Other
Information
FREEDOM
OF INFORMATION – PUBLICATION SCHEME
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 reception.
FEES
Like any
professional, your doctor is entitled to charge a fee for any work that
does not fall under the umbrella of the NHS. This includes private health
care insurance forms, private sick notes, holiday cancellation forms,
HGV medicals, fitness to travel, pre-employment medicals and many others.
Fees start at £12 and increase according to the amount of work involved
and responsibility taken. Please refer to the list at reception.
TRAVEL ADVICE
Our
practice nurse will be pleased to give advice to those patients going
abroad. Please allow adequate time in order for any vaccine(s) to be effective.
Certain vaccines are chargeable - please ask at the time of booking.
Before
You Go
Well before travelling abroad, check with your
Travel Agent or the Tourist Office/Embassy of the country you intend to
visit on any special precautions you may need to take. At least two months
before departure discuss any vaccination requirements with the practice
nurse. Pack a small first aid kit containing adhesive dressings, insect
repellent, antiseptic cream and water purification tablets etc; ask at
the pharmacy.
When Abroad
Check on the
quality of the drinking water. If in doubt, either drink only bottled
water or use water purification tablets. Avoid iced drinks as these may
well have been made from suspect water. Raw vegetables, salads and fresh
fruits should be carefully washed in clean water. If in doubt stick to
freshly cooked food.
Beware of the sun! Use a high factor sunscreen
particularly in the first few days of exposure. Children in particular
should be closely monitored in this respect.
In hot climates, drink
plenty of non-alcoholic drinks. If you are not passing water regularly
you are not drinking enough.
On Your Return
If
you fall ill, don't forget to tell your doctor that you have travelled
abroad. If you have received treatment abroad, tell your own doctor on
return.
When donating blood, tell the transfusion staff which countries
you have visited.
What To Do If Someone Dies:
It is a legal requirement for a Doctor to confirm that someone has passed away. There is no need to move the patient. If a Doctor has recently seen the patient, a death certificate can normally be issued. However, in the event of unexpected death, the Doctor will need to notify the Coroner. Deaths should normally be registered within five days, unless the Coroner is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death. A death should be registered in the district where it occurred.
If Death Occurs At Home:
1) Telephone the Doctor. They will visit to confirm death has taken place.
2) Contact the Funeral Director to inform them that their services will be required.
3) Collect the death certificate from the surgery (you will be told when this will be available for collection). This will not be possible if it is necessary to involve the Coroner.
If Death Occurs In Hospital:
1) Contact the Funeral Directors to inform them that their services will be required.
2) Collect the death certificate from the hospital.
Then:
1) To register, make an appointment at the Register Office of the district where the death occurred, either in person or by phone.
2) You must bring with you a medical certificate of cause of death issued by the Doctor who was treating the deceased. If possible, you should also bring the deceased’s birth certificate, marriage certificate and medical card. The Funeral Director will advise you what to do if the Coroner has been informed of the death.
A Registrar will interview you in private, and ask questions about the person who has died.
You will need to know the following information:
- The date and place of death
- The full name and surname and, if the deceased was a married woman, the surname/ family name used before marriage
- The date and place of birth
- The occupation and, if the deceased was a married woman or widow, the full name and occupation of her husband
- The usual address
- If the deceased was married, the date of birth of the surviving widow or widower
- Whether the deceased received a pension or allowance from public funds
3) You will be given a document to enable you to make the funeral arrangements. If the death was referred to the Coroner, there may be other procedures. You will also be given a form for Social Security purposes. Both of these documents are free of charge.
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