Confidentiality

Our members of staff are trained in matters concerning patient confidentiality and it is a disciplinary offence to breach this confidentiality.

Everyone working for the NHS has a legal duty to keep information about you confidential. You may be receiving care from other people as well as the NHS. So that we can all work together for your benefit we may need to share some information about you. We only ever use of pass on information about you if people have a genuine need for it in your and everyone’s interests. Whenever we can we shall remove details which identify you. Anyone who receives information from us is also under a legal duty to keep it confidential.

We only give your relatives, friends and carers information if you want us to.

In certain circumstances we are required by law to report information to the appropriate authorities. This information is only provided after formal authority has been given by a qualified health professional. For example:

Where we encounter infectious diseases which may endanger the safety of others (e.g. meningitis or measles, but not HIV/AIDS).

Where a formal court order has been issued.

Notification of births.

However our guiding principle is that we are holding your records in strict confidence.

Computer
The practice uses an extensive computer system for patient’s registration, clinical and immunisation records, prescriptions etc. Please don’t be put off by it – it means we have precise and up to date information and it provides a link between all members of our clinical team. Information is stored entirely confidentially and the system is independent and not available on an identifiable basis without the patient’s agreement/consent. We are registered under the Data Protection Act.