Practice Policies & Patient Information
Child & Adult Safeguarding
Moss Side Medical Centre is committed to safeguarding vulnerable children and adults. If you have any concerns regarding the welfare of an adult or child please do not hesitate to discuss this with one of our doctors or contact Janet Morris, Practice Manager.Dr Uday Kanitkar is the safeguarding lead for our practice.
Are you concerned about a child who you know or suspect is being neglected or abused?
- Report your concerns to Lancashire County Council, Children’s Customer Care 0300 123 6720 (8am to 8pm) OR Out of Hours 0300 123 6722
- If you think a child is in immediate danger, call the Police on 999
- You can access the NSPCC Website to learn of the signs, symptoms and effects of child abuse and neglect
Are you concerned about an adult?
There are some adults who are unable to keep themselves safe from exploitation or significant harm due to age, disability, illness or lifestyle.Have you noticed or witnessed
- A change in the adults behaviour or mood/personality
- an unexplained injury or a series of injuries
- signs of fear or distress
- signs of neglect
- theft, fraud or unexplained financial worries
This list is not exhaustive but is an indicator of some of the behaviours an adult who is being abused or neglected may present with.If you are concerned about an adult (18 years +) who may be at risk of abuse, you can report your concerns to Lancashire County Council, Adult Social Care.Report your concerns by telephone on 0300 123 6721 or visit the LCC website here: Safeguarding
Complaints
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.
Confidentiality & Medical Records
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 Practitioners 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 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.
National Data Opt Out
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 their 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 calling 0300 3035678.
By 30 September 2021 all health and care organisations are required to be compliant with the national data opt-out policy.
Please visit for more information: NHS Digital Data Opt Out
Privacy Notice
View/Download our Privacy Notice.
Summary Care Record
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 Summary Care Records have come to your area by looking at our interactive map or 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. You can use the form at the foot of this page.
More Information
For further information visit the NHS Care records website or the HSCIC Website.
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.