'Your Health and Wellbeing is our Profession'
Practice Leaflet
Carden House, Carden Place, Aberdeen, AB10 1UT
Tel: 0845 3376330
WELCOME TO CARDEN MEDICAL CENTRE
This is a temporary patient leaflet that we hope you will find useful. We will be finalising and printing our patient leaflet over the next number of months, once the services that will be provided at our new location have been finalised. Please take a few moments to read it to ensure that you make the best use of our services. If you have any queries, please ask one of the Receptionists.
We have over 10,000 patients who are registered at Carden Medical Centre, which is a purpose building, accessible building located on Carden Place, next to the Grammar School.
Following are the Partners of Carden Medical Centre:-
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Dr Geoff Clarke MB ChB MRCGP DRCOG (Registered 1979) |
Dr Fiona M Garton MB ChB FRCGP DRCOG MFHom (Registered 1979) |
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Dr Eunice AF Connon MB ChB MRCGP (Registered 1984) |
Dr Theresa J Marwick MB ChB MRCGP DRCOG (Registered 1995) |
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Dr M Stuart Watson MB ChB MSc FRCGP (Registered 1988) |
Dr Valerie Steven MB ChB BSc MRCGP DRCOG (Registered 1995) |
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Dr Anna RTI Smart MB ChB BSc MRCGP LFHom (Registered 1999) |
We also have a Salaried GP , Dr. Catherine McLaren, MB ChB MRCGP DFFP DRCOG
Key:
MB ChB/MBBS – Medical Degree
MRCGP – member, Royal College of General Practitioners
DRCOG – Diploma of the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecology
MFHom – Member of the Faculty of Homeopathy
LFHom – Licensed Associate of the Faculty of Homeopathy
Bsc – Bachelor of Science degree
Msc – Master of Science degree
DFFP - Diploma of the Faculty of Family Planning
The Doctors are supported by a large team of clinical and administrative staff including: GP Retainer, GP Assistant, Practice Nurses, District Nurses, Health Visitors, Midwife, Community Psychiatric Nurse, Drugs Problem Service Workers, Managers, Secretaries and Medical Receptionists. Details of how to contact them are included in this booklet.
1. ACCESS TO PATIENT INFORMATION & PATIENT RIGHTS
2. ACCIDENTS
3. APPOINTMENTS
4. BABY CLINICS AND CHILD HEALTH
7. CHEMISTS
9. COMPLAINTS
11. COMPUTER SYSTEM
12. CONFIDENTIALITY
14. DISTRICT NURSES
16. EMAIL
17. FAMILY PLANNING AND CONTRACEPTION
18. HEALTH VISITORS
19. HOME VISITS
20. MANAGEMENT TEAM
21. MATERNITY CARE
22. MEDICALS (EMPLOYMENT, INSURANCE, ETC)
24. MINOR SURGERY
25. NEW PATIENTS
26. Newsletter
27. NHS 24
28. NHS GRAMPIAN
29. OPENING HOURS
30. OUT OF HOURS
31. PATIENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
34. REGISTERED GP
35. RESULTS
36. TEACHING
37. TELEPHONE ADVICE
39. VIOLENT OR ABUSIVE PATIENTS
40. WEBSITE
1. Access to Patient Information & Patient Rights
All of our doctors and staff have access to your records as required for their work and they are required to keep all of your details safe and confidential.
Carden Medical Centre is registered under, and complies with, the Data Protection Act 1998, and The Freedom of Information Act 2000. You have the right under the Data Protection Act to know what information is kept about you and how it is used. You can apply to see that information, and this includes your medical records, whether manual or automated. For further details please ask the receptionist for one of our separate leaflets and an application form.
As part of our contribution and commitment to clinical care, we provide important data on diseases and treatments for research by third parties including academic, patient and commercial organisations. This is always anonymised. Sometimes patients’ records may be checked by other healthcare professionals and NHS staff. If you do not wish information from your notes to be used in this way, please let us know.
2. Accidents
We can deal with minor injuries such as cuts, sprains and burns. Our Nursing Team is also available to remove stitches and change dressings. However, if you suspect that an injury is more serious of life threatening, you must go directly to the Accident and Emergency Unit at Foresterhill.
3. Appointments
To make an appointment, please phone 0845 3376330 and you will directed to the service you require.
Please note that only requests for emergency appointments will be accepted between 8.00 and 8.30 am. If your request is not urgent, please phone after 8.30 am.
If you phone for an emergency appointment (at any time) and there are no appointments left for that day, the receptionist will take some details and ask the Duty Doctor to call you back.
Each appointment with the Doctor is for ten minutes. If you think that you might need more time, please ask the receptionist for a slightly longer appointment. Please make a separate appointment for each patient.
If you make an appointment and then find you cannot or do not need to attend PLEASE LET US KNOW. We can then allocate that appointment to someone else. On average 180 patients miss their appointment each month, which is very frustrating for everybody.
4. Baby Clinics & Child Health
Our Health Visitors run a weekly Baby Clinic on
Wednesdays 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
No appointment is necessary. Developmental assessments and immunisations for children up to the age of five are carried out in line with the NHS Grampian programme for pre-school surveillance. It is very important that children are fully immunised.
We notify all women when they are due for a cervical smear. This is usually every three years. This test is usually carried out by one of the Nurses or female Doctors and is important because it can help detect problems at an early and treatable stage. You will be informed of the result as soon as possible and whether any further action is required.
If you change your name, address, or telephone number, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can update our records. If you have moved outwith our practice boundary, we will tell you how to register with another practice closer to your new home.
7. Chemists
We do not dispense medicines from the surgery, but several local pharmacies operate a prescription collection service. Please ask at Reception for details.
Our Nursing Team is developing a series of Clinics to assess and support people with specific illnesses such as Asthma, Diabetes, Coronary Heart Disease and High Blood Pressure. Please ask at Reception for further information.
9. Complaints
We try very hard to make sure we get things right, however, sometimes things do go wrong. If you have a concern, please speak to the Doctor or receptionist first. We can usually sort things out quickly. If not or if your complaint is more serious, please ask the receptionist for a Complaints Leaflet. This sets out procedures for making a complaint, which follow the NHS Grampian guidelines. Formal complaints should be directed in writing to the Business Manager at Carden Medical Centre.
We offer Homeopathic treatment to patients as well as Acupuncture. Please ask at Reception for details.
11. Computer System
We have moved away from paper records and use the computer system to record details of all your appointments, illnesses and medications. This allows us to monitor your health care and make sure that certain routine checks, such as smears, are kept up to date.
12. Confidentiality
Every member of the practice team is required to sign a confidentiality agreement once a year. By doing so, they agree that they may not divulge information relating to patients to anyone other than medical, nursing or other professional staff who are concerned directly with the care, diagnosis and/or treatment of the patient or other authorised persons.
Before you leave hospital, you will be given a letter that contains details of your illness and any treatment that is required. Please have this delivered to the surgery as soon as possible so that we can arrange continuing care as appropriate.
14. District Nurse
District Nurses provide skilled nursing care through assessment and care planning for those who are house bound. They provide support and advice for people with cancer and chronic illness as well as organising practical assistance and nursing equipment. To contact them directly phone 01224 846680.
If a patient abuses drugs or uses illegal drugs, he/she will be advised that he/she will be treated for general medical services only and placed on the waiting list for the Drugs Problem Service if appropriate. Methadone will not be prescribed to new patients. Two Drugs Problem Service Workers hold regular clinics at our practice.
16. Email
The practice makes good use of its email system. However, we are sorry that we cannot at present accept emails from patients regarding requests for appointments, prescriptions or other clinical matters.
17. Family Planning and Contraception
All the doctors and nurses are trained to give advice on contraception. Some of them are also trained to fit implants and give depo injections. If you have any queries, please ask at Reception. If you are thinking of having an IUCD/IUD fitted we recommend that you contact the local Family Planning Clinic.
If you are thinking about having a baby, we recommend that you see a doctor first for some advice and basic health checks.
18. Health Visitors
Our Health Visitors are highly trained in the care of children under the age of five, the elderly and the handicapped. To contact them directly, please phone 01224 846677.
19. Home Visits
We prefer that patients come to the surgery if possible because we have all the facilities and equipment here that we need to treat you with. If you do require a home visit, please phone the surgery on 0845 3376330 before 10.00 am. The receptionist will take some details so that the doctor can prioritise the visits for that day. The visiting doctor may call you back before undertaking a visit.
20. Management Team
We have a Business Manager and an Assistant Manager who ensure that all practice matters are managed efficiently and promptly.
21. Maternity Care
The doctors all provide antenatal and postnatal care in conjunction with the community midwives and Aberdeen Maternity hospital.
22. Medicals (Employment, Insurance, etc.)
The doctors can undertake medical examinations on your behalf and complete the necessary paperwork, for example for employers or insurance companies. There is a charge for this service. Please ask at reception for further details.
If you are off work for up to seven consecutive days, you can obtain a self-certificate from your employer to complete yourself. If you are off for more than seven days, you will need to make an appointment with the doctor to obtain a medical certificate.
24. Minor Surgery
We can offer certain minor surgical procedures at the medical centre, such as the removal of cysts, or in-growing toenails. Your doctor will advise you whether this is appropriate
25. New Patients
New patients are asked to complete an application form, which includes details of you last registered doctor, and an ethnicity form. New patients will also be asked to attend a new patient health check so that we can update our records and make sure that the patient has any medication he or she requires.
26. Newsletter
A practice newsletter is issued in the surgery every three months to update patients on various things that are happening in the practice and also to provide seasonal health advice.
27. NHS 24
NHS 24 has been established to provide health advice and information 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are handled by well-qualified and highly trained nurses who will refer callers to more appropriate agencies if necessary. Telephone 08454 24 24 24 or visit their website at www.nhs24.com
28. NHS Grampian
The partners of Carden Medical Centre are contracted by NHS Grampian to provide general medical services. For further information about NHS Grampian, please refer to their new website www.nhsgrampian.org.uk For further details of primary medical services in Grampian, please telephone 558529.
29. Opening Hours
The surgery is open 8.00 a.m. until 6.00 p.m. Monday to Friday.
30. Out of Hours
NHS Grampian is responsible for patient care out with normal opening hours. Currently all calls to the practice in the evenings, weekends, and public holidays are dealt with by NHS 24 and GMED. If you ring the usual surgery number out with normal opening hours you will be directed to contact NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24.
31. Patients Rights and Responsibilities
We will always endeavour to do our best for you, however we need your help to provide the best care for all patients. Please treat your doctors and their staff as you would expect to be treated by them – with politeness and respect.
In order to ensure that the doctors and staff keep up to date with new information and systems, nearly every practice in Grampian closes for one afternoon per month for training. Please refer to the posters displayed in the medical centre for further details.
33. Registered GP
Please note the new legislation came into effect on 1st April 2002 which means that patients are now registered with a medical practice and not with an individual GP. You are free to ask for any doctor you wish and although it is preferable to see the same GP throughout a course of treatment, your records will be up to date and so it will be straightforward for another GP to pick up if necessary.
If you wish, you may state a preferred GP and this will be recorded in your records. Please inform the receptionist. We will try to meet your requests to see your preferred GP, but this is not always possible because of holidays, training, appointment availability, etc.
If you need a repeat prescription, please use either the tear-off slip attached to your last prescription or more simply call the practice, as we will be happy enough to take your instructions over the phone after 10.30am. You can either put the tear off script in the box at the surgery front door or post it to us. If you would like us to post your prescription out to you, please remember to enclose a stamped addressed envelope. Please allow 48 hours for prescriptions that are to be collected and 48 hours for prescriptions that are to be sent out by first class post.
Always remember to check in good time whether you need repeat prescription items before a holiday weekend or if you are going away.
35. Results
The doctor or nurse will advise you when to call for results but this will normally be about one week after the test. Requests for results will be dealt with between 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. only. In order to maintain confidentiality, results will only be disclosed to the patient or to the parent of a child.
36. Teaching
We support teaching medical students. Nurses and offshore medics and as such they may sit in with a member of the practice team from time to time. If you would prefer to see the doctor or nurse alone, please notify the receptionist. Sometimes we will ask whether or not we can record the consultation for teaching purposes, once again you may refuse if you wish.
37. Telephone Advice
All of our doctors and nurses are available to speak to patients by telephone. If you wish to speak to one of our doctors or nurses, please phone the main reception number and the receptionist will advise you either when to phone or take a message for the doctor or nurse to call you back. Remember that they all work on different days and so you may not get an immediate response if you ask for a specific individual.
The Practice Nurses offer advice on travel vaccinations and protection. Please make an appointment at least two months in advance so that you can receive the full course of protection required. We are authorised to provide yellow fever vaccinations.
39. Violent or Abusive Patients
Our doctors and staff provide a vital service to patients and they have the right to go about their duties without fear of attack or abuse. Patients who abuse or threaten to abuse members of Carden Medical Centre team will be asked to leave the practice and find another doctor.
40. Website
We are proud of the practice website, which contains lots of information about the practice and links to other medical websites. Please go to www.cardenmedical.com. We would welcome your comments.
We hope that you have found this leaflet helpful. If you have any questions, or you think we have missed something out, please let us know.
Lorraine McKenna
Business Manager.
April 2008