NHS Services

 

Practice Charter Standards

These are the local standards set within our practices for the benefit of our patients. It is our job to give you treatment and advice. Following discussion with you, you will receive the most appropriate care, given by suitably qualified people. No care or treatment will be given without your informed consent, In the interest of your health it is important for you to understand the information given to you. Please ask us questions if you are unsure of anything.


Our Responsibilities To You

We are committed to giving you the best possible service.

Waiting Time

We run an appointment system in this practice. You will be given a time which the doctor or nurse hopes to be able to see you. You should not sit more than 30 minutes in the waiting room without receiving an explanation for the delay and an apology.


Access

You will have access to a doctor rapidly in case of emergency; within half a working day in cases of urgency; and otherwise within three working days.We will arrange a home visit as appropriate for those who are too ill or infirm be brought to the surgery (please see visiting protocol).


Telephone

We will try to answer the phone promptly and to ensure that there are sufficient staff available to do this. You should be able to speak to the doctor on the telephone at an agreed time. The usual times are 11-1130hrs and 1800hrs, times are approximate.


Test results

If you have undergone tests or x-rays ordered by the practice, we will inform you of the results at your next appointment. It would be a good idea to telephone first to make sure that all the results are back. If no further appointment needs be arranged, we will advise you when and how to obtain the results.

Cervical smears are an exception when the practice nurse will write to you with the result.

Please note that investigations performed by the hospital are not normally sent to us and we will not be able to give you the result. You will be told at your next hospital out patients attendance.


Respect

Patients will be treated as individuals and partners in their healthcare.


Information

We will give you full information about the services we offer. Every effort will be made to ensure that you receive the information which directly affects your health and the care being offered.


Health Promotion

The practice will offer patients advice and information on:

1. Steps they can take to promote good health and avoid illness.
2. Self-help which can be undertaken without reference to a doctor in the case of minor ailments.

Health records

You have the right to see your health records, subject to limitations in the law. These will be kept confidential at all times.


Your Responsibilities To Us

1. Please let us know if you change your name, address or telephone number.
2. Please do everything you can to keep appointments. Tell us as soon as possible if you cannot. Otherwise, other patients may have to wait longer. We need help too.
3. Please ask for home visits by the doctor only when the person is too ill to visit the surgery.
4. Please keep your phone call brief and avoid calling during the peak morning time for non-urgent matters.
5. Test results take time to reach us, so please do not ring before you have been asked to do so.
6. Enquiries about tests ordered by the hospital should be directed to the hospital, not the practice.
7. We ask that you treat the doctors and practice staff with courtesy and respect.
8. Please read our practice booklet. This will help you to get the best out of the services we offer. It is important that you understand the information given to you.
9. Please ask us questions if you are unsure of anything.

Remember, you are responsible for your own health and the health of your children. We will give you our professional help and advice. Please act upon it


The Doctor

Dr Paul Attwood BM (Soton) 1979 DRCOG 1983

I am a single handed GP who qualified in 1979. Together with my able staff, we run an efficient surgery which is above all friendly and courteous.
Surgery Staff

Practice Manager

Miss Tina Milham is available for all administrative matters including complaints or suggestions. She will also deal with appointments and enquiries and is available most afternoons and late mornings.

Practice Nurse

Mrs Jean Rich-Waheed is available every morning and early afternoons excepting all day Wednesday for any nursing matter, dressings, vaccinations and general health matters.

District Nurse

We have an attached district nurse to deal with home based nursing. She is usually booked via the practice.

Practice Receptionist

Mrs June Harrington is available to help with appointments and enquiries most mornings.

Midwife

We have an attached midwife who sees our patients at our surgery and she deals with all aspects of normal pregnancy.

Health Visitor

We have an attached health visitor who deals mainly with the under fives. She will also visit at home postnatally.


Appointments

An appointment can be made in person or by telephone on 01843 593420. It is normally possible to be seen the same or the next day. If you cannot attend please let us know as we can give your appointment to another patient. Urgent cases can be fitted in at the end of surgery and you will be asked to come in and wait.

Dire emergencies are fortunately rare e.g. suspected heart attacks, collapse, unconsciousness, severe breathing difficulties, major bleeding. In these cases it is best if an ambulance is called on 999.

If the need is urgent but can wait for the doctor, please phone day or night 593420. Please remember that house calls are for housebound or very ill patients. All calls should be requested, ideally, before 10.30 as this helps the doctor to plan the day.


NHS Direct

The Government's latest expensive flagship. It is designed to be all things to all men but you would do well, for now, to phone if you require advice or are not sure what to do with your health related problem, especially out of hours. Might be worth a visit to their website. 24hr Phone 08 45 46 47


Prescriptions

Prescriptions can be requested by person or left with with a stamped addressed envelope. On the right side of your prescription there is a tear off strip with tick boxes for the next prescription request. Please do not telephone for repeats as this blocks the phone to other possibly urgent callers and mistakes can occur.


Duty Chemist

The duty chemists close at 18:30 on a weekday and 17:30 on a Saturday. They open from 12:00- 13:00 on Sunday. The name of the duty chemist is available in the local papers or on any chemist’s door. It is also useful to know that the pharmacy in Sainsburys Westwood is open during the opening hours of the supermarket which includes 10:00-16:00 Sundays.

This practice has an arrangement with Boots and Paydens of Ramsgate and Sainsbury's Westwood to pick up prescriptions from our surgery on weekdays. Please enquire at these chemists for further information.


Casualty Department

The nearest casualty department is at Thanet General Hospital, Margate and is open 24 hours. Casualty is for accidents and emergencies only of less than 24 hours’ duration. Problems of longer duration than this should be dealt with by your family doctor. If in doubt please telephone us or NHS Direct for advice.


Practice Area

The practice area is defined to the south by Victoria Road (Ramsgate), to the west by Hereson Road continuing on to the northwest by Ramsgate Road, Broadstairs and to the north by Westcliffe Road (Broadstairs) to the sea. It may be possible, for good reason, to accept patients from outside this area.


Getting There

The surgery is a detached corner bungalow fronting Dumpton Park Drive,Ramsgate. We are opposite Muir Road and behind what was the greyhound track. The surgery is on a major bus route and is less than 50 yards from bus stops to and from Broadstairs and Ramsgate. Visit the directions page for driving directions to the surgery.


Parking

There are eight free parking places for the use of patients’ cars. There is also ample parking available on Dumpton Park Drive.