Patient confidentiality

We respect your right to privacy and keep all your health information confidential and secure. It is important that the NHS keeps accurate and up-to-date records about your health and treatment so that those treating you can give you the best possible care.

This information may be used for management and audit purposes. However, it is usually only available to, and used by, those involved in your care. You have the right to know what information we hold about you. If you would like to see your records please contact the Practice Manager.

Confidentiality & medical records

The practice complies with data protection and access to medical records legislation. Identifiable information about you will be shared with others in the following circumstances:

  • To provide further medical treatment for you e.g. from district nurses and hospital services.
  • To help you get other services e.g. from the social work department. This requires your consent.
  • When we have a duty to others e.g. in child protection cases anonymised patient information will also be used at local and national level to help the Health Board and Government plan services e.g. for diabetic care.

If you do not wish anonymous information about you to be used in such a way, please let us know.

Reception and administration staff require access to your medical records in order to do their jobs. These members of staff are bound by the same rules of confidentiality as the medical staff.

Summary care record

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 an opt out form and bring it along to the surgery or you can op out online here.

More information

For further information visit the NHS Care records website

Data sharing

SystmOne record sharing

The practice uses a clinical computer system called SystmOne to store your medical information. This system is also used by other GP practices, Child Health Services, Community Services, Hospitals, Out of Hours, Palliative Care Services, and other NHS bodies. This means that your information can be shared with other clinicians so that everyone caring for you is fully informed about your medical history, including medication and allergies. You can control how your medical information is shared with other organisations that use this system. To enable you to receive the best possible treatment across the NHS, it would be great if we could share your records with the aforementioned organisations.

Sharing Out  This controls whether your information stored in the practice can be shared out with other NHS Services.

Sharing In This controls whether information made shareable at other NHS care services can be viewed by us, your GP practice.

Benefits of data sharing

Sharing information can help improve understanding, responses to different treatments and potential solutions. Information will also help to:

  • Provide better information to out of hours and emergency services.
  • Prevent prescribing of medication to which you may already have an allergy.
  • Make more informed prescribing decisions about drugs and dosages, and avoid unnecessary duplication in prescribing.
  • Increase clinician confidence when providing care.
  • Allow results of investigations, such as X-rays and laboratory tests to be shared.
  • Reduce referrals, ambulance journey admissions, tests, time wastage, and visits to healthcare premises.
  • Enable other clinicians to find out basic details about you, such as address and next of kin.

Do I have a choice?

Yes. You have the right to prevent confidential information about you from being shared or used for any other purpose than providing your care, except in special circumstances. If you do not want information that can identify you to be shared outside this practice, please complete the relevant forms held at our reception desk. This will prevent your confidential information being used other than where necessary by law.

Do I need to do anything?

Note your decisions on the aforementioned form, and return it to us. You can change your mind at any time, you just need to let us know.

Fair processing notification for patients

The practice may supply personal health data to comply with its legal obligation from time to time, as directed by the Secretary of State for Health, or other recognised Statutory Authority

Anonymised data on the use of fit notes is being provided to the HSCIC on behalf of Department of Health, and the Department for Work and Pensions.  This will enable the Department for Work and Pensions to undertake research analysis to inform policy relating to employment and sickness absence, including evaluation of Fit for Work.

For details on how this data may be used visit: www.gov.uk/dwp/fit-note-data

Additional Information is available:

ICO information page for the public: www.ico.org.uk/for-the-public

HSCIC information page about collections:

www.hscic.gov.uk/article/4963/What-we-collect

www.hscic.gov.uk/yourinfo

www.hscic.gov.uk/article/3388/How-we-look-after-information

 

Date published: 10th October, 2014
Date last updated: 22nd March, 2019