Prescribing “just in case” antibiotics

We are often asked by patients to prescribe “just in case” antibiotics, especially when travelling abroad.

There are two scenarios where it is recommended:

  1. Patients with COPD with predictable exacerbations
  2. Patients with recurrent urine infections reliably related to sexual intercourse

In all other scenarios it is not recommended. This is for several reasons:

  1. it is not covered by our contract as an NHS service
  2. it is not recommended in terms of antibiotic stewardship as likely leads to inappropriate targeting of antibiotic use and increased resistance
  3. it is not recommended for patient safety (it’s likely the antibiotics won’t be the correct ones for the infection you get, or even delay you seeking medical help if unwell)
  4. it is not recommended by our medicolegal insurance company as we are prescribing a drug without an indication or follow up or clinical assessment
  5. it leads to increased waste as the antibiotics are likely to expire before use

You can view further information about antibiotic stewardship here:

What is Antibiotic Resistance? – YouTube – video by PHE -could add this to your practice website?

Antibiotic resistance – NHS (www.nhs.uk)– brief explanation on antibiotic resistance and superbugs.

Awareness of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Animation – YouTube

NHS England » Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

Practice Values

The practice has created a poster to show visually the values for Nettleham Medical Practice. The poster can be opened by clicking on the following link: Practice Values – poster

Zero Tolerance Policy

This surgery operates a Zero Tolerance policy towards verbal or physical abuse towards any member of our staff. Patients are asked to be considerate and act reasonably. All incidents will be followed up and you will be sent a formal warning or removed from the practice list if your behaviour has been unreasonable. We will have no hesitation in having you removed from the building by the police should your behaviour warrant it.

The full practice policy is here: – Zero Tolerance policy

Infection Prevention & Control

View the practice’s Infection Prevention and Control statement here. 

Imp Healthcare

We are part of Imp Healthcare Ltd, a federation of GP practices based in Lincoln and the surrounding villages.  Together we cover a population of circa 70,000 patients.  We aim to work together to provide an enhanced range of health services to our patients within their own locality.  We are working together to provide an efficient and resilient primary care service for our patients, and to ensure a sustainable model of care for the local NHS for many years to come.

Visit the Imp Healthcare website to find out more.

Data Choices

Your Data Matters to the NHS

Information about your health and care helps us to improve your individual care, speed up diagnosis, plan your local services and research new treatments. The NHS is committed to keeping patient information safe and always being clear about how it is used.

How your data is used

Information about your individual care such as treatment and diagnoses is collected about you whenever you use health and care services. It is also used to help us and other organisations for research and planning such as research into new treatments, deciding where to put GP clinics and planning for the number of doctors and nurses in your local hospital.  It is only used in this way when there is a clear legal basis to use the information to help improve health and care for you, your family and future generations.

Wherever possible we try to use data that does not identify you, but sometimes it is necessary to use your confidential patient information.

You have a choice

You do not need to do anything if you are happy about how your information is used. If you do not want your confidential patient information to be used for research and planning, you can choose to opt out securely online or through a telephone service. You can change your mind about your choice at any time.

Will choosing this opt-out affect your care and treatment?

No, choosing to opt out will not affect how information is used to support your care and treatment. You will still be invited for screening services, such as screenings for bowel cancer.

What do you need to do?

If you are happy for your confidential patient information to be used for research and planning, you do not need to do anything.

To find out more about the benefits of data sharing, how data is protected, or to make/change your opt-out choice visit www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters

  • You can read more about how the practice collects, uses and shares your data in our privacy notice.

Data Security

Data Security

Nettleham Medical Practice is committed to maintaining confidentiality and protecting the information we hold about you.  We adhere to the UK General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), Data Protection Act 2018, the NHS Code of Confidentiality and Security, and guidance issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office.

 

Read our Privacy Notice to find out more about:

  • What information we hold about you
  • How we use your information
  • How we share your information

 

If you have queries about our Privacy Notice or the information we hold about you, please contact the practice on 01522 751717.

 

Click here to find out about your data choices.

Click here to find out how to access your medical records.

Access Medical Records

Online Access to Medical Records

Our practice offers access to your online medical records.  Read more about this service, including how to set up your account, here: Online Access Patient Information Leaflet.

Once you have set up your account at reception, you can request access to your full online medical record by completing this form.

If you would like to allow someone else to have proxy access to your online records, please complete this form: Online Access Proxy Consent Registration Form.

 

Access to Medical Records

General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) means you, as the ‘data subject’, have the right to access your own data.

All requests for access must be in writing via an Access to Medical Records Form, which can be provided on request or downloaded from our website by clicking here

A response will be provided as soon as possible and in any event within 28 days.  Where an application is denied, a reason will be given.  In some circumstances, some parts of your record may be withheld.

 

Charges

Under GDPR, the practice does not charge for providing a copy of requested information.

However, should a request be deemed either “unfounded, excessive or repetitive”, a reasonable fee may be charged.

A reasonable fee may be charged when requests for additional copies of the same information are made.

 

Provision of Information to Third Parties

The practice may share your personal information with other NHS organisations where this is appropriate for your healthcare.

In other circumstances we may approach you for specific consent to release personal information to third parties.

Information will not normally be released to other family members without written patient consent.

In some circumstances there are statutory or ethical obligations to disclose information to others (such as public health issues) which may not require your consent; however you may be consulted about these in advance.

All staff have access to your medical and personal details which is required in relation to their roles, and have completed confidentiality agreements.

Patient Consent

At the practice we take patient confidentiality very seriously and endeavour to preserve your confidentiality on all occasions.  We therefore do not give out any information about you, leave messages or send you texts/emails unless you have expressed your consent for us to do so.

The following consent forms cover a number of areas that you may wish to complete.

  • Patient Consent Form (how you prefer to be contacted by the practice and consenting to a named individual accessing your medical records)
  • Summary Care Record Consent Form (sharing key information from your medical record with other healthcare organisations that you may need to be treated by)
  • Enhanced Sharing Form (sharing your data with other organisations and viewing your data from other organisations)