If you have an urgent medical problem outside of our opening hours, which cannot wait until the surgery re-opens, please contact NHS 111 to access the out of hours service.

Just dial 1-1-1 from a phone.

You can call 111 when you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency. NHS 111 is a fast and easy way to get the right help, whatever the time.

NHS 111 is free to call from both landlines and mobiles.

Call 999 in an emergency.

Get the right treatment when you need it

Your local NHS is very busy at the moment. You can help ease the pressure by choosing the right service for you when you need medical help or advice.

Knowing the right place to go can help you get the treatment you need faster. Please choose wisely and help us help you.

Acute hospitals and the ambulance service are particularly busy treating patients who are very ill at the moment so please consider an alternative to A&E if your condition is not serious or life threatening.

For example, urgent treatment centres (UTCs) and minor injury units (MIUs) are equipped to diagnose and deal with many of the most common ailments people attend emergency departments for, including sprains, minor burns and minor illness, and are open either 24 hours-a-day or 8am to 8pm. They can also be used when you can’t wait for an appointment with your GP.

Patients can just “walk-in” to any UTC in the county without an appointment and wait to be seen. Appointments can also be booked by contacting NHS 111.  By using NHS 111, patients will know they are going to the right place for treatment.

You can help ease the pressure on local health services by making sure your medicine cabinet is fully stocked with the basic essentials, such as paracetamol and upset tummy remedies, and by ordering repeat prescriptions in good time so that you don't run out. 

For more information, visit Kent & Medway CCG website.

If possible please try to telephone reception before 11:00 if you require a home visit.

You may only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. Your GP will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires it and will also decide how urgently a visit is needed.

You can be visited at home by a community nurse if you are referred by your GP. You should also be visited at home by a health visitor if you have recently had a baby or if you are newly registered with a GP and have a child under five years.

House visits are only available for patients who are housebound because of illness or disability.

What are Primary care Hubs?

• You will now be able to see a healthcare professional in the eveings and at weekends
• Primary Care Hubs have been developed to improve the availability of services you would normally get from your GP practice.
• Primary Care Hub healthcare staff will be similar to those at your usual GP practice and will include doctors, healthcare assistants, physiotherapists and mental health workers.

Who will be able to use the Primary Care Hubs?

• Any patient registered with a Medway GP will be able to access the Primary Care Hubs

Who is providing the service?

• Primary Care Hubs are funded by Medway Clinical Commissioning Group as part of the national Improving Access to general Practice Programe.
• The service is provided by Medway Practices Alliance (MPA) - a federation of GP practices in Medway

How do i access the service?

• You will need to have a booked appointment to be seen in a Hub.
• Appointments must be booked via your own GP surgery in the same way you would book an appointment usually.
• You can book an appointment with your usual GP surgery reception team for a same day appointment (subject to availability) or up to two weeks ahead.
• Appointments cannot be booked directly at the Primary Care Hubs.

When and where will you be able to use the service?

• Rochester Healthy Living Centre, Delce Road, Rochester, ME1 2EL
• Rainham Healthy Living Centre, 103-107 High Street, ME8 8AA
• Lordswood Healthy Living Centre, Sultan Road, Chatham, ME5 8TJ

King George Road is open for urgent and non-urgent appointments.

Telephone and video consultations continue to be offered to all patients and face to face appointments following clinical triage.

Patients may experience a slight delay in contacting the practice on the telephone due to the high volume of calls we are currently receiving. 

Patients who are unable to contact the practice and have an urgent medical condition can call NHS 111, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Click to visit the NHS 111 website or dial 1-1-1 on your telephone.

Appointments during COVID

We have unlocked our doors so patients can now enter the surgery in person to make appointments, as well as contacting us by telephone.

As we start introducing face to face appointments again there are things that have changed so please read below for updates.

The majority of appointments are still currently being done via telephone triage. If you would like to speak to a clinician please call after 8.30AM to be put on the triage list for that day. Telephone appointments can not be made in advance. 

In some circumstances the clinician may ask you to come into the surgery, if you are unsure please contact our reception desk and we can confirm this.

Appointments such as smears, blood tests, B12 injections, depo injections, diabetic checks and pills checks are now able to be done in the surgery following strict social distancing guidelines.

If you have an appointment booked please ring the buzzer at the time of your appointment- the waiting area is currently closed to patients so if you arrive early please wait in the car. Unfortunately this rule remains during poor weather so please be prepared to wait outside.

At the time of booking your appointment you should be advised that you must attend on your own. Only the person booked in for the appointment will be allowed to enter the surgery.

When the clinician is ready you will be asked to put on a mask and clean your hands before entering the building. If you have your own mask please bring with you at the time of appointment.

Booking Appointments

We offer a variety of appointment slots that can be booked in advance or on the day. All on the day appointments are now triaged by the doctors. Please telephone 01634 671037.

It is advisable to book routine appointments well in advance in order to avoid disappointment and leave the on the day appointments for patients with urgent health needs.

If you require and urgent on the day appointment it may not be possible to see your usual GP.

Consultations are generally for 10 minute periods and for one person only. Therefore if you think you may need longer or if more than one member of the family needs to be seen, please book a double appointment.

Next time you call or visit us, our reception staff may ask if you wouldn't mind telling them the reason for your appointment.

Please don't be offended - this is simply so they can direct you to the best person that can help you in our team.  

Thank you for your support with this.

Telephone Advice

There may be occasions when you would prefer to speak to your GP on the telephone rather than visiting the practice or a face to face consultation is not required. Our reception team will happily take your contact details and ask the nature of your call before passing a message to the appropriate clinician. More often than not the person you wish to speak with will be consulting when you telephone but will return your call when their clinic has finished or the receptionist will call back with the clinicians requested actions.

Practice Nurses

In a number of cases it might be worth considering an appointment with a practice nurse rather than a doctor. Practice nurses are qualified to deal with many ailments and you may be seen more quickly.

Sign Language and Community Interpreters

Through Medway Council we are able to offer both foreign and sign language interpreters. Our reception staff will be happy to advise you should this be a requirement.

Cancellations

If you cannot attend an appointment for any reason please inform us as soon as possible in order for us to give the slot to someone else.

Late Arrivals

Patients have a duty to attend for pre-booked appointments promptly, and to take into account logistical difficulties or the time involved in travelling to the surgery.

The practice will, as far as practicable, see patients who arrive late, however this may be at the end of surgery and will therefore involve a considerable wait for those who do not wish to re-book.

The practice will monitor and record the incidence of patients who are late for appointments within the clinical system. Persistent late attendees will be issued with a series of warning letters.

Less than 10 minutes: The patients will be marked as an arrival and the the clinician will call them at the first available opportunity.

More then 10 minutes but less than 20: The patient will be advised that as they are a late arrival it is down to the discretion of the doctor / nurse if they will still see the patient that day. If the clinician agrees the patient should be advised that punctual patients will be seen first.

More than 20 minutes: The patient has clearly missed the appointment, and should be encouraged to rebook. Where there is an indication of clinical urgency then they may be added to the end of the surgery list.

Wound Therapy

Unfortunately we do not provide wound care at the practice, this service is provided by Medway Community Healthcare.

Click to Book an Appointment Online.

You do not require a doctor's sickness certificate for any illness lasting seven days or less. Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or on the HMRC website.

Evidence that you are sick

If you are sick for more than seven days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of SSP (statutory sick pay).

It is up to your employer to decide whether you are incapable of work. A medical certificate, now called a 'Statement of Fitness for Work’ (see below) from your doctor is strong evidence that you are sick and would normally be accepted, unless there is evidence to prove otherwise.

You could also provide evidence from someone who is not a medical practitioner, e.g. a dentist. Your employer will decide whether or not this evidence is acceptable. If your employer has any doubts, they may still ask for a medical certificate from your GP.

Statement of Fitness for Work - ’Fit Note'

The 'fit note' was introduced on 6 April 2010. With your employer's support, the note will help you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or injury.

For more information see the DirectGov website (where this information was sourced)

Patients who fail to attend for their appointments and do not inform the practice incur significant cost to the practice and to other patients in terms of lost appointments.   The practice is committed to providing appointments to meet the needs of patients but cannot replace appointments lost due to failure to attend.

It is our practice policy to monitor all cases of patients not attending appointments (Did not Attend—DNA ) and contact will be made with all patients who fail to inform the practice that they will not be attending their appointment.

Patients who repeatedly fail to attend appointments and do not contact the surgery in advance will be sent a letter.

A further DNA appointment following the issue of the letter will result in review of the circumstances by the Practice Manager and one of the Partners to determine what action will be taken.

• Possible outcomes in this situation are:

1. The patient will be invited to meet with the Practice Manager to explain why they have difficulties in failing to notify the surgery.
2. The patient will receive a further warning letter that further occurrences of DNA will result in their removal from the practice list.
3. The patient will be sent a letter informing them that they will be removed from the practice list.

Please help us to help you by always cancelling an appointment you are unable to attend or no longer need.

Should you have any comments, suggestion or concerns regarding our policy on appointments please ask to speak to the Practice Manager.

Please note, very soon all prescriptions will be sent electronically to a nominated pharmacy of your choice. Please inform reception which pharmacy you would prefer your prescriptions to be sent to. Please refer to the Electronic Prescription Service below.

Repeat Prescriptions

Patients on long-term medication can order repeat prescriptions in a number of ways:

• By Hand – drop your repeat slip in at reception with the required items clearly marked.
• By Post – send it to us with a stamped addressed envelope if you want us to post it back to you.
• Online – see next section for details of how to Request Prescription Online using Online Services.

Prescriptions can be sent to Merlin Pharmacy or any other participating pharmacy.

Please note that you are only permitted to order repeat medication via the online prescription request service. All other medication including controlled drugs must be requested in writing.

Collecting Prescriptions

Please be aware that  when collecting prescriptions we will need to make a record of your name.  ID may also be requested in some circumstances.

If someone else collects prescriptions on your behalf, you will need to advise reception and sign a consent form.

ID must be shown when collecting controlled drugs, you will also be asked to sign to confirm you have collected it. 

You can request your repeat medication online and have it sent directly to a chemist of your choice*

Please speak with reception it you require further information.

Medication Reviews

Patients on repeat medication will be asked to see either a doctor, nurse practitioner or practice nurse at least once a year to review these regular medications.

Electronic Prescription Service

This service enables your prescription to be sent electronically to any participating pharmacy of your choice. Should you wish to nominate a participating pharmacy this can be done by completing the form below and handing it into either the surgery or your nominated pharmacy.

*Please check if your preferred pharmacy collect or accept electronic prescriptions.

Register to use the Electronic Prescription Service

Please allow 72 hours between requesting and collecting your medication. 

Please note: Pharmacy 2 u is not associated with this practice.

We have now completely switched over to the new online prescription ordering service.

To register for the new service please complete the form and hand it to reception. You can find the form by clicking on the link below:

Registration Form

Important note! At this time it is not permitted to register or be registered for this service if you are aged under 16 years old. 

Extensive exemption and remission arrangements protect those likely to have difficulty in paying charges (NHS prescription and dental charges, optical and hospital travel costs).

The NHS prescription charge is a flat-rate amount which successive Governments have thought it reasonable to charge for those who can afford to pay for their medicines.  Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) offer real savings for people who need extensive medication.

We appreciate that there may be some instances in which some of these items need to be prescribed, however repeat prescriptions and regular acute prescribing of these items is not recommended and may not be issued as repeat medication.

Medway CCG top over the counter list (OTC products)

Simple linctus

Loperamide 2mg capsules

Laxido orange oral sachets

Loratadine 10mg tablets

Promethazine 25mg tablets

Senna 7.5mg tablets

Lactulose solution 3.1g-3.7g/5ml

Cetirizine 10mg tablets

Paracetamol 500mg tablets

Paracetamol soluble tablets

Paracetamol oral suspension (branded Calpol and generic)

Cerumol ear drops

Olive Oil Ear drops

Dentinox teething gel

Infacol

Pholcodine Linctus

Strepsils

Bonjela

Benzyl peroxide gel

Gaviscon advance liquid

Chlorphenamine 4mg tablets and Oral Solution (Piriton)

Peptac liquid

Gaviscon Infant sachets

Dermol shower emollient and bath emollient

Aqueous cream

Ketoconazole shampoo

Fybogel sachets

Oilatum plus bath additive

Senna Oral solution

Difflam mouth wash and spray

Movelat cream

Algesal cream

Corsodyl (Chlorhexidine) mouthwash

Aciclovir 5%cream

Double base emollient shower gel

Anusol cream

Clinics are slightly altered at the moment due to Covid. Please check the Covid section of this website to see whether the clinic is running. 

In addition to general medical consultations we are pleased to be able to provide specialist clinics and services covering the following areas:

• Asthma/COPD management
• Hypertension screening and management
• Stroke management
• Childhood immunisations
• Minor surgical procedures
• Travel health advice and immunisations
• Family planning (contraceptive advice)
• Ante natal and post natal clinics
• Weight management support
• Well Women/Man clinics
• Diabetic screening and management
• CHD/heart failure
• Hyperthyroidism management
• Child health surveillance
• Smoking cessation support
• Cervical screening
• Chlamydia screening
• NHS Health Checks
• Phlebotomy
• Ear irrigation
• Dermatology 
• Memory assessments
• FLU Clinics 

Self Referral Information

Please click on the link below for information on services that you can self refer to:

Services Self Referral Information

Diabetes Prevention

NHS England has commissioned a provider, Xyla Health and Wellbeing, to provide the ‘Your local Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme’ for patients at risk of type 2 diabetes. Once a patient is referred, they will be contacted for a motivational interview with the provider (Xyla) to help them enrol onto the course and to have an opportunity to ask any questions they have at this time, including if you don’t want to enrol in the programme. Xyla Health and Wellbeing is part of the Acacium Group and sometimes, if required and legally allowed, Xyla may share some of your basic details such as your name and contact details with providers who have been identified as suitable to contact you to provide support for you during this programme. Any sharing of your data is done as little as possible, under due diligence and in compliance with applicable laws. For full details on how Xyla would use your data for the diabetes prevention programme, see their Privacy Notice. For general information on the national diabetes prevention programme, please visit the NHS England website.

You can book appointments and repeat prescriptions using Patient Online Services.

If you are having problems logging into the online services because you have forgotten your username or password, please follow the link on the login screen to reset.

For any other problems please use the HELP page to find the answers of many Frequently Asked Questions.

If you cannot find what you are looking for them please use the CONTACT WEBSITE SUPPORT PAGE. Complete the form, including our practice code which is G82108. A member of the help desk should soon be in touch.

Unfortunately the staff at the practice are not able to resolve any login problems, this can only be done by contacting the website help desk.

Blood tests can be done by appointment only.

All registered patients and non-registered patients, aged 2 and over.

Please contact reception on 01634 671037 to book your appointment.

Please bring with you your blood form.

Should you have a fasting test then please let the receptionist know and they will book you in for an early morning appointment.

We can now also provide Glucose Tolerance Testing for registered and non-registered patients.

Other providers can be found by clicking on the link below: 

GP practices that provide a blood taking service

What is a blood test?

A blood test is when a sample of blood is taken for testing in a laboratory. Blood tests have a wide range of uses and are one of the most common types of medical test. For example, a blood test can be used to:

• assess your general state of health
• confirm the presence of a bacterial or viral infection
• see how well certain organs, such as the liver and kidneys, are functioning

A blood test usually involves the phlebotomist taking a blood sample from a blood vessel in your arm. and the usual place for a sample is the inside of the elbow or wrist, where the veins are relatively close to the surface. Blood samples from children are most commonly taken from the back of the hand. The child's hand will be anaesthetised (numbed) with a special cream before the sample is taken.

You can find out more about blood tests, their purpose and the way they are performed on the NHS website.

The amount of time taken for results to come back is varying now due to Covid, please take this into consideration when calling for results.

You are welcome to call after 11:00 to enquire about your test results as our staff will have more time to help you at this time.

You will be told how long you should expect to wait for the results at the time of your test so please bear this in mind before calling. It is then your responsibility to check them and make any necessary follow-up appointment with the doctor. 

Please note that we do have a strict policy regarding confidentiality and data protection. In this respect we will only give out results to the person they relate to unless that person has given prior permission for their release or if they are not capable of understanding them.

An X-ray is a widely used diagnostic test to examine the inside of the body. X-rays are a very effective way of detecting problems with bones, such as fractures. They can also often identify problems with soft tissue, such as pneumonia or breast cancer.

If you have a X-ray, you will be asked to lie on a table or stand against a surface so that the part of your body being X-rayed is between the X-ray tube and the photographic plate.

An X-ray is usually carried out by a radiographer, a healthcare professional who specialises in using imaging technology, such as X-rays and ultrasound scanners.

You can find out more about x-ray tests, how they are performed, their function and the risks by visiting the NHS website.

Many minor surgeries are currently on hold due to COVID. Please contact the surgery directly for updates.

King George Road Surgery offers a wide range of minor surgery procedures including:    

• Steroid injections

• Excisions of moles, lumps, skin tags & cysts

• Coil fitting and removal

• Aspirations

• Removal of the contraceptive implant 

Please contact reception to arrange an appointment with your GP to discuss what minor surgery may be required.

We also provide this service to patients that are not registered with our practice, you will need a referral from your registered GP.

Thinking of quitting smoking, but unsure if  you can do it?

Quitting smoking is hard, but quitting alone is harder.

You are 4 times more likely to make it if you opt for support alongside your chosen medication.

At the King George Road Surgery we are now running a Stop Smoking Service.

The service is free of charge

Medication on prescription

Call: 01634 671037 to book your first appointment

Chlamydia is the most common STI among under 25s and is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia Trachomatis. Chlamydia is easily passed from one person to another through sexual contact.

Chlamydia often has no symptoms, so you can only be sure you don't have Chlamydia if you have a test.

Symptoms could include:

• Unusual discharge from the vagina (or urethra), penis and/or anus
• Pain when passing urine
• Pain or bleeding during sex
• Swelling/soreness around the genitals
• Lower abdominal pain

If left untreated, Chlamydia can cause painful and serious health problems in men and women including infertility.

If you are aged between 15 and 25 then please feel free to ask at reception to obtain a testing kit or ask for an appointment with our Health Care Assistant to discuss further.

The flu vaccination is the best protection for you and those around you which is why it is offered for free for those most at risk.

Vaccinations started in September and continue over the winter months, with appointments available throughout the season (so there is still plenty of time to book).  Priority is given to those who are most at risk of flu. 

FOR 50-64 YEAR OLDS

As per government guidance all patients aged between 50-64 years are entitled to a flu vaccination; we are sending invites to patients for this; however, if you are eligible and have not heard please contact the practice to arrange an  appointment. 

These vaccinations are available at the surgery now. Please contact Reception to check your eligibility and book your appointment. Thank you.

What is shingles?

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful skin rash caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus (varicella-zoster virus) in people who have previously had chickenpox.

It begins with a burning sensation in the skin, followed by a rash of very painful fluid-filled blisters that can then burst and turn into sores before healing. Often an area on just one side of the body is affected, usually the chest but sometimes the head, face and eye.

What is Shingles Vaccine?

A vaccine to prevent shingles, a common, painful skin disease is available on the NHS to certain people in their 70s.

The shingles vaccine is given as a single injection. Unlike the flu jab, you'll only need to have the vaccination once and you can have it at any time of the year.

The shingles vaccine is expected to reduce your risk of getting shingles. If you are unlucky enough to go on to have the disease, your symptoms may be milder and the illness shorter.

Shingles can be very painful and uncomfortable. Some people are left with pain lasting for years after the initial rash has healed. And shingles is fatal for around 1 in 1,000 over-70s who develop it.

It's fine to have the shingles vaccine if you've already had shingles. The shingles vaccine works very well in people who have had shingles before and it will boost your immunity against further shingles attacks.

Who can have the shingles vaccination?

You're eligible for the shingles vaccine if you are aged 70 to 79.Patients remain eligible up until their 80th birthday.

You can have the shingles vaccination at any time of year, though many people will find it convenient to have the vaccine at the same time as their annual flu vaccination.

What is the brand name of the shingles vaccine?

The brand name of the shingles vaccine given in the UK is Zostavax. It can be given at any time of the year.

How is the shingles vaccine given?

As an injection into the upper arm.

How does the shingles vaccine work?

The vaccine contains a weakened chickenpox virus (varicella-zoster virus). It's similar, but not identical to, the chickenpox vaccine.

Very occasionally, people have developed a chickenpox-like illness following shingles vaccination (fewer than 1 in 10,000 individuals).

How long will the shingles vaccine protect me for?

It's difficult to be precise, but research to date suggests the shingles vaccine will protect you for at least three years, probably longer.

How safe is the shingles vaccine?

There is lots of evidence showing that the new shingles vaccine is very safe. It's already been used in several countries, including the US and Canada, and no safety concerns have been raised. The vaccine also has few side effects.

How is shingles spread?

You don't "catch" shingles – it comes on when there's a reawakening of chickenpox virus that's already in your body. The virus can be reactivated because of advancing age, medication, illness or stress and so on.

Anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles. It's estimated that around one in five people who have had chickenpox go on to develop shingles.

Who's most at risk of shingles?

People tend to get shingles more often as they get older, especially over the age of  70. And the older you are, the worse it can be. The shingles rash can be extremely painful, such that sufferers can't even bear the feeling of their clothes touching the affected skin.

The pain of shingles can also linger long after the rash has disappeared, even for many years. This lingering pain is called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).

Visit the NHS website for more information about the Shingles vaccine.

These vaccinations are available at the surgery now. Please contact Reception to check your eligibility and book your appointment. Thank you.

There has been a recent out break of Measles in this area, if you have not received the MMR Vaccination please contact the surgery to arrange an appointment.

The Men ACWY vaccine is being offered as a new vaccination programme for young people up to the age of 25. This vaccine protects against meningitis (inflammation of the brain) and septicaemia (blood poisoning) caused by meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y.

Further information on the vaccination programme and meningococcal disease can be found on the NHS website.

It is very important that young people take up the vaccine. It is being offered in response to a rapidly growing increase in cases of a highly aggressive strain of meningococcal disease group W. This disease can cause meningitis and septicaemia that can kill in hours, and those who recover may be left severely disabled. The vaccine also protects against three other meningococcal groups too – A, C and Y.

Going to university?

If you’re planning to go to university, please make an appointment as soon as possible before leaving for university. You are at more risk of meningitis and septicaemia in the first weeks at university when you mix with lots of new people, some of whom may unknowingly carry the meningococcal bacteria, which is usually spread through prolonged close contact.

If you decide not to have the vaccination please let us know so we can enter this on your medical records.

Travel vaccinations are currently unavailable at the surgery due to Covid. Please contact your local travel clinic if you are in need of any travel vaccinations. 

If you require any vaccinations relating to foreign travel you need to make an appointment with the practice nurse to discuss your travel arrangements. This will include which countries and areas within countries that you are visiting to determine what vaccinations are required.

Some services provided fall outside the scope of the NHS and therefore attract charges. Examples include the following:

• Medicals for pre-employment, sports and driving requirements (HGV, PSV etc.)
• Insurance claim forms
• Prescriptions for taking medication abroad
• Private sick notes
• Vaccination certificates

Our reception staff will be happy to advise you about appointment availability and applicable charges.

Applications to register at this practice can be done online by clicking here or by written application form, available from reception, supported by identification ID, in the form of a utility bill, passport or driving licence.

Patients 16 and under to provide a birth certificate.

Patients living within the practice area, which covers postcode ME5, are welcome to register. Please bring along proof of identification such as driving licence, passport or a recent utility bill.

You will also need to complete a registration form (GMS1) and a health questionnaire which will provide useful information whilst we wait for your medical records to arrive from your previous doctor.

All new patients are offered a new patient health check with a member of the healthcare team.

Medical treatment is available from the date of registration.  Please contact reception for further information.

Change of Details

Please inform the receptionists if you have a new address, telephone number or name.

It is very important to keep your details up to date

If you are ill while away from home or if you are not registered with a doctor but need to see one you can receive emergency treatment from the local GP practice for 14 days. After 14 days you will need to register as a temporary or permanent patient.

You can be registered as a temporary patient for up to three months. This will allow you to be on the local practice list and still remain a patient of your permanent GP. After three months you will have to re-register as a temporary patient or permanently register with that practice.

To register as a temporary patient simply contact the local practice you wish to use. Practices do not have to accept you as a temporary patient although they do have an obligation to offer emergency treatment. You cannot register as a temporary patient at a practice in the town or area where you are already registered.

Download the Temporary Resident Registration Form

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP?

At its simplest, patient participation refers to patients who wish to take a more active interest in developing local healthcare services.

The idea is for patients and staff to work together to share ideas to help patients to take more responsibility for their own health and help improve the services offered at the Practice. It gives patients a say in how services are planned, developed and evaluated, by developing a good working relationship with the practice staff and GPs. 

The PPG will seek to improve communications through the practice website along with the use of notice boards and direct communications within the Practice e.g. articles in the patient newsletters.

MORE ABOUT WHAT A PPG CAN TRY TO DO 

• Assist in communicating to patients how recent changes to NHS will affect services provided
• Let the practice staff know more about the level and standard of service they provide from a patient perspective
• Help the practice decide on overall service priorities
• Help patients understand more about their medical condition/problems including talks on individual topics, e.g. Diabetes and Heart Disease
• Help provide information on help available and support groups and networks
• Help improve the experience of attending the Surgery

We aim to gather a group of patients from as broad a spectrum as possible to get a truly representative sample. We need young people, workers, retirees, people with long term conditions and people from non-British ethnic groups.

We will ask the members of this representative group some questions from time to time, such as what you think about our opening times or the quality of the care or service you received. We will contact you via email and keep our surveys succinct so it shouldn’t take too much of your time.

If you wish to join the Patient Group and are happy for us to contact you occasionally by email, please complete our Online Form.

We will be in touch shortly after we receive your form. Please note that no medical information or questions will be responded to.

Many thanks for your assistance

Doctors

Nurses

Healthcare Assistants

PRACTICE MANAGER

Ms Shanine Howells

RECEPTION MANAGER

Mrs Sammie Magee

MEDICAL SECRETARY

Mrs Kirsty Nolan

ADMIN TEAM

Miss Shae Toussaint

Miss Liberty Magee

RECEPTION TEAM

Mrs Anna Stowers

Mrs Sue Gore

Ms Joanne Briscoe

All GP practices are required to declare the mean earnings (e.g. average pay) for GPs working to deliver NHS services to patients at each practice.

The average pay for GPs working in King George Road Surgery 2020/2021 was £90456 before tax and National Insurance. This is for 2 full time GPs.

Our professional team will ensure you receive the best attention at all times whether you’re attending a specialist clinic or a routine appointment. If you’re new to the area registration is easy and comes with the comfort of discretion and confidentiality assured.

At King George Road Surgery we are committed to providing quality care for our patients within a confidential and safe environment.

We pride ourselves in showing courtesy and respect to all our patients regardless of ethnicity, religious beliefs, socio-economic background or the nature of the health problem.

We aim to promote good health and well-being for all patients and to involve patients in decisions regarding their treatment.

We involve allied healthcare professionals in the care of our patients where it is in their best interest.

We ensure that all members of the team have the right skills and training to carry out their duties competently.

From the 1st April 2015, all practice are required to inform ALL patients of their named accountable GP.  This is part of the GMS contract change for 2015 - 2016 that was agreed between BMA's General Practitioners Committee and NHS Employers.

It means that practices will need to ensure that each patient on their practice list  is assigned a named, accountable GP. 

The requirement will be added to the regulations for GMS and PMS practices. 

We will work through our patient list and using what is already recorded on the system, the patient will be informed of their 'Usual GP'. 

New patients will be informed who they are registered with.  
  
We hope this will provide and promote a greater continuity of care for this co-hort of patients. 

It does not mean that the named GP will take on vicarious liability for the work of other doctors of health professionals. 

The named GP will not take on 24 hour responsibility for the patient or make a change to their working hours, the requirement does not imply personal availability for GP's throughout the working week. The named GP cannot be the only GP to care to that patient.

People who are resident in the UK have rights relating to access to GP services.

There are limited rights relating to referral on to other professionals.

There are rights relating to access to one’s medical records.

Right to a General Practitioner - People who are resident in the UK have the right to be registered with a GP practice. You can choose which, however, the practice does not have to accept you, but must provide a genuine reason for not doing this.

Treatment from a GP - You are entitled to treatment from a GP at the surgery where you are registered. You can request to see a specific GP however you have no automatic right to be seen by them.

Treatment outside surgery hours - All GPs must make sure that a service is provided for their patients when they are off duty. This service is provided by Care UK, and the phone is automatically diverted to the on call from 6pm – 8.30am Monday – Friday and from 6pm Friday until 8.30am Monday morning.

Home visits – If you are housebound or are too ill to visit the GP practice you can request a home visit.  You cannot insist that a GP visits you at home. A GP will only visit if your medical condition requires it and he/she will also decide how urgently a visit is needed.

Second opinions - You can ask your GP to arrange a second opinion either from a specialist or another GP. This is at the GPs discretion. You have no right to a second opinion. You do have the right to see a GP who is competent to deal with your particular case.

Access to medical reports and health records - You have the right to see most health records held about you, subject to certain safeguards. You are entitled to be informed how these are used, who has access to them and how you can arrange to see them. For more information on this, you can pick up a leaflet from reception or speak to the GP.  

Confidentiality – All NHS staff is bound by confidentiality and has signed a confidentiality clause.  Information about your medical history will be kept confidential, and not be released to people who are not involved in your medical care, without your consent ie: insurance reports etc.

Patient's Responsibilities

• Recognise that you can make a significant contribution to your own and your family’s good health and wellbeing and take some personal responsibility for it.

• Treat NHS staff other patients with respect.

• Provide accurate information about your health, condition and status.

• Keeping appointments or cancel in reasonable time so that other patients can benefit from the appointment slot.

• Order all repeat medication giving 48hr notice.

The practice operates a zero tolerance on violence and aggression/abuse towards NHS staff.

This fair processing notice explains why our practice collects information about you and how that information may be used and shared.

The employees and partners of the practice use electronic and paper records to create and maintain an in-depth history of your NHS medical care at the practice and elsewhere, to help ensure you receive the best possible healthcare.  Anyone who accesses your data within the practice can only do so using a ‘smartcard’ that identifies him/her and what he/she accessed.

We comply with Data Protection Act or General Data Protection Regulations from 25^th May 2018 in ensuring your personal information is as confidential and secure as possible.

WHAT INFORMATION DO YOU HOLD?

Records which this GP Practice holds about you may include the following information;

•    Details about you, such as your address, legal representative, emergency contact details
•     Any contact the surgery has had with you, such as appointments, telephone conversations and letters.
•    Notes and reports about your physical (including sexual) and mental health
•    Details about your treatment and medications
•    Results of investigations such as laboratory tests, x-rays etc.
•    Relevant information from other health professionals, relatives or those who care for you
•    Reports from social services such as child protection reports or police reports if relevant to the care of you or your family
•    Private reports sent, at your request, to other organisations

 CONFIDENTIALITY

We are committed to protecting your privacy and will only use information collected lawfully in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 or GDPR (which is overseen by the Information Commissioner’s Office), Human Rights Act, the Common Law Duty of Confidentiality, and the NHS Codes of Confidentiality and Security. 

All of our staff, contractors and committee members receive appropriate and on-going training to ensure they are aware of their personal responsibilities and have contractual obligations to uphold confidentiality, enforceable through disciplinary procedures.

We maintain our duty of confidentiality to you at all times.  We will only ever use or pass on information about you, if others involved in your care have a genuine need for it.  We will not disclose your information to any third party without your permission unless there are exceptional circumstances (i.e. life or death situations), or where the law requires information to be passed on and / or in accordance with the new information sharing principle i.e. “The duty to share information can be as important as the duty to protect patient confidentiality.” This means that health and social care professionals should have the confidence to share information in the best interests of their patients within the framework set out by the Caldicott principles. They should be supported by the policies of their employers, regulators and professional bodies.

Your information may be used within the GP practice for clinical Audit to monitor the quality of the service provided or ensure we are providing appropriate care.

SHARING YOUR DATA OUTSIDE THE PRACTICE

Information held about you may be used to help protect the health of the public and to help the Department of Health manage the NHS.  Some of this information will be extracted and held centrally and used for statistical purposes. Where we do this, we take strict measures to ensure that individual patients cannot be identified.

We currently only share information from your records on an individual basis either by letter or courier but with improvements in information technology and strict information governance standards, it is becoming possible to share your GP records across Coventry & Warwickshire Health & Social Care.   We will only allow this to happen with your consent, so that you are able to allow doctors, nurses and other health and social care services to see all the information held on your GP records. 

The following are examples of the types of organisations that we are likely to share information with:

•    NHS and specialist hospitals, Trusts
•    Independent Contractors such as dentists, opticians, pharmacists
•    Private and Voluntary Sector Providers
•    Ambulance Trusts
•    Clinical Commissioning Groups and NHS England
•    Social Care Services and Local Authorities
•    Education Services
•    Police, Fire and Rescue Services

Any patient can choose to withdraw their consent to their data being used in this way.  When the Practice is about to participate in any new data-sharing scheme we will make patients aware by displaying prominent notices in the surgery and on our website at least four weeks before the scheme is due to start.  These schemes are only for direct care so you (or your carer) will be present when the information is accessed and will be asked for consent again, before your records are opened.

A patient can object to their personal information being shared with other health care providers but if this limits the treatment that you can receive then the doctor will explain this to you at the time.

RISK STRATIFICATION

Risk stratification is a process for identifying and managing patients who are at a higher risk of emergency hospital admission. This may be because patients have a long term condition such as COPD, cancer or are frailer.  NHS England encourages GPs to use risk stratification tools as part of their local strategies for supporting patients with long-term conditions and help reduce the patients’ risk of hospital admissions.

Information about you is collected from a number of sources including NHS Trusts and from this GP Practice. Your risk is then ‘scored’ after analysis of your anonymous information using computer programmes.  Your information is only provided back to your GP or member of your care team in an identifiable form.  Risk stratification enables your GP to focus on the prevention of ill health and not just the treatment of sickness.

NATIONAL DATA EXTRACTIONS (Also known as GPES)

The Health and Social Care Act 2012 allows NHS Digital to collate personal confidential data from GP practices without seeking your specific consent. This is extracted in order to make increased use of information from medical records and either used just by the NHS with the intention of improving healthcare and the quality of care delivered to patients or may be sold to external companies such as universities or commercial organisations.  Please see below if you do not want your data used in this way.

More information about how NHS Digital uses your data can be found at NHS Digital.

WHAT IF I WANT TO SEE MY RECORDS?

You have a right under the General Data Protection Regulations to access/view information the Practice holds about you. This is known as ‘the right of subject access’.   We are very keen for you to have access to help you manage your own health and maintain the quality of the records about your health. With some provisos, we are now able to give most adults access to their records on-line if they wish.  If you would like access on-line, please ask our receptionists. 

You can also request a copy of your records in paper form.  If you wish to do this please contact the Surgery.

WHAT IF I WANT TO SEE WHO HAS ACCESSED MY RECORDS?

You can look at your GP Shared Record History online at Patient Services to find out when your GP record has been accessed.  All you need is the username and password you use to order prescriptions or make appointments via our website.  (If you have chosen to have sharing functionality disabled this will not be available.) This only covers instances where your record has been accessed outside your GP practice for direct care purposes, i.e. it does not cover accesses by your own GP, and it does not cover the data that gets copied for research and to NHS Digital.

NOTIFICATION

The Data Protection Act 1998 or General Data Protection Regulations requires organisations to register a notification with the Information Commissioner to describe the purposes for which they process personal and sensitive information.  

This information is publicly available on the Information Commissioners Office websitewww.ico.org.uk

The practice is registered with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) as a data controller under the Data Protection Act 1998. The registration number is Z4907177 and can be viewed online in the public register.

OBJECTIONS/COMPLAINTS

Should you have any concerns about how your information is managed at the practice, please contact the GP Practice Manager.  If you are still unhappy following a review by the GP practice, you can then complain to the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) via their website (www.ico.gov.uk).

If you are happy for your data to be extracted and used for the purposes described in this fair processing notice then you do not need to do anything.

NATIONAL OPT OUT

The national data opt-out is introduced on 25 May 2018, providing a facility for individuals to opt-out from the use of their data for research or planning purposes. This is provided in line with the recommendations of the National Data Guardian in her Review of Data Security, Consent and Opt-Outs. The service will initially be in beta, while we ensure the service design is optimal.

Individual preferences will be collected from 25 May and by 2020 all health and care organisations are required to have applied these preferences in all research and planning situations in which confidential patient information is used. NHS Digital will apply these preferences with immediate effect.

The national data opt-out will replace the previous ‘type 2’ opt-out, which required NHS Digital to refrain from sharing a patient’s confidential patient information for purposes beyond their direct care. Any person with an existing type 2 opt-out will have it automatically converted to a national data opt-out from 25 May 2018 .We will continue to collect and convert type 2 opt-outs during the beta phase. The national data opt-out choice can be viewed or changed at any time by using the online service at NHS Digital.

All patients have the right to change their minds and reverse a previous decision.  Please contact the practice if you change your mind regarding any previous choice.

The practice complies with data protection and access to medical records legislation. Identifiable information about you will be shared with others in the following circumstances:

• To provide further medical treatment for you e.g. from district nurses and hospital services.
• To help you get other services e.g. from the social work department. This requires your consent.
• When we have a duty to others e.g. in child protection cases anonymised patient information will also be used at local and national level to help the Health Board and Government plan services e.g. for diabetic care.

If you do not wish anonymous information about you to be used in such a way, please let us know.

Reception and administration staff require access to your medical records in order to do their jobs. These members of staff are bound by the same rules of confidentiality as the medical staff.

Freedom of Information

Information about the General Practioners and the practice required for disclosure under this act can be made available to the public. All requests for such information should be made to the practice manager.

Access to Records

In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 - GDPR from May 2015 -and Access to Health Records Act, patients may request to see their medical records. Such requests should be made through the practice manager and may be subject to an administration charge. No information will be released without the patient consent unless we are legally obliged to do so.

There is a new Central NHS Computer System called the Summary Care Record (SCR). It is an electronic record which contains information about the medicines you take, allergies you suffer from and any bad reactions to medicines you have had.

Why do I need a Summary Care Record?

Storing information in one place makes it easier for healthcare staff to treat you in an emergency, or when your GP practice is closed.

This information could make a difference to how a doctor decides to care for you, for example which medicines they choose to prescribe for you.

Who can see it?

Only healthcare staff involved in your care can see your Summary Care Record.

How do I know if I have one?

Over half of the population of England now have a Summary Care Record. You can find out whether you have a Summary Care Record by asking your GP.

Do I have to have one?

No, it is not compulsory. If you choose to opt out of the scheme, then you will need to complete a form and bring it along to the surgery. More information (and the opt-out form) are available from NHS Digital.

There has been some national media coverage about the introduction of the new arrangements under General Practice Data for Planning and Research (GPDPR) and the data sharing of patient records.  There is some NHS Digital advice for patients about the collection of GP data that may help patient understanding of how the information is shared in a non-identifiable way and will only be used for research.

The national data opt-out was introduced on 25 May 2018, enabling patients to opt out from the use of their data for research or planning purposes, in line with the recommendations of the National Data Guardian in her Review of Data Security, Consent and Opt-Outs. 

Patients can view or change their national data opt-out choice at any time by using the online service at www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters or by clicking on "Your Health" in the NHS App, and selecting "Choose if data from your health records is shared for research and planning".

More information is available from the NHS Digital website.

How the NHS and care services use your information

Whenever you use a health or care service, such as attending Accident & Emergency or using Community Care services, important information about you is collected in a patient record for that service. Collecting this information helps to ensure you get the best possible care and treatment.

The information collected about you when you use these services can also be used and provided to other organisations for purposes beyond your individual care, for instance to help with:

• improving the quality and standards of care provided
• research into the development of new treatments
• preventing illness and diseases
• monitoring safety
• planning services

This may only take place when there is a clear legal basis to use this information. All these uses help to provide better health and care for you, your family and future generations. Confidential patient information about your health and care is only used like this where allowed by law. 

Most of the time, anonymised data is used for research and planning so that you cannot be identified in which case your confidential patient information isn’t needed.

You have a choice about whether you want your confidential patient information to be used in this way. If you are happy with this use of information you do not need to do anything. If you do choose to opt out your confidential patient information will still be used to support your individual care.

To find out more or to register your choice to opt out, please visit www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters.  On this web page you will:

• See what is meant by confidential patient information
• Find examples of when confidential patient information is used for individual care and examples of when it is used for purposes beyond individual care
• Find out more about the benefits of sharing data
• Understand more about who uses the data
• Find out how your data is protected
• Be able to access the system to view, set or change your opt-out setting
• Find the contact telephone number if you want to know any more or to set/change your opt-out by phone
• See the situations where the opt-out will not apply

You can also find out more about how patient information is used at:

https://www.hra.nhs.uk/information-about-patients/ (which covers health and care research); and

https://understandingpatientdata.org.uk/what-you-need-know (which covers how and why patient information is used, the safeguards and how decisions are made)

You can change your mind about your choice at any time.

Data being used or shared for purposes beyond individual care does not include your data being shared with insurance companies or used for marketing purposes and data would only be used in this way with your specific agreement.

Please click here to download our National Opt Out and Privacy Notice. 

Please find below details of the practices stance with regards to these points.

Summary Care Record (SCR)

NHS England require practices to enable successful automated uploads of any changes to patient’s summary information, at least on a daily basis, to the summary care record (SCR).Having your Summary Care Record (SCR) available will help anyone treating you without your full medical record. They will have access to information about any medication you may be taking and any drugs that you have a recorded allergy or sensitivity to. 

King George Road Surgery confirm that your SCR is automatically updated on at least a daily basis to ensure that your information is as up to date as it can possibly be.

GP to GP Record Transfers

NHS England require practices to utilise the GP2GP facility for the transfer of patient records between practices, when a patient registers or de-registers (not for temporary registration).

With GP to GP record transfers your electronic record is transferred to your new practice much sooner.

King George Road Surgery confirm that GP to GP transfers are already active and we send and receive patient records via this system.

Patient On-line Access to Their GP Record

NHS England require practices to promote and offer the facility to enable patients on-line access to appointments, prescriptions, allergies and adverse reactions.

repeat prescriptions on-line and to view you online medical records. This is done by the Patient On-line Services. If you do not already have a user name and password for this system – please register on our website or enquire at reception.

Data for commissioning and other secondary care purposes

It is already a requirement of the Health and Social Care Act that practices must meet the reasonable data requirements of commissioners and other health and social care organisations through appropriate and safe data sharing for secondary uses, as specified in the technical specification for care data.

At King George Road Surgery we have specific arrangements in place to allow patients to “opt out” of care.data which allows for the removal of data from the practice. This can be done by completing a form and handing it in at reception. 

Please use this link to view the Covid Vaccination Programme Privacy Notice.

What does consent mean?

Where possible, a clinician must be satisfied that a patient understands and consents to a proposed treatment or investigation.  This will include the nature, purpose, and risks of the procedure, if necessary by the use of drawings, interpreters, videos or other means to ensure that the patient understands, and has enough information to make an “informed choice”.

Implied Consent

Implied consent will be assumed for many routine physical contacts with patients.  Where implied consent is to be assumed by the clinician, in all cases, the following will apply; 

• An explanation will be given to the patient what he/she is about to do, and why.
• The explanation will be sufficient for the patient to understand the procedure.
• In all cases where the patient is under 18 years of age a verbal confirmation of consent will be obtained and briefly entered into the medical record.
• Where there is a significant risk to the patient an “Expressed Consent” will be obtained in all cases (See below).

Expressed Consent

Expressed consent (written or verbal) will be obtained for any procedure which carries a risk that the patient is likely to consider as being substantial.  A note will be made in the medical record detailing the discussion about the consent and the risks.  A consent form may be used for the patient to express consent.

We make every effort to give the best service possible to everyone who attends our practice.

However, we are aware that things can go wrong resulting in a patient feeling that they have a genuine cause for complaint. If this is so, we would wish for the matter to be settled as quickly, and as amicably, as possible.

To pursue a complaint please contact the practice manager who will deal with your concerns appropriately. Further written information is available regarding the complaints procedure from reception.

Medway Complaints Leaflet

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.

Following recent activity on Facebook where patients of King George Road posted derogatory comments about some of our staff, we now have the following policy in place.

If any such posts are brought to our attention we will contact the patients involved and invite them in to have a face to face discussion about the issues that they have. This will be viewed as a potential break down in the doctor – patient relationship and may result in you being removed from our list.

However, we would ask that rather than posting derogatory or hurtful comments about any of our staff on social media, if there are any aspects of the service that you are not entirely happy with, please ask to speak to the practice manager about this or put your comments to us in writing giving us the opportunity to respond.

We welcome all feedback, positive and negative as it gives us the opportunity to review the services that we provide and where necessary or appropriate, make any changes or improvements.

Thank You

We always welcome feedback regarding our services in order for us to make improvements. Please feel free to visit our NHS UK page and leave feedback by clicking the following link: NHS Feedback

Alternatively, if you have a comment or suggestion that you would like to feedback to us directly, please complete our Contact Us form. Please only use this form for comments about the practice and suggestions as to how we can improve our service to you. Medical matters and official complaints cannot be dealt with via this form. If you have a query regarding a medical matter please telephone reception to make an appointment to see the appropriate person.

It is a contractual requirement that all GP Practices undertake the NHS Friends and Family Test (FFT). The FFT is a feedback tool that supports the fundamental principle that people who use NHS services should have the opportunity to provide feedback on their experience that can be used to improve services. It is not a traditional survey. It is a continuous feedback loop between patients and practices.

This survey is published in our waiting room along with information on what actions we have taken as a result of your comments.

Please click HERE to complete the survey.

King George Road Surgery

52a King George Road, Walderslade, Chatham, Kent, ME5 0TT

Telephone: 01634 671037

Out of Hours Telephone: 111

Click here to view in PCN Locations

You may contact the practice using our Contact Form.

Please only use this form for comments about the practice and suggestions as to how we can improve our service to you. Medical matters and official complaints cannot be dealt with via this form. If you have a query regarding a medical matter please telephone reception to make an appointment to see the appropriate person.