Practice Policies

Provision of Private Referrals

Aviemore Medical Practice are happy to assist patients where requested by writing referral letters to private clinics, the usual time for production of this being 10-14 working days. However, we need all patients to be aware that once the private letter has been written the organisation of the appointment is entirely the responsibility of the patient.

Please be aware of the following:

1. You will need to make the arrangement for your appointments, by contacting the private provider/doctor of your choice.
2. You would be expected to pay for any tests, scans, surgery or treatments which are recommended. You are advised to ask for an estimate of these up front.
3. With the possible exception of commonly prescribed NHS medications, the private provider must supply prescriptions for any medications which are recommended for you. In addition they must arrange any monitoring tests which relate to these such as blood tests, advice about side effects etc
4. Please inform your GP if you are taking any medication prescribed privately – so they can avoid drug interactions etc.
5. GPs have independent clinical status and are obliged to act in accordance with their own judgement and within their own competency. While we try to work cooperatively with colleagues, your GP is not obliged to agree with a private doctor’s assessment or act on their recommendations. We will always explain to you the reasons for any variation.

Please note that Aviemore Medical Practice will not:

• Contact private clinics on your behalf
• Arrange private appointments
• Make any arrangements such as transport

Some resources you may find useful

• www.privatehealth.co.uk – website detailing all the private providers in the UK
• 01463 705 639 – Private consultants available in Inverness at Raigmore Hospital
• www.bmihealthcare.co.uk/albyn  – 01224 595 993 Private hospital in Aberdeen
• www.bupa.co.uk – 0330 135 5081 – Private Clinic in Aberdeen
• www.rocprivateclinic.com  – 01224 515 254 – Private Clinic in Aberdeen
• www.spirehealthcare.com/edinburgh – 0131 334 0363 – Private Hospital in Edinburgh
• www.nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/glasgow – 0808 159 0502 – Private Hospital in Glasgow

Confidentiality & Medical Records

All members of the practice team treat patient information in the strictest confidence. The practice complies with the Data Protection Act 1998 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 Practitioners 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.

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.