RICHMOND MEDCIAL
Dr Fiona Ford Female MBE,FRCGP, DRCOG, MRCGP, MBChB (1978)
NORMAL SURGERY OPENING HOURS
8.00am – 6.30pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).
Richmond Medical
Acorn Primary Health Care Centre
421 Blackburn Road
Accrington Lancashire
BB5 1RT
Tel: 01254 282460 Fax: 01254 282693
WEBSITE: www.richmondmedical.gpsurgery.net
EMERGENCY AND OUT OF HOURS
In the case of life threatening emergencies please dial 999
If you feel your medical condition is not life threatening but cannot wait until the surgery is open please ring 111.
EMERGENCIES
Some medical conditions such as chest pain, stroke and severe asthma attacks need urgent medical attention and in this situation it is best to phone 999 directly. Other conditions such as possible fractures, falls, bad cuts and burns are best dealt with directly at the Urgent Care Centre at Royal Blackburn Hospital. However, if you are unsure the surgery will advise you on the best course of action.
APPOINTMENTS
All surgeries are by appointment. You have the right to express a preference for a particular doctor. However, that doctor may not be available, especially if booking an urgent appointment.
The surgery has a team of doctors, nurses, HCA & Phlebotomist.
Appointment times for GP’s:-
Monday 8.30 – 12.00 & 3.00 – 17:30
Tuesday 8.30 – 12.00 & 3.30 – 17.30
Wednesday 8.30 – 12.00
Thursday 8.30 – 12.00 & 3.00 – 17.30
Friday 8.30 – 12.00 & 3.00 – 17.30
Appointments for nursing services are available to book.
Telephone consultation can be pre booked or on the day
Appointments can be made over the telephone, in person at reception or via the website. You can now book your appointment over the internet, register at reception for this service.
HOME VISITS
Please try to save time by only requesting a home visit if you are too ill to come to the surgery. If you need a home visit telephone the surgery on 01254 282460 before 10am and give the receptionist as much information as possible. Please note it is not possible to request a particular doctor.
REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS
Repeat prescriptions can be ordered either by post, online, through your pharmacy or calling at the surgery. Prescriptions can be posted back to you if a stamped self-addressed envelope is provided.
Requests for repeat prescriptions will not be accepted over the telephone. Please note in all cases 48 hours’ notice is required.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU ATTEND FOR MEDICATION REVIEWS WHEN REQUESTED
RESULTS OF TESTS
These can be given over the telephone, but only to the patient, when this has been authorised by a GP, otherwise arrangements will be made for you to see the doctor.
HOW TO REGISTER
You will be asked to fill in a Questionnaire and for some form of identification. You will be asked to telephone the surgery after one week and then advised if you need an appointment with a doctor or nurse.
PATIENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Patients will be treated with courtesy and respect as individuals and partners in their healthcare. The practice expects patients to keep appointments they have made. Please let us know if you are unable to keep an appointment as patients who constantly do not attend will be removed from the practice list.
This Practice has adopted the NHS Zero Tolerance approach which results in the instant removal of violent or abusive patients
OTHER SERVICES
CHILD HEALTH SURVEILLANCE
Routine advice on caring for your baby is given by the doctor and health visitor in the Baby Clinic which is held on Wednesday morning 9.00-1200.
IMMUNISATION
We run a full vaccination and immunisation service. Childhood immunisations are usually carried out in the Baby Clinic. Those for tetanus, influenza and some for foreign travel are given by the Practice Nurse. Please ask at receptionist for details.
CERVICAL CANCER – SMEAR TESTS
All female patients between the ages of 25 and 65 are advised to have regular smear tests. The Primary Care Support operates “a call and recall” system to remind you to book an appointments with our Practice Nurses at the surgery.
CHRONIC DISEASE MANGEMENT CLINIC’S
Are provided by our team of nurses. You will receive notification in advance advising you that your review is due.
THE HEALTH CARE TEAM
PRACTICE NURSES
The Practice Nurses can also be seen by appointment only and can help with: Travel vaccinations, Immunisations Health Screening, Sexual Health, Cervical Screening, and Postnatal Appointments etc.
PHLEBOTOMIST/HEALTH CARE ASSISTANT
Appointments are available for blood tests, weight, BP, ECG’s.
DISTRICT NURSES/OVER 75’S NURSE/NURSING HOME NURSES
A team of Nurses are attached to the Practice They are involved with the nursing care of housebound patients the elderly, the over 75’s, post-operative patients and those with terminal illnesses.
HEALTH VISITOR
The health visitors are qualified nurses whose role is to offer guidance and advice around health promotion, education and needs and safeguarding for pre-school children and their families.
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
Nigat Sultana is the business manager. Rachael McColm is the Assistant Practice Manager. They should be able to help you with any queries you may have about administrative or clerical aspects of your health care, including any complaints.
MEDICAL SECRETARY
Our Medical Secretary provides secretarial support to the Practice
RECEPTIONISTS
Our receptionists are here to help you. The receptionists are bound by the same rules of confidentiality as the doctors.
PRESCRIPTION CLERK
Our prescription
clerk is here to issue any medication requests and pharmacy queries.
MIDWIVES
A team of midwives is attached to the surgery and will provide the majority of your antenatal care
weekly clinics on Monday and Thursdays are held at the Oaks Centre
Premises/Disabled access
Easy ground floor access is provided.
COMPLAINTS
We aim to provide patients with the best care we can, but we will sometimes fall short of the mark. If you have any compliments, comments, concerns or complaints about our service we want to hear about it. A complaint can be made to the Assistant Manager. A leaflet is available from reception detailing the practice based complaints procedure.
PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP
If you would be interested in joining our PPG please complete a form which is available at the reception desk.
USE OF INFORMATION
We respect your right to privacy and keep all your health information confidential and secure. It is important that the NHS keeps accurate and up to date records about your health and treatment so that those treating you can give the best possible advice and care. This information is only available to those involved in your care and you should never be asked for personal medical information by anyone not involved in your care. Disclosure of identifiable patient information to any other outside agencies will only be given after receipt of written permission from the patient, dated within three months of the request. This can very occasionally be overruled in safeguarding issues, relating to protection of children.
You have the right to know what information we hold about you in your records. If you would like to see your records, please contact the Assistant Practice Manager. You are entitled to a copy of your health records but there may be a charge for administration. Please contact the Assistant Practice Manager for details.
PRACTICE CHARTER
Access to Health Care:
(a) Urgent appointments will be met the same day. We aim to see patients within 30 minutes of their appointment time and any delay will be explained.
(b) Home visits requested before 10am will be carried out the same day.
(c) Repeat prescriptions require 48 hours’ notice.
(d) We aim to meet the needs of people from ethnic groups.
(e) Out of hours services are covered by ELMS.
(f) Telephone consultations with the doctor or nurse are available in appropriate circumstances and can be arranged with the receptionist. Such consultations would
Only be relevant to brief advice.
Communications
(a) We aim to answer the telephone within 5-6 rings.
(b) Patient confidentiality will be respected and adhered to at all times.