Specialist Referrals

The practice uses the computerised 'Choose and Book' system for referring patients to hospital specialists on the NHS. Under this system the doctor referring you will discuss your referral with you and offer you a choice of hospitals. Eastern Cheshire Primary Care Trust has prepared a booklet which includes a lot of useful information about local hospitals. Copies are available at the reception desk.

There is also some comparative 'performance' information available at the Dr Foster website www.drfoster.co.uk under the 'Information for the Public' section.

Kenmore Patients' Group

A Patients’ Group holds regular meetings along with practice personnel to discuss ways of improving the quality of services to patients and assisting the practice in communicating news and information to its patients. A KPG newsletter is published several times a year and can be collected from the waiting room. Anyone interested in joining these groups is invited to contact the Kenmore Patients Group chairman c/o the General Manager.

Carers

The practice maintains a register of carers. If you wish your details to be added to the register please contact the General Manager on 01625 531707.

Ambulance and Transport Requirements

Patients requiring non-emergency ambulance transport should contact Mersey Ambulance Service on 0845 148 1733. Local "community cars" transport can be booked through reception.

Medical Advice

Pharmacists
Pharmacists are qualified to give good advice about the availability and use of over-the-counter medicines. They can also advise on self-care medications to deal with mild symptoms.

You can count on your local pharmacist to help you with any questions you might have about your medical conditions or treatments. Pharmacists are available to assist you without an appointment, up to six days a week. As highly trained health care professionals, they adhere to the same rules of privacy and confidentiality as your doctors. This extensive training makes them experts about your medications. So, when you need information, help and understanding about making the most of your medicines, ask your pharmacist.

Some factors to consider when taking medications include allergies, medical history and possible interactions between medications or with food and supplements. Keep your pharmacist informed about any changes in your personal medical profile, and share information about any over-the-counter (OTC) medications, herbal remedies, vitamins, or dietary supplements you might be taking.

Self Medication
Before buying a medicine tell the pharmacist:
• Who it is for - if it is for a child, state the age
• What the symptoms are
• How long the symptoms have been present
• What treatment, if any, has been tried already
• What other medicines are being taken fo any other ailment
• If the patient is pregnant or breast feeding
• If the patient is sensitive or allergic to asprin of any other medications

If you are taking OTC medication then please let your GP know so that this infomation can be entered into your clinical notes.

NHS Direct
NHS Direct is a telephone service available to the general public where you can get advice on how to deal with medical problems Telephone 0845 4647 or visit nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Citizens Advice Bureau
The Macclesfield Citizens advice bureau holds surgeries on the first Tuesday of each month. Appointments can be booked in advance (1.00 and 1.45pm or there is a drop in option for the second half of the afternoon 2.30 to 4.00pm). These surgeries are intebded to fgive support to people in difficulty and might include advice on housing, benefits entitlement, where to go for assistance.

Kenmore Private (Non NHS) Charges

Why do GPs charge fees?  Your questions answered.

Isn't the NHS supposed to be free? 
 
The National Health Service provides most health care to most people free of charge, but there are exceptions:  Prescription charges still exist in England and there are a number of other services for which fees are charged.  Sometimes the charge is made to cover some of the cost of treatment, e.g. dental fees.  In other cases it is because the service is not covered by the NHS, e.g. medical reports for insurance companies, claim forms for referral for private care, letters and forms which require the doctor to review the patient's medical records, etc.
 
Surely the doctor is being paid anyway?

It is important to understand that GPs are not employed by the NHS.  They are self employed, and they have to cover their costs - staff, buildings, heating, lighting etc - in the same way as any small business.  The NHS pays the doctor for specific NHS work, but for non-NHS work the fee has to cover the doctor's costs.
 
What is covered by the NHS and what is not?

The government's contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients.  In recent years, more and more organisations have been involving doctors in a whole range of non-medical work.
 
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs at Kenmore charge their NHS patients are:

Certain travel vaccinations
Private medical insurance reports
Holiday cancellation claim forms
Referral for private care forms

Examples of non NHS services for which GPs at Kenmore charge other institutions are:

Medical reports for an insurance company
Some reports for the DSS/Benefits Agency
Examinations of local authority employees

Why does it sometimes take my GP a long time to complete my form?

Time spent completing forms and preparing reports takes the GP away from the medical care of his/her patients. GPs have a very heavy workload and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time.

I only need the doctor's signature!

When doctors sign a certificate or complete a report, it is a condition of remaining on the Medical Register that they only sign what they know to be true.  Therefore, in order to complete even the simplest of forms, the doctor needs to check the patient's medical record.  Carelessness or an inaccurate report can have serious consequences for the doctor, with the General Medical Council or even the Police. The charge reflects either the time required to check information and/or the degree of responsibility in signing the document. If a form is required urgently (e.g. within 48hrs) then this will increase the charge.
What will I be charged?

The BMA recommends that GPs tell patients in advance if they will be charged, and how much.  It is up to the individual practice to decide how much to charge, but the BMA produces lists of suggested fees for the Doctors to use as a guideline.
 
Charges at Kenmore

At Kenmore we have a list of fees displayed at reception, and they are also listed below.
In the past we have completed reports and forms before payment has been made, but have sadly found there to be many occasions when the doctor has given up the time to do the work, but the fee has not been forthcoming.  Therefore the fee must be paid in advance at the time the request for the letter or form to be completed is made or when the appointment for a medical is booked.    

    
WE CANNOT MAKE EXCEPTIONS. 

What can be done to avoid charges.

Not all documents need to be signed by a doctor.  For example, you could ask another person in a position of trust, who may be willing to sign a passport application free of charge.  Possibly a Teacher, an Accountant, etc. including those who are retired
Do not expect your GP to process forms overnight, urgent requests may mean that a doctor has to make special arrangements to process the form quickly, and this will cost more.

KENMORE MEDICAL CENTRE - PRICE LIST FOR NON NHS SERVICES
June 2011