Privacy / Patient Confidentiality

How we keep your records confidential

Everyone working for the NHS has a legal duty to keep information about you confidential.

We have a duty to

  • Maintain full and accurate records of the care we provide to you
  • Keep records about you confidential, secure and accurate
  • Provide information in a format that is accessible to you (i.e. in large type if you are partially sighted).

We will not share information that identifies you for any reason, unless:

  • You ask us to do so;
  • We ask and you give us specific permission;
  • We have to do this by law;
  • We have special permission for health or research purposes or
  • We have special permission because the interests of the public are thought to be of greater importance than your confidentiality

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

All practice team members have access to the document "NHS Code of Practice 2003 (supplementary guidance issued Nov 2010)". This is a lengthy document produced by Department of Health for use across the whole NHS.

Important Information about your Health records

The NHS is changing the way your health information is being stored and managed.

The NHS Summary Care Record is being introduced to help deliver better, safer care. Your Summary Care Record is an electronic record of important information about your health. It will be available to health-care staff providing your NHS care, which means if you have an accident or become ill, the staff clinicians treating you will have immediate access to important information about you.

You do not have to be part of the new system if you do not want to be. You can obtain an 'Opt-out' from from the surgery, or the CCG's web site.

If you have questions, concerns or would like help and support with understanding the Summary Care Records system and making your decision to stay in or opt-out, please contact us in one of the following ways:

Let's walk to talk

Every patient has the right to privacy and confidentiality. If you wish to speak privately, please let our reception team know as we can make a room available.