This Act raises the focus of patient rights and responsibilities. It encourages feedback, comments, concerns and complaints about NHS services. The aim is to develop a culture that values and listens to the views of patients, carers and service users to help inform and improve the delivery of person-centred quality health care. All NHS service providers are required to report quarterly to the Health Board on the number of complaints received; whether these were dealt with within 20 days; a summary of any key themes and actions taken to improve services as a result. To help patients understand their rights, the Citizens Advice Bureau provides a Patient Advice and Support Service (01387 739802). The support team can offer advice and information to patients who might be unclear of their rights or procedures. Or you could contact the Dumfries and Galloway Advocacy Service on 01387 247237 who provide a similar service. You can also pick up a booklet entitled ‘How to make a complaint about the NHS’ from reception.
Your first point of contact should be to call Brett Winn, Practice Manager at the surgery on 01461 202244. Alternatively, if you just want to make a comment, then you could complete a ‘Something to Say’ post card in the waiting room. We are always interested to hear your views on what you like about the surgery and what you think we could do differently.
