Zero Tolerance Policy
In accordance with the NHS Zero Tolerance policy, physical or verbal abuse to any member of our staff will not be tolerated. If a patient does behave in this manner to any member of staff or another patient within the practice they will be immediately removed from our patient list.
Patient Social Media Policy
Social Media Policy
There are many social media platforms that are widely used by both staff and patients at Kyle Medical Practice; these include Facebook, Twitter and others.
At the Kyle Medical Practice we have a Facebook page which provides a range of useful information for our patient population.
Kyle Medical Practice has a duty to maintain patient confidentiality and to safeguard vulnerable patients. You can help us achieve this by adhering to the code of conduct outlined in this policy.
Patients at Kyle Medical Practice are expected to adhere to the following code of conduct at all times:
Patients are not permitted to take photographs or any media recordings in the waiting room or areas where other patients are present, nor are photographs or media recordings of any staff permitted without their explicit consent.
The practice requires all users of portable devices to use them in a courteous and considerate manner, respecting their fellow patients. Portable devices are not to be used during consultations unless agreed by clinicians.
Patients are not permitted to disclose any patient-identifiable information about other patients, unless they have the express consent of that patient.
Patients should not use any social media platform to communicate medical information with the practice as this is not secure. Any such communications will be deleted, and if possible a message sent to use routine communication methods with the practice.
Patients must not post any material that is inaccurate, fraudulent, harassing, embarrassing, obscene, defamatory or unlawful. Any such posts on the practice Facebook page will be deleted by the Practice Manager and the post reported.
Patients must not post comments on social media that identify staff who work at the practice.
Patients are to contact the Practice Manager directly should they wish to leave a review about Kyle Medical Practice. This will enable the Practice Manager to respond appropriately.
Defamatory comments about our team are not to be shared on any social media platform. Legal advice will be sought and the appropriate action taken against any patient who posts defamatory comments.
Patient complaints on social media
We have a separate complaints policy which patients are to use should they wish to make a complaint. We will only respond to complaints made to the practice in accordance with the practice policy. If a complaint is made on any social media platform that the practice uses, it may be deleted at the discretion of the practice.
There are many social media platforms that are widely used by both staff and patients at Kyle Medical Practice; these include Facebook, Twitter and others.
At the Kyle Medical Practice we have a Facebook page which provides a range of useful information for our patient population.
Kyle Medical Practice has a duty to maintain patient confidentiality and to safeguard vulnerable patients. You can help us achieve this by adhering to the code of conduct outlined in this policy.
Patients at Kyle Medical Practice are expected to adhere to the following code of conduct at all times:
Patients are not permitted to take photographs or any media recordings in the waiting room or areas where other patients are present, nor are photographs or media recordings of any staff permitted without their explicit consent.
The practice requires all users of portable devices to use them in a courteous and considerate manner, respecting their fellow patients. Portable devices are not to be used during consultations unless agreed by clinicians.
Patients are not permitted to disclose any patient-identifiable information about other patients, unless they have the express consent of that patient.
Patients should not use any social media platform to communicate medical information with the practice as this is not secure. Any such communications will be deleted, and if possible a message sent to use routine communication methods with the practice.
Patients must not post any material that is inaccurate, fraudulent, harassing, embarrassing, obscene, defamatory or unlawful. Any such posts on the practice Facebook page will be deleted by the Practice Manager and the post reported.
Patients must not post comments on social media that identify staff who work at the practice.
Patients are to contact the Practice Manager directly should they wish to leave a review about Kyle Medical Practice. This will enable the Practice Manager to respond appropriately.
Defamatory comments about our team are not to be shared on any social media platform. Legal advice will be sought and the appropriate action taken against any patient who posts defamatory comments.
Patient complaints on social media
We have a separate complaints policy which patients are to use should they wish to make a complaint. We will only respond to complaints made to the practice in accordance with the practice policy. If a complaint is made on any social media platform that the practice uses, it may be deleted at the discretion of the practice.
Practice Policy on Prescribing for Fear of Flying
Practice Policy on Prescribing for Fear of Flying
Historically, patients have been given prescriptions for diazepam with the aim of managing their fear of flying. As time has gone on, our understanding of these medicines has improved and with that, the clinical policy prescribing them. As a result of reviewing guidance and best practice, we no longer prescribe diazepam or similar sedatives for fear of flying.
We understand that this will come as a disappointment to some patients who have come to depend on these prescriptions when travelling. Our rationale is outlined below:
1. The nature of diazepam and similar medications act as a sedative causing sleepiness and a relaxed feeling. In event of an emergency, these effects can impair your ability to concentrate, follow instructions or react, which puts yourself and other passengers at risk.
2. The sedation from these medications induces an unnatural sleep with abnormal reduced movements which could increase your risk of a blood clot (deep vein thrombosis) which are dangerous and potentially life threatening.
3. For a small proportion of people, benzodiazepines can cause the opposite intended effect resulting in aggression and disinhibition. This can put yourself and other passengers at risk.
4. National prescribing guidance does not support the use of these medicines for phobic disorders and if prescribed, would be “off licence”. A doctor prescribing these for fear of flying would be taking a significant legal risk by going against these recommendations.
5. Certain countries consider these sedative medications to be illegal. They may be confiscated and the local police may take further action if you are found to to be in possession of an illegal substance.
6. Diazepam stays in your body for a prolonged period of time which can impact on your ability to drive after flying and affect drug testing screens for certain types of work.
With this is mind, we hope you understand the position we must take. For those that continue to have issues with fear of flying, we strongly recommend taking a Fear of Flying Course that many airlines offer, which we know to be far more effective than prescription medications. You can find examples below:
British Airways: https://online.flyingwithconfidence.com/
Easy Jet: https://www.fearlessflyer.easyjet.com/
Virgin: https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/wellbeing-and-health/flying-without-fear.html
Practice Policy on Sedation for Hospital Procedures
We also no longer provide Diazepam prescriptions for medical procedures, for example, dental procedures, scans, or hospital procedures. If you or your dentist/hospital doctor feel this is required, we advise you to contact the responsible healthcare provider to discuss with them further.
Historically, patients have been given prescriptions for diazepam with the aim of managing their fear of flying. As time has gone on, our understanding of these medicines has improved and with that, the clinical policy prescribing them. As a result of reviewing guidance and best practice, we no longer prescribe diazepam or similar sedatives for fear of flying.
We understand that this will come as a disappointment to some patients who have come to depend on these prescriptions when travelling. Our rationale is outlined below:
1. The nature of diazepam and similar medications act as a sedative causing sleepiness and a relaxed feeling. In event of an emergency, these effects can impair your ability to concentrate, follow instructions or react, which puts yourself and other passengers at risk.
2. The sedation from these medications induces an unnatural sleep with abnormal reduced movements which could increase your risk of a blood clot (deep vein thrombosis) which are dangerous and potentially life threatening.
3. For a small proportion of people, benzodiazepines can cause the opposite intended effect resulting in aggression and disinhibition. This can put yourself and other passengers at risk.
4. National prescribing guidance does not support the use of these medicines for phobic disorders and if prescribed, would be “off licence”. A doctor prescribing these for fear of flying would be taking a significant legal risk by going against these recommendations.
5. Certain countries consider these sedative medications to be illegal. They may be confiscated and the local police may take further action if you are found to to be in possession of an illegal substance.
6. Diazepam stays in your body for a prolonged period of time which can impact on your ability to drive after flying and affect drug testing screens for certain types of work.
With this is mind, we hope you understand the position we must take. For those that continue to have issues with fear of flying, we strongly recommend taking a Fear of Flying Course that many airlines offer, which we know to be far more effective than prescription medications. You can find examples below:
British Airways: https://online.flyingwithconfidence.com/
Easy Jet: https://www.fearlessflyer.easyjet.com/
Virgin: https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/wellbeing-and-health/flying-without-fear.html
Practice Policy on Sedation for Hospital Procedures
We also no longer provide Diazepam prescriptions for medical procedures, for example, dental procedures, scans, or hospital procedures. If you or your dentist/hospital doctor feel this is required, we advise you to contact the responsible healthcare provider to discuss with them further.