Practice Policies & Patient Information
Access to your personal information
You have a right under the Data Protection legislation to request access to view or to obtain copies of what information the surgery holds about you and have it amended should it be inaccurate. Such requests should be made through the practice manager and there is no charge for this. No information will be released without the patient consent unless we are legally obliged to do so.
Complaints
We make every effort to give the best service possible to everyone who attends our practice.
However, we are aware that things can go wrong resulting in a patient feeling that they have a genuine cause for complaint. If this is so, we would wish for the matter to be settled as quickly, and as amicably, as possible.
To pursue a complaint please contact the practice manager who will deal with your concerns appropriately. Further written information is available regarding the complaints procedure from reception.
Confidentiality & Medical Records
The practice complies with data protection and access to medical records legislation. Identifiable information about you will be shared with others in the following circumstances:
- To provide further medical treatment for you e.g. from district nurses and hospital services.
- To help you get other services e.g. from the social work department. This requires your consent.
- When we have a duty to others e.g. in child protection cases anonymised patient information will also be used at local and national level to help the Health Board and Government plan services e.g. for diabetic care.
If you do not wish anonymous information about you to be used in such a way, please let us know.
Reception and administration staff require access to your medical records in order to do their jobs. These members of staff are bound by the same rules of confidentiality as the medical staff.
Data Sharing Guidance
Patients Privacy notice under GDPR
Your data matters to the NHS
Information about your health and care helps us to improve your individual care, speed up diagnosis, plan your local services, and research new treatments.
In May 2018, the strict rules about how this data can and cannot be used were strengthened. The NHS is committed to keeping patient information safe, and always being clear about how it is used.
You can choose whether your confidential patient information is used for research and planning.
To find out more, click here.
Freedom of Information
Information about the General Practitioner and the practice required for disclosure under this act can be made available to the public. All requests for such information should be made to the practice manager.
GP Net Earnings
PUBLICATION OF EARNINGS 01.04.2023
The average pay for GPs working in Wellspring Surgery in the last financial year was £ 61,800 before tax and National Insurance. This is for four part-time GP’s, four part time salaried GP and four part time locum GP’s who worked in the practice for more than 6 months.
All GP practices are required to declare the mean (average) earnings for GPs working to deliver NHS services to patients at each practice.
It should be noted that the prescribed method for calculating earnings is potentially misleading because it takes no account of how much time doctors spend working in the practice, and should not be used to form any judgement about GP earnings, nor to make any comparison with any other practice.
Patient Privacy Policy
Pricing for Non-NHS Services
We offer a range of private services designed to meet specific healthcare needs not covered by NHS funding. For a detailed list of services and associated fees, please refer to the pricing information HERE
Subject Access Requests (SARs)
You can request access to your medical records by submitting a subject access request to the surgery. You will need to complete a consent form at the practice, detailing specifically what records you require access to (e.g. records between a certain date, vaccination lists, consultation notes from particular date). Insurance companies and solicitors also request medical information via this pathway.
We use a processor, iGPR Technologies Limited (“iGPR”), to assist us with responding to report requests relating to your patient data, such as subject access requests that you submit to us (or that someone acting on your behalf submits to us) and report requests that insurers submit to us under the Access to Medical Records Act 1988 in relation to a life insurance policy that you hold or that you are applying for. iGPR manages the reporting process for us by reviewing and responding to requests in accordance with our instructions and all applicable laws, including UK data protection laws. The instructions we issue to iGPR include general instructions on responding to requests and specific instructions on issues that will require further consultation with the GP responsible for your care.
If you have any enquiries in relation to a SARs request which has already been submitted, please contact iGPR on 01527 570005 between 9am and 5pm.
Summary Care Record
There is a new Central NHS Computer System called the Summary Care Record (SCR). It is an electronic record which contains information about the medicines you take, allergies you suffer from and any bad reactions to medicines you have had.
Why do I need a Summary Care Record?
Storing information in one place makes it easier for healthcare staff to treat you in an emergency, or when your GP practice is closed.
This information could make a difference to how a doctor decides to care for you, for example which medicines they choose to prescribe for you.
Who can see it?
Only healthcare staff involved in your care can see your Summary Care Record.
How do I know if I have one?
Over half of the population of England now have a Summary Care Record. You can find out whether Summary Care Records have come to your area by looking at our interactive map or by asking your GP
Do I have to have one?
No, it is not compulsory. If you choose to opt out of the scheme, then you will need to complete a form and bring it along to the surgery. You can use the form at the foot of this page.
More Information
For further information visit the NHS Care records website
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.