CONFIDENTIALITY IN THE SURGERY |
The General Medical Council, whose rules on confidentiality apply to all doctors in the UK, enforces our duty of confidentiality to all patients. The practice is also registered under the Data Protection Act 1998.
We take great care to ensure that no information you give us is passed on either inadvertently or through the deception of others. This would include other family members unless we have your written consent.
Releasing information without your agreement - There are a few situations when your doctor is allowed to release information without your consent. These situations are very rare and are clearly defined by law.
Reports for other people - Sometimes you may need a report prepared by your doctor for someone else who is not involved in your care. This may be your employer, an insurance company or your solicitor. We will never release any information to any other party without your written consent. You have the right to see these reports before they are sent off. If you have any worries we recommend you ask to check them at the time.
Access to medical records - You have the right to see your own medical record, both hand written and entered onto the computer. You should apply in writing to the practice manager who will arrange an appointment. Please note there may be a charge for accessing your record and any subsequent copying of the contents that you may request.
Practice Staff - Doctors do not discuss their patients with reception staff, but staff may type letters, file incoming hospital post and results and carry out a host of other administrative tasks on behalf of your doctor. They are not allowed to access your notes for any other purpose. All our staff are highly trustworthy and professional in their attitute to the responsibility that patient confidentiality places on them.
The practice is also requested by the NHS and MRC to provide data for the clinical audit or research of certain diseases and conditions. Prescribing information is also requested to help compile statistics on how diseases are treated and the costs involved in treating some illnesses. All such information is anonymous; individual patients will not be recognizable from this information.