The Fountain Medical Centre

Surgery Times

We are open Monday to Friday from 8.15am - 6.00pm (except on bank holidays). We close every Friday between 12.45 and 2.00pm. All our clinicians work varying hours during our opening periods. Not all clinicians are in attendance for consultations at any one time.

The surgery also offers extended hours from 08.00am - 12.00noon on a Saturday morning. These are all booked appointments. If you find it difficult to attend surgery during normal working hours then please ask reception for advice.

Consulting Times (by appointment)

These sessions are shared between the partners. Not all the doctors are in attendance for consultations at any one time. They may be called out on home visits or managing clinics (on surgery premises), or performing other duties for the benefit of the practice and the community, eg GP and staff training and DSS matters etc.

Hospital Referrals

Should you be referred to the hospital we will ensure that your referral is processed within four working days or arranged on the same day if the doctor feels it is very urgent. Decisions on your treatment, including the options open to you such as choice of hospital, will be discussed fully with you. Please inform your doctor if you wish to be referred privately.

If you have any queries regarding your referral after you have seen the doctor, please contact the surgery and ask to speak to your doctor’s medical secretary.

Information

We will try to keep you well informed about our services and changes within the practice by the following means:

Patient Confidentiality

Your information will be treated in confidence. We are unable to discuss your details or medical information unless we have your specific permission; this includes giving out appointment information and test results. You have the right to see your medical records and information held about you on the computer system whilst chaperoned by a member of staff. To do this you will need to write to the practice manager requesting to see your medical records and suggestions for when this would be convenient for you. The practice manager will organise an appointment for you and this will be confirmed with you by the surgery.

We are registered under the Data Protection Act 1984 as amended by the Data Protection Act 1998.

Freedom Of Information - Publication Scheme

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 obliges the practice to produce a Publication Scheme. A Publication Scheme is a guide to the 'classes' of information the practice intends to routinely make available.

This scheme is available from reception.

Primary Care Trust

The Fountain Medical Centre is currently part of NHS Nottinghamshire County, who have responsibility for agreeing the services provided both here at the surgery and also via the hospitals. The PCT is located at Birch House, Southwell Road West, Mansfield, Notts NG21 OHJ. Telephone: 0300 300 1234.

Emergency, Out-Of-Hours Advice And Visits

The doctors provide cover every day during normal working hours. A doctor is always available in an emergency for advice or a visit if they consider it necessary. An out-of-hours service during the evenings and weekends is available from Newark Hospital up until midnight and from Mansfield after midnight.

If you require urgent advice out of surgery hours, you will be directed to the correct number to call by dialling the surgery number. The recorded message will repeat the number but you will need to ensure that you have a pen and paper to hand. Please only call the doctor if your problem is a genuine emergency and cannot wait until the surgery is open.

Should you have any problem getting through to the doctor please telephone Newark Hospital on 01636 681681 and tell them you are trying to contact the duty doctor for the Fountain Medical Centre.

Self-help information and advice is available: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Comments, Suggestions, Problems

If you are unhappy, disappointed or have any suggestions on how we can improve our services for the future, please tell us. You can write to or speak directly with the practice manager. There is no need to give your name and address when writing, unless you would like a reply.

We Will Listen - We Do Care About What You Think!

If you are still unhappy, or feel you cannot talk to us, you can get help from PALS (Patients Advice And Liaison Service) on 0800 028 3693. . Your comments will be totally confidential, so please feel free to say anything you wish.