Fair Processing Notice – Data Protection Act 1998
Your Information and How We Use It
Why we collect information about you
This organisation keeps records about the health care and treatment you receive. These help ensure that you receive the best possible care from us.
How we keep your records confidential
Everyone working for the NHS is subject to the Common Law Duty of Confidence. Information provided in confidence will only be used for the purposes stated and consented to by the patient, unless there are other circumstances covered by the law.
Under the NHS Confidentiality Code of Conduct, all of our staff are also required to protect your information, inform you of how your information will be used, and allow you to decide if and how your information can be shared. This will be recorded in your records.
Other NHS organisations with whom we share your Personal Information
We may share your information, if it contributes directly to your healthcare, with Health Commissioners, NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups, General Practitioners (GPs), Ambulance Services and other NHS Common Services Agencies such as Hospitals, Community Health Teams, etc.
Information Sharing with Non-NHS Organisations
For your benefit, we may also need to share information from your health records with other non-NHS organisations, from which you are also receiving care, such as Social Services. However, we will not disclose any health information to third parties without your explicit consent, unless there are exceptional circumstances, such as when the health or safety of others is at risk or where the law requires it.
If we are asked to share information with a non-NHS organisation that does not directly relate to your care, we will always seek consent prior to any information being shared. If you choose not to consent to this when asked, then that decision will be recorded and respected.
Your right to withdraw consent for us to share your personal information
At any time you have the right to refuse/withdraw consent to information sharing. The possible consequences will be fully explained to you and could include delays in receiving care.
Your rights under the Data Protection Act
Patients, as data subjects, have a number of rights under the Data Protection Act, including a general right of access to personal data (electronic or paper) held about them.
Right of Access
You can make your own application to see your records, or you can authorise someone else to make an application for you. A parent or guardian, a patient representative, or a person appointed by the Court may also apply. If you wish to access your personal data, then please contact:
Sherry Sharpe, Trentside Medical Group
In order to fulfil our responsibilities under the Act, you may be asked to provide proof of your identity, and any further information required to locate the record you have requested.
Withholding information about you
Information may be withheld if the Practice believes that releasing the information to you could cause serious harm to your physical or mental health. We do not have to tell you that information has been withheld.
Information may also be withheld if another person (i.e. third party) is identified in the record, and they do not want their information disclosed to you. However, if the other person was acting in their professional capacity in caring for you, in normal circumstances they could not prevent you from having access to that information.
Correcting inaccurate information
We have a duty to ensure your information is accurate and up to date to make certain we have the correct contact and treatment details about you.
If your information is not accurate and up-to-date, you can ask us to correct the record. If we agree that the information is inaccurate or incomplete, it will be corrected. If we do not agree that the information is inaccurate, we will ensure that a note is made in the record of the point you have drawn to the Practice’s attention.
Further Information
If you would like to know more about how we use your information, or if (for any reason) you do not wish to have your information used in any of the ways described above, please speak to the health professionals concerned with your care.
Information about you and the care you receive is shared, in a secure system, by healthcare staff to support your treatment and care.
It is important that we, the NHS, can use this information to plan and improve services for all patients. We would like to link information from all the different places where you receive care, such as your GP, hospital and community service, to help us provide a full picture. This will allow us to compare the care you received in one area against the care you received in another, so we can see what has worked best.
Information such as your postcode and NHS number, but not your name, will be used to link your records in a secure system, so your identity is protected. Information which does not reveal your identity can then be used by others, such as researchers and those planning health services, to make sure we provide the best care possible for everyone.
Make Your Choice
You can stop your confidential patient information being used for research and planning. You can make your choice by post, phone or online by visiting:
www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters/manage-your-choice
To make your choice by phone:
Speak to the NHS Digital Contact Centre. They can help you use the online service or make or change a choice on your behalf.
NHS Digital Contact Centre
0300 303 5678
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (excluding bank holidays)
If you’re happy with your confidential patient information being used for research and planning you do not need to do anything.
Any choice you make will not impact your individual care.
You can find out more on the NHS England Care Data website