About Us

Have any questions or need to get in touch with us? We’re here to assist you. Feel free to reach out using the contact details below:

Phone: 01725 510296

Email: bswicb.downton.surgery@nhs.net

Address: Downton Surgery, The Surgery, Moot Lane, Downton, Salisbury, SP5 3JP

We value your feedback and inquiries. Whether it’s about appointments, prescriptions, or any other medical concerns, our friendly team is ready to help. Don’t hesitate to contact us, and we’ll ensure you receive the support and information you need.

Downton Surgery is open 8:30am to 6:30pm, Monday to Friday. When we are shut please contact 111 or use 111 online.

The Practice building has been designed for disabled access. 

The changes to access arrangements for our disabled patients have now been working successfully for several years. You will find automatically opening doors in the main areas and a ramp at the entrance of the surgery. If you need assistance, there is a call button outside the building, and an intercom in the lobby.

We would ask that you let us know if you need help as your disability may not be a visible one. We would also welcome any suggestions you may have in making your visit to the surgery easier.

All registered patients have a named doctor who has overall responsibility for their care and support. Your registered GP is also your named accountable GP.

Your allocated GP will be responsible for the provision of your healthcare. We will try to book you where possible with your allocated GP for continuity.

If you are unsure of who is your named Doctor please ask at reception.

Patients have the right to express a preference of doctor on their records and therefore can request a change in allocated GP.   We ask that you complete a change of GP form at reception. However, the practice may not always be able to comply with your request. If this is the case, we will explain why.

What are the responsibilities of the named accountable GP?

The named accountable GP will take responsibility for the co-ordination of all appropriate services and ensure that they are delivered to each of their patients where required (based on the GP’s clinical judgment) to each of their patients

The British Medical Association (BMA) advises that the role of the named GP will not:

Take on vicarious responsibility for the work of other doctors or health professionals

Take on 24-hour responsibility for the patient, or have to change their working hours

Imply personal availability for GPs throughout the working week

Be the only GP or clinician who will provide care to that patient

If you would like to know who your named GP is, please ask when you next attend the surgery.

Please note that whenever a GP leaves or joins the partnership, the health authority reallocates the patient lists. It may be that your named GP will change under such circumstances. We are not able to contact patients individually about such changes, but we will publicise any partnership changes and advise patients wishing to know who their named GP is to ask at the surgery.

Medical Students

Downton Surgery is a teaching Practice and students sometimes sit in with the doctors and nurses. If you prefer not to have a student sitting in, please let the doctor or receptionist know.

General Practitioner Registrars

GP Registrars are often attached to the Practice and are fully qualified doctors gaining experience in general practice.

Videoing Consultations

As part of on-going training some doctors may on occasion video their consultations. Written consent is always obtained from patients prior to their appointment. You of course have the opportunity to decline.

Confidentiality & Medical Records

The practice complies with data protection and access to medical records legislation. Identifiable information about you will be shared with others in the following circumstances:

– To provide further medical treatment for you e.g. from district nurses and hospital services. – To help you get other services e.g. from the social work department. This requires your consent.

– When we have a duty to others e.g. in child protection cases

Freedom of Information

Information about the General Practioners and the practice required for disclosure under this act can be made available to the public. All requests for such information should be made to the practice manager.

Access to Records

In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and Access to Health Records Act, patients may request to see their medical records. Such requests should be made through the practice manager and may be subject to an administration charge. No information will be released without the patient consent unless we are legally obliged to do so.

Complaints

We make every effort to give the best service possible to everyone who attends our practice.

However, we are aware that things can go wrong resulting in a patient feeling that they have a genuine cause for complaint. If this is so, we would wish for the matter to be settled as quickly, and as amicably, as possible.

To pursue a complaint please contact the practice manager who will deal with your concerns appropriately. Further written information is available regarding the complaints procedure from reception.

Violence Policy

The NHS operate a zero tolerance policy with regard to violence and abuse and the practice has the right to remove violent patients from the list with immediate effect in order to safeguard practice staff, patients and other persons.

Violence in this context includes actual or threatened physical violence or verbal abuse which leads to fear for a person’s safety. In this situation we will notify the patient in writing of their removal from the list and record in the patient’s medical records the fact of the removal and the circumstances leading to it.