About the practice

Grassendale Medical Practice

We are a long established general medical practice. In 1987 we moved to our current location from Garston Old Road. In 1995 we had an extension built on the existing premises enabling us to develop and expand our services and making the surgery easily accessible for the disabled. A couple of years ago we completed the addition of another internal clinical room, allowing us to provide more nurse and doctor appointments, and create space for us to become a Training Practice and take GP Registrars.

Trading Status

The doctors practice together as a non-limited partnership, the partners being Dr MD Baxter and Dr MC Widnall. We also have five salaried GPs: Dr Lake, Dr Dhillon, Dr May, Dr Chang & Dr Bowns and a GP Registrar. We also employ locum doctors and Advanced Nurse Practitioners on occasion to cover for doctors who are away undertaking extra training or are on annual or maternity leave.

Care at the Chemist

Liverpool CCG actively promotes "Care at the Chemist". Your local pharmacist will be happy to advise you on the treatment of many minor illnesses, and suggest over the counter remedies where appropriate. If you require further information please ask at reception. Please make an effort to utilise this excellent service - not only might it be quicker than waiting for an appointment with a GP, but often minor illnesses don't require the opinion of an experienced doctor, and this will keep appointments free for patients with more complicated conditions.

Walk-in Centre

You can also see an experienced nurse for treatment of minor injuries and illnesses, seven days a week. Your nearest walk in centre is at the South Liverpool Treatment Centre: 32 Church Road, Garston, Liverpool L19 2LW Tel: 295 9000.

Facilities for Disabled Patients

The surgery has disabled access and facilities available for disabled patients.

Parking

Car parking is on-road, although there is a drop-off space by the entrance for disabled patients. The front car park spaces are reserved for the doctors. We have strict rules regarding parking because 1. the on-call doctor needs to be able to leave for urgent visits at any time; 2. it was a stipulation of the council planners. Please consider this and ensure that access and egress is kept clear at all times, including avoiding parking across the driveways. As we are located in a residential area, close to two primary schools, we ask you to be considerate of our neighbours and drive and park carefully.

Zero Tolerance Policy

A zero tolerance policy towards violent, threatening and abusive behaviour is now in place throughout the NHS. The doctors, nurses and staff in this practice have the right to do their work in an environment free from violent, threatening or abusive behaviour and everything will be done to protect that right. At no time will any such behaviour be tolerated in this practice. If you do not respect the rights of our staff we will inform the police and you will be removed from our practice list.

Our responsibilities

• You will be treated as an individual and will be given courtesy and respect at all times
• You have the right to be treated confidentially
• We will endeavour to answer the telephone promptly and courteously
• We will offer medical advice and information for promotion of good health
• You have the right to see your own medical records in accordance with the law; a charge will be made to cover the administrative costs
• We may give you test results when you telephone the surgery for them, or we may ask you to see a doctor or a nurse if this is necessary. Please telephone between 14:30-16:30, when the lines are less busy
• You will be given time to see a doctor in accordance with the system used in this practice
• If there is likely to be a substantial delay, you will be informed
• Routine referral letters for hospital appointments will normally be despatched within 3 working days. Urgent referrals for hospital appointments may be faxed, telephoned or provided as a note to take to the hospital

Patient responsibilities

• We expect you to treat our doctors and all practice staff with courtesy and respect
• The first hours of the morning can be extremely busy. If possible, please leave routine calls until later in the day
• Ultimately, you are responsible for your own health and that of your children. Please take the advice given to you
• Let us know immediately if you change your name, address or telephone number - this is important, particularly if we ever need to contact you urgently
• Please let us know if you cannot keep your appointment. There will often be another patient looking for an appointment that day who can make use of the slot if you cannot. If you fail to attend your appointment and have not cancelled in advance, you will be entered on our clinical system as a 'did not attend' and this is monitored