Our surgery should accept your registration unless there are reasonable grounds to refuse you, such as:

• you do not live within our extended practice boundary
• in your particular circumstances (e.g. a complex medical history), it may not be appropriate for you to register with a practice that is a long way from where you live

GP practices may apply to remove patients from their list if the relationship[ between patient and GP has broken down.

If a patient has been violent or abusive or has behaved in a threatening way towards their GP or a staff member and the police have been involved, they may be removed from the GP’s list immediately without warning.

Patients may also be removed from their GP’s list if they move out of the area covered by the practice.

If the patients are removed from our GP practice list, they may need to register with another GP practice. Patients will be given 30 days in which to make alternative arrangements.

You can read more details here

We do not routinely test for blood group at our GP surgery. The test is only done at private clinics, or at the hospital if you are in need of a blood transfusion.

When is someone’s blood group checked?

Healthcare professionals sometimes need to know a person’s blood group for medical reasons.

If you need a blood transfusion, the blood group you receive must be compatible with your own blood group.

Your blood type will, therefore, be tested before you receive a blood transfusion to make sure the two are compatible.

Giving someone blood from the wrong group can potentially be life threatening.

If you’re pregnant, your blood will be tested to see if it’s rhesus negative or positive. Read more information about rhesus disease.

Healthcare professionals will also check a person’s blood group before they:

• give blood
• have an operation (surgery)
• donate an organ for transplant

Give blood and find out your blood group

Your blood group will be checked if you donate blood through NHS Blood and Transplant, and it will be recorded on your official donor card.

This is so your blood can be matched to someone with the same blood group or one that is compatible.

When it comes to your health care, you’re going to want to be as in control as you possibly can. So YES you can choose any doctor.

Doctors may check a pregnancy test if you have a problem like a stomach pain and think you may be pregnant but unaware.

If you just want to check if you are pregnant, the same tests the doctors use ( and better ones) are available from the pharmacy.

If you are pregnant you can self-refer to the hospitals here

Yes, you can. if you want to know your NHS Number just simply:

• Contact us on 0207 229 4578
• Fill out a form on-line from our website
• Come in person to our surgery

Yes, you can. Please use our dedicated form which you can find here. We will send your test result just if given email address matches your records so, please always keep up to date your contact details.

We do not provide dental or optician services. You will need to search for a list of dentists and opticians in your area.

 You can send someone to collect a prescription on your behalf if they know some of your personal details. A pharmacy of your choice may also collect for you, please speak to your local pharmacy to arrange this service.

NHS doctors in the UK are required to visit their patients at home if a patient cannot come to the surgery, therefore we only register patients living reasonably close to the practice. You can check your address using the tool below.

The road boundaries are Hyde Park to the south, Westbourne Park Rd / Westway to the North, Eastbourne Terrace to the East, and Ledbury Road to the West. However, we can use some flexibility if we feel sure the patient is able to access the practice easily.

If you have difficulty speaking or understanding English it is, in the first instance, advised that you attend your appointment(s) with a family member, friend or colleague who does understand English and can interpret.

If, however, you do not have anyone for interpreting we can organise a telephone interpreter at any moment.

Change of Personal Details

It is essential that we are notified of changes to your Name, Surname, address, telephone or mobile number.

There are three ways of notifying us:

• Online: Use Systmonline to tell us about your new contact information.
• At Reception: The receptionist will assist you with all the changes.
• On our website: Just fill the form and upload necessary documents.

Important

• If you want to change your address at the reception desk remember to bring with you Proof of Address (e.g. utility bill or bank/credit card statement from the last three months, current tenancy agreement, government agency letter, etc.).
• If your Name has changed due to Marriage or by Deed Poll, and you request the changes by SystmOne or at the reception desk remember to provide us with a copy of the appropriate document (requirement of Department of Health) either sending us an email to  newtonmedical@nhs.net or bringing with you to finalise changes.

You can ask for a blood pressure test if you’re worried about your blood pressure at any point. We have a machine in the waiting room and the Patient Co-ordinators can show you how to use it and whether it is at a normal level

You can get your blood pressure tested at a number of places, including:

• at some pharmacies
• in some workplaces
• at home (if you have your own blood pressure monitor)
• at an NHS Health Check, appointment offered to adults in England aged 40-74

The Surgery, with all its facilities, is the best place for a consultation. However, if you are housebound a Doctor will visit you at home.

Please telephone us for a home visit before 10.30am if possible. The Receptionist will ask you for some information about the problem and also for a telephone number so that we can contact you. You may be put through to the doctor or he or she may ring you back. If you feel that you require an urgent home visit, please make this clear at the time of telephoning.

It is safer to bring children into the surgery as we are able to assess them more appropriately and have the equipment and medication to deal with any emergencies promptly.

Please remember that it takes a Doctor much longer to visit a patient at home than to undertake a consultation at the Surgery. Only request a home visit when it is absolutely necessary.

Please note that we can only provide home visits for patients living within a walking distance from the surgery. If you live a long way from us, we may ask you to register with a GP closer to your home.

To request a home visit please telephone 02072294578.

Short Guide: Do I Need a Home Visit?

A GP visit is not needed for the following common symptoms:

• Fevers, cough, sore throat, earache, headache, diarrhoea and vomiting, most cases of abdominal pain.
• In these instances, most patients are usually well enough to travel.
• Remember it is not harmful to wrap up a child with a fever and bring them to the surgery.
• Adults with common problems as above are also readily transportable to the doctor’s surgery.

Currently, our patients have four options to cancel their appointments:

• We routinely remind patients of their appointments by text message. If you no longer need the appointment, please text back (CANCEL) to cancel the appointments so other patients can be seen.
• You can as well use your online account to cancel your appointment. Just Log in and navigate to Appointments > Future Appointments
• Please fill the form on our website in order to cancel your appointment.
• You can also phone reception on 0207 229 4578.

If you have recently changed your mobile number, let us know by SystmOnline, our form or just simply call us.

You can obtain a MATB1 form from reception. However, you must get it signed by a doctor before it is an official document.

GPs will only refer you to a specialist if they think it is appropriate. Most referrals to other specialists will require you seeing or speaking with a GP, however, there are a number of services locally. Please check here www.newtonmedical.co.uk/self-refer/

Please use this form to request the referral you need. Please give as much information as you can as this will assist us in processing your request.

You can obtain an exemption form from reception or you can download them below. However, you must get it signed by a doctor before it is an official document.

• Maternity Exemption Form (FW8)
• Prescription Charge Exemption Form (FP92A)

You must have been registered with the surgery for at least two years.

Please complete the form (obtainable at the Post Office) and bring it into the practice.

The cost of completing the form is £100 in cash  (we are not accepting the card payment at the moment).

We are currently accepting new patients. You can pre-register online using our online forms; please click on:

Register Now (Adult) Register Now (Child)

You can also collect a registration form from reception.

After submitting the online form, please come to the surgery to show your Photo ID (e.g. passport, driving licence or national ID card) and a Proof of address (e.g. bank statement, utility bill or tenancy agreement).

To register a baby you need to bring a birth certificate and the “red book” or equivalent, showing immunisation records and the NHS number.

We would advise arriving for registration after 2:00 PM as the clinic is usually busy before this time with our walk-in clinic. Click here for our Opening Hours

We will process all registrations within 5 working days.

Please be aware that NHS doctors in the UK are required to visit their patients at home if a patient cannot come to the surgery, therefore we only register patients living reasonably close to the practice.

You can check your address using the tool here.

The road boundaries are Hyde Park to the south, Westbourne Park Rd / Westway to the North, Eastbourne Terrace to the East, and Ledbury Road to the West. However, we can use some flexibility if we feel sure the patient is able to access the practice easily.

If you smoke, there are many benefits to be gained by quitting. KICK-IT STOP SMOKING SERVICE provides a range of support and medication to give people the best chance at giving up for good.

For more information, please visit the website:

We operate a telephone triage, so to book an appointment on the day you will need to call the surgery at 9 am for a morning consultation or at 2 pm for an afternoon consultation.

Alternatively, please use our online consultation tool and we aim to respond within 72 hours

All test results are seen by a doctor. If any action is needed we will contact you by your prefered contact method asking you to book a Telephone Consultation or a Face to Face appointment.

If however, we have not contacted you and you would like to know your test results please:

• Use your online account to check your test results by navigating to Your Records > View Test Results
• Filling the request form on our website
• Ring the surgery on 02072294578

Below is an approximate guide to how long results can take to come through.

If you’re planning to travel outside the UK, you may need to be vaccinated against some of the serious diseases found in other parts of the world.
You should get advice at least eight weeks before you are due to travel, as some jabs need to be given well in advance.

First, phone or visit the Practice to find out whether your existing UK jabs are up-to-date (they can tell from your notes), or if you wish to book a telephone appointment with a nurse. Our nurses may be able to give you general advice about travel vaccinations and travel health, such as protecting yourself from malaria. They can give you a booster of your UK jabs if you need one. They may be able to give you the travel jabs you need, either free on the NHS or for a charge.

Free travel vaccinations
The following travel vaccinations are usually available free on the NHS:

• diphtheria, polio and tetanus (combined booster)
• typhoid
• hepatitis A – including when combined with typhoid or hepatitis B
• cholera

Meningitis vaccines are free for teenagers and “fresher” students going to university for the first time.

These vaccines are usually free because they protect against diseases thought to represent the greatest risk to public health if they were brought into the country.

Private travel vaccinations
You are likely to have to pay for travel vaccinations against:

• hepatitis B when not combined with hepatitis A
• Japanese encephalitis and tick-borne encephalitis
• meningitis vaccines
• rabies
• tuberculosis (TB)
• yellow fever (yellow fever vaccines are only available from designated centres)

The cost of travel vaccines at private clinics will vary but could be around £50 for each dose of a vaccine. It is worth considering this when budgeting for your trip.

For more information visit:

Please note that we may not always be able to provide travel vaccination at our surgery if it’s a too short notice or we do not have the vaccines in stock. Alternatively, you may need to go to a travel clinic:

You can register temporarily if you’re ill or need medical advice while you’re away from home – for example, if you’re working, studying or on holiday.

You’ll still remain registered with your permanent GP, but you can see your temporary GP for up to three months. After three months you will have to re-register as a temporary patient or permanently register with that practice.

We will pass details of any treatment you have to your permanent GP, who will add the information to your medical records.
Please note that if we are extremely busy, we will not be able to offer instant treatment. You will be given the details of the local walk-in centre or hospital.

If you are registered at the University Medical Centre, you will be automatically de-registered from your home GP.

However, you can stay temporarily registered with your home GP until you finish the university course.

Getting the most out of a consultation with your Doctor

In Great Britain, patients on average have just 8 – 10 minutes with their GP. The BMA’s Doctor Patient Partnership offers the following advice to help you use this time effectively …

Be Prepared:

• Make a list of any questions/problems you wish to discuss beforehand.
• Take a pen & paper as you may want to note down important points.
• Wear loose clothing if it’s likely you will need to be examined.
• Be prepared to tell your doctor of any non-prescription medicines or supplements you are taking.
• You can bring someone with you for support.

During The Appointment:

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
• If you don’t understand, ask your doctor to repeat it or write it down.
• If you are prescribed a drug, make sure you know why it has been given to you, how long to take it for etc. Remember pharmacists are experts in medication and a very useful source of advice.
• Be direct. If you have a problem that you find embarrassing or difficult to talk about, don’t leave it to the end of the appointment before mentioning it. Remember your problem is likely to a common one for your GP, who is there to help you.

One problem at a time:

• If you have several problems it is more effective in the long run to concentrate on just one problem during the consultation than to have to rush through a list of problems.
• Be prepared to make another appointment so that each problem can be given the time it needs to be sorted out.

Be on Time:

• Be on time for your appointment, or inform the surgery as soon as possible, if you wish to cancel your appointment.

Separate Appointments:

• Make a separate appointment for each member of the family.

Under 14 Year Olds:

• Accompany under 14 year olds. If however, a young person strongly wishes to be treated without his/her parent’s involvement, his/her confidentiality will be respected.

What are lung function tests?

Lung function tests measure how well your lungs are working. You will be asked to perform various breathing exercises which measure different aspects of your lung function. Normally, lung function test takes 45 minutes to complete or shorter in some cases.

Test results

Your lung function test results will usually be available almost immediately after the test have been completed. The result will be given to the doctor who referred you and will be discussed to you either by phone or on your follow-up appointment.
If your appointment date or time is not convenient, or you are unwell, please telephone us on 0207 229 4579 to change the appointment. Please take time to cancel your appointment if you cannot attend so that this will be allocated to other patients.

CAUTIONS – Illness, Injuries, Recent Surgery or Heart Attacks

If you have recently broken or cracked a rib or hand any problems with your neck vertebrae, please tell a member of staff. Please also let us know if you have recently had a collapsed lung, any surgery to your chest abdomen or eyes (this includes biopsies), or a heart attack.
Finally, if you have been coughing up blood, or have suffered from vomiting/diarrhoea it may not be possible to perform the test – please mention this to a member of staff preferably on the phone before the appointment or when you arrive for your test.

• If you have been coughing and are on the antibiotic, we need to wait at least 6 weeks before the lung function test can be done.

BEFORE YOUR TESTS!

1. Please try not to smoke on the day of your test.
2. Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothes
3. Do not eat a heavy meal immediately before your test (a light meal/toast/sandwich etc is advisable 1-2hours prior to your test)
4. Try not to take any inhalers or breathing tablet for 8 hours before your tests.
5. If you use a Salbutamol/ Terbutaline and a spacer device with your inhaler, please bring it with you.
6. In some occasions, we might get caught up with some patients and get delayed with your test. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

A Nurse Practitioner is an advanced practice nurse that helps with all aspects of patient care, including diagnosis, treatments and consultations. They may work in both inpatient and outpatient situations and can perform independently or as part of a treatment team. Generally, nurse practitioners perform the important task of educating patients about preventative care and prescribed treatments. They may also conduct physicals, order tests and serve as a patient’s primary healthcare provider. Some nurse practitioners are also able to prescribe medications.

Practice nurses work as part of a team of professional staff that includes doctors, health visitors and therapists.

Typical responsibilities include:

• patient consultations within surgeries or health centres
• carrying out physical examinations, investigatory procedures and cervical smear and pregnancy tests
• diagnosing and treating illnesses and ailments
• providing advice about contraception and fitting contraceptive devices
• treating wounds
• applying and removing dressings
• providing emergency first aid and treatment
• giving advice, education and information about health conditions and ailments, stopping smoking and losing weight
• taking patient samples, swabs and specimens, and checking pulses, temperatures and blood pressures
• administering immunisations, vaccinations (for example for influenza) and infant injections
• running well woman and man clinics and clinics for specific ailments such as diabetes and asthma
• they do not prescribe medication

All opening hours you can find here:

Newton Medical Centre is committed to providing high quality health care and services to patients. We are aware that there may be occasions where we do not achieve this, and therefore we offer the opportunity for our patients to formally raise their “Feedback” complaint or concern about the service.

Please email your concerns, comments and other feedback to newtonmedical@nhs.net for the attention of the Practice Manager or just use this form

Introduction

In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation, patients (data subjects) have the right to access their data and any supplementary information held by Newton Medical Centre. This is commonly known as a data subject access request (DSAR). Data subjects have a right to receive:

• Confirmation that their data is being processed
• Access to their personal data
• Access to any other supplementary information held about them

Options for access

• SystmOne Online
• Newton Medical Centre website just submit your request
• At the reception desk

Time Frame

Once the DSARs form is submitted, Newton Medical Centre will aim to process the request within 21 days; however, this may not always be possible. The maximum time permitted to process DSARs is one calendar month.

Charges Payable

In accordance with legislation, no fee will be charged for your request, unless the request is manifestly unfounded or excessive, particularly if it is repetitive. Before any further action is taken, we will contact you with details of our “reasonable administrative charges” in order to comply with your request.

If you have a pre-booked appointment, please arrive on time, make sure you know the name of clinician you are seeing, self-check-in or report to the Reception.

This is what you need to do while you are waiting for fasting blood test:

• Water: It is important to keep drinking plenty of water when fasting to stay hydrated. Water does not affect the results of a blood test and is acceptable to drink when asked to fast.
• Timings: We require you to fast for 12 hours before the blood test, it is a good idea to work out what is the latest time you can eat or drink before the test. For example, if a person is asked to fast to come for a fasting blood test at 9 a.m., you should not eat anything after 9 p.m. the night before.
• Medication: It is important for people to keep taking any regular medication while they are fasting unless they have been told by a doctor to do otherwise.
• Pregnancy: It is usually safe for pregnant women to fast. However, it is a good idea to speak to a doctor before the test and get their advice on the best way to do this safely.

Things to avoid

• Alcohol: Alcohol can also affect blood sugar and fat levels, giving inaccurate results to blood tests that require fasting. If a person is being asked to fast before a blood test, they should also refrain from drinking alcohol.
• Smoking: Smoking can also affect blood test results. If a person has been asked to fast before a blood test, they should avoid smoking.
• Coffee: Coffee affects digestion and can also affect the results of a blood test. As such, people should not drink coffee before a fasting blood test.
• Chewing gum: Chewing gum, even if it is sugar-free, should be avoided when fasting for a blood test. This is because it can speed up digestion, which can affect results.
• Exercise: Exercise can also speed up digestion and affect results, so people should avoid it for the recommended fasting period.

Conclusion

Following the steps above can help a person who has been asked to fast for a blood test to do so safely.

With the best will in the world, sometimes people do eat or drink during their fasting period because they were too hungry, or because they got the timings wrong. If this happens, it is a good idea to speak to the doctor and reschedule the blood test appointment.

People can receive the wrong diagnosis if their blood test results are inaccurate, leading to further health complications. This is why following best practices around fasting before blood tests is so important.

If you are late for your appointment it will impact on other patients. In order for the clinicians to keep on time, you will be asked to rebook your appointment if you arrive more than 10 minutes late for your appointment.

However, the Receptionist will always ask the doctor or nurse if they will see you (unless they have already indicated that this is not possible). You may have to wait until the end of the session as it would be unfair to those patients who have arrived on time to be delayed because you were late.

We accept that on occasions the Doctor/Nurse can run late. This is because someone they have seen earlier has needed more time due to the complex nature of their problem.

We ask for your understanding in these circumstances.

If you need to take medication on a regular basis your Doctor may decide to issue you with repeat prescriptions which will remove the necessity for you to be seen every time you need a fresh supply of medicines. All repeat prescriptions are produced on the Practice computer system and you will be given a repeat slip listing the medication that you can order without seeing the Doctor.

We may need to call you in for a medication review, this is usually annually, but may be at shorter intervals. Please make an appointment with the GP if asked- thank you.

Ordering your Prescriptions

1. Online using Systmonline:
   Click here to order your Repeat Prescription using Systmonline.
   Registration is required for our online prescription ordering service.
2. Online using our form:
   Click here to order your Repeat Prescription using our form.
3. By Post:
   Post the tear-off slip indicating the medication you require to the surgery, enclosing a stamped self-addressed envelope. If posting please remember to give at least one weeks notice for a first class stamp and longer if using second class.
4. In Person:
   You can tick your requirements on the repeat slip and hand in at the reception or drop it into the red box in our surgery.
5. Chemist:
   Arrange with a local chemist to request & collect your prescription. (Just if you are above 65 years old or your medications are on the Dossett box)
6. Telephone:
   We do not take prescription requests over the phone because errors are easily made with this method. An exception to this rule applies to the patient above 65 years old.

Life-Threatening Emergencies

In a life-threatening emergency such as sudden severe chest pain, severe breathlessness, loss of power in a limb, loss of consciousness or severe bleeding dial 999.

How to Get Help when the Surgery is Closed

Out of hours, services are available when the practice is closed (our, opening times can be found here). If you need to see a doctor with an urgent problem outside normal surgery hours, please telephone 111. Out of Hours support is provided via NHS 111 and is staffed by fully trained health advisers and local GPs.

You can arrange out of hours appointments with a GP or practice nurse at the following practices:

• The Connaught Square Practice (41 Connaught Square, W2 2HL);
• Pimlico Health at the Marven Surgery (46 – 50 Lupus Street, SW1V 3EB)

To book a weekend appointment with these surgeries please contact us on 0207 229 4578 during opening hours. Weekend walk-in appointments are not available.

You are entitled to ask for a referral for specialist treatment on the NHS. However, whether you will get the referral depends on what your GP feels is clinically necessary in your case.

If you wish to be referred to a specialist in a particular field, such as a surgeon, or a gynaecologist (a specialist in the female reproductive system), you should see the GP you are registered with. This is because all your medical records are held by that practice.

Your GP also generally understands your health history and treatments better than anyone and will base any decision for a specialist referral on this knowledge

You can book your antenatal/postnatal appointment with any of our GPs.

For local Health Visiting services, please see information by visiting: https://clch.nhs.uk/services/health-visiting

For help with talking therapies, please find information by visiting: https://talkingtherapies.cnwl.nhs.uk/westminster/refer-yourself-westminste

Prescriptions will be ready for collection in three working days (longer by post) if you will be picking the prescription up from the surgery.

Please request repeat prescriptions well in advance of public holidays, etc.

Patients can collect their medications from the chemist of their choice.