Glastonbury Health Centre

Patient rights and responsibilities

What we will do for you

You will always be treated with courtesy and respect.

We will always offer the treatment we believe is best, by a suitably qualified person, with your informed consent.

We will provide information about our services on our website, in our practice booklets and newsletters.

We will make every effort to see you promptly. Medical emergencies will receive immediate attention and there will be a duty doctor available each day to deal with these.

We will offer an appointment within one working day with a doctor for any problem. We will offer you a booked appointment with a specific doctor within 3 working days, whenever possible.

If you require a specific time and a specific doctor you may have to wait a little longer.

Medical advice is available 24 hours a day by dialling 111 for the NHS 111 service.

We will inform you how to get results of investigations.

Repeat prescriptions requested before 1pm will normally be available after 2 working days, though please check with your designated pharmacy as pharmacies can add up to 2 additional working days to prepare your prescription.

We will strive to promote good health through preventative medicine.

We will respect patients’ rights of confidentiality and access to medical records within the law.

We will try to deal rapidly with any problems or complaints.

What you can do for us

We feel that you are partners in the care you receive and we ask you to accept your own responsibilities in return.

We expect you to treat all the surgery staff with respect and courtesy, violence will not be tolerated.

If you are unclear about your treatment please ask and try to follow the medical advice offered.

Please be flexible about appointment times and try to come as early in the day as possible. Reserve the later appointments for those who work or study outside the area.

If you wish to speak to a doctor telephone the surgery between 11.30am and 12:00 noon.

Please do not ask for a home visit unless you are too ill or disabled to attend the surgery. If you can get to the surgery we will see you.

Think carefully before calling out a doctor at night. They are on duty for emergencies only.

Request repeat prescriptions using your side slip, acute requests must be made in writing using a prescription form. Deliver, post or fax your requests to the surgery. Alternatively you can order your repeat prescriptions on-line.

Let us know if you cannot keep an appointment, our time is valuable and can be used to help someone else.

Be understanding when unexpected emergencies delay your consultation.

Find out about how to treat minor illnesses yourself and about disease prevention. Use NHS111 for advice about minor problems.

Many illnesses can be detected early by screening programmes, please take advantage of these.

Date published: 10th October, 2014
Date last updated: 23rd May, 2023