One problem – One appointment

Maximising Your Appointment Time

At Brierley Park Medical Group, our GP appointments are 12.5 minutes long. While we aim to address your concerns efficiently and thoroughly, we kindly ask that patients adhere to the “One appointment, one problem” guideline. This ensures that each issue can be addressed properly and safely, and that we provide the best care possible during your visit.

Why this is important

This approach is essential for your clinical safety and well-being. We understand that it can be tempting to bring up multiple concerns at once, especially if you’ve been waiting for an appointment. However, trying to address several problems in a single 12.5-minute appointment may compromise the quality of care, as each medical issue requires adequate time for thorough assessment, treatment, and explanation.

Managing multiple concerns in a rushed appointment can lead to incomplete care, and in some cases, the conditions may not be properly managed. Moreover, if appointments run over, it can delay the rest of the clinic, impacting other patients.

What to Expect During Your Appointment
During your 12.5-minute appointment, your clinician will:

  • Listen to your concerns and ask relevant questions to understand your issue
  • Order prescriptions, tests, or referrals as needed
  • Perform any necessary examinations
  • Provide advice and reassurance
  • Document a comprehensive record of your consultation

Given the limited time, please keep in mind that addressing multiple concerns might result in a rushed and less effective consultation. If needed, we may suggest scheduling a follow-up appointment to address additional issues in more detail.

What You Can Do to Help Us Maximise Your Appointment
We understand that waiting for an appointment can be frustrating, and we want to ensure you get the most out of your time with us. Here are some tips to help:

  • Be Prepared:

    • Inform the receptionist of the reason for your visit when booking. This allows us to allocate the appropriate amount of time for your concerns.
    • Write down your symptoms, concerns, and any medications (including non-prescription medicines or supplements) you’re taking.
    • Bring a pen and paper to note any important points from the appointment.
    • Wear accessible clothing if an examination is likely.

  • Be on Time:
    Arriving on time helps ensure your consultation runs smoothly. If you are more than 5 minutes late, the clinician may not be able to see you, and you may need to reschedule.

  • Prioritise Your Concerns:
    Focus on the most urgent or concerning issue first. If you have several problems, it may be more beneficial to address one at a time in order to allow for proper discussion and treatment. Please be prepared to schedule a follow-up appointment for other concerns.

  • Ask Questions:
    If anything is unclear, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. It’s important that you fully understand your diagnosis and any prescribed treatments.

  • Be Direct:
    If you have an issue that feels embarrassing or difficult to discuss, bring it up early in the appointment. Your clinician is here to help, and no concern is too small or too awkward.

Appointments for Children or Family Members:

We kindly request that you do not ask the clinician to address issues for children or other relatives during your appointment. Please make separate appointments for each person who needs to be seen.

Your Ongoing Care:

We recognise that waiting for an appointment can be challenging, and we aim to provide the best care we can during the time available. We encourage you to make the most of your consultation by following the tips above.

Thank you for your cooperation and for your continued support. We are committed to your health and well-being, and we strive to ensure every appointment is as effective as possible.

Non NHS Work

Fees for Non-NHS Services from 1st November 2024

Details Fee Paid by
Accident/Insurance/Examinations
Full Medical Report £116.60 Patient/insurance company
Report on proforma (20 mins) no examination – targeted report £63.60 Patient/insurance company
Medical Examination and report in surgery £145 Patient/insurance company
GP Supplementary report £29 Patient/insurance company
Assessment of Capacity (COP3)

Power of Attorney

 £116.60 Patient/Solicitor
Accident or sickness insurance £53 Patient/insurance company
Army Health Questionnaire £69 Patient/army
Certificates
Any simple certificate £25 Patient
Private sickness certificate £25 Patient
DS1500 £17 DWP
GP Factual Report / PIP £33.50 DWP
Fitness to Travel certificate £42.50 Patient
Health Club – Fitness to Exercise £53 Patient
Holiday Cancellation Certificates £53 Patient
Appeal letter of support £53 Patient
Firearms Certificate £64 Patient
Adoption & Fostering (BAAF)
Form IH / AH / AH2   Set by agency
Ofsted Health Declaration Form £95 Patient / NCC
Data Protection / Access to Medical Records
Records held entirely on computer

Manual / combined computer records

Access to Records

   These are free unless deemed excessive in which case we may charge
Driving
HGV / PCV / LGV £140 Patient/employer
Employment Medical
Full medical and report (45 mins) £141 Patient/employer/insurance firm
Written report £95.40 Patient/employer/insurance firm
Housing Reports
Examination plus report and opinion £90 Patient / Council
Report £95.40 Patient / Council
Immunisation
Hepatitis B – course of 3 vaccines £95.40 Patient/employer
Blood test (check immunity) £32 Patient/employer
Miscellaneous
To whom it may concern letter £41 Patient

Complaints

Complaints

Practice Complaints Procedure

Patient feedback is important to us as it helps us to improve the service we provide to patients. We take patient complaints seriously and will attempt to address your concerns to your satisfaction.

How do I make a complaint?

If you wish to complain please contact the Practice Manager Liz Griffin either in person, by phone or in writing:

Tel: 01623 550254

Address: 127 Sutton Road, Huthwaite, Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, NG17 2NF

Online: Complaint Form England

If you are complaining on behalf of someone else, the practice needs to know that you have their permission to do so by completing the third party consent form

What Happens Next?

The complaint will be acknowledged within 3 working days.  The practice will respond, after investigation, within the timeframe specified to you at the acknowledgement stage of the process.  Some complaints may take longer to address but you will be informed of a response time.  If this cannot be met, the practice will keep you informed.

Please be assured making a complaint will not adversely affect your ongoing healthcare at the practice.  We will deal with you fairly, compassionately and will endeavour to resolve the situation to a satisfactory conclusion.

Wherever possible, we aim to learn from complaints and take action to avoid similar occurrences.

How do I complain to someone Independent?

GP Practices would prefer to have the opportunity to answer complaints ourselves in the first instance. However, you may pass your complaint directly to:

Patient Experience Team
Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board
Sir John Robinson House
Sir John Robinson Way
Arnold
Nottingham
NG5 6DA

Tel: 0115 8839570

Email: nnicb-nn.patientexperience@nhs.net

If you would like further information please follow the link to the ICB website: Patient Experience and Complaints – NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB

However, please note, patients cannot raise the same complaint with the practice and ICB.

Is there a time limit?

A complaint must be made within 12 months of the date of the incident that caused the problem or the date of discovering the problem.

Please remember, the quicker you complain, the easier it will be to investigate the facts.

If you are not satisfied with the outcome?

You can contact the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) on 0345 015 4033.

For more information see their website www.ombudsman.org.uk

Other useful contacts

POhWER, NHS Complaints Advocacy, on 0300 456 2370.  For more information see their website www.pohwer.net

Joining the Data Dots

We are planning to use your data in smart ways to help improve the wellness of the people in our community.

Click here to find out more.

Named GP

Patients registered at the Surgery have a named, accountable doctor who is responsible for coordinating their care.

Your named doctor will be allocated to you by the practice.

You can still talk to or make appointments to see any of our doctors or nurses, not just your named GP.

If you have a preference and would like to request a particular doctor at the practice to be your named GP please talk to one of our receptionists.