Practice News, Policies & Patient Information
October 2024 – lots of students
We are delighted that so many students have chosen to register with us this year. You are all very welcome. Please call us if you have any worries about your health.
We also welcome our own bunch of students – this month we are hosting a final year medical student, a first year Physician Associate student and two 4th year Pharmacy students. We are grateful for their enthusiasm and for the kind way patients have greeted them.
September 2024 – “Back to school”
We hope everyone has had a lovely summer and is ready for autumn.
Staffing changes – we say goodbye to our Apprentice Isobel and out Healthcare Practitioner Tabitha as they move on to the next stage of their training and education.
We welcome two new GP Registrars to boost the team.
This autumn we are running an extensive vaccination programme with vaccine clinics for flu, RSV, Covid, Shingles and pneumonia.https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/ Please contact reception if you have any questions or would like to book.
April 2024 – welcome to staff – “old and new”
This April we welcome back Sammy Stapleton to reception and as a HCA, and also congratulate Emily Aram on her promotion to HCA.
We welcome an additional GP Registrar, Dr Nataly Abdel-Missih, who will be with us until August.
Finally, we welcome Dr Elizabeth Kedge as a permanent member of the team. Dr Kedge has been working with us in a locum capacity this Spring and we are delighted that she has joined the team as a permanent member.
March 2024 – STEPINTO SPRING with good mental health – local help and counselling services can be found Counselling and Talking Therapies in Nottingham | Everyturn
February 2024 – Welcome to our new website!
show lessData Choices and GDPR
Abbey Privacy Notice December 2023
Abbey Privacy Notice May 2023
Abbey Privacy Notice PKB Aug 23
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. The NHS is committed to keeping patient information safe and always being clear about how it is used.
How your data is used
Information about your individual care such as treatment and diagnoses is collected about you whenever you use health and care services. It is also used to help us and other organisations for research and planning such as research into new treatments, deciding where to put GP clinics and planning for the number of doctors and nurses in your local hospital. It is only used in this way when there is a clear legal basis to use the information to help improve health and care for you, your family and future generations.
Wherever possible we try to use data that does not identify you, but sometimes it is necessary to use your confidential patient information.
You have a choice
You do not need to do anything if you are happy about how your information is used. If you do not want your confidential patient information to be used for research and planning, you can choose to opt out securely online or through a telephone service. You can change your mind about your choice at any time.
Will choosing this opt-out affect your care and treatment?
No, choosing to opt out will not affect how information is used to support your care and treatment. You will still be invited for screening services, such as screenings for bowel cancer.
What do you need to do?
If you are happy for your confidential patient information to be used for research and planning, you do not need to do anything.
To find out more about the benefits of data sharing, how data is protected, or to make/change your opt-out choice visit www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters
GP Net Earnings
Abbey Medical Centre
PUBLICATION OF EARNINGS 2023/24
All GP practices are required to declare the mean (average) earnings for GPs working to deliver NHS services to patients at each practice.
The average pay for GP’s working in Abbey Medical Centre in the last financial period, which was 6 months, was £31,037 before tax and National Insurance. This is for 1 GP partner and 3 part time salaried GP’s, who worked in the practice for more than 6 months.
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.
Infection Control
At Abbey Medical Centre, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of infection prevention and control (IPC) to ensure the safety and well-being of our patients, staff, and visitors. This annual statement provides an overview of our compliance with IPC practices, including cleanliness, as mandated by the Health and Social Care Act 2008. Our comprehensive approach covers infection transmission incidents, audits, risk assessments, staff training, policy updates, and antimicrobial stewardship. We continually strive to improve our practices and maintain a safe healthcare environment for everyone.
Click here to download our annual statement of compliance with IPC practice
Other Policies
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.
Freedom of Information
Information about the General Practioners 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.
Access to Records
In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and Access to Health Records Act, patients may request to see their medical records. Such requests should be made through the practice manager and may be subject to an administration charge. 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 regarding the complaints procedure can be found by clicking here (Complaints Leaflet) or from reception.
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.
Abbey Medical Centre on Social Media
The Practice has a social media presence via its website and on Facebook and X.
The Practice website is managed and monitored by the Lead Partner, Practice Manager and the PCN IT team.
The Practice Facebook page is administrated by the Lead Partner and Practice Manager. Patients are able to post comments onto items published on the Facebook page and can also leave reviews.
Items from the Facebook page can be sourced from, and shared with, the ICB, the PCN, the neighbourhood practices and on local Community Facebook pages.
As an active part of the local Community, the Practice monitors local groups for feedback and will contact patients where appropriate to follow up any comments or complaints made in order to signpost our complaints procedure or to remind patients of our Zero Tolerance policy.
The Practice’s Zero Tolerance policy extends to Social Media and any false or malicious claims, or personal attacks on named staff or staff groups will result in a warning from the Practice and may ultimately result in patients being asked to register elsewhere.
Problems or complaints
Complaints
Practice Complaints Procedure
Patient feedback is important to us as it helps us to improve the service we provide to patients. We take patient complaints seriously and will attempt to address your concerns to your satisfaction.
How do I make a complaint?
If you wish to complain please contact the Practice Manager Joy Stevenson at joy.stevenson1@nhs.net
If you are complaining on behalf of someone else, the practice needs to know that you have their permission to do so.
What Happens Next?
The complaint will be acknowledged within 3 working days. The practice will respond, after investigation, within the timeframe specified to you at the acknowledgement stage of the process. Some complaints may take longer to address but you will be informed of a response time. If this cannot be met, the practice will keep you informed.
Please be assured making a complaint will not adversely affect your ongoing healthcare at the practice. We will deal with you fairly, compassionately and will endeavour to resolve the situation to a satisfactory conclusion.
Wherever possible, we aim to learn from complaints and take action to avoid similar occurrences.
How do I complain to someone Independent?
GP Practices would prefer to have the opportunity to answer complaints ourselves in the first instance. However, you may pass your complaint directly to:
Patient Experience Team
Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board
Sir John Robinson House
Sir John Robinson Way
Arnold
Nottingham
NG5 6DA
Tel: 0115 8839570
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