General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Privacy Notices

What are Privacy Notices?

A privacy notice is a statement or a legal document (in privacy law) that discloses some or all of the ways a party gathers, uses, discloses, and manages a customer or client's data. It fulfills a legal requirement to protect a customer or client's privacy.

How we use your information

• We collect and hold data about you for the purpose of providing safe and effective healthcare
• Your information may be shared with other NHS organisations to audit services and help provide you with better care
• Information sharing is subject to strict agreements on how it is used.
• We will only share your information outside of NHS organisations with your consent*
• If you are happy with how we use your information you do not need to do anything.
• If you do not want your information to be used for any purpose beyond providing your care please let us know so we can code your record appropriately.
• You can object to sharing information with other health care providers but if this limits your treatment options we will tell you.
• Our guiding principle is that we are holding your information in the strictest confidence.
• For more information about who are our partner organisations and how your data is used please see more detailed information below or ask at reception.

* Unless the health & safety of others is at risk, the law requires it or it is required to carry out a statutory function.

Please see the links below for Privacy Notices that detail how your information may be used:

• Contact the practice for the latest information whilst versions are created for the website.

Access To Medical Records

As a patient you have the right to request access to your medical records. Under the new GDPR we as a surgery can no longer charge you for this unless the request is deemed to be excessive (e.g. a repeat request).

The time period for us to comply with such a request is now one calendar month, reduced from 40 days.

If you would like to request access to your medical records, please download and complete the form opposite and hand this to reception.

COMPLETE A SUBJECT ACCESS REQUEST

National Data Opt-Out Programme

The National Data Opt-Out Programme is a new service that allows people to opt out of their confidential patient information being used for research and planning.

FIND OUT MORE

NHS Digital will not collect patients’ names or addresses

Any other data that could directly identify patients (such as NHS Number, date of birth, full postcode) is replaced with unique codes which are produced by de-identification software before the data is shared with NHS Digital.

This process is called pseudonymisation and means that patients will not be identified directly in the data. NHS Digital will be able to use the software to convert the unique codes back to data that could directly identify patients in certain circumstances, and where there is a valid legal reason.

We will collect structured and coded data from patient medical records.

• data about diagnoses, symptoms, observations, test results, medications, allergies, immunisations, referrals, recalls and appointments, including information about physical, mental and sexual health.
• data on sex, ethnicity, and sexual orientation.
• data about staff who have treated patients.

• name and address (except for postcode, protected in a unique coded form).
• written notes (free text), such as the details of conversations with doctors and nurses.
• images, letters, and documents. 
• coded data that is not needed due to its age - for example medication, referral and appointment data that is over 10 years old.
• coded data that GPs are not permitted to share by law - for example certain codes about IVF treatment, and certain information about gender re-assignment.