Vale of Neath GPS –General Information

OUT OF HOURS – 0845 601 1186 Please note that this service is for problems that cannot wait until the morning. The Neath Port Talbot Local Health Board ( NPT LHB ) is now responsible for commissioning this service from Primecare.	Other Services Available Through the Surgery District Nurses, Midwife, Health Visitors and Phlebotomist are attached to the Practice from West Glamorgan NHS Trust. Acupuncture and Counselling are available for selected patients. The surgeries have been designed with the disabled in mind.

X-ray , Pathology and Other Test Results Please telephone for these results, but do so between 11.30 and 13.30. All results are pre-assessed by the doctors. The receptionist will confirm the arrival of results to patients, and indicate if there is a need to speak to the doctor or nurse.	Emergency Contraception The “ morning after ” pill is effective for up to three days after you have been at risk, and is available from the doctor in normal surgery hours.
Specimens All specimens to be handed in at reception and to be labelled with FULL NAME, ADDRESS & DATE OF BIRTH.	Health Promotion It is our policy to pursue preventative medicine for all patients. Our practice nurses offer “Well Person” checks and will advise on disease prevention. Patients with asthma, coronary heart disease, diabetes or hypertension are advised to attend for regular check-ups. Where a patient has not been seen by a doctor for some time, additional health promotion checks and questions may be made.

Receptionists
Our receptionists have all taken specialised training and are keen to help patients in any way possible. They do not offer medical advice, but may be able to resolve queries, by seeking more information from patients. All information given to the receptionists is treated with strict confidentiality. If a patient feels the need to speak confidentially to a receptionist, please ask and a private place will be found.

NB. Please be aware that any member of staff may come into contact with patient information in the course of their work. All such information is treated in strict confidence and may not be divulged to unauthorised persons. A patient’s own information and records can be viewed, on request to the Practice Manager. An administrative charge may apply - details on request.

New Patient Health Screening We like to meet and screen all new patients and try to do this at the time of registration. Otherwise, please make an appointment as soon as is convenient. New Patients should contact reception to register. All patients are now registered with the Practice rather than with a specific doctor. If you wish to specify a preference to normally see a specific doctor, please contact reception.	Travel Our practice nurses are available by appointment to offer medical advice regarding travel and vaccinations where appropriate. Do plan ahead – don’t leave your vaccinations until the last minute. Give details of your proposed journeys to a receptionist and the nurse will produce a personalised vaccination schedule for you. There is a fee for some vaccinations.
Change of Personal Details Please inform Reception if you change your name, address or telephone numbers, so that we may keep our records accurate.	Attached to Practice Midwives and Health Visitors are attached to the Practice. Further information on their roles is available in leaflet form at reception.

Non-NHS Medical Examinations All the partners carry out medical examinations for insurance companies, and other fitness medicals by appointments. These include PSV & HGV licences, elderly drivers, sporting, and pre-employment needs. There is a charge payable by the patient for some of these medicals. Please ask the receptionist.	Primary Medical Services Details of Primary Medical Services may be obtained from Neath Port Talbot Local Health Board (a party to the contract with the Vale of Neath Practice). Please see the Useful Telephone Numbers list for contact details.
Violent or Abusive Patients Any violent, intimidating or abusive behaviour towards doctors, members of staff or other patients is unacceptable and may result in being removed from the Practice register.	Suggestions and Complaints All members of the Primary Health Care Team at this Practice are keen to provide patients with the best possible care. Therefore, if any patient has a suggestion for improving our service, please do discuss this with our Practice Manager. If any patient has any constructive criticism of the service offered, please feel free to discuss this with the Practice Manager, so that we can try to resolve the matter. Note: The Practice’s Complaints Procedure policy is available on request.