Practice Policies & Patient Information
Accessible Information Standard
If you, or a patient registered at this practice that you act as a carer for, have any communication / information needs relating to a disability, impairment or sensory loss then please let us know what the problem is and how we can help.
This can be done via email to howdale.surgery@nhs.net or by informing our reception team by telephone or during your next visit.
Allocated GP
Every patient has an allocated GP. When you book for your appointment, please ensure that you book with your allocated GP if possible and that the appointment is at the correct surgery site (ie. Howdale or Marham).
Patients are only to book appointments at the surgery that they are registered with, please ensure that when you book an appointment online you check on screen which surgery the appointment is for.
If you would like to know who your allocated GP is then please contact the surgery.
Further to these points the practice already provides an automated daily upload of any changes to a patient’s summary information to the Summary Care Record (SCR).
The SCR information includes medications, allergies and adverse reactions, for which patient implied consent is required. The practice also utilises the GP2GP record transfer system.
Chaperone Policy
Complaints and Compliments Policy
View our Complaints and Compliments policy.
View our Complaints Leaflet.
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 diagnosis 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
Duty of Candour Policy
GP Net Earnings
The Howdale Group Practice
Publication Of Earnings 2022/23
NHS England require that the net earnings of doctors engaged in the Practice is publicised, and the required disclosure is shown below. However, it should be noted that the prescribed method for calculating earnings is potentially misleading because it takes no account of how much time doctors spend working in the Practice, and should not be used to form any judgement about GP earnings,
nor to make any comparison with another Practice.
All GP Practices are required to declare the mean earnings (e.g. average pay) for GPs working to deliver GP services to patients at each Practice.
The average pay for GPs working at The Howdale Surgery in the last financial year was £57,593 before tax and National Insurance. This is for part time GPs and 4 locum GP who worked in the Practice for more than six months.
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