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.
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, at every stage of your healthcare journey.
However, we appreciate there are instances where patients may feel the need to make a formal complaint. Complaints should be addressed to the practice manager and can be emailed to contact.kelsohc@borders.scot.nhs.uk Alternatively, information leaflets can be picked up at reception.
Feedback
If you would like to provide feedback to the practice, please contact the practice manager. Feedback can be given verbally, written, or can be emailed to contact.kelsohc@borders.scot.nhs.uk
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.
Absence from Work
If you are unable to work due to illness, please obtain a self-certificate form from your employer to cover this first week of absence. If your illness lasts longer, you may require a medical certificate. Please contact our reception team to arrange a Fit Note.