Confidentiality

Freedom of Information Act

This practice operates in compliance with the Data Protection Act and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. If you require further information about our compliance with these Acts please write to the practice manager.

Confidentiality

Patient confidentiality is of the utmost importance and all employees of the practice have a legal duty to keep your medical information confidential, anyone who receives that information from us is bound by the same legal duty. If you are receiving care from other people, both within and outside the NHS, we may need to share information to enable us all to work together for your benefit.

Law strictly controls the sharing of information, so unless there are exceptional circumstances such as when the safety of others is at risk, we will not disclose your information to third parties without your permission. We will only provide information to your relatives, friends or carers with your permission. Sometimes the law requires us to report certain information to appropriate authorities e.g. notification of a birth or protect the safety of members of the public.

Under 16’s

Young people aged less than 16 years can chose to see health professionals without informing their parents or carers. Young people have the same right to confidentiality. If a GP considers that the young person is competent to make decisions about their health, the GP can give advice, prescribe and treat them without seeking further consent. However health professionals will encourage young people to discuss issues with a parent or carer. Sometimes the law requires us to report certain information to appropriate authorities to protect young people or members of the public.

Data Protection Act 1998

The data Protection Act 1998 gives you the right to view or have a copy of any personal information held in your medical records. If you want to view your records please forward your request to the practice manager. A staff member will accompany you while you view your records; you are not allowed to take any notes or copies. If you want a copy of any part of your medical records please forward your request to the practice manager. A copy of your medical records will be supplied for which there may be a nominal charge for more than 15 sheets. If there is a charge you will be notified before a copy of your records is produced.

Third Party Access

If you consent for a third party, such as a solicitor or insurance company, to see any part of your medical records they will need to apply in writing to the practice. Payment will be requested before any records are released.

St. Budeaux Health Centre is a Research Practice

This practice contributes anonymous patient data to a database(s) used for health care research purposes. The practice receives a nominal fee and training from the company aggregating the data to help improve quality computer records. The company holding the anonymous data will be providing the data to authorised researchers for a data fee. The data collection scheme has been approved by the South East Multicentre Research Ethics Committee. The committee will also be overseeing all research on the data.