Data Protection

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

The practice complies with GDPR legislation and Data Protection Act 1998.  Please refer to our Privacy Policy. 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.

Identifiable information about you will be shared with others in the following circumstances:

  • To provide further medical treatment for you, e.g hospital services, District Nurse referrals
  • To help you access other services, e.g social work
  • When we have a duty to others, e.g child protection
  • Anonymised patient information will be used at local and national level to help the health board and government plan services, ensure financial accountability and delivery of quality healthcare
  • The practice uses external data processors to correspond with you

The following IT systems are in use at the practice:

Referral Management

Text Message Appointment Confirmation and Reminders

Electronic Appointment Cancellation

Online Repeat Prescriptions

GP to GP Transfers (the electronic transfer of records from practice to practice when you re-register

iGPR - insurance reports, solicitors access to medical records - your consent will always be sought by the insurance company or solicitor before can provide medical reports/access to medical records.

Prescription Tracking (enables accurate tracking of both repeat and acute prescriptions using the prescription bar-code) 

eConsults

Primary Care Intelligence Services (PCIS) - summary data only - It does not contain individual patient-level data and does not compromise patient confidentiality.

 

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 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.