The practice is registered and complies with the Data Protection Act 1998. Any request for access to notes by a patient, patient’s representative or outside body will be dealt with in accordance with the Act. Please contact the Practice Manager for further information.
Your Data Matters to the NHS
Your health records contain a type of data called confidential patient information. This data can be used to help with research and planning.
You can choose to stop your confidential patient information being used for research and planning. You can also make a choice for someone else like your children under the age of 13.
Your choice will only apply to the health and care system in England. This does not apply to health or care services accessed in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Find out how this data is used and how to opt out on the following link:
https://www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters/
Summary Care Record
Sharing your records: Your personal information
There is a Central NHS Computer System called the Summary Care Record (SCR). It is an electronic record which contains information about your health:
Medicines you are taking
Allergies you suffer from
Any bad reactions to medicines
Why do I need a Summary Care Record?
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.
Who can see it?
Only healthcare staff involved in your care can see your Summary Care Record
Can I opt out?
Although everyone is signed up to the database you can choose not to have information about you shared or used for any purpose beyond providing your own treatment or care.
You can choose not to have anything that could identify you shared beyond your GP practice. Click here for the opt-out form. You will need to complete this form and bring it along to the surgery.
What is a Summary Care Record with additional information?
You can choose to have additional information included in your SCR which can enhance the care you receive. This information includes:
Your illnesses and health problems
Operations and vaccinations you have had in the past
How you would like to be treated – such as where you would prefer to receive care
What support you might need
Who should be contacted for more information about you
What to do next?
If you would like this information adding to your SCR, then please click here to complete the form and return it to the practice.
Click here for easy read information regarding your Summary Care Record
If you require any more information, please click on the link to go to the NHS Digital website or phone NHS Digital on 0300 303 5678
Online Access
The NHS wants to give people better ways to see their personal health information online. If you are over 16 and have an online account, such as NHS App, NHS website or another online primary care service, you will be able to see all future notes and health records from your GP.
We are pleased that all patients will be given full access to their online records. Please note that initially this will be any data entered into record from the 1st of November 2022. You will be able to view information such as consultations, medications, test results, immunisation history and recorded illnesses.
We encourage access and believe it will empower patients in understanding and tending to their own health care needs. For example, patients may be able to better manage long-term conditions supported with information such as test results. You will be able to review correspondence to and from specialists, order repeat medications at any time of day, furthermore, you will be able to look back on your health reviews and consultations should you forget any parts of your consultation or care plan.
We believe there are many benefits however, there are some further things we would ask all patients to be mindful of and consider.
Understanding your record
You will also be able to view all your consultations and review notes, however we really must stress that these records are predominantly made up by entries of healthcare professionals, as such you may not always understand everything you see. We would encourage all patients to leave their appointments feeling fully informed and understand their consultation/review. Our priority and focus will always be treating our unwell patients we therefore cannot provide an interpretation service of things you have read in your records. We actively encourage you to ask questions within your appointment and or refer to NHS Choices which provides vast support to patients around illnesses and improving your own health.
Keeping your account safe
We encourage you to protect your log in details in the same way you would for your online bank, being mindful to set robust passwords and keep these safe, furthermore we ask you to be mindful to log out of shared devices such as household iPads.
Access to results & Clinical Correspondence
Please be aware we receive thousands of letters and results for patients each week, naturally with access to just your own records you may read one that we haven’t yet got to, our most worrying concern is that as a patient you may be aware of a diagnosis and results ahead of your Doctor. Whilst we advocate open access, we are also aware of how distressing this open and live access could be for a patient. In all cases your letters and results will be dealt with and actioned as soon as possible. Our team will initiate contact/follow up in order of priority and when required, we do not inform or contact patients with ‘normal’ results unless there is a clinical need to provide any further follow up. Having online access will not mean you have access to our services any sooner, you will need to await an available appointment with your Doctor.
Safeguarding yourself and others
There may be occasions in which your Doctor feels it is in your best interest to disallow online access to record or likewise an individual an entry, for example if they deem this could cause you or another person upset or harm.
Any patient who finds they cannot access all their record is welcome to discuss this with the Practice Manager in the first instance. A subsequent and independent clinical review will then take place.
There may also be occasions that you read about something within your record that you have forgotten about such as a previous illness or upsetting illness, if you view anything that you would prefer was removed from your online view, please let the Practice Manager know.
Third party data
Any entry within your records that names another person/s including family members will be restricted from online view.
Data Errors
There may be rare occasions in which there has been a data entry error, if you spot anyone else’s information within your record, we would ask that you kindly protect that person, log out immediately and inform the Practice Manager. Issues like this are rare and will be addressed immediately with support from the Information Commissioners Office if required. Likewise, if you spot entries that you feel are incorrect, please contact the Practice Manager who can discuss and review the entry with yourself and the appropriate clinicians.
For anything further or more information we have a suite of patient information leaflets available by clicking on the link below
https://www.england.nhs.uk/gp-online-services/support/supporting-material/patient-information-guides
