We understand how important it is to keep your personal information safe and secure and we take this very seriously. We have taken steps to make sure your personal information is looked after as required by Law.
Please read this Privacy Policy carefully, as it contains important information about how we use the personal and healthcare information we collect on your behalf.
Please see here the Children’s Notice
What is the National Data Opt Out?
The national data opt-out was introduced on 25 May 2018, enabling patients to opt out from the use of their data for research or planning purposes, in line with the recommendations of the National Data Guardian.
Whenever you use a health or care service, important information about you is collected in a patient record for that service. Collecting this information helps to ensure you get the best possible care and treatment.
The information collected about you when you use these services can also be used and provided to other organisations for purposes beyond your individual care, for instance to help with improving the quality and standards of care provided, research into the development of new treatments, preventing illness and diseases, monitoring safety, and planning services.
This may only take place when there is a clear legal basis to use this information. All these uses help to provide better health and care for you, your family and future generations. Confidential patient information about your health and care is only used like this where allowed by law. Anonymised data is used for research and planning so that you cannot be identified in which case your confidential patient information isn’t needed.
You have a choice about whether you want your confidential patient information to be used in this way. If you are happy with this use of information you do not need to do anything. If you do choose to opt-out your confidential patient information will still be used to support your individual care.
Our Compliance Statement
Health and care organisations have until 2020 to put systems and processes in place so they can be compliant with the national data opt-out and apply your choice to any confidential patient information they use or share for purposes beyond your individual care.
Our service only uses your personal health data to provide individualised care to you and does not disclose your data for any other purposes. The national data opt-out does not apply to our usage of your data and we are compliant with the policy, however as a service we are informed of procedures and can advise patients of where they can access the National Data Opt-out information.
For further information on:
How to set up your NHS Data Opt-Out;
https://www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters/
How patient information is used in research studies;
https://www.hra.nhs.uk/information-about-patients/
How patient information is used in healthcare;
https://understandingpatientdata.org.uk/how
Publication Scheme
To access details about our Publication Scheme please click on the link. This will direct you to the necessary information regarding our publication process. By clicking the link, you can learn about how we organise and share our publications with the public.
Under the General Data Protection Act 2018 you are entitled to one free copy of your medical records upon request.
To submit a Subject Access Request please contact the Centre.
There is no fee for this service.
All patient information held in the Centre is confidential and information is only disclosed to other health care professionals.
Information may only be released to outside agencies on receipt of a signed letter of consent from the patient.
If you are under 16 you can talk to your doctor in complete confidence; doctors have to keep anything you tell them private, just as they do for an adult.
The doctors and nurses always try to see patients at a mutually convenient time.
They will do their best to keep to time during their surgeries but you will appreciate that some consultations are complicated and take longer than others.
If you are late for your appointment the doctor or nurse will do their best to see you but you may be asked to make another appointment. If you are unable to keep your appointment please telephone to cancel so that it may be offered to another patient.
The NHS employs over a million staff in thousands of locations. It is a large and complex organisation providing a broad range of services. It is not surprising that sometimes you or a loved one may feel bewildered or concerned when using the NHS. And this can be at times when you are feeling at your most vulnerable and anxious.
So, what should you do if you want on the spot help when using the health service? The NHS expects all members of staff to listen and respond to you to the best of their ability. But sometimes, you may wish to talk to someone employed especially to help you. The Patient Advice and Liaison Service, known as PALS, has been introduced to ensure that the NHS listens to patients, their relatives, carers and friends, and answers their questions and resolves their concerns as quickly as possible.
PALS also helps the NHS to improve services by listening to what matters to patients and their loved ones and making changes, when appropriate.
In particular, PALS will:
If you would like more information about PALS, the functions it is intended to provide and the standards it should strive to achieve , follow this link.
To contact your nearest PALS office:
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) are the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England.
The CQC make sure health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care and encourage them to improve.
They monitor, inspect and regulate services to make sure they meet fundamental standards of quality and safety and publish what is found, including performance ratings to help people choose care.
Our GP Practice has recently undergone a CQC inspection and the results are now freely available on the CQC Website. You can access the report below
Our Organisation is fully committed to providing a safe and secure environment for everyone—employees, patients, visitors, and contractors. Our policy affirms our zero tolerance for any behaviour that causes harm, fear, or distress through violence, aggression, or sexual harassment.
We take a zero tolerance stance on violence, aggression, and sexual harassment. All forms of unacceptable behaviour will be addressed promptly and appropriately. Our goal is to ensure that every member of our community can work and receive services in a safe and respectful environment.
Definitions
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.
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.
Only healthcare staff involved in your care can see your Summary Care Record.
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
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.
For further information visit the NHS Care records website