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OTHER INFORMATION
Chaperone
You are entitled to ask or arrange for a chaperone to be present during intimate examinations. You may either choose to ask a friend or relative to be
present or ask the practice to provide a chaperone. Please ask in advance if you wish the practice to provide a chaperone. If the practice is unable to provide a chaperone at the time of your examination, you may be
asked to re-book your appointment for a time when a chaperone is available.
Carers
If you care for someone who is disabled, has a learning difficulty, a chronic or terminal illness, mental health problems or is elderly and you would like to be registered as a carer, complete the form available from reception and return it to us. Information will be recorded on your medical record, so that your GP will know you are a carer. Carer Support Elmbridge can offer you further information about caring, social events for carers, support groups, relevant training and a regular newsletter. Please contact them on 01932 226064. You may also be able to receive an annual 'flu vaccination free of charge.
Interpreting Service
We can provide interpreting services in any language covered by the National Interpreting service. This is available with any of the clinical staff. Please let reception staff know in advance if you require this service.
Private Charges
Fees for services provided which are not part of NHS work will be in line with British Medical Association recommendations.
Medicals
Medicals for driving, employment or insurance can be arranged with the receptionist. They are not covered by general medical services and therefore are chargeable.
Private Certificates
Requests for private certificates eg holiday cancellation, private insurance etc should be given to the receptionist. There is a charge for this service; the receptionist will be able to advise you of the fee. Please allow one week for completed forms.
Specimens
We have arranged for specimens to be transported daily to Ashford Hospital (Monday to Friday). Please ensure that all specimens are fully labelled and handed in to the receptionist before midday. You may ring for the result on 01932 245829 between 1.00-3.30pm.
Blood Samples
A phlebotomist will take blood samples on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings only (by appointment). If a fasting sample is required, you may take only tap water by mouth after 7.00pm the previous evening.
Surrey Primary Care Trust
Should you need to contact the Trust you should write to the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS), Bournewood House, Guildford Road, Chertsey, Surrey KT16 0QA.
Telephone number 01932 722405.
Additional Services
Should you require information on any additional services not covered here, please contact the Primary Care Support Services, 187 Ewell Road, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 6AU.
Telephone number 020 8335 1400.
Car Parking
We provide a number of car parking spaces. This is the maximum allowed by the planning authorities. Please park only in the bays provided. Please consider not turning on car security alarms as these can cause a lot of disturbance. Please remember that this is a residential area and, out of consideration for our neighbours, keep noise to a minimum and turn off car radios and cassette/DVD players.
Violent And Abusive Patients
This practice supports the Government NHS ‘Zero Tolerance Zone’ Campaign. Violence and abuse is a growing concern. GPs and their staff have the right to care for others without fear of being attacked or abused. Violent patients will be reported to the police and struck off the GP’s list.
We ask that you have respect for other people’s race, gender and disability and to treat your GP and the practice staff properly, without violence or abuse.
Compliments
Compliments are as important to the service as complaints and should be seen as a means of learning why things have gone well.
Chiropractic
The body has the capability of healing itself. If, through accident or lifestyle a joint or a spinal vertebra becomes slightly misaligned it can affect the nervous system causing pain, discomfort or even disease. Chiropractors diagnose and treat to restore normal alignment to allow self healing using manipulative techniques. They do not use drugs or surgery. The first consultation begins with a discussion of the symptoms, medical history, lifestyle and posture before a physical examination and then treatment. Practitioners use many different techniques to adjust the body and frequently offer self-help advice as well. They may take x-rays and, if their examination identifies underlying disease or a condition for which chiropractic is inappropriate, they will immediately refer you to your GP or consultant. Chiropractic treatment is suitable for all ages including babies, pregnant women and the elderly, and for an enormous range of conditions including back pain, sciatica, headache, neck, shoulder and arm pains, sports injuries, repetitive strain injury (RSI) and many other joint and muscle disorders.
Osteopathy
Osteopathy, a system of diagnosis and manual treatment, was the first complementary therapy to be awarded state recognition and statutory regulation. An osteopath views the body as a whole, paying particular attention to the patient’s musculo-skeletal framework, especially the muscles and joints. The initial consultation will involve questions about the current problem, general health and lifestyle and past medical history as well as a physical examination. For treatment a broad range of manual techniques may be used and typically a combination of massage (to the muscles) and slow, gentle stretching (of the muscles and joints) is given.
Occasionally, for certain cases only, one or two quick joint movements are made and sometimes exercises prescribed. Osteopaths are trained to treat a wide variety of ailments including low back pain and sciatica, neck pain and tension headaches, upper limb disorders eg shoulder pain, lower limb problems such as hip, knee and foot pain, and sports injuries.
With the use of gentle techniques, osteopathy is suitable for treating pregnant women and babies. It can assist in managing degenerative problems such as osteoarthritis and in the recuperative phase following certain illnesses and injuries. You don’t need a referral from a doctor to go to an osteopath but if you are in any doubt speak to your doctor.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is a conventional medical discipline that uses a variety of techniques to help muscles and joints work to their full potential. It can help repair damage by speeding up the healing process and reducing pain and stiffness. Physiotherapists can aid rehabilitation, such as helping people who have had strokes to relearn basic movements. They can advise on ways to avoid problems and aid recovery as well as provide treatment.
What types of problems can physiotherapy help?
Physiotherapists often specialise but generally they can assist with virtually any condition that affects muscles, joints and nerves such as:
• painful conditions eg arthritis
• back and neck pain eg whiplash
• problems affecting children eg cerebral palsy
• pregnancy-related problems eg stress incontinence
• upper limb work-related problems, repetitive strain injury
• asthma and other breathing difficulties
• sports injuries
• strokes and other neurological problems
• symptoms of stress and anxiety
What does the treatment involve?
After a thorough assessment to diagnose and explain the problem, the physiotherapist works with the patient to develop an effective treatment plan taking into account lifestyle, leisure and health.
This will include advice on self help and possibly an exercise programme. A variety of treatments could be used such as manipulation (realigning a joint, vigorous movement using the minimum amount of force), mobilisation (small movements freeing up joints to relieve pain or spasm), massage, electrotherapy, acupuncture or hydrotherapy.
Eyesight
You don’t appreciate the importance of your eyesight until you start to lose it. Everyone should have regular checks with their optometrist.
A test can determine whether or not you need glasses. The optometrist has the skill, equipment and expertise to test your eyesight more readily than your doctor. Make use of him and do not be put off by examination charges; your sight is worth much more.
You may be exempt from fees if you are in one of the following categories:
• under 16, under 19 and in full time education, or over 60
• receiving income support or family credit
• receiving disability working allowance while having capital resources below a prescribed level
• registered blind or partially sighted
• diabetic
• suffering from glaucoma; have a family history of glaucoma and you are over 40.
Very young children can have a sight test. They do not need to be able to read or recognise letters as special tests have been devised. An eye examination should be carried out at least by the age of three or earlier if you think there may be a problem. The earlier a problem is detected the more effectively it can be treated.
Freedom of Information
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 obliges the practice to produce a Publication Scheme. A Publication Scheme is a guide to the classes of information the practice intends to routinely make available.
This scheme is available from the Practice Manager.
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