About Us

The Practice

We are currently operating out of a fully equipped and staffed temporary building at Quantrelle Court. Negotiations are ongoing with Bellway Homes to provide a move to a permanent and much larger site in 2010, which will be part of the new development. The new purpose built surgery will be situated in the centre of the development overlooking the square and next to the school.

Our Commitment to You

• Patients will be treated confidentially and with courtsey
  
• Health Promotion is our aim
  
• We will keep you informed of the services we offer
  
• Any suggestions to improve services will be considered

Charter for GP & Patients

Your doctor will always do his best for you. But he needs your help to provide the best care for all patients. Please show your support by following these simple guidelines.

• Please treat your doctor and his staff as you would expect to be treated by them; with politeness and respect.
  
• Please cancel appointments that you cannot attend or no longer need; somebody else is always waiting.
  
• Please think twice before calling a doctor to your home. Is a visit really necessary?
  
• Please do not expect a prescription every time you visit the surgery; good advice is often the best. 
  
• Please remember that you can find basic health information elsewhere e.g. your local pharmicist and NHS Direct. 
  
• Please request your repeat prescriptions in good time; this will help avoid delays. 
  
• Please remember that doctors are only human; they cannot solve all your problems and some illnesses cannot be cured. 
  
• If you have a genuine complaint, please contact the Practice Manager first. This is the quickest way to solve any problems.

Registering with the Practice

If you wish to register at our surgery then we need certain information from you and each member of your family to be able to trace your previous medical records.

You may register in the following ways:

• Call into the surgery bringing with you your NHS medical cards from your previous NHS doctor.
  
• If you have lost or do not have a medical card you can call into the surgery and fill out the necessary paperwork.
• Download the forms below and bring the completed forms into the surgery.
  • NHS GMS1 Form
  • Shortstown Patient Registration Form

New Patient Medical Examinations

New Patients are encouraged to attend for a health check with the practice nurse. This enables your medical history and medications to be entered on computer. Your medical records will take a few weeks to arrive from your previous GP.

Change of Address & Contact Details

Please let us know if you change your address or other contact details. If you move outside of our practice area, you may need to re-register with another doctor who covers your address. If in doubt ask the doctor or practice manager.

Either pop into the surgery or let us know via our Online Services.

Training of GP Registrars

It is our aim to become a training practice and to have registrars as part of our team.

Patient Participation Group

Anyone wishing to form a Patient’s Participation Group is welcome to discuss their ideas with the Practice Manager. The surgery could be made available for meetings and fund raising initiatives.

Complaints & Suggestions

We try to give all our patients the best care and attention. If you have any suggestions about how to improve the service, kindly place these in the suggestion box in the reception area. Should you have the need to discuss a complaint, we have an in house complaints system. Please ask to speak to the Practice Manager.

Access for the Disabled

We have two disabled spaces at the front of the building. We have a downstairs toilet, suitable fo wheelchair access. Dr Walsh will visit all disabled patients at home.

Parking

There are a limited number of parking spaces adjacent to the surgery. There are also some parking spaces available at the front of the RAW Club. Patients are requested to walk to the surgery if at all possible.

Confidentiality & Data Protection

We keep medical information about you on paper and on the computer system under the requirements of the Data Protection Act, which are accessed by authorised users only. Everyone working in the NHS has a legal duty to maintain the highest level of confidentiality about patient information. Information on our computer system is passwork protected with different security levels to ensure the maintenance of confidentiality.

A room is available to speak to anyone in private – please ask at reception.

Access to Medical Records

We are required by law to allow you access to your medical records. If you require a copy of your medical notes we will provide one: this is the procedure:

• Tell us what you require in writing, including the dates of the notes to be copied.
  
• Please remember to sign the letter.

Please note we are allowed to charge a fee to cover our administration costs.

Patients Rights to Disclose Information

If you wish other people (e.g. solicitors or insurance companies) to have copies of your notes, please ask at reception for a leaflet called Consent Form (Releasing health records under the Data Protection Act 1998).

The leaflet/consent form is on the British Medical Association website.  We need to know if you wish to have your whole medical records sent.

Zero Tolerance Policy

We have two disabled spaces at the front of the building. We have a downstairs toilet, suitable fo wheelchair access. Dr Walsh will visit all disabled patients at home.

CCTV

Please note that the surgery has a CCTV system running 24 hours a day. If you have any enquiries please call the surgery on 01234 743000 during office hours.

Bedfordshire Primary Care Trust

Any further details regarding medical services in the area can be obtained from:

Bedfordshire Primary Care Trust
Gilbert Hitchcock House
21 Kimbolton House
Bedford
MK40 2AW
Tel: 01234 795714
Fax: 01234 342028

www.bedfordshire.nhs.uk