Confidentiality & Medical Records

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The practice complies with data protection and access to medical records legislation. Identifiable information about you will be shared with others in the following circumstances: 

• To provide further medical treatment for you - e.g. from district nurses or hospital services
• To help you get other services - e.g. from the social work department (this requires your consent)
• Anonymised patient information will also be used locally and nationally to help plan future services

The national data opt-out was introduced on 25 May 2018, enabling patients to opt out from the use of their data for research or planning purposes, in line with the recommendations of the National Data Guardian in the Review of Data Security, Consent and Opt-Outs. 

Patients can view or change their national data opt-out choice at any time by using the online service at NHS: Your Data Matters or by calling 0300 3035678.

If you do not wish for anonymous information about you to be used, please let a member of staff know. 

Reception and administration staff require access to your medical records in order to do their jobs. These members of staff are all bound by the same rules of confidentiality as the medical staff. 

For more information about how we use your health records please click here

Freedom of Information 

Information about the general practitioners and the practice required for disclosure under this act can be made available to the public. All requests for such information should be made to the practice manager. 

Access to records

In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and Access to Health Records Act, patients may request to see their medical records. Such requests should be made through the practice manager and may be subject to an administration charge. No information will be released without the patient's consent until we are legally obliged to do so.