Proxy Access

Proxy access is where someone is given access another person’s medical record.

For example:

A parent or guardian who has legal responsibility for a patient under 11
A parent or guardian where a patient aged 11 or over has given permission
A parent or guardian who has legal responsibility for a patient between 11 and 16 where GP has assessed that the patient is not capable of making their own decisions re medical health
A carer for a patient over the age of 16 – we would need a letter from the patient giving them permission

The proxy does not have to be a registered patient at the practice, but must be registered for online services on the GP system and always use their own login credentials.

To be given proxy access, a patient’s representative must have the informed consent of the patient or, in cases where the patient does not have capacity to consent, the GP has decided that it is in the best interests of the patient for them to have proxy access.

Patients aged 16 or above are assumed to have the capacity to consent unless there is an indication that they are not. Young patients between the ages of 11 and 16 who are judged as having capacity to consent by their GP may also consent to give proxy access to someone else.

Legitimate reasons for the practice to authorise proxy access without the patient’s consent include:

The patient has been assessed as lacking capacity to make a decision on granting proxy access and/or the applicant has a lasting power of attorney for health and welfare registered with the Office of the Public Guardian,
- the applicant is acting as a Court Appointed Deputy on behalf of the patient, or
- the GP considers it to be in the patient’s interest in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 code of practice.
The patient is a child who has been assessed as not competent to make a decision on granting proxy access

The practice may refuse or withdraw proxy access, if they judge that it is in the patient’s best interests to do so.

On a child’s 11th birthday, the scope of the current proxy access will be restricted, unless the GP has already assessed the child as able to make an informed decision and the child has given explicit consent for their record to be shared. This is a national standard created by imposed by NHS England to protect the confidentiality rights of young people.

From 11-16, a parent with proxy access will be able to manage certain elements of the young person’s record, such as demographic data, and make appointments and order repeat prescriptions, but they will not be able to see the young person’s past appointments or clinical record, although they would still be able to see the current repeat prescription record.

At the child’s 16th birthday the remaining proxy access will be switched off, except where the young person is competent and has given explicit consent to the parental access. If the child wants proxy access reinstated, they will need to come to the surgery in person, with proof of ID, to request it.

Parents may continue to be allowed proxy access to their child’s online services, after careful discussion with the GP, if it is felt to be in the child’s best interests.

Accountable GP

The NHS requires that every patient is allocated a named accountable GP. All registered patients have been allocated a named GP, and any newly registered patients will be allocated a named GP within 21 days of registering. This is for administrative purposes only and you retain the right to see any of our GPs. You will still be able to book an appointment with the GP of your choice.

What does ‘accountable’ mean?

The named accountable GP takes responsibility for the co-ordination of all medical services and ensures they are delivered to each of their patients where required. This new arrangement has been introduced to reassure patients that they have one GP within the practice who is responsible for ensuring that work is carried out on their behalf.

Does the requirement mean 24-hour responsibility for patients?

No. The named GP will not: take on responsibility for the work of other doctors or health professionals, take on 24-hour responsibility for the patient, or have to change their working hours, be the only GP or clinician who will provide care to that patient.

Can patients choose their own named GP?

Patients have been allocated a named GP by the practice. However, if a patient requests a particular GP, reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate their preference.

Do patients have to see the named GP when they book an appointment with the practice?

No. Patients are free to choose to see any GP or nurse in the practice.

If you would like to know who your named accountable GP is, or you have a preference as to which GP you are allocated please contact the Surgery for more information.

GDPR Candidate Privacy Notice

Click here to view our GDPR Candidate Privacy Notice.

GDPR Employee Privacy Notice

Click here to view our GDPR Employee Privacy Notice.

GDPR Children Privacy Notice

Click here to view our GDPR Children Privacy Notice.

GP GDPR Privacy Notice

Click here to view our GP GDPR Privacy Notice.

Covid 19 Privacy Notice

Click here to view our Covid 19 Privacy Notice.

Chaperone Policy

Download the Chaperone Policy here.

Care Quality Commission

Health and Social Care Act 2008

Aims and objectives

We aim to offer the highest standard of health care and advice to our patients.

We are dedicated to ensuring that practice staff and Clinicians are trained to the highest level and to provide a safe and rewarding environment in which to work.

We aim to extend our range of services to patients, following our planned move to a purpose built site.

We will safeguard all children and vulnerable adults and ensure that all staff are aware of policies in place to ensure all safeguarding issues are addressed promptly and appropriately.

We aim to achieve all practice targets by working as a team and supporting each other.

We aim to act upon any feedback given by patients or staff, both positive and negative.

We will treat all our patients with the utmost respect and demonstrate a genuine caring attitude.

We will take pride in our practice and will always strive to build upon our achievements, whilst providing holistic and individualised care.

We will encourage on-going training with all staff and Clinicians and provide the necessary time-scales to help everyone achieve their training goals.

We will ensure patient and staff safety by ensuring regular risk assessments are carried out within the practice.

We will ensure that all staff are trained in dealing with a potential emergency.

We will ensure that all staff and clinicians understand that they can report any concern in confidence in relation to the Whistleblowing Policy.

We will ensure that all staff and clinicians are aware of how to access all practice polices.

Through the promotion of health education and empowerment of the individual, relevant vaccinations are available to all eligible patients.

To ensure patients with long term conditions are being reviewed regularly in accordance with the relevant NICE Guidelines.

To advise all patients of the importance of a healthy lifestyle and medication compliance.

To ensure the practice is clean and tidy at all times.

To ensure a professional, caring relationship with other service providers to enable the practice to give prompt care and attention to all of our patients.

Our practice is inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to ensure we are meeting essential standards of quality and safety.

Promoting and Offering Choice

Introduced in April 2009, Patients now have the legal right to choose which hospital provider in England offering a suitable treatment that meets NHS standards and costs they are referred to by their GP.

Patients can choose which hospital they are seen in according to what matters most to them, whether it’s location, waiting times, reputation, clinical performance, visiting policies, parking facilities or other patients’ comments.

A choice of hospital is available for most patients and in most circumstances. Exceptions include emergency and urgent services, cancer, maternity and mental health services.

If the patient needs to be seen urgently by a specialist (for example, if the patient has severe chest pain), the GP will send the patient where they will be seen most quickly.

Promoting choice

During the consultation, the patient is given sufficient information in an appropriate form to allow them to make choices in relation to their health needs. Patients will be invited to ask questions and will be asked about their views about their care, treatment needs, options and management plan which will documented in their Patient Record. Patients are given time to make a decision/choice about their treatment.

Social and cultural diversity, values and beliefs that may influence the patient’s decision about their care are recognised and respected. All the Practice’s patients know how to raise a concern or complaint about the service received and how it will be dealt with.

Periodic feedback from patients is sought through, for example, patient surveys, general discussion and the Patient Participation Group.