Other Information

MINOR ILLNESSES

We can offer an appointment for minor illnesses with our practice nurse. Our doctors and nurses work closely as a team and there is always a doctor on hand for a second opinion should this be necessary.

ADVICE FROM A DOCTOR OR NURSE

If you need to speak to a doctor or nurse personally, please leave a message with reception or telephone 579505. The receptionist will ask you to give some details so that the doctor or nurse can prioritise the call. We will try to return your call within 24 hours but other priorities may cause this to take longer.

The surgery telephone number has caller ID withheld. Please ensure you give the surgery a number which will accept our calls. Due to patient confidentiality we are unable to leave messages on answerphones without your explicit consent.

NHS DIRECT 0845 46 47

NHS Direct is a national 24-hour nurse assessment and health information help line. You may telephone NHS Direct at any time for advice or information, or visit online at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk.

MINOR INJURIES UNIT

There is a local walk-in minor injuries unit at Lewes Victoria Hospital, Neville Road, Lewes.

Open every day from 8.00am - 8.00pm. Tel: 01273 402504.

X-ray department open 2.00 - 4.00pm Monday to Friday, except bank holidays.

The Royal Sussex County Hospital, Eastern Road, Brighton has 24-hour accident and emergency facilities.

Tel: 01273 696955.

CHAPERONES

All patients are entitled to have a chaperone present for any consultation, examination or procedure where they feel one is required. This practice is committed to putting patients at ease whenever possible and if you wish a chaperone to be present during your examination, please do not hesitate to ask the doctor or the receptionist at the time of booking your appointment. Your healthcare professional may also have a chaperone present for certain consultations. You may also request a female or male doctor if one is available.

THE PAGING SYSTEM

The doctors call patients to their rooms over the paging system. We have an induction loop system fitted - if you have a hearing aid, set it to the 'T' position. When you have booked in at reception the details will appear on the doctors' or nurses' computer. You will not be missed if you cannot hear the paging system or if you are in the toilet, because the doctor or nurse will know that you are in the building.

PRIVATE MEDICAL SERVICES

Some medical services are not available on the NHS and a charge is made for these. This includes medical and travel insurance claim forms, private medical certificates, private prescriptions (eg for malaria tablets) or driving licence applications and various special examinations for sport, schools, employment and some licences such as HGV. A list of current charges is available at reception.

ZERO TOLERANCE

We enforce a zero tolerance policy. If anyone behaves in a threatening, aggressive or intimidating manner toward a member of staff, patient or visitor, they will be asked to leave. Should any patients behave in an aggressive and/or threatening manner involving the police, they will be removed from the practice register with immediate effect.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION - PUBLICATION SCHEME

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 obliges the practice to produce a Publication Scheme. This is also available at www.foi.nhs.uk.

PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP

If you are interested in becoming a member of our Patient Participation Group, please let the practice manager know.