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. This is to help us to look after your health needs. We are responsible for their accuracy and safe-keeping. Please help us to keep your record up to date by informing us of any changes to your circumstances.
Confidentiality and Personal Information
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.
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 official bodies, for example if a court order is presented, or in the case of public health issues.
In other circumstances, you will be required to give written consent before any information is released. The most common examples would be for insurance reports or medical reports.
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 do not, leave messages with others.
With phone consulting, clinicians may leave voicemails on personal mobiles but will not routinely leave messages on home phones unless you have given prior consent to do so.
You have a right to have access to your medical records. It is available in several different formats of varying complexity. The most commonly requested and viewable type of medical record is your "Detailed Coded Summary" and presents the key points in your medical records. You can also view test results this way too. If you would like to register for online services, please visit our Admin section on the homepage.
Your full record is viewable however this is very time consuming to prepare for you as we have to remove any consultations or information pertaining to anyone else, for their privacy and protection. Please request this in writing and only if you deem it strictly necessary in order to help manage our admin burden.