Terms and Conditions for Patient Registration

Welcome to The Somerville Clinic. These Terms and Conditions outline the agreement between you (the patient) and our clinic regarding the provision of psychiatric care and related services. By registering with our clinic, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to the following terms.

1. Eligibility for Registration

Patients must be over 18 years old.

Patients must provide accurate personal, medical, and contact information when registering. This includes your full name, date of birth, full postal address and the name and address of your GP surgery.

The clinic reserves the right to decline or discontinue services where clinically appropriate or if safety concerns arise.

2. Confidentiality and Privacy

All patient information is handled in accordance with GDPR.

Records are kept confidential and will not be shared without written consent, except in situations where disclosure is required by law (e.g., risk of harm to self or others, court orders, safeguarding concerns).

Patients have the right to access their medical records upon written request, subject to applicable regulations.

We will always offer to notify your GP of any medicines that we have prescribed, but if you decline to take up our offer, it is your responsibility to notify your GP.

3. Appointments and Attendance

Appointments must be scheduled in advance.

Patients are expected to arrive on time. Late arrivals may result in shortened sessions or rescheduling at a cost to the patient.

Cancellations require at least 48 hours notice. Appointments cancelled with less than 48 hours notice are subject to a cancellation fee equivalent to 50% of the appointment fee. Cancellations on the same day as an appointment may be charged in full.

4. Fees and Payments

Patients are responsible for all fees associated with their care, unless covered by insurance or other prior arrangements.

Payment is due prior to an appointment being held unless otherwise agreed.

Outstanding balances must be settled before further appointments can be scheduled.

5. Prescriptions and Medication Management

Prescriptions will only be provided following a clinical assessment and at the discretion of the treating psychiatrist.

Replacement of lost or stolen prescriptions may be subject to a fee.

Repeat prescriptions require adequate notice and may require follow-up appointments.

Misuse or diversion of prescribed medication will result in immediate termination of services.

The use of NHS shared care plans is at the discretion of individual GP surgeries – if this might be important to you please ensure you contact your GP surgery ahead of your appointment to check if this is something they would agree to.

6. Patient Responsibilities

By registering, patients agree to:

Provide complete and truthful medical and personal information.

Follow treatment recommendations and attend follow-up appointments.

Treat clinic staff and other patients with respect.

Abstain from abusive, threatening, or disruptive behaviour.

7. Emergency and Crisis Care

The clinic is not an emergency service provider.

In case of a psychiatric emergency (e.g. imminent risk of harm to self or others), patients should call 111. Alternatively, to speak to someone from The Samaritans, patients should call 116 123.

8. Termination of Services

The clinic reserves the right to discontinue services in cases of:

Repeated non-attendance or late cancellations.

Non-payment of fees.

Breach of these Terms and Conditions.

Behaviour that poses a risk to staff or other patients.

A patient’s care being better served by an alternative provider.

9. Changes to Terms and Conditions

The clinic may update these Terms and Conditions from time to time.

Patients will be notified of significant changes. Continued use of services constitutes acceptance of any updated terms.

10. Contact Information and Complaints

For questions or concerns about these Terms and Conditions, or for any complaints relating to The Somerville Clinic please email info@somervilleclinic.com. We aim for all complaints to be fully investigated within 14 days of a complaint being submitted and within a maximum of 4 weeks.