Practice

Our Responsibilities to You

We are committed to providing the best possible service to you within the available NHS resources and this can only be achieved by working together, you and us. You will be treated as an individual with courtesy and respect at all times.

Suggestions, Compliments, Comments or Complaints

Our aim is to constantly improve services and we welcome comments and suggestions. If you would like to raise any issues please speak or write to the Practice Manager.

Confidentiality, Rights & Regarding Disclosure

Please feel reassured that all the doctors, nurses and practice staff are bound to maintain confidentiality. Please remind your family and friends that if they telephone or come into the surgery to see if you are here, we will not be able to tell them. Clinicians are unable to discuss a patient with any other person, including family members, without the explicit permission of the patient concerned.

Details about patients registered at this Practice (both personal and medical information) are recorded on computer and in paper form.

Some of this information will be sent to hospital consultants and other health professionals to whom you are referred by your GP, in order to provide continued health care and obtain treatment for you.

To ensure the security of the information obtained all of the staff members who have access to your details and medical records have signed confidentiality clauses in their employment contracts. The information held is also covered by the Data Protection Act and Freedom of Information Act. If you have any questions about this, please contact the Practice Manager.

Updating Personal Details

Please notify the reception without delay. In some instances we will need proof of the change. Please notify us of any changes in your telephone number/s including mobile numbers.

You can also change your personal details using our secure form below:

Chaperones

The Ringmead Medical Practice is committed to providing a safe, comfortable environment where patients and staff can be confident that best practice is being followed at all times and the safety of everyone is of paramount importance.

All patients are entitled to have a chaperone present for any consultation, examination or procedure where they feel one is required.

Wherever possible we would ask you to make this request at the time of booking the appointment so that arrangements can be made and your appointment is not delayed in any way.

We will endeavour to provide a formal chaperone at the time of request. However occasionally it may be necessary to reschedule your appointment.

Your healthcare professional may also require a chaperone to be present for certain consultations in accordance with our chaperone policy.

If you would like to see a copy of our Chaperone Policy or have any questions or comments regarding this please contact the Practice Manager.

• Download the Chaperones policy
  

Medical Research

You should be aware that we are part of the Medical Research Council (MRC) General Practice Research Framework (GPRF).

If the practice takes part in research, we may pass on anonymised information from your medical records or our practice computer, to researchers co-ordinating the study. The information will not be able to be linked back to you and will only be used for research that has been approved by an ethics committee. We may write to ask whether you or your children, would consider helping us with research. If we contact you, you are free to refuse to help, without it affecting your medical care in any way. 

If you do not wish to be contacted or allow anonymised information from your notes or your children's, included in any research, please write and inform the practice manager. This will not affect the care that you receive from the practice in any way.

Previous studies have included research into Thrombosis prevention, Intermittent claudication, Back pain treatments  Weight reduction, Smoking cessation, Depression, Glue ear in children, Asthma and Dust mite allergy. Flu surveys, Deep vein thrombosis in travel and Diarrhoea and vomiting in the community.

Disabled Access

Disabled access is via the main entrance at both sites, which are appropriately adapted.

Car Parking

Car parking spaces are available at both sites. If the Birch Hill Surgery car park is full, spaces are available in the Council car park behind the surgery.

Bracknell and Ascot CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group)

BACCG will involve local people, partners and staff at all stages in planning, shaping and designing local health services, and in setting priorities for Bracknell Forest & Ascot.

If you would like more information about how to get involved email Bracknell and Ascot CCG or visit their website www.bracknellandascotccg.nhs.uk.

Find out more...What are Clinical Commissioning Groups?

Fees

• GP Fees for Non NHS Services
  
• Why do GPs charge fees? FAQs
  

GP Earnings

CQC

Teaching Practice

Medical Students

The first stage in becoming a doctor involves 5 years of University Education where a student learns about all aspects of medicine and clinical practice.  During their training students undertake placements in GP Practices where they gain knowledge of how General Practice works.

Ringmead Hall Medical Practice has medical students throughout the year. The students who are mainly but not exclusively from Southampton University, who are in the practice for a period of approximately up to 4-6 weeks at a time. They have not yet qualified as doctors, and so will not make decisions about your diagnosis and treatment without a qualified doctor being present.

With the patient’s consent students may sit in on consultations with the GP or nurse to learn about general practice.

You may be asked to consult with medical student before you see your GP. As they are training, and as part of their education, we may ask you to allow a student to discuss your medical history or problems with you, or examine you either observed by or then discussed with the GP. 

If you agree to see a medical student first, you will be assisting with their training and your cooperation will be appreciated. However the choice is yours and you do not need to have a consultation with a medical student if you prefer not to.

Foundation Year doctor

We are also a training practice for Foundation Year doctors. FY2 doctors are in their second year post qualification and are required to spend 4 months in General Practice as a part of their post qualification experience.

They are fully qualified doctors and during this placement they are involved in all aspects of the practice, including carrying out consultations and doing home visits under the supervision of a GP.

You may be offered an appointment to see the foundation year doctor and most patients do not find this a problem.  However, if for any reason you would prefer not to see them please make the receptionist aware when you make an appointment.