emergency health care will be allowed to look at your MECR using a unique user name and password. MECR information is kept on the Isle of Man and is not shared with UK health or social care organisations.

What if I Don’t Want a Manx Emergency Care Record (MECR)?

If you don’t want an MECR to be available for you, then you can ‘opt-out’. Forms to do this are available from your GP, the Department of Health, the Department of Social Care or via the Government website. Don’t forget that if you do have a MECR, you will be asked if staff can look at it every time they need to but you don’t have to agree if you don’t want to.

What if I’ve Opted Out And Want to Opt Back into a Manx Emergency Care Record (MECR)?

If you have previously opted out from having a MECR, you can opt back in at any time by completing the form which is available from the same places as the ‘opt-out’ form.

Practice Charter

Ballasalla Medical Centre

Ynnyd Lheihys Valley Sallag

As a Practice we Will:

Offer good medical care, including the taking of any tests.
Offer appointments – as appropriate.
Provide you with appropriate drugs and medicines.
Offer referrals to specialist or second opinion where necessary.

As a Patient, we Ask You:

To attend your appointment promptly or advise us as soon as possible if you can’t.
Respond in a positive way to questions asked by reception staff.
An appointment is for one person only – where another member of the family needs to be seen or discussed, another appointment should be made.
Patients should make every effort when consulting the surgery to make the best use of nursing and medical time – home visits should be medically justifiable and not requested for social convenience.
When patients are asked to give 4 working days’ notice for repeat prescriptions, please give us this time, as it is to allow for accurate prescribing.

Complaints/Compliments:

We always try to give you the best services possible, but there may be times when you feel that has not happened. If you wish to make a complaint, please phone or write to the Practice Manager who will take full details and endeavour to resolve the issue swiftly for you.

Patient Confidentiality

We will respect the patient’s privacy, dignity and confidentiality at all times.

Discrimination Policy

The Practice does not discriminate on the following grounds: race, gender, safe, social class, religion, sexual orientation, appearance, disability or medical condition.

We Are a Zero Tolerance Practice

We will always aim to treat our patients courteously and we would expect courteous treatment from our patients. Verbally aggressive behaviour to the reception staff is not acceptable, they are carrying out the Doctors instruction and are there to help you.