In the unfortunate event that a person has passed away, there are three things that must be done in the first few days;

• Get a medical certificate from your GP or hospital doctor (this is necessary to register the death)
• Register the death within 5 days (8 days in Scotland). You will then receive the necessary documents for the funeral.
• Make the necessary funeral arrangements.

Register the death

If the death has been reported to the coroner (or Procurator Fiscal in Scotland) they must give permission before registering the death.

You can register the death if you are a relative, a witness to the death, a hospital administrator or the person making the arrangements with the funeral directors.

You can use the ‘Register a Death’ page on the gov.uk website that will guide you through the process. This will also explain the registration process for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Arrange the funeral

The funeral can usually only take place after the death is registered. Most people use a funeral director, though you can arrange a funeral yourself.

Funeral directors

Choose a funeral director who’s a member of one of the following:

• • National Association of Funeral Directors

• • National Federation of Funeral Directors

• • Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors

These organisations have codes of practice – they must give you a price list when asked.

Some local councils run their own funeral services, for example for non-religious burials. The British Humanist Association can also help with non-religious funerals.

Arranging the funeral yourself

Contact the Cemeteries and Crematorium Department of your local council to arrange a funeral yourself.

Funeral costs

Funeral costs can include:

• funeral director fees
• things the funeral director pays for on your behalf (called ‘disbursements’ or ‘third-party costs’), for example, crematorium or cemetery fees, or a newspaper announcement about the death
• local authority burial or cremation fees

Funeral directors may list all these costs in their quotes.

W&M Infection-Control-Annual-Statement-2025

Please click on the following links for documents:

ONS or Sip Feed Request Form

Wound Formulary Order Form

Nursing Homes Dressings Order Form

Information about you and the care you receive is shared, in a secure system, by healthcare staff to support your treatment and care.

It is important that we, the NHS, can use this information to plan and improve services for all patients. We would like to link information from all the different places where you receive care, such as your GP, hospital and community service, to help us provide a full picture. This will allow us to compare the care you received in one area against the care you received in another, so we can see what has worked best.

Information such as your postcode and NHS number, but not your name, will be used to link your records in a secure system, so your identity is protected. Information which does not reveal your identity can then be used by others, such as researchers and those planning health services, to make sure we provide the best care possible for everyone.

You have a choice. If you are happy for your information to be used in this way you do not have to do anything.

To opt out:

• You may opt out at any time by going to https://www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters
• Please carefully read all the information before you opt out.  If you decide you are happy to consent to your data being shared then you do not have to take any action
• If you have any concerns please speak to practice staff

We need to make sure that you know this is happening and the choices you have.

Your GP Record – Patient Guide

Click Below to find out more about our Patient Participant Group

Patient Participant Group

Practice Philosophy

The Practice Team at Wistaria & Milford Surgeries are committed to providing the highest standards of Primary Care in a calm and caring environment.  The wellbeing of our patients is our highest priority.

We aim to provide a service that endeavours to treat each patient as an individual, taking into account their cultural, spiritual and social needs.

We seek to promote a high standard of evidence based holistic care.  Our Practice Team encourage and support our patients in taking an interest in their own health throughout their lifetime.

Practice Charter

Wistaria & Milford Surgeries – our values and principles

Our core values and principles which guide us are:

Patient-centred: Each patient’s individual needs and experience are our first consideration and at the heart of everything we do.

Quality: To provide the highest possible standards of evidence based care and treatment to patients with diversity, equity and equality of access.

Premises: To provide our patients with a clean, modern, accessible and safe environment when they visit us.

Ethical: To work within an ethical frame work at all times through a policy of openness and transparency.

Innovation: To continually innovate to bring about change for the wellbeing of our patients as far as financial resources allow.

Teamwork: To work together and support each other for the benefit of our patients.

Staff: To invest in the development of staff to provide a highly skilled work force. Our staff are expected to display compassion, courtesy, professionalism and integrity in all their dealings with patients & their families and with each other.

We undertake to:

• Treat you with respect, dignity and courtesy at all times.
• Provide a caring environment in which the wellbeing of our patients be of highest priority, with special regard to their dignity.

• Treat each patient as an individual, taking into account their cultural, spiritual and social needs
• Provide you with advice and treatment in a timely manner close to home.
• Promote a high of holistic, evidence based care.
• Continually review our practice and adjust this where indicated, keeping up to date with developments in health care by continuing to learn.
• Ensure efficient use of resources and be financially sustainable

• Help you make decisions about your health by treating you as an individual.
• Discuss what treatment options are available and refer you on as necessary and appropriate.
• Act as your advocate and guide, when you need health and social services.
• Maintain confidentiality in what we discuss and the records we keep on your behalf.

In return we ask you to:

• Respect our staff; they always try to do their best for you.
• Keep your appointment, or let us know as soon as possible if you are unable to attend.
• Only use the out-of-hours services for urgent conditions which can’t wait until the next day or until after the weekend.
• Let us know if you have any suggestions or cause for complaint as soon as possible.
• Please let us know when we have done well.

Confidentiality & Medical Records

You can be assured that anything you discuss with any member of the surgery staff, whether doctor, nurse or receptionist, will remain confidential. Even if you are under 16, nothing will be said to anyone, including parents, other family members, care workers or teachers, without your permission. The only reason why we might want to consider passing on confidential information without your permission would be to protect either you or someone else from serious harm. In this situation, we would always try to discuss this with you first.

If you have any worries or queries about confidentiality, please ask a member of staff.

If you would like to discuss matters of a confidential nature, either with our receptionists, we have a side room available in reception for this purpose.

Data Protection

In order to provide the right level of care, we are required to hold personal information about you on our computer systems and in paper records to help us to look after your health needs, and your doctor is responsible for their accuracy and safe-keeping. Please help to keep your record up to date by informing us of any changes to your circumstances.

Confidentiality and Personal Information

Doctors and staff in the practice have access to your medical records to enable them to do their jobs. From time to time information may be shared with others involved in your care if it is necessary. Anyone with access to your record is properly trained in confidentiality issues and is governed by both legal and contractual duty to keep your details private.

All information about you is held securely and appropriate safeguards are in place to prevent accidental loss.

In some circumstances we may be required by law to release your details to statutory or other official bodies, for example if a court order is presented, or in the case of public health issues. In other circumstance you may be required to give written consent before information is released – such as for medical reports for insurance, solicitors etc.

To ensure your privacy, we will not disclose information over the telephone or fax unless we are sure that we are talking to you. Information will not be disclosed to family, friends or spouses unless we have prior written consent, and we do not, leave messages with others.

You have a right to see your records if you wish. Please ask at reception if you would like further details about our patient information leaflet. An appointment may be required. In some circumstances a fee may be payable.

Freedom of Information

Information about the General Practioners and the practice required for disclosure under this act can be made available to the public. All requests for such information should be made to the practice manager.

Complaints

We make every effort to give the best service possible to everyone who attends our practice.

However, we are aware that things can go wrong resulting in a patient feeling that they have a genuine cause for complaint. If this is so, we would wish for the matter to be settled as quickly, and as amicably, as possible.

To pursue a complaint please write to the practice manager who will deal with your concerns appropriately. Further written information is available regarding the complaints procedure from reception.

Violence Policy

The NHS operate a zero tolerance policy with regard to violence and abuse and the practice has the right to remove violent patients from the list with immediate effect in order to safeguard practice staff, patients and other persons. Violence in this context includes actual or threatened physical violence or verbal abuse which leads to fear for a person’s safety. In this situation we will notify the patient in writing of their removal from the list and record in the patient’s medical records the fact of the removal and the circumstances leading to it.

To View Our Privacy Notice –  Please click on the link below.

Privacy Notice (September 2025)

If you would like to make any compliments, comments, complaints or suggestions, please complete the form below and return it to the surgery.

Patient Feedback Form

There is a new Central NHS Computer System called the Summary Care Record (SCR). It is an electronic record which contains information about the medicines you take, allergies you suffer from and any bad reactions to medicines you have had.

Why do I need a Summary Care Record?

Storing information in one place makes it easier for healthcare staff to treat you in an emergency, or when your GP practice is closed.

This information could make a difference to how a doctor decides to care for you, for example which medicines they choose to prescribe for you.

Who can see it?

Only healthcare staff involved in your care can see your Summary Care Record.

How do I know if I have one?

Over half of the population of England now have a Summary Care Record. You can find out whether Summary Care Records have come to your area by looking at our interactive map or by asking your GP

Do I have to have one?

No, it is not compulsory. If you choose to opt out of the scheme, then you will need to complete a form and bring it along to the surgery. You can use the form at the foot of this page.

More Information

For further information visit the NHS Care records website

New Forest Services Directory – providing a consolidated list of all local agencies, organisations and support services – Support in the New Forest – Directory 2025.