Young People

Either telephone the Surgery or call in for routine appointments. If you have something which you feel needs dealing with urgently please phone the Monday to Friday between 8.30 and 10.30. You will need to speak to reception to book yourself in. They will ask you what the problem is but this is only to find out if your problem needs to be seen before everyone else. Remember everything is kept strictly confidential, and you can always ask to speak to a receptionist in private if you prefer. If you really do not want to say then just tell them it’s personal-they will understand.

If you need emergency contraception then please don’t be embarrassed –again phone the surgery in the mornings as a prescription can be arranged for you very easily.

If you prefer to see a particular doctor or nurse that can certainly be arranged, although sometimes there can be a bit of a wait for a routine appointment.

If you register for online services you can book appointments with a doctor online, order any medication that you have on a repeat prescription and even see some of your medical record (you have to request access to your record once registered). If you would like to register for this bring photographic ID to the surgery and a reception can set you up with a username and password.

When you have a test done, ask the Doctor or Nurse how to get your results – usually if a result is abnormal we try to contact you to let you know (you will only be asked to phone the Surgery). Please let us know how best to reach you – if you do not want us to contact you under any circumstance then please let us know and we will respect your wishes. This leads on to the subject of confidentiality which often worries young people – see below for details.

Certain problems can be difficult for us to deal with at the Surgery as you may be best seen by a different professional. For instance you may need to be seen by a hospital Doctor. Drug and alcohol problems are best tackled by people with more expertise although we can all give basic advice.  The doctor will explain everything to you and who they are referring you to. Don’t be afraid to speak up if you have any concerns about this, it is always your choice.

Yes, you can, although obviously if you are unwell then we would encourage you to bring someone with you for support. If you want to talk about personal issues – contraception, unplanned pregnancy, STI’s etc. then you do not have to come with your parents – you can come alone, bring a school friend or your partner. Doctors and nurses and all other staff follow very strict guidelines on confidentiality – see our section on “confidentiality” which explains this.

Even if you are under 16, you still have the same rights to confidentiality as anyone else and you should not be treated any differently. ALL STAFF at the surgery from receptionists to doctors and nurses will keep all your information confidential unless there is a concern about your personal safety or risk of harm to yourself.  In such a situation, information may need to be shared with other professionals but this would be discussed with you first.

GDPR placed the data protection act on the 25h May 2018 and tells us how to look after your data. See more information in the GDPR section. After the privacy notice there is an easy to read poster.

No – Doctors and Nurses (and in fact all our staff) have very strict rules on confidentiality and whom they share medical information with.

In exceptional circumstances, like when a Doctor or health worker thinks you might be in serious danger, they might feel there is a need to pass information on, but, even if they do, they must talk to you first before they tell anyone else. This applies to everyone, no matter what age you are.

You may be asked to register with a new GP near your College or University – however, you can still come to us for medical care during the holidays – called ‘temporary registration’. A lot of surgeries now use ‘electronic prescribing’ which means any chemist can see your repeat medications, so if you are home and need your usual medications ask at the nearest chemist first.

Young people across the UK are being offered free MenACWY vaccine to combat a rapid rise in a deadly strain of MenW (meningococcal W) meningitis and septicaemia.

People under the age of 25 going to uni for the first time are also being offered the vaccine.

Since August 2015 all 14 to 18 years olds in the UK are being offered MenACWY vaccine.

If you haven’t had yours yet give us a call and make an appointment to see the practice nurse.

A carer is somone who looks after a parent, friend, neighbour or family member that could not mange without your help because of a health condition. Being a carer is a difficult job but you do not need to feel alone. There is plenty of help locally whether it be groups where you can meet other young carers or organised activities or getting a break for you. Register yourself as a carer with Dorset County Council and also here at the surgery. Once we know you’re a carer then we can understand how even more important it is to keep you well. If you would like any further information on what help you can get as a carer contact Alison Cosher here at the surgery, who is our carers lead. 

Free, safe & anonymous online counselling & support- see the kooth links below .

Kooth Info Poster       Link to Kooth website

Useful Organisations supporting Young People

www.childline.org.uk

Mental Health – www.youngminds.org.uk

Mental Health – www.rethink.org

Alcohol – www.drinkaware.co.uk

Wellbeing – www.addaction.org.uk 

Doc Ready – www.docready.org

OCD Youth – www.ocdyouth.org

Samaritans – www.samaritans.org

Sexual Health – https://sexwise.fpa.org.uk

Young Carers Dorset County Council Young Carers