Confidentiality

Security & Confidentiality of Information

• As a patient it is your right, with certain exceptions, to have all information regarding your health, whether kept on paper or on the computer, confidential - and to this end, all staff are required to sign a statement of confidentiality to ensure that the highest possible standards of confidentiality are maintained.

• When you first register with a practice certain personal details, such as name,  address and date of birth are passed to the Health Authority and to the NHS Central Register.  This enables your medical record to be located and passed to your new practice.  Although the Health Authority database holds information on childhood vaccinations and immunisations and cervical cytology no other clinical information is held either there or at the Central Register

• It  is possible, however, that it may be necessary to share some information regarding your medical history with other health care professionals such as hospital consultants, to ensure you receive appropriate treatment.  In addition there are certain statutory requirements that require a practice to pass on information to the authorities, for example notification of birth or death, infectious diseases, gunshot wounds.  

• In other cases, such as releasing medical record to solicitors when dealing with complaints or legal claims, information is only released with  your written authority to do so.  

• As a patient it is your right, with certain exceptions, to have all information regarding your personal health, whether kept on paper or on the computer, confidential and to this end all staff are required to sign a statement of confidentiality to ensure that the highest possible standards of confidentiality are maintained.  

• If you do have any concerns regarding the confidentiality of your personal medical history, or you would like further information. Please do not hesitate to discuss this with your doctor, or the Practice Manager Mrs Julia Mercer

Complaints

• If you have any comments or complaints about the services we provide, please make them to the Practice Manager (Mrs Julia Mercer). 

• She will then discuss the problem that has arisen with the Senior Partner by the end of the next working day.

• In the event of a complaint, you will receive formal notification of receipt of the complaint within 48 hours and a full reply within 14 days.

• Any complaint will remain entirely confidential.