Practice Policies & Patient Information
Accessible Information and Reasonable Adjustments
Accessible information –
The Accessible Information Standard is a requirement that all NHS organisations, including GP practices must follow to make sure that people who have a disability, impairment or sensory loss or their carers are given information in a format they can easily read or understand.
So, we can help and support you we want to know;
- If you need information in a specific format e.g. braille, large print or easy read
- If you need to receive information in a particular way
- if you need someone to support you at appointments e.g. a sign language interpreter or an advocate
- We want to know if you lip read or use a hearing aid or communication tool
Please let us know if you require any type of support so we can record this information and add it to your record. You can do this by telling our reception team, doctor or nurse the support you need. It is best you do this prior to needing an appointment, so the practice can make the necessary adjustments in advance.
NHS England has more information on the standard which is available in a range of formats including easy read, audio and BSL video with subtitles. You can see these by clicking the link below:
Healthwatch Sunderland have created a leaflet to explain this
Do you have communication needs? | Healthwatch Sunderland
Reasonable Adjustments
All disabled people have the right to reasonable adjustments. This includes when using healthcare, including GP practices.
We need to make it as easy for disabled people to use health services. This is called making reasonable adjustments.
Reasonable adjustments are changes which mean people with a disability can access the healthcare they need.
Reasonable adjustments are dependent on the person. Everyone has different needs. Some examples might include:
- making sure there is good access for people who use a wheelchair in the surgery
- providing plain English or easy read appointment letters.
- giving someone a priority appointment if they find it difficult waiting in their GP surgery or hospital.
- offering a longer appointment if someone needs more time with a doctor or nurse to make sure they understand the information they are given.
- having a quiet space available for people waiting for their appointment.
- making sure there is a hearing loop system in consultation rooms
- using a communication chart to support a person with dementia during an appointment.
Please let us know if you require any type adjustment to access your appointments so we can record this information and add it to your record. You can do this by telling our reception team, doctor or nurse the adjustments you need. It is best you do this prior to needing an appointment, so the practice can make the necessary adjustments in advance.
Accessing someone else’s information
Accessing someone else’s information
As a parent, family member or carer, you may be able to access services for someone else. We call this having proxy access. We can set this up for you if you are both registered with us.
To requests proxy access:
- collect a proxy access form from reception from 10am to 6pm
Linked profiles in your NHS account
Once proxy access is set up, you can access the other person’s profile in your NHS account, using the NHS App or website.
The NHS website has information about using linked profiles to access services for someone else.
Care Data
Information about you and the care you receive is shared, in a secure system, by healthcare staff to support your treatment and care.
It is important that we, the NHS, can use this information to plan and improve services for all patients. We would like to link information from all the different places where you receive care, such as your GP, hospital and community service, to help us provide a full picture. This will allow us to compare the care you received in one area against the care you received in another, so we can see what has worked best.
Information such as your postcode and NHS number, but not your name, will be used to link your records in a secure system, so your identity is protected. Information which does not reveal your identity can then be used by others, such as researchers and those planning health services, to make sure we provide the best care possible for everyone.
You have a choice. If you are happy for your information to be used in this way you do not have to do anything. If you have any concerns or wish to prevent this from happening, please speak to practice staff or download a copy of the leaflet “How information about you helps us to provide better care” below.
We need to make sure that you know this is happening and the choices you have.
OPT OUT FORM
Care Data – Frequently Asked Questions
You can find out more on the NHS England Care Data website
CQC
The Practice was inspected and rated as OUTSTANDING by the Care Quality Commission on 16th August 2016. The full report is published on our website’s Home Page.
Registered Manager: Dr Suzanne McKay
The Practice Philosophy
- To provide an exemplary primary health care service for all patients registered with the practice making use of all the services available.
- To remain passionate about patients health and to encourage self-care and self-understanding to allow patients to live a healthy lifestyle
- To work as a well motivated team embracing skill mix amongst our staff
- To dedicate time to educating ourselves, our patients, colleagues, and students.
- To treat everyone as an individual, without discrimination
Legal Status
We are a Partnership comprising of:
Dr Suzanne McKay & Dr Jessica Marshall
Practice Population February 2021 – 6300
Regulated Activities
We are registered to provide
- The treatment of disease, disorder or injury
- Diagnostic and screening procedures
- Family Planning
- Maternity and Midwifery services
- Surgical procedures
GP Net Earnings
2023/24
NHS England require that the net earnings of doctors engaged in the practice is publicised, and the required disclosure is shown below. However, 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.
All GP practices are required to declare the mean earnings (e.g. average pay) for GPs working to deliver NHS services to patients at each practice.
The average pay for GPs working in this practice in the last full financial year was £98,839 before Tax and National insurance. This is for 2 full time GP, 2 part time GPs and 0 locum GP who worked in the practice for more than six months.
2022/23
NHS England require that the net earnings of doctors engaged in the practice is publicised, and the required disclosure is shown below. However, 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.
All GP practices are required to declare the mean earnings (e.g. average pay) for GPs working to deliver NHS services to patients at each practice.
The average pay for GPs working in this practice in the last full financial year was £79,741 before Tax and National insurance. This is for 2 full time GPs, 1 part time GP and 1 locum GP who worked in the practice for more than six months.
2021/22
NHS England require that the net earnings of doctors engaged in the practice is publicised, and the required disclosure is shown below. However 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.
All GP practices are required to declare the mean earnings (e.g. average pay) for GPs working to deliver NHS services to patients at each practice.
The average pay for GPs working in this practice in the last full financial year was £92,236 before Tax and National insurance. This is for 2 full time GPs & 1 part time GP.
2019/20
NHS England require that the net earnings of doctors engaged in the practice is publicised and the required disclosure is shown below.
However, 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 for any judgement about GP earnings, nor to make any comparisons with other practices.
The average earnings for GPs working in Westbourne Medical Group in the last financial year ending in 2019/20 was £69,382 before taxation and National Insurance.
This is for 2 full time, 2 part time GP and 1 locum who worked in the practice for more than 6 months.
2018/19
NHS England require that the net earnings of doctors engaged in the practice is publicised and the required disclosure is shown below.
However, 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 for any judgement about GP earnings, nor to make any comparisons with other practices.
The average earnings for GPs working in the Westbourne Medical Group in the last financial year ending in 2018/19 was £79,014 before taxation and National Insurance. This is for 1 Full-time GP and 3 Part-time GPs who worked in the practice for more than 6 months.
Privacy Notice
Proxy Access Statement
There are a number of patients who book their appointments, request repeat medication and can view certain parts of their medical records online.
Patient Access have now improved their system to allow parents and carers to be authorised to all of the above-mentioned functions for children or the people they care for.
Any patient or carer wishing to have proxy access will need to sign up to this service by completing a form available at the practice Reception.
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
It’s Your Choice
Zero Tolerance Policy
Our Staff have the right to be treated with dignity and respect at all times.
They should be able to do their jobs without being PHYSICALLY or VERBALLY ABUSED.
Most people respect this.
Anyone found abusing the staff in person or on the telephone will be asked to leave the practice and removed from the practice list.
This behaviour will NOT be tolerated.