Practice updates
Page contents
Charter patient rights & responsibilities
Temporary list closure to new patients
Dr Francis Maternity leave April 2023
Zero Tolerance policy
Gourock Medical Practice, Complaint Handling Procedure
Social Media
Reception team and patient privacy
Practice Boundary
Text Reminders
Covid 19 vaccinations
New additions
Charter of Patient Rights and Responsibilities
What the Charter does
The Charter of Patient Rights and Responsibilities (the Charter) summarises what you
are entitled to when you use NHS services and receive NHS care in Scotland, and what you can do if you feel that your rights have not been respected
The Charter also explains what is expected of you when using the NHS in Scotland. Some of your responsibilities are set out in law. Others are guidelines to help the NHS work effectively in Scotland and to help make sure it uses its resources responsibly.
TEMPORARY LIST CLOSURE
Gourock Medical Practice
Unfortunately we cannot currently accept new patients onto our list. This will be revised by the end of October 2023. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Dr Francis Maternity leave from 1st April 2023
From 1st April, we will have four G.Ps at the Practice, two of whom are part time (making up one full time equivalent). On 12th April we will be welcoming a new G.P, Dr Sunjay Kumar, working two days a week . Dr Kumar is familiar with Inverclyde, having worked in Port Glasgow for some time.
We cannot offer G.P preference appointments to patients. You will be offered an appointment with the first available G.P (including requests for a female or male G.P, unless you require an intimate examination ). When appropriate you will be directed to one of our nurses for your appointment
ZERO TOLERENCE STATEMENT
GPs and their staff have the right to care for others without fear of being attacked or abused. Any behaviour – verbal, physical or in writing – which causes staff to feel uncomfortable, embarrassed or threatened, is totally unacceptable. The Zero Tolerance policy includes aggression or threats made in person, over the telephone or in written communication, including on social media. The Practice considers threatening behaviour to be:
Attempted or actual aggressive, threatening or physical actions made towards any member of staff
The use of aggressive, threatening or abusive language, (including raising of the voice, swearing, shouting or in writing) which threatens or intimidates staff
This policy applies throughout the premises. It also applies to any employee or partner away from the practice but only in so far as it relates to the business of the practice.
Any instance or threat of physical abuse will be reported to the police. The offender will be removed from the premises by the police. The patient will then be removed from the practice list. Instances of abusive/threatening behaviour will be reported to the Practice Manager and a warning letter will be sent to the patient. The patient may contact the Practice Manager to discuss this warning letter if they wish to do so. If there is any further incident, the patient will be sent a Final Warning Letter informing them of their breach of the Zero Tolerance Policy and their removal from the Practice list.
We hope you understand the reason for this policy which is designed to keep our staff and other patients safe at all times.
Complaints Handling Procedure
Complaints Officer: Practice Manager
181 Shore Street
GOUROCK PA19 1AQ
Tel: 01475 607177
We ask that complaints are sent in writing, where possible, to the Practice. We appreciate this may be inconvenient for some of our patients and we apologise for any inconvenience
Our email box is for clinical content only. You may obtain a copy of our complaints procedure by asking our reception team
Social Media & Social Media Policy
You can now follow Gourock Medical Practice on Facebook
Providing patients with regular updates on health matters and campaigns
Why do receptionists ask why I need to see a doctor, are they being nosey, what about my privacy?
Everyone who works at our Medical Practice is bound contractually by a confidentiality agreement and receives regular training on this.
Our GPs request that staff ask the reason for patients' appointments. You may be directed to another healthcare professional such as a pharmacist, nurse etc... meaning patients get to see the right person in a timelier manner as well as freeing up our valuable GP appointments for our patients.
Practice Boundary
Our Practice area covers the town of Gourock, West End of Greenock (west of Patrick Street and including Larkfield) and extending westwards up to but not beyond the railway bridge in Wemyss Bay.
If you are currently a patient within our practice and move out with these areas you will be asked to leave and register with another practice within your new catchment area. We also cannot accept new patients who live out with these specified areas.
Text Reminders
We provide a free text messaging system to all our patients who have registered a mobile phone number with us.
As well as providing appointment reminders, we use this to communicate important messages from the Practice and our local Health Board from time to time
If you wish to OPT OUT of this service, please let us know by informing our reception team
COVID 19 Vaccinations
Who will be offered the vaccinations and when?
See NHS Inform for information