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. 
  • 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.

privacy statement

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.

 

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.

 

Access to Records

In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and DPA2018, patients may request to see their medical records. Such requests should be made through the practice manager and may be subject to an administration charge. No information will be released without the patient consent unless we are legally obliged to do so. 

Practice Privacy Notice Update

Please read about how your information is being used for COVID-19 research.

We have an obligation to protect all our staff and employees’ health. For this reason, it is reasonable for us to ask you to tell us if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. In such circumstances we may need to collect specific health data about you. Where we need to do so, we will not collect more information than we require and we will ensure that any information collected is treated with the appropriate safeguards.

It is unlikely that the practice will be asked to share information with authorities about you specifically but if this is necessary then data protection law will allow us to do so.

Please be aware that we may use new providers or suppliers to help us quickly adapt during the outbreak and to continue your care effectively. For example, we may use a new provider for video consultations. We may not be able to add these to our transparency materials right away, and we apologise for this but please be assured that all of our processors are bound by contract to protect your data.

During COVID-19 we may ask you to send a photograph of your bruise or skin condition that you are concerned about whilst we conduct virtual consultations. This photograph will be used by the clinician to determine any medical treatment necessary and will be added to your medical record. Please note that as this is sent via email, it may not be secure and we therefore ask that you only include your NHS number alongside your photograph in the email. The photograph should only be of the area requested and no other person should be visible in the shot.

Your Information

Your practice takes privacy seriously and we want to provide you with information about your rights, who we share your information with and how we keep it secure. Please use the links below to find more information about the practice and data protection:

If you have any concerns about how your information may be used please contact us or you can also contact our DPO  (Data Protection Officer) directly who will be happy to assist with your enquiry. Our DPO is Emma Cooper emma.cooper35@nhs.net 

Enhanched Sharing -Your Electronic Health Record 

Today, electronic records are kept in most of the places where you receive healthcare, for example at your GP Surgery or Out of Hours Clinics. These care services use the clinical computer system SystmOne, which enables your full electronic record to be shared to anyone involved in your direct care, across different healthcare services. If you would like more information on how your data is shared, please talk to your healthcare professional. You have choices about whether or not your information is available to other providers who care for you. Download the leaflets and guidance below for further information, why sharing your health information is important.

►Enhanced Sharing: A Quick Guide 

►Frequent Answers for Patients

►Your Electronic Patient Record & Sharing of Information - A Patient's Guide