Symptoms
If you have health worries NHS Direct have the knowledge and experience to give you real help and reassurance. Visit the NHS direct website at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or call 0845 4647.
Access to patient notes
Access to patient information is restricted to the minimum necessary
for staff to carry out their work. All staff employed have signed a confidentiality agreement and any breech of confidentiality will be
treated extremely seriously.
In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 patients can request access to their medical records. Requests should be made to the Practice Manager in writing. The relevant forms will then be forwarded for completion. You will be required to provide proof of identity and
there will be a fee payable for this service.
Details of patient records will only be disclosed to authorised third
parties if a signed consent form accompanies the request.
Summary Care Record
There is a Government led scheme to share patient information among health care professionals. See this link for details of what this means for you www.nhscarerecords.nhs.uk.
Sick notes
It is not necessary to obtain a sick note from a doctor unless you have been absent from work for more than 7 days. During the first seven days you can self certify. The self certify form can be downloaded here.
Once you have been off sick for more than 1 week you can obtain a sick note from a doctor. You need to make an appointment to obtain this sick note.
Sick notes from the doctor are normally free of charge. However, if you require a private certificate covering the first 7 days of sickness there is a charge of £25.00.