Right to choose a GP: Every person in the UK, irrespective of gender, race, religion/belief, sexual orientation, disability or age has the right to be registered with a GP of their choice as set out in the NHS Constitution the latest version of which was published in March 2011 (NHS Choices 25.04.15). Patients have the choice of which GP practice that they wish to register with although in certain circumstances a GP practice can refuse to register a patient, however, the patient must be informed of the reason for this refusal in writing. A patient also has the right to choose which GP they wish to see within the practice, although exercising this may delay their ability to get an appointment. Patients also have the right to change GP should they be unhappy with the level of care or service that they receive. Other rights that may affect this is the patients right to autonomy “Freedom to determine one’s own actions and behaviours”. In practice it is an obligation for us under our PMS contract (subject to the practices own policy on living outside of the practice boundary) to meet this right for the patient.
Task 3a) Right to refuse treatment: Every patient that is registered with the NHS has the right to refuse treatment or medication offered to them, as long as they have the mental capacity to make an informed choice. The Mental Capacity Act 2005 states “Everyone has the right to make his or her own decisions. Health and care professionals should always assume an individual has the capacity to make a decision themselves, unless it is proved otherwise through a capacity assessment.” A patient must have been informed of all the potential implications of refusing treatment. The choice to refuse treatment should be made voluntarily and be respected by GP’s and other health professionals. Children under the age of 16 also have the right to refuse treatment so