The practice makes extensive use of computers to keep administrative and clinical information about patients. This information may be shared with the PPSA by electronic links. We are registered under the Data Protection Act.

We also take part in research organised by the Medical Research Council. Patients' records may be used in this research but you have the right to refuse permission for this.

All patients have the right to access information kept on them.

We ask you for information about yourself so that you can receive proper care and treatment.

We keep this information, together with details of your care, because it may be needed if we see you again.

We may use some of this information for other reasons: for example, to help us to protect the health of the public generally and to see that the NHS runs efficiently, plans for the future, trains its staff, pays its bills and can account for its actions. Information may also be needed to help educate tomorrow’s clinical staff and to carry out medical and other health research for the benefit of everyone.

Sometimes the law requires us to pass on information: for example, to notify a birth.

The NHS Central Register for England & Wales contains basic personal details of all patients registered with a general practitioner. The Register does not contain clinical information.

You have a right of access to your health records.

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 or 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. The sharing of some types of very sensitive information is strictly controlled by law.

Anyone who receives information from us is also under a legal duty to keep it confidential.

THE MAIN REASONS FOR WHICH YOUR INFORMATION MAY BE NEEDED ARE:

1. Giving you health care and treatment
2. Looking after the health of the general public
3. Managing and planning the NHS
4. Making sure that our services can meet patient needs in the future
5. Paying your doctor, nurse, dentist, or other staff, and the hospital which treats you for the care they provide
6. Auditing accounts
7. Preparing statistics on NHS performance and activity (where steps will be taken to ensure you cannot be identified)
8. Investigating complaints or legal claims
9. Helping staff to review the care they provide to make sure it is of the highest standard
10. Training and educating staff (but you can choose whether or not to be involved personally)
11. Research approved by the Local Research Ethics Committee. (If anything to do with the research would involve you personally, you will be contacted to see if you are willing to take part. You will not be identified in any published results without your agreement.) If you agree your relatives, friends and carers will be kept up to date with the progress of your treatment.