Please note: If you wish to register for online services, to access your repeat prescriptions, appointments etc., you will also require to attend the Practice and produce identification, unless you are known to the staff. Once this has been verified, we will issue you with the necessary documentation so you can then register for online services.

If you have any further questions please use the query section below and a member of the team will get back to you.  This can take up to 5 working days.

Giving another person access to your GP online services

Did you know that you can choose to give another person access to your GP online services on your behalf? You don’t need to know how to use these services or have a computer yourself to give another person access.

Who can have access?

You choose who you want to give access to. This could be your carer, partner, parent or another family member. You can also give access to more than one person. Giving access to another person is your choice. No-one can go to your GP surgery and ask for access to your online services without your permission.

You also choose which online services you want each person to use. These are booking appointments, ordering repeat prescriptions and looking at your GP record. You decide whether to let them use one, two or all of the services on your behalf.

From the age of 16 years old, if you require the help of another person (such as a parent or carer) to manage your health issues or speak to our team on your behalf you are required to give written consent for this by completing our Proxy Access form for Adults below. You you must also give the surgery your mobile/contact number and your email address at this point, so that you can be contacted directly by the practice if needed.

It is important that you are aware that if you agree to proxy access to any individual, that this access to your records remains in place unless you specifically request to remove it. If you no longer wish for an individual to have proxy access to your records, requesting removal of this is your responsibility as the patient, and you must contact the surgery to do so.

Why you may want to give another person access

You may wish to allow another person to use your online services for different reasons. For example:

• • You are very unwell or just need help managing your health

• • You have a long term condition ,for example diabetes, heart disease, asthma or high blood pressure and would like support with checking test results, ordering repeat prescriptions and understanding your treatment

• • You are finding it more difficult to look after yourself, for example due to memory issues or speech difficulties

• • You have learning difficulties and want someone else to help you understand your health

• • You have a carer who can help you manage your health

• • You may be planning for the future or choosing someone to hold lasting power of attorney for health and social care for you

• • You are a young person and would like your parent or guardian to look after your health. Some surgeries only allow this for children under the age of 12

• • You work away from home or are just busy and need help with booking appointments or ordering repeat prescriptions.

• • You are not comfortable with using computers, smart phones, or tablets

For more information on GP online services for carers, see our leaflets ‘GP online services for carers including young carers’ and ‘Giving employed carers access to your GP online services’. These can be found at Getting started with GP online services.

Benefits

Before giving another person access, you should think about what the benefits will be for you. If you cannot think of any, then you should think very carefully whether allowing them access is the right thing to do. Some of the benefits are:

• • You have peace of mind that someone is supporting you with managing your health

• • The person you choose can help you make sure the information your surgery has about you is correct, for example your medication and allergies.

• • You know that someone else understands your medical information and can provide information when you are unable to. This could be when you are unconscious or too unwell to speak or when you need help explaining or understanding something

• • You can benefit from the convenience of using GP online services even if you do not use a computer or do not have access to the internet

• • One member of the family can book appointments for everyone in the household and make sure the appointments fit with your family activities

If you have a carer, using GP online services can save them time allowing them to spend more time looking after your needs.

How it works

The recommended and safest way to give another person access to your online services is for them to have their own username and password. If you use online services yourself, you should not share your username and password with anyone. If you share your username and password, your surgery cannot tell whether you or someone else accessed your online services. This may be a problem if someone else misuses your login details and your surgery has to look into this.

How to sign up

The steps below show how you can give another person access:

1. 1. Download the application form below. You will also need to sign to confirm you agree with the information on the form. You can also choose whether you only want them to book appointments or order prescriptions or use all the services on your behalf. It is up to you

1. 1. Your chosen person will need to show your surgery their photo ID and proof of address, for example, a passport or photo driving licence and a bank statement or council tax statement. If they don’t have the required ID, speak to staff at the surgery, who may be able to help confirm their identity in another way

1. 1. Staff at the Practice will make a decision on whether to give your chosen person access to your GP online services. If we decide not to give them access, we will discuss their reasons with you

1. 1. The staff will give your chosen person their own username and password to use to login to your GP online services.

Proxy Access Form for a Child

Proxy Access Form for an Adult

Note: Along with NHS guidelines we do not give proxy access to children between the ages of 11-16.

Things to consider before giving another person access

• • Is there any information in your records you would not like anyone to see or know about?

• • Can you trust the person to keep your information safe and not share it with others or use it without your permission?

• • Is any one forcing you into sharing your online services with them or do you think someone could force you to share it with them? If so, we would advise that you do not give them access. If you have any concerns that someone has access to your online records without your permission, speak to your surgery and they can change your password or stop your online services

• • How long would you like your chosen person to have access for? This can be for a short time, for example when you are suffering from a certain illness and you need support with managing your health during that time. It can also be ongoing so they can help you for a long period of time. You can discuss this with the Practice.

Lasting power of attorney for health and welfare or court appointed deputy

When a person is unable to make decisions for themselves, another person, usually a partner or close family member can be given legal responsibility over decisions concerning their life by the courts. This is called Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney. A person with lasting power of attorney can ask the patient’s surgery for access to their online services. The GP will make a decision whether this should be allowed.

If you know that you would never want a particular person to have access to your online services if you become unable to make your own decisions, you should tell your GP and they will never share them with that person.

Why your surgery may refuse to give your chosen person access

On rare occasions, your GP could refuse to allow your chosen person to use GP online services on your behalf. If this happens, your GP will discuss their reasons with you. Some of the reasons your GP could have are:

• • Your GP does not think it is in your best interest for your chosen person to use these services on your behalf

• • You or your chosen people have misused online services in the past

• • The Practice is concerned that your chosen person will not keep your information safe

• • The Practice suspects someone is forcing you to give them permission to use your online services

• • You are not able to make decisions for yourself.

Why your surgery can stop the service

• • We believe your chosen person is forcing you to share your GP records with them or with another person.

• • Your chosen person has misused your GP information

• • You are no longer able to understand or remember that you gave your chosen person permission to use online services on your behalf

• • You have told the Practice in the past that if you become unable to make decisions for yourself, you do not wish for your chosen person or anyone to have permission to your online services

• • You have died.

How you can stop the service

You can choose to take away access to your GP online services from your chosen person at any time.To end the service, you need to let your surgery know you would like them to switch off online access for your chosen person and give them the reason.Your surgery will then stop the service and your chosen person will not be able to use their login details to look at your information.

Why you may want to stop access

Some of the reasons you can choose to end the service are:

• • You only needed your chosen person to support you for a short time, for example when you were suffering from a certain illness and you needed help with managing your health during that time

• • You want to give this responsibility to another person, for example, if you have a new carer or personal assistant

• • Your relationship with your chosen person has broken down

• • Your chosen person has misused information in your GP records, for example, they have collected medication in your name or they have shared your private information with someone without your permission.

If you wish for someone else (ie a relative) to be able to discuss your medical records, including being given access to your test results & appointment information you will need to complete a consent form.

Please download and print the consent form below. Once completed please hand in to reception or send the signed copy via a Patchs Admin Request.

If you are between 16-18 the consent form will only apply until the age of 18 when a new form would need to be completed.

If you are over 18 and choose to complete the consent to allow access to medical records form this consent will remain active indefinitely unless you tell us otherwise.

Consent to Discuss Medical Records Form

Access to Health Records under the General Data Protection Regulations 2018

The General Data Protection Regulations of 2018 in conjunction with the Data Protection Act 1998 gives every living person, or an authorised representative, the right to apply for access to their health records.

To comply with the terms of the General Data Protection Regulation, Schopwick Surgery has made changes to how we process requests for access to medical information, which are detailed below.

We will aim to process and complete your request within 28 days. On occasions, there may be delays with completing your request. If a situation arises and we are unable to complete your request within 28 days, we will notify you of the reasons to the delay.

We will not charge to release copies of your medical records unless your request is deemed excessive. A request will be deemed excessive if a patient requests full copies of their medical records on more than one occasion within a short period of time. The Practice will charge a £50 administrative fee for such requests.

We strictly advise that patients, who have obtained full copies of their medical records, make a full copy of the medical records and store them in a safe place for any future use.

Patients who have previously requested full copies of their medical records can request for updated copies of their medical records at no charge. This will include information and documents that have been added to the patient’s medical record since the initial request for a copy of the full medical record.

When solicitors and other third parties request copies of medical records on behalf of our patients, our Practice will contact you to confirm the following:

• • We have received the request from the solicitor

• • That you understand the consent you have provided to the solicitor and are happy for us to proceed with the request

• • That your medical records will be emailed securely to you -we no longer post these direct to the solicitors.

It is the responsibility of the patient to make sure that the records are passed to your solicitor.

We advise patients (who haven’t done so already) to register for patient online services. This will give you access to your detailed coded record as well as allow for you to view results, make appointments and request repeat medication. Please ask at reception for further details.

To request copies of your medical records and/or for access to your detailed coded record via patient online services, we will require valid photo identification. Please bring this with you when returning your completed forms.

In some circumstances, the Act permits the data controller to withhold information held in your health record. These rare cases are:

• • Where it has been judged that supplying you with the information is likely to cause serious harm to the physical or mental health or condition of you, or any other person, or;

• • Where providing you with access would disclose information relating to or provided by a third person who had not consented to the disclosure, this exemption does not apply where that third person is a clinician involved in your care.

If you have any complaints about any aspect of your application to obtain access to your health records, you should first discuss this with the clinician concerned. If this proves unsuccessful, you can make a complaint through the NHS Complaints Procedure by contacting the Practice formally.
Further information about the NHS Complaints Procedure is available on the NHS website at: www.nhs.uk

Alternatively you can contact the Information Commissioners Office (responsible for governing Data Protection compliance). Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.
Tel 0303 123 1113 or 01625 545 745 or www.ico.gov.uk/

Parking can be very restrictive at the Elstree surgery. There is adequate parking available at Bushey surgery.

There are parking bays for the disabled at the Bushey Surgery but not at the Elstree Surgery.

Whilst there is a ramp at the Elstree Surgery for the wheelchair users, wheelchairs can be more easily accommodated at the Bushey Surgery.

For those less mobile, both surgeries are designed to allow access to the ground and lower ground floors without ascending the stairs. Appropriate toilet facilities are also available.

Asthma is a common lung condition that causes occasional breathing difficulties. It affects people of all ages and often starts in childhood, but it can also develop for the first time in adults.

Every asthma patient gets an annual review with a member of our clinical team. This review is a chance to talk about how to manage your symptoms better and lower your risk of an asthma attack. Your asthma review could involve:

• Checking your lung function with peak flow or spirometry tests
• Prescribing or changing medicines
• Prescribing an inhaler
• Working to create an asthma action plan
• Encouraging you to quit smoking (if applicable)

Asthma attacks

Asthma can sometimes get worse for a short time – this is an asthma attack. If your asthma gets worse and you have had seek medical from 111 or attend hospital please complete the form below.

Am I a carer?

You are a carer if you provide help and support, unpaid, to a family member, friend or neighbour who would otherwise not be able to manage

The person you care for may have a physical or learning disability, dementia, mental health problems, may misuse drugs or alcohol or may be ill or frail. The person may live with you or elsewhere, may be an adult or a child but if they rely on you for support, then you are a carer.

Anyone can become a carer: Carers come from all walks of life, all cultures and can be of any age.

Benefits of Registering as a Carer at your GP Surgery

We as a practice are dedicated to offering you as much help & support as needed & we work very closely with Carers in Hertfordshire in order to achieve this Once registered as a carer we can offer you if required:

• • Flexible Appointments

• • Flu vaccination

• • Information & Support

• • Referral to Carers in Hertfordshire

Clare Cosgrave is our Carers’ Champion, who will be able to signpost you to the relevant services.

Whatever your situation, make sure your GP knows you are a carer and contact Carers in Hertfordshire for information and support.

You can find your NHS number with the following NHS link.

Find Your NHS Number

Table of Charges (from 1st July 2024)

To clarify a charge before processing, please send your document(s) via a Patchs Admin Request or bring to the ELSTREE surgery.

Please note from the 4^th March 2024 the surgery will be requesting pre payment for the completion of all Non NHS paperwork.

• Patients are expected to pay for these services
• Medicals must be paid for on booking appointment.
• Payments must be made by card
• There is a charge made for examinations, reports and claim forms which are not covered by the NHS. Any private paperwork can take up to 3 weeks (15 working days) and sometimes longer for completion depending on the complexity and GP capacity.

On receipt of your paperwork, our insurance team will confirm the cost to process your request, your request will not be processed until payment has been received.

The government contractually requires practices to provide all registered NHS patients with a named accountable GP with overall responsibility for the delivery of their care and support. Every patient is the Practice is assigned to one of the GPs in the Practice.

Should the need arise, your named accountable GP may delegate some temporary responsibility to the emergency or on call GP.

It is always preferable to maintain continuity with the GP who has been looking after you for a particular condition, especially if that GP has an expertise in that area. This does not prevent you from seeing any GP in the practice. Therefore, you can still choose which GP you would like to see regularly, who will then become your named accountable GP.

Due to annual leave, sickness, part-time working, and other commitments your named GP or a particular GP may not always be available, especially at short notice. If a patient’s preferred choice of GP is not available, an alternative will be offered.

The Practice is registered with CQC. The aim of CQC is to ensure that patients can expect all health and adult social care services to meet essential standards of quality. As part of this the CQC will occasionally undertake inspections at the Practice. As part of inspection, the CQC Representative will talk to patients as well as the Practice Team to gather information. To support this they may also access documents and records, including patient information.

Schopwick Surgery

Outstanding

26 April 2017

See the report

NHS England and the Care Quality Commission commit to a common purpose to improve outcomes for patients

NHS England and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) are committed to working together to deliver the statutory duty set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2012 to co-operate and to deliver their common purpose, which is to improve outcomes for patients.

The Partnership Agreement aims to foster a culture in which there is support, challenge, engagement, openness and co-ordination at all levels.

The agreement formalises existing close working between the CQC and NHS England, embedding a shared commitment to work together to achieve three priorities that will facilitate improved outcomes for patients.

NHS England and CQC will:

• Agree an information exchange protocol to share information and intelligence about the quality of care to spot potential problems early and manage risk
• Implement the mechanisms proposed by the National Quality Board (NQB) in their document ‘Quality in the new Health System: Maintaining and Improving Quality from April 2013 (January 2013)’, on how the healthcare system should prevent, identify and respond to serious failures in quality.
• Set the tone for ways of working nationally, locally and in the wider landscape of our organisations and strategic partners in healthcare.
• The agreement between NHS England and CQC cements joint working at national level and sets out the values and behaviours we want to demonstrate through effective joint working.

Schopwick Surgery for the year ended 31st March 2023.

All GP practices are required to declare the mean earnings (eg average pay) for GPs working to deliver NHS services to patients at each practice.

The average pay for GPs who worked for six months or more in Schopwick Surgery in the last financial year was £78,464 before Tax and National Insurance. This is for 1 full-time GP and 13 part-time GPs.