We ask you for personal information so that you can receive appropriate care and treatment. This information is recorded on computer and we are registered under the Data Protection Act. Your personal and medical details together with a record of all consultations are held within the practice’s electronic records on our computer system. The practice takes the privacy of your personal information very seriously and works to the highest standards to maintain confidentiality. We respect our patients’ privacy and confidentiality at all times. Your medical data and personal information are used, stored and disposed of under strict regulations set out in the Data Protection 2003. As part of providing quality health care your medical information may need to be shared with allied health professionals on a need to know basis (i.e. hospitals or district nurses). Information is never shared with third parties i.e. external organisations or insurance companies without your full written consent.
FAIR PROCESSING NOTICE (Health Records)
The purpose of this notice is to inform you of the type of information (including personal information) that your practice holds, how that information is used, who we may share that information with, and how we keep it secure and confidential. The Fair Processing Notice reminds you of your rights under the Data Protection Act 1998.
ACCESS TO MEDICAL RECORDS
Under the Data Protection Act 1998 people have the right to see any files about them, including their health records. Access can only be denied if there is a compelling reason, the Data Protection Act replaced the access to Health Records Act 1990 on 1st March 2000, except applications to see records of someone who has died. If there is anything you do not understand, or find upsetting please speak to a receptionist who will pass your concern onto a doctor as appropriate.
Access to your medical records is available online through Patient Access.
OPTING OUT OF SHARING MEDICAL RECORDS
Type 1 Opt-out: medical records held at your GP practice
You can tell your GP practice if you do not want your confidential patient information held in your GP medical record to be used for purposes other than your individual care. This is commonly called a type 1 opt-out. This opt-out request can only be recorded by your GP.
If you choose a Type 1 opt-out, please inform us in writing.
Type 2 Opt-out: information held by NHS Digital
A Type 2 opt-out is an objection that prevents an individuals personal confidential information from being shared outside of NHS Digital, that is used for research and planning.
Previously you could tell your GP surgery if you did not want NHS Digital to share confidential patient information that is collected from across the health and care service for purposes other than your individual care. This was called a type 2 opt-out.
From 25 May 2018 the type 2 opt-out has been replaced by the national data opt-out. Type 2 opt-outs that have been recorded previously have been automatically converted to national data opt-outs.
To find out more or to make your choice visit: nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters
or call 0300 303 5678
and/or view the NHS Digital patient Leaflet
