Patients are entitled to view their medical records. Patients can apply to the practice to view their record which is now accessible via the online services facility or NHS app.

If you wish to make a complaint, please use our practice complaints procedure.  Please direct your complaint to the Practice Manager.  You also have the right to approach NHS England who can be contacted at:

NHS England

PO Box 16738

Redditch

B97 9PT

Tel: 0300 311 2233

Email:  [email protected]

You can also contact the Patient Liaison Service (PALS)

Patient Advice and Liaison Service

Richmond CCG

Civic Centre

44 York Street

Twickenham

Tel:  020 8374 3001

Email: [email protected]

The practice complies with principles of data protection and all aspects of legislation.  Identifiable information about patients will be shared with others in the following situations:

• To provide further medical treatment from other NHS services
• To enlist assistance from related services such as social and welfare providers. This necessitates your consent
• When there is a legal basis such as in relation to crime or child protection issues
• To provide NHS and related services for information to enable planning future care. This information will be anonymised.  If you do not wish your information to be used in this way, please inform the surgery so that we can exclude your non-identifiable data from the process of extraction.

Reception and administration staff require access to your record to facilitate the running of the practice.  They are trained in confidentiality and data protection and are aware of their duty of care.

What is GDPR?

As from May 2018 new regulations regarding patient information have come into force.  GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) seeks to create a harmonised data protection law framework across the EU and aims to give back to data subjects control of their personal data, whilst imposing strict rules on those hosting and processing this data, anywhere in the world.
Every effort is made to ensure the security and confidentiality of your medical record. The practice will adhere to GDPR in order to manage your data and ensure that it is recorded, protected and shared in line with current regulations.
To find out more about the storage, use and sharing of your information, please see the Privacy notices below:

Practice General Privacy Statement
Privacy Leaflet

Other Privacy Notices
CQC
Direct Care
Emergency Care
National Screening
Payment
Shared Care Record
NHS Digital
Risk Stratification
Safeguarding
Prescriptions

Sharing your data
Information about  health  helps to improve an individual’s care, speed up diagnosis and helps plan local services and research new treatments.  The NHS is committed to safeguarding your confidential information and is transparent about how your data is used.

How your data is used
Information about your care such as treatment, tests, diagnoses etc is collected whenever you use health and care services.  It is also used for research and planning for new treatments and health services.  Wherever possible, the data is used only after identifiable information such as name and address have been removed.  It is said to be “anonymised” data.

 NHS Digital Privacy Notice to explain how your information is extracted, shared and used.

Choosing to opt out of sharing your information

Download Type 1 Opt-out form to prevent your personal data from being shared for secondary purposes such as research and planning for improved services.  However, NHS Digital will still be able to collect and share data from other healthcare providers such as hospitals. Complete the form and return it to reception.  We can then ensure that steps are taken to modify your record to prevent extraction.

To opt out fully and stop NHS Digital and other healthcare organisations from sharing your data for research and planning click here

How do I make a request to access my data or have possible inaccuracies rectified?
You have the right to access your personal data – that is, your electronic GP record. If you have registered for online services and requested access to your online record you should be able view a version of your medical information.   You should request access using the form below, if your online record requires further clarification.   In addition, if you suspect that there is inaccuracy in your record you have the right to request rectification.
Your right to access and rectification
Subject Access Request form

Freedom of Information Act
This act  sets out the basic rights of an individual to request and receive information held by a public authority. The aim of the Act is to enable members of the public to question the decisions of public authorities more closely and to ensure that public services are efficiently and properly delivered. If you wish to make a Freedom of Information request, please contact the practice with your request. The policy below contains details of how to apply.
Freedom of Information Policy

Your Summary Care Record will contain important information about any medicines you are taking, allergies you suffer from and any bad reactions to medicines that you have had.

Giving healthcare staff access to this information can prevent mistakes being made when caring for you in an emergency or when your GP practice is closed.

Your Summary Care Record will also include your name, address, date of birth and your unique NHS Number to help identify you correctly.

You may want to add other details about your care to your Summary Care Record. This will only happen if you ask for the information to be included. You should discuss your wishes with the healthcare staff treating you.

The practice complies with the NHS Zero Tolerance Policy with respect to violence and abuse to our staff. We have the right to remove violent patients from our list with immediate effect in order to protect our staff.  This includes threatened violence or verbal abuse which leads to fear for a member of staff’s safety.  The patient will be notified of their removal and informed in writing of our actions.  There will also be a note of the exclusion and the the circumstances surrounding it made in the patient record.