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.

Informing Patients of Results

Following a recent review of how patients are informed of results, we have changed our Practice Policy

Expected time for Results

Routine Bloods 1 week
Microbiology (urine, wound swabs, faeces samples, sputum) 1 week
Serology (specialised bloods) 1 week
Histology (tissue samples) 4 weeks
Cytology (smear tests) 6 weeks

When routine bloods are taken – the staff will inform patients that the results will be available in 1 week – after 2pm.   This will allow for all bloods to be reported and filed in the patient’s notes.

When staff are giving out any results – please ensure the appropriate time has passed.

Please note that Cytology results (Smear Tests) will be sent directly from the Health Authority and not the practice.

Abnormal results will continue to be followed up as per current protocol – the patient will be contacted as soon as possible by Practice or the hospital.