Confidentiality

Confidentiality and your information

We take your privacy and confidentiality seriously. All members of our team have a legal and professional duty to protect the information we hold about you.

Your information is confidential

Information about your health, treatment and personal circumstances is confidential. This includes information you provide to us as well as information contained within your medical record.

Everyone working at the practice is required to respect patient confidentiality. This includes doctors, nurses, healthcare professionals, reception and administrative staff, trainees and other members of the practice team.

Staff only have access to patient information where this is necessary for them to carry out their role.

Sharing information about your care

We may need to share relevant information with other health and care professionals involved in your treatment, for example when referring you to a hospital or another healthcare service.

We will only share information that is appropriate and necessary for the purpose for which it is required.

There are also limited circumstances where we may be required or permitted to share information without your consent. This may include where:

• There is a legal requirement to provide information
• There is a serious concern about the safety or welfare of a child or adult at risk
• There is a risk of serious harm to you or another person
• Disclosure is necessary in the public interest

Any decision to disclose confidential information without consent is taken seriously and considered in accordance with our legal and professional responsibilities.

Please see our Safeguarding Policy

Family members, friends and carers

We understand that relatives, friends and carers may sometimes contact us on a patient's behalf. However, we cannot normally disclose information about you without your permission, even to a spouse, partner, parent or other family member.

If you would like us to discuss your healthcare with somebody else, please let us know. We can record your consent and the people you are happy for us to speak to.

Different considerations may apply where a patient lacks capacity to make a particular decision or where there is a safeguarding concern.

Children and young people

Children and young people also have a right to confidentiality.

Where a young person is able to understand the information and decisions involved in their healthcare, information they share with a healthcare professional will normally be treated confidentially.

There may be circumstances where information needs to be shared to protect a child or young person from serious harm.

Privacy at reception

Our reception and administrative staff are an important part of the healthcare team and are bound by the same confidentiality requirements as other practice staff.

They may need to ask you for information to help us deal with your request appropriately. You do not need to discuss personal information where other patients can hear you. If you would prefer to speak more privately, please let a member of the team know.

Protecting your records

We have systems and procedures in place to protect your information from inappropriate access, loss or disclosure.

Access to medical records is restricted to authorised individuals and electronic systems are protected by appropriate security measures. Staff receive training in confidentiality, data protection and information governance.

Inappropriate access to patient records is taken very seriously.

Your rights

You have rights over the personal information we hold about you, including the right to request access to your medical record and, in certain circumstances, to request that inaccurate information is corrected.

More information about how we collect, use, store and share your personal information can be found in our Privacy Notice

Questions or concerns

If you have any questions about confidentiality or how we use your information, please contact the practice.

If you believe your confidentiality has been breached, please let us know so that we can investigate your concerns.

Your information is personal. We are committed to treating it with care, respect and confidentiality.