The Practice Beacon
About the practice
Appointments
Appointmtents can be made in person or by telephone. When booking an appointment our reception staff will need to ask you a few questions so they can direct you to the most appropriate healthcare professional - this may be a GP, Practice Nurse or Healthcare Assistant. If you are unable to keep an appointment, please let the surgery know as soon as possible so that it can be made available for another patient. You have the right to express a preference of GP for booked appointments but it is not always possible to see a preferred GP as they may not hold surgeries every day.
Urgent appointments
Urgent appointments are available for emergencies that need seeing the same day. In a serious emergency call 999 or go straight the nearest A&E department. If you become ill after this time you should contact the surgery and speak to the receptionist explaining the nature of the emergency. You may then need to speak to a nurse who will triage the call and then offer you an emergency appointment with the doctor if appropriate. Emergency appointments are not for repeat prescriptions, ongoing conditions or the issuing of sick notes.
Teaching and training
We value our staff and provide support through teaching and training this enables us and them to provide the best service for all our patients.
Out of surgery hours
NHS Direct is a national 24-hour advice help line for all medical problems. Simply call 0845 4647 or visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk. In an emergency when the surgery is closed simply phone the surgery number and you will automatically be put through to the emergency out of hours service who will assist with your problem. Alternatively contact them directly on 020 8969 7555. Other than in an emergency, please use these services before attending the A & E department at the hospital.
Registering as a new patient
To register at The Practice Beacon please call into reception for a welcome pack. Alternatively please see the section on registering as a new patient on our website where registration forms are available to download: www.thepracticeplc.com. Anyone can register with us if they live within W10 W11 W2 and W8.
Telephone advice
During surgery the doctor has set aside time to deal with enquiries over the telephone. We will ask you to leave your contact number and enquiry in order for the doctor to call you back during the surgery hours.
Home visits
These are for patients who are too frail, severely disabled or confined to bed and are unable to attend the surgery. To request a home visit on the same day, please call the surgery before 10.30am. The doctor will decide if a visit is necessary.
Repeat prescriptions
To request repeat medicine, tick the repeat slip as appropriate and deliver, post or fax it to the surgery. Please include a SAE if you would like the prescription to be posted back to you. The prescription can be collected from the surgery or be sent to a preferred local chemist, please make this clear when you make your request. The prescription will be ready in 48hrs or two working days.
From time to time we require you to see the doctor or the nurse for a medication review before a repeat prescription can be issued. This is to ensure that you get the medications that are most appropriate. To check for your medication review date please refer to the repeat slip. Please do not telephone for repeat prescriptions. Please note The Practice Beacon is not a dispensing practice.
Results of tests and X-Rays
These are available by telephoning the surgery on 020 7985 9900 between 12pm & 1pm. Results of blood tests will usually take one week, X rays 7 - 10 days and Cervical Smears up to four weeks. When you telephone you will be advised as to whether there is any action to be taken and if you need to see the doctor again.
Disabled access
There is disabled access at the surgery.
Parking
On street parking is available at the surgery.
Patient confidentiality
The Practice Beacon follows the patient confidentiality policy as outlined by the PCT. We ask for information about you to provide the best possible care and treatment. This information, together with details of your care, is saved to ensure that your doctor or nurse has accurate and up to date data. This information is held on computer or in paper notes.
There are times when we have to pass on information about you to other people such as hospitals, Social Services and the Health Authority. This is always done confidentially or by removing your identifying details when they are not essential. Everyone working for the NHS has a legal duty to maintain the highest level of confidentiality about patient information. If at any time you would like to know more about use of information you can speak to your Practice Manager. Please use your NHS number where appropriate.
Under the Data Protection Act 1998, you are also entitled to access your clinical records or any other personal information held about you. For this, please contact the Practice Manager. Any request for a report or copies of notes requires a signed patient consent form.
Patient behaviour
Physical and verbal aggression towards medical and administrative staff working in the NHS environment unfortunately does occur. This sort of behaviour is not tolerated at The Practice Beacon.
Change of contact details
If you change your name, address or phone number please inform the surgery in writing. Our contact details are on the reverse of this leaflet.
Complaints, comments and suggestions
At The Practice Beacon, we sincerely hope that our patients are happy with the care and advice they receive, and we welcome your views and comments. We hope that you will raise any concerns with our staff at the time they occur. Alternatively, please refer to the patient's complaints guidance poster available at reception.
Patients come first
The Practice Beacon offers clinical services to NHS patients who need to be sure of the very highest standards. But it's how we do what we do that makes the difference. We aim to deliver genuinely caring and thoughtful patient centred services. From first referral through diagnosis to effective treatment we promise true professionalism. No patient will be discriminated against on the grounds of race, gender, social class, age, religion, sexual orientation, appearance, disability or medical condition. At The Practice, patients come first.
