Practice Policies

Chaperone Policy

The Dingwall Medical Group is committed to providing a safe, comfortable environment where patients and staff can be confident that best practice is being followed at all times and the safety of everyone is of paramount importance.

All patients are entitled to have a chaperone present for any consultation, examination or procedure where they feel one is required. This chaperone may be a family member or friend. On occasions patients may prefer a formal chaperone to be present, i.e. a trained member of staff. Wherever possible we would ask patients make this request at the time of booking the appointment so that arrangements can be made and the appointment is not delayed in any way. Where this is not possible, we will endeavour to provide a formal chaperone at the time of request. However occasionally it may be necessary to reschedule your appointment.

Wherever possible we would ask patients make this request at the time of booking appointment so that arrangements can be made and the appointment is not delayed in any way.

Healthcare professionals may also require a chaperone to be present for certain situations.

Any questions or comments regarding this should be directed to the practice manager.

Rights and Responsibilities of Patients

We ask that our patients treat all the doctors and all practice staff with courtesy and respect. If patients are violent or abusive to staff or doctors they will be removed from our list immediately. It will then be up to them to find alternative medical care.

Please try to stay with the same doctor for ongoing problems.

Please do everything you can to keep appointments. If you cannot attend please cancel as early as possible so the appointment can be offered to someone else.

Please remember to check your stocks of medication regularly so you don’t run out.
Remember: requests take 48 hours to process.
Similarly, check stocks before re-ordering to minimise the risk of stock-piling.

If telephoning for results please try and phone between 2pm – 3pm when a member of staff will be available to answer your query. Be prepared to answer questions to confirm your identity.

You have a responsibility to help us maintain accurate records. Please remember to tell us if you change your name and address.

Violence Policy

The NHS operate a zero tolerance policy with regard to violence and abuse and the practice has the right to remove violent patients from the list with immediate effect in order to safeguard practice staff, patients and other persons. Violence in this context includes actual or threatened physical violence or verbal abuse which leads to fear for a person’s safety. In this situation we will notify the patient in writing of their removal from the list and record in the patient’s medical records the fact of the removal and the circumstances leading to it.