A Patient's Rights in the General Medical Service
The national Patient’s Charter gives you the following rights:
- to be registered with a GP
- to be able to change doctors quickly and easily
- to be offered a health check on joining a doctor’s list for the first time
- to receive emergency care at any time through a GP
- to have appropriate drugs and medicines prescribed
- to be referred to a consultant when the GP thinks it is necessary and be referred for a second opinion if you and the GP agree this is desirable
- to have access to your health records, subject to any limitations in law (from 1st November 1991)
- to choose whether or not to take part in any medical research or medical student training
- to be offered a yearly home visit and health check if you are over 75 years or over
- to be given detailed information about GP services through the local Medical Directory
- to receive a copy of the practice booklet
- to receive a full and prompt reply to any complaints you make about NHS service
In addition to the rights and responsibilities of patients already stated, it is the patient's responsibility to keep GP, practice nurse, hospital and other NHS appointments. If you are unable to keep your appointment please cancel it.