Patient Confidentiality

We respect your right to privacy and keep all your health information confidential and secure.  It is important that we keep accurate and up-to-date records about your health and treatment so that those treating you can give you the best possible advice and care. 

Your health information is only available to those involved in your care and you should never be asked for personal medical information by anyone not involved in your care. 

You have a right to know what information we hold about you.

Data Protection

Patient records held on the practice computer, as with written records, are confidential.  The practice complies with the Data Protection Act.  In compliance with the Act your data will only be shared with fellow practitioners and other organisations related to health matters.

Comments & Complaints

We need to know of ways we can improve our services to you, so please let us have your ideas. You may submit written suggestions at reception, or ask to speak to any of the staff or doctors.

If you feel something has gone wrong, we have an internal complaints procedure whereby you can ask at reception to see the Practice Manager or one of our doctors.

Ombudsman Services

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman website contains detailed information on raising a complaint about any aspect of the NHS in England. There is also a leaflet explaining the procedure of bringing a complaint to the ombudsman.

Violence and Aggression

We ask all patients and visitors to treat staff, carers, fellow patients and visitors politely and with respect.  We will not tolerate violence, harassment, or racial, sexual and verbal abuse.

We have a service in place which enables us to report violent patients to the Police and remove patients from our list immediately following such incidents. Reporting patients in this way will result in their immediate removal from the practice's list. The patient will remain registered on the scheme for 12 months and will receive medical treatment via Devon Doctors on Call with attendance at a pre-arranged treatment centre.

Medical Students

The Imperial Medical Practice is actively involved in training medical students from the Peninsular Medical School, Exeter. 

We will advise you in advance if the doctor or nurse has a student that day.  Sometimes we may ask if you could see the student to go through your problem before seeing the doctor. 

This is an important aspect of their training.  It is, however, essential that you are happy to see a student, so please advise us in advance if you do not wish to have a student in your consultation.