We need to hold personal information about you on our computer system 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 day by informing us of any changes to your circumstances (such as changes to telephone numbers, addresses).
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 regulations and is governed by a legal and contractual duty to keep your details private.
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. Third parties such as the DVLA and the DWP do not have to have individual patient consent to obtain health information. In other circumstances you may be required to give written consent before information is released – such as for medical reports for insurance purposes.
To ensure your privacy, we will not disclose information over the telephone or fax 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 will not leave messages with others. All patients 13 years of age or over have the right to confidentiality in matters relating to their health and their medical record.
You have the right to view your medical record or request a hard copy of it. Please speak to a member of reception if you would like this and/or request a copy of the patient information leaflet relating to access to medical records.