Westwood Road Health Centre

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make a request to my Practice?

To make a request to your Practice select the service that you require.

You will be prompted for information about your request. When you complete a request this will be sent to your practice. The system acknowledges that your request has been sent and will let you know what happens next.

The Practice handles the requests during their normal working day, i.e. if you send a request on Friday pm the Practice won’t normally see it until Monday morning.

How do I receive the responses from the Practice?

On some services, such as Ask the Practice a question and Ask the Doctor a question once the Practice has processed your request they will send you a response. This response will be sent to the email address that you have given in the form.

For security purposes the email will ask that you verify your identification. Once you have completed this the message from the surgery will be shown for you to read.

Security of your information

This service always uses fully encrypted connections, the same security as used in internet banking. If you look at the right of the address bar, you will see a small padlock icon. This indicates that you are using a secure link and that your data is encrypted.

As an additional measure your information is held encrypted until the practice need to view it. It is then sent to the practice still encrypted and only converted to readable text at the practice.

Tracking users

We track how you use our Digital Practice but we don’t collect or store your personal information (e.g. your name or address) while you’re browsing. This means that you can’t be personally identified.We use Google Analytics software to track:

The pages you visit

How long you use the site

How you got to the site and what links you clicked on.

We haven’t give Google permission to share this data with anyone else.

How is the Digital Practice updated?

We are continuously working on this site to make sure that the information is accurate and up to date. The digital practice is also continuously updated based on the results of user testing, feedback from members of the public and from your practice and other practices who are using this system.

Suggestions for improvement of the Digital Practice

We are always looking for ways to improve this service and would welcome your suggestions. Please send your comments to suggestions@siliconpractice.co.uk

Links to external sites

Digital Practice links to external organisations when that service is essential for helping a patient complete a task or when helping patients find a service.

Purpose

The annual statement will be generated each year in May

It will summarise:

Any infection transmission incidents and action taken (these will be reported in accordance with our Significant Event procedure
The annual infection control audit summary and actions undertaken
Control risk assessments undertaken
Details of staff training (both as part of induction and annual training) with regards to infection prevention & control
Details of infection control advise to patients
Any review and update of policies, procedures and guidelines.

Background:

Westwood Road Health Centre Lead for Infection Prevention /Control Lead is Sara Lang, Practice Nurse, who is supported by Jane Goddard, Practice Manager

This team keep updated with infection prevention & control practices and share necessary information with staff and patients throughout the year.

Significant events:

In the past year 2018/2019 there have been no significant events that related to infection prevention & control.

Audits:

Infection Control audits were undertaken by South Reading Infection Control Nurse Jennie Leleux , and, any changes to be made within the practice implemented as a result.

Risk Assessments:

Regular risk assessments are undertaken to minimise the risk of infection and to ensure the safety of patients and staff. The following risk assessments related to infection prevention & control have been completed in the past year and appropriate actions have been taken:

Control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH)
Disposal of waste
Sharps injury
Use of personal protective clothing/equipmen
Legionella risk assessment

Staff training:

100% of the Practice Clinical staff completed their annual infection prevention & control update training

100% of the Practice non-clinical staff completed their annual infection prevention & control update training.

Infection Control Advice to Patients:

Patients are encouraged to use the alcohol hand gel/sanitiser dispensers that are available throughout Westwood Road Health Centre

There are leaflets available at Westwood Road Health Centre on:

MRSA – Norovirus
Chickenpox & shingles – Influenza
The importance of immunisations (e.g. in childhood and in preparation for overseas travel)
Recognising symptoms of TB

Policies, procedures and guidelines.

Documents related to infection prevention & control are reviewed in line with national and local guidance changes and are updated 2-yearly (or sooner in the event on new guidance).

Westwood Road Health Centre