Data is handled with complete discretion and in accordance with GDPR. Information is only passed to authorised 3rd parties and with patients’ informed consent, where necessary in writing.

You are entitled to have access to your medical records under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). If you wish to request your medical records, this can be arranged by contacting the reception team.

Privacy Notice

The Isle of Man is committed to providing the best care for patients, not only in Primary Care but across the board. To this end, there are electronic ways that the information held by your GP could be viewed by other Health Services. This is known as the Manx Emergency Care Record (MECR), and is a record of basic information about your health, already held on various health services computer records.

MECR enables hospital doctors or MEDS doctors to access such information such as your name, date of birth, address, GP name and practice details, NHS number, information about any prescribed medication you take and also any adverse drug reactions or allergies that are know about you. It does not give access to such things as GP consultation notes etc. Information will only be accessed with your permission, unless you are unable to give consent due to injury or lack of consciousness etc.

A leaflet outlining full details about MECR is available from reception, including how to “Opt Out”. Unless you “Opt Out” it will be deemed that you have given authorisation for MECR to hold details about you. If you “Opt Out” you may always “Opt In” at a later date.

The partners at Southern Group Practice welcome comments and suggestions from their patients and these can be submitted via our website or in writing to the Practice Manager.  The GP partners have noticed a developing trend where a patient will use a social media site, such as Facebook, to make a personal attack on a member of the surgery staff or to make false statements about the surgery.  The partners reserve the right to remove a patient from the surgery list and report them to the social networking site if they are found to have made libellous statements or defamatory comments about the surgery or a member of the surgery staff.

If you have a comment or complaint about the surgery we encourage you to report this through the correct channels.  The practice always investigates complaints and responds to patients in a timely manner.  Thank you.

While we hope that you do not find it necessary to complain about any of our services we do understand that sometimes things can happen.  If you have a complaint about anything to do with Southern Group Practice LLC you should, in the first instance, put your concerns in writing to the Practice Manager who will deal with your complaint in accordance with the Practice Policy.  If the matter is not resolved the Practice Manager will then forward your complaint to the Family Practitioner Services at the Department of Health.

Manx Care ‘Complaints and Compliments’ webpage gives details of how patients can make a complaint about any service managed or commissioned by them:-

https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/statutory-boards/manx-care/complaints-and-compliments/

Patients from the UK who are temporary resident (for example on holiday or working for a period less than 6 months) on the Island are able to register with a GP as a temporary resident. Patients can ask to register at their nearest GP Practice.

You can be registered as a temporary patient for up to six months. This will allow you to be on the local practice list and still remain a patient of your permanent GP. After six months, you will have to permanently register with the practice.

https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/departments/health-and-social-care/reciprocal-healthcare-arrangement/

Patients have a right to courtesy, privacy and confidentiality. You can help us by:

• Being on time for your appointment.

• Letting us know if you need to cancel. Defaulting attendance at appointments wastes time and is discourteous both to the doctors and other patients waiting for appointments.

• Telephoning for an emergency appointment as soon after 08.00 as possible.

• Telephoning for a home visit before 10.00.

• Prescription requests should be made in writing 48 hours before they are needed.

• Your doctor may be called out to an emergency and you will be informed of any undue delay. You may wait or re-schedule your appointment, and your understanding in this matter is much appreciated.

• Your doctor may be dealing with a complicated, serious complaint which may result in late running of surgeries. Please be a patient patient – next time it could be you.

We strongly support the NHS policy on zero tolerance.  Anyone attending the surgery who abuses the GPs, staff or other patients, be it verbally, physically or in any threatening manner whatsoever, will risk removal from the practice list.  In extreme cases we may summon the police to remove offenders from the practice premises.